Drug abuse in Wyoming
Wyoming has a population of 578,803 people. The most recent data from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that 77,000 people over the age of 12 had abused illegal substances in the past month, around 13.30% of the population. 67,000 reported marijuana use in the past month and 104,000 in the past year. The report also found that 10,000 Wyoming residents had abused cocaine in the past year, 12,000 had abused meth, and 20,000 had abused prescription pain medication. 7,000 people over the age of 18 reported using heroin in the last year. Those reporting opioid misuse including heroin, painkillers, and fentanyl in Wyoming totaled 19,000 people.
Alcohol abuse in Wyoming
Alcohol misuse was also reported in Wyoming with 256,000 people over the age of 12 saying they had used alcohol in the last month and 124,000 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 221,000 people.
Overdose deaths in Wyoming
In 2021, Wyoming saw a total of 99 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 Wyoming at 17.1 people per 100,000. The total number of alcohol related deaths (including overdose and all other causes) was 222 or 38.4 per 100,000 people.
Addiction treatment in Wyoming
The NSDUH report also recorded the total amount of substance abuse disorders in Wyoming and those who currently require treatment. The report found that 106,000 were recorded as having a substance use disorder (SUD) and 73,000 had an alcohol use disorder. 12,000 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 45 people in Wyoming needed treatment for illicit substance abuse, 65,000 required treatment for an alcohol use disorder, and 88,000 needed treatment for a diagnosed substance use disorder.
Government assistance for addiction treatment in Wyoming
The Wyoming Department of Health has the Behavioral Health Division that provides Mental Health and Substance Use treatment services, including overseeing programs and grants for communities to access outpatient and regional substance abuse treatment.
They also offer court-supervised treatment programs which are accessible and affordable for Wyoming residents.
You can contact the Mental health and Substance Use treatment services under the Behavioral Health Division at (307) 777-6494 .