Drug Use in North Dakota
North Dakota has a population of 796,568 people. The most recent data from the 2023-2024 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that approximately 96,000 people over the age of 12 had used illegal substances in the past month, around 12.05% of the population. 86,000 reported marijuana use in the past month and 116,000 in the past year.
The report also found that 9,000 North Dakota residents had used cocaine in the past year, 7,000 had used meth, and 17,000 had misused prescription pain medication. 1,000 people over the age of 18 reported using heroin in the last year. Those reporting opioid misuse, including heroin, painkillers, and fentanyl in North Dakota totaled 16,000 people.
Alcohol Use in North Dakota
Alcohol misuse was also reported in North Dakota with 362,000 people over the age of 12 saying they had used alcohol in the last month and 161,000 reporting binge drinking. The perceived risk of people over 12 years of age indulging in problematic alcohol use (5 or more drinks twice a week) in a month was 255,000 people.
Addiction Treatment in North Dakota
The NSDUH report also recorded the total number of substance use disorders in North Dakota and those who currently require treatment. The report found that approximately 109,000 were recorded as having a substance use disorder (SUD) and 68,000 had an alcohol use disorder. 10,000 people were recorded as having an OUD, including those with painkiller, heroin, and other opioid-based drug use disorders.
The NSDUH report also measures the gap between the people who need SUD treatment and those who actually receive it. It found that 120,000 people in North Dakota were classified as needing treatment in the past year, 24,000 received treatment for an SUD, and 97,000 did not receive the treatment they were classified as needing.
Government assistance for addiction treatment in North Dakota
The Behavioral Health Division in North Dakota is committed to helping individuals recover from drug and alcohol addiction. They offer peer support, counseling for opioid abuse, and treatment options for individuals dealing with pain medication addictions.
The Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Voucher was also developed to increase access to quality treatment services for individuals battling drug addiction. They ensure service options are communicated to individuals and reduces financial barriers related to drug treatment.
If you need to talk to someone about your addiction or get support, you can contact their 24/7 recovery line to chat with a trained specialist.
- ND Substance Abuse Treatment Programs. (n.d.). Health and Human Services North Dakota. Retrieved September 14, 2026, from https://www.hhs.nd.gov/behavioral-health/substance-abuse-treatment-programs
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- 2023-2024 NSDUH: Model-Based Estimated Totals for States (in Thousands). (2026, February 4). Samhsagov. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2023-2024-nsduh-estimated-totals-state
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