Drug abuse in Virginia
Virginia has a population of 8,642,274 people. The most recent data from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that 1,083,000 people over the age of 12 had abused illegal substances in the past month, around 12.53% of the population. 1,031,000 reported marijuana use in the past month and 1,497,000 in the past year. The report also found that 176,000 Virginia residents had abused cocaine in the past year, 89,000 had abused meth, and 319,000 had abused prescription pain medication. 69,000 people over the age of 18 reported using heroin in the last year. Those reporting opioid misuse including heroin, painkillers, and fentanyl in Virginia totaled 316,000 people.
Alcohol abuse in Virginia
Alcohol misuse was also reported in Virginia with 3,908,000 people over the age of 12 saying they had used alcohol in the last month and 1,799,000 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 3,443,000 people.
Overdose deaths in Virginia
In 2021, Virginia saw a total of 2507 recorded drug-related overdose deaths. This includes those that were accidental or unidentifiable but excludes those that were related to suicide or homicide. This puts the overdose death toll in Virginia at 29 people per 100,000. The total number of alcohol related deaths (including overdose and all other causes) was 1014 or 11.7 per 100,000 people.
Addiction and treatment in Virginia
The NSDUH report also recorded the total amount of substance abuse disorders in Virginia and those who currently require treatment. The report found that 1,346,000 were recorded as having a substance use disorder (SUD) and 894,000 had an alcohol use disorder. 182,000 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 540 people in Virginia needed treatment for illicit substance abuse, 888,000 required treatment for an alcohol use disorder, and 1,199,000 needed treatment for a diagnosed substance use disorder.
Government assistance for addiction treatment in Virginia
The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services provides substance Use Disorder Services that offer treatment for substance use, addiction, and mental health issues. Every city in Virginia state has a Virginia Community Services Board (CSBs) that offers these treatment services.
You can reach the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health & Development Services for help with addiction at (804) 786-3921.