Drug abuse in Utah
Utah has a population of 3,337,975 people. The most recent data from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that 353,000 people over the age of 12 had abused illegal substances in the past month, around 10.58% of the population. 297,000 reported marijuana use in the past month and 429,000 in the past year. The report also found that 48,000 Utah residents had abused cocaine in the past year, 43,000 had abused meth, and 110,000 had abused prescription pain medication. 18,000 people over the age of 18 reported using heroin in the last year. Those reporting opioid misuse including heroin, painkillers, and fentanyl in Utah totaled 112,000 people.
Alcohol abuse in Utah
Alcohol misuse was also reported in Utah with 927,000 people over the age of 12 saying they had used alcohol in the last month and 489,000 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 1,326,000 people.
Overdose deaths in Utah
In 2021, Utah saw a total of 587 recorded drug-related overdose deaths. This includes those that were accidental or unidentifiable but excludes those related to suicide or homicide. This puts the overdose death toll in Utah at 17.6 people per 100,000. The total number of alcohol-related deaths (including overdose and all other causes) was 431 people.
Addiction and treatment in Utah
The NSDUH report also recorded the total amount of substance abuse disorders in Utah and those who currently require treatment. The report found that 450,000 were recorded as having a substance use disorder (SUD) and 287,000 had an alcohol use disorder. 62,000 people were recorded as having an opioid use disorder including those with painkiller, heroin, and other opioid-based drug use disorders. There are also many who have been diagnosed with or reported a substance, illicit drug, or alcohol use disorder that require rehab treatment and are not receiving it. The report found that 218 people in Utah needed treatment for illicit substance abuse, 266,000 required treatment for an alcohol use disorder, and 360,000 needed treatment for a diagnosed substance use disorder.
What treatment options are available in Utah?
In Utah, drug treatment facilities offer inpatient, outpatient, residential treatment, and alcohol addiction detox services for individuals dealing with various forms of alcohol or substance abuse.
Most of the rehabs in Utah offer counseling services where therapists help individuals identify the underlying causes of their drug use, how to avoid triggers, and the best treatment options available.
Below are some rehab facilities where you can get addiction treatment in Utah:
Self-funded rehab centers in Utah
Addiction treatment facilities in Utah that accept private health insurance
Utah rehabs that accept Medicaid/Medicare or other state assistance
Addiction treatment programs for seniors in Utah
Addiction and detox centers in Utah for teens and young people
How do I pay for rehab in Utah?
Paying for rehab is a massive hurdle to accessing treatment. In Utah, rehab centers accept self-payments like cash or credit card to pay for health care services. You can also pay through private insurance plans, military insurance, or other payment assistance like a financial plan.
Drug rehabilitation centers like Project Reality and Bear River Health Department accept Medicaid, Medicare, and other state assistance.
If these payment options are still over your budget, there are Utah rehab facilities that offer free/ no-cost care for addicts.
Local government assistance in Utah
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services, through the Office of Substance Use and Mental Health (SUMH), offers prevention, treatment, and recovery services to residents in Utah.
SUMH oversees the services given by treatment facilities to individuals struggling with mental health issues, addiction to alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs.
Other responsibilities include monitoring and evaluating mental health and substance abuse services through annual site review processes and reviewing the outcome data with the right stakeholders.
So you can be sure that the facilities you go to seek treatment are providing their services according to the law. SUMH is also responsible for providing assistance and training to local authorities to help evaluate the effectiveness of prevention and treatment programs in Utah.
On their website, you can learn more about prevention measures & programs in Utah, recovery resources, and access to substance use disorder treatment data from facilities in Utah.
If you or a family member need assistance with drug and alcohol abuse, you can reach SUMH at 801-538-3939, email, fax, or at their headquarters in Salt Lake City.