Apr 22, 2015 | By Tim Powers
The 10 Most Addicted States in America
Addiction & Recovery News
The Addicted States of America?
Over the past few years, the United States has experienced an increase in the use of drugs. We can’t turn on the television, read a newspaper or turn in to social media to hear which drugs Americans are addicted to and what the new flavor of the month is regarding the new fix.
To what degree America is experiencing the epidemic of drug use and addiction can be up for debate, but there are certain parts of the country where the use of certain drugs are causing significant concern. The following is a list of the states which are experiencing high rates of addiction.
Want to see the opioid epidemic by state? Learn more, here.
Vermont
Despite its bucolic setting, Vermont has the highest rate of illicit drug use in the United States, with 15% of citizens saying they have used illicit drugs within the past month. Vermont ranks high in usage of a wide variety of drugs including marijuana and cocaine.
Within the past couple of years, Vermont has also seen a dramatic increase in the use of opiates, and especially heroin. According to a Rolling Stone article which was published last year:
““…Vermont has seen an eightfold increase in those seeking treatment for opiate use, with an almost 40 percent spike in the past year for heroin alone, and every day hundreds are languishing on waiting lists for understaffed clinics.”
In cities such as Burlington and Rutland, there are have dramatic increases in treatment admissions for heroin and prescription painkiller use.
Nevada
The “Sin City” state has the highest rate of treatment admissions for stimulant abuse, and especially methamphetamine. There were nearly 1900 treatment admissions for stimulant and methamphetamine abuse in Nevada with Las Vegas and Carson City with the highest concentration of users. In Carson City, for example, meth accounted for 27 percent of all treatment admissions.
According a 2013 report issued by the Nevada Attorney General’s Office, there was a 112% increase in the number of treatment admissions for opiate and opioid abuse and admissions for benzodiazpines such as Valium increased 341 percent.
New Mexico
New Mexico has the second highest drug overdose mortality rate in the country, with almost 24 people per 100,000 dying from overdoses in 2013. The report also states that number of drug overdose deaths – a majority of which are from prescription drugs – in New Mexico increased by 59 percent since 1999 when the rate was 15 per 100,000.
Additionally, New Mexico has a drug overdose rate that is nearly double the national average. The city of Espanola, NM accounts for 42.5 drug related deaths per 10,000 which is more than four times higher than the national average of 7.3.
District of Columbia
Cocaine/crack and heroin each separately accounting for 32 percent of all treatment admissions in the District of Columbia in 2011. Washington D.C. also leads the country in drug mortality rates.
Florida
As with other parts of the country, Florida saw a dramatic increase in the number of heroin-related overdoses and deaths. A Reuters report from early last year stated the following:
“Deaths from heroin – now more potent and widely available than ever – rose 89 percent statewide from 62 in 2011 to 117 in 2012, with the problem reaching epidemic proportions in South Florida, according to a report by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institute of Health…In Miami-Dade County, deaths jumped 120 percent, from 15 in 2011 to 33 in 2012.”
Prior to the surge seen in heroin use, Florida had seen an epidemic in prescription medication overdoses which decreased after the state began strengthening its prescribing laws and stepping up enforcement.
Rhode Island
As the smallest state in the country, Rhode Island has long been known as a state in a constant battle with drug addiction. Between 2009 and 2013, the number of admissions for treatment for heroin addiction rose 40 percent and the state has the highest rate of illicit drug use at 12.8%. Rhode Island has been among the top five states in the country for illicit drug use among residents ages 12 and older over the past decade according to surveys conducted by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Alaska
As the third state that passed legislation to legalize marijuana for adults, it is no surprise that marijuana use rates in Alaska are high (no pun intended). As of 2010, marijuana has been the most commonly-cited drug among primary drug treatment admissions, closely followed by other opiates like prescription drugs.
In an article published in the Washington Post in August of last year, nearly one in four Alaskans aged 18-24 used marijuana in the past month as well as just over 11 percent of adults over 25 years of age.
Colorado
Citing data from the National Survey of Drug Use and Health and featured in an article published late last year in the Denver Post:
“As marijuana legalization took hold in Colorado, the estimated percentage of regular cannabis users in the state jumped to the second-highest level in the country, according to new federal data…when asked, roughly one out of every eight Colorado residents over the age of 12 reported using marijuana in the previous month. Only Rhode Island topped Colorado in the percentage of residents who reported using marijuana as frequently.”
These numbers had been obtained after the legalization of the drug in the state. While these numbers may indicate on the surface there may be more addicts, it is too early to tell if this will become true.
Montana
Methamphetamine use accounts for 50% of incarcerations in Missoula, MT and 13.8% of its’ citizens reported using illicit drugs within the last month, according to a Forbes magazine article. According to a report published by the Montana Department of Justice, prescription drug abuse had accounted for more deaths in that state than meth, heroin and cocaine combined. Additionally, youth in Montana report the third-highest rate of prescription drug abuse in the country.
Massachusetts
Like other states in the Northeastern United States, Massachusetts experienced a dramatic increase in heroin overdoses and deaths. From November 2013 to February 2014, 185 people died from suspected heroin overdoses. That number does not include the states 3 largest cities and overdose deaths are up 47% since 1999. In a recent article in the Boston Globe, more than 1,700 infants born last year in Massachusetts were exposed to drugs, a problem driven in part by the opiate crisis engulfing the state.
Judy Boeken
9 years ago
Love reading Sober Nation
articles. Doing good work,
Interesting guy.
Judy, sobriety date
August 23rd., 1977
Nice to meet you.
Nina
9 years ago
Thank you for paying it forward. Hearing you’ve been clean for 11 years gives me hope for my son. He’s 24 and been a herion addict for 5 years . He has had times when he’s clean but they are short. I pray he lives long enough to beat his demon
amanda
9 years ago
I’m 24 too. I am a recovered heroin addict. I’ve been sober for almost 7 months. I attend 12 step meetings weekly and live in an oxford house. There is hope and he is not alone . I highly suggest oxford. They are located nation wide. But when he is willing and desperate enough, he will he willing to go to any length. Hope that helped.
Louise Eldridge
9 years ago
Nina…there is an epidemic in my small town of 30k, that began when the methadone clinics were invited here 13 yrs ago…the overdoses have increased yearly. 1 addict arrives for help bringing 8 actively using friends and family, thus attracting every dealer in the northeast…supply and demand. We have been fortunate that the Cityreach ministry, originally from PA, arrived on the scene offering free shelter and meals to those willing to trade all substances and follow their 9 month recovery program. Their program’s success has saved and restored many lives. 12 step programs are successful, also. Abuse of substances is an out of control wildfire. Too many are consumed, and don’t know how to ever feel normal again, once they use.
Margot
9 years ago
YUMA ARIZONA I would rate as the highest addictive . its right on the border of Mexico.
Andrea Gooley
9 years ago
Ive been sober since May 24 2010, I love to read other stories that are the same as I and hope that these stories help someone else with their recovery. It’s never been easy and I still struggle to this day with my recovery but I refuse to give up and let the devil win again! Best wishes to all that are in this journey be proud of yourself for all the hard work you’vr done already!
Louise Eldridge
9 years ago
5 years of recovery is such an accomplishment. Your journey must be of help to so many who want to be free of their bondage. Many may not be desperate enough to tough it out yet, and are in need of a role model to light the way for them. Congrats on your hard work….these clean and sober years are something no one can ever take away from you !
Tommy Stark
9 years ago
One up to SoberNation. I’m 33, abused script painkillers for 5 years. Got help, and I’ve been clean since October 2013. Although that devil sits on my shoulder 24/7, I’ve been kicking his ass for almost 3 years now. It didn’t take long to destroy my life, but it’s taken a long time to rebuild it. But @ least I’m alive and able to do that. I’ve emerged from the filth of addiction as a stronger man, a stronger person. To those who feel helplessly trapped by drugs or whatever, try to remember that help is out there if you are truly willing to take it.
God Bless.
graceylou
9 years ago
Marijuana should not be included as a drug. There have never been any cases of overdose or death from marijuana. it is the heroin and coke and meth and prescription pain killers that are killing people and here in Southeastern Indiana, it is also sharing needles causing HIV that is killing people.
12 Stepper
9 years ago
A drug is a drug is a drug. My disease is such that I have to abstain from all mind-altering substances & maintain a connection with my higher power to keep the life I’ve built.
Or as my sponsor likes to say, “The problem with marijuana is… It makes me thirsty.”
Eyes Open
8 years ago
It’s a medicinal herb, useful for pain relief and many diseases & conditions. It can be, and frequently is, sold in formulas free of THC. It’s not always about getting a high!
William soares
9 years ago
I would have thought Oklahoma to be on the list. Prescription abuse and methamphetamine seem to be rampant here, also alcohol
Sara
9 years ago
As someone who is both 8 years sober and a resident of Vermont, I can tell you that this state has been HIT HARD by the recent Heroin influx! When I went to treatment out of state for Heroin dependance in June of 07, it wasn’t nearly as available as it is now! It is on my newsfeed and in the news everyday. Babies being exposed, parents dying in public bathrooms while their children sit waiting in the car. It’s awful and something needs to be done!
Louise Eldridge
9 years ago
So nice to hear from one who has been there, and back, and willing to share that life does improve ! Congrats on your clean and sober living….it is priceless !
Missinghim
9 years ago
Well my nephew died Saturday , August 22, 2015.
He was 32 years old and on the street for 15 years. I believe his first attempt at marijuan was the beginning of his addiction. I always had hope. Always a light at the end of the tunnel.
It will take a long time to get over this. He was a joy during his early years and we must celebrate JOY that he is no longer in pain!
There but the GRACE of God go I.
Louise Eldridge
9 years ago
So sorry for your loss….my town is losing many of its young people daily due to overdoses. I do know that Vermont produced a film, ‘The Opiate Effect’, which is powerful, and was shown on our public tv station. Kids in middle school need to see that film, as dealers will find them, and hook them, if they are not prepared for that initial ‘free’ joint that leads down a slippery slope.
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