Drug abuse statistics in Washington

Washington has a population of 7,738,692 people. The most recent data from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that 1,501,000 people over the age of 12 had abused illegal substances in the past month, around 19.40% of the population. 1,424,000 reported marijuana use in the past month and 1,958,000 in the past year. The report also found that 155,000 Washington residents had abused cocaine in the past year, 91,000 had abused meth, and 257,000 had abused prescription pain medication. 63,000 people over the age of 18 reported using heroin in the last year. Those reporting opioid misuse including heroin, painkillers, and fentanyl in Washington totaled 274,000 people.

Alcohol abuse in Washington

Alcohol misuse was also reported in Washington with 3,366,000 people over the age of 12 saying they had used alcohol in the last month and 1,513,000 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 3,113,000 people.

Overdose deaths in Washington

In 2021, Washington saw a total of 2152 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 Washington at 27.8 people per 100,000. The total number of alcohol-related deaths (including overdose and all other causes) was 1772 or 22.9 per 100,000 people.

Addiction and treatment in Washington

The NSDUH report also recorded the total amount of substance abuse disorders in Washington and those who currently require treatment. The report found that 1,367,000 were recorded as having a substance use disorder (SUD) and 846,000 had an alcohol use disorder. 197,000 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 698 people in Washington needed treatment for illicit substance abuse, 825,000 required treatment for an alcohol use disorder, and 1,249,000 needed treatment for a diagnosed substance use disorder.

What treatment options are available in Washington?

Numerous addiction programs and treatment options can help with your sobriety journey. Some treatment options include inpatient treatment, detoxification, alcohol addiction treatment, and opioid treatment for Washington residents. 

Washington Rehab programs also have programs that target teens, seniors, military personnel, and other professionals to help beat their addiction. 

You can find these rehab centers below:

Alcohol addiction treatment center in Washington

  • A Change into Recovery LLC

  • Pathways Adult Residential Treatment

  • Royal life centers LLC cascade 

  • Therapeutic Health Services

Opioids addiction treatment center in Washington

  • BAART Behavioral Health Services

  • Comprehensive Healthcare

  • Healing lodge of the seven nations

  • Sea Mar Behavioural Health

Washington Rehab centers that offer detox services

  • Sundown  M Ranch

  • Lakeside- Milam Recovery centers

  • Royal Life Centers at The Haven

  • Pioneer Center East

  • Kitsap Recovery Center

Rehab centers in Washington that offer adolescent addiction treatment

  • Lifeline Connections

  • Olympic Personal Growth Center

  • Somerset Counseling Center

  • MERIT Resource Services

  • Reflections Counseling Services Group

Rehab centers that offer addiction treatment services to seniors

  • CORE Health

  • Sea Mar Behavioral Health

  • Believe in Recovery LLC

  • Reflections Counseling Services Group

  • West Sound Treatment Center

  • Eugenia Center

How do I pay for rehab in Washington?

If you find the rehab cost too high for you to afford, don’t worry,  there are still ways you can get help. You can get treatment if you have insurance. 

Most rehabilitation centers in Washington accept private healthcare insurance, public health insurance like Medicare, and military insurance to cover treatment costs. 

Some community-level programs and initiatives offer scholarships to help needy individuals get treatment to manage their substance use and alcohol addiction.

Government assistance for rehab in Washington

The Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) provides funding and oversight for substance abuse treatment services for individuals who qualify for Medicaid. The HCA also supports other services like alcohol use treatment, Opioid Use Treatment, and Medications for Opioid Use Disorder. 


You can reach the Washington Recovery Help Line at 1-866-789-1511. The HCA also has a 24-hour emotional support helpline for teens called Teen Link to help refer treatment and recovery resources to those who need them.