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State Substance Abuse Treatment Admissions Shows Dramatic Shift

Although the overall rate of admissions to substance abuse treatment in the United States remained stable between 1998 and 2008, at about 770 admissions for every 100,000 persons in the population, a new study shows striking changes and variations in admission rates by region.  For example, the rate of admissions for alcohol as the primary drug has declined by 15% nationally.   However admission rates for alcohol in West North Central states (AR, IA, KS, MN, MO, ND, NE, and SD) remained the same. 

At the same time that admissions for alcohol treatment were declining, admission rates per 100,000 population for illicit drug use were increasing.  In fact, one consistent pattern in every region was the increase in the admission rate for marijuana use which rose 30% nationally.  From 1998 through 2008, marijuana treatment admission rates were highest in the West North Central and Middle Atlantic states (NJ, NY, and PA).

As indicated in an earlier report, Substance Abuse Treatment Admissions Involving Abuse of Pain Relievers: 1998 and 2008, the treatment admission rate for opiates other than heroin (mainly narcotic pain relievers) rose 345% nationwide during these 11 years.  The new study shows that increased admissions for pain reliever abuse occurred in every region of the nation and were highest in the New England (CT, MA., ME, NH, RI, and VT) and the East South Central states (AL, KY, MS, and TN).

Nationwide, the admission rate for methamphetamine treatment was 53% higher in 2008 than in 1998, although the level has dropped significantly and consistently from its peak in 2005.  Methamphetamine admission rates were highest during this period in the Pacific (AK, CA, HI, OR, and WA), West North Central and Mountain states (AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, and WY).

The new study provided mixed news concerning heroin–nationwide the rate of heroin admissions dropped by 3% from 1998 to 2008, but this drop was not uniform and in many states the levels have actually risen.  Heroin treatment admission rates were consistently highest in the New England and Middle Atlantic states.   

In terms of cocaine the news was more encouraging—a 23% reduction in the cocaine treatment admission rate nationally over this period and decreases in every region of the country. The Middle Atlantic states had the highest levels of cocaine admission rates throughout this period. 

“This study provides insight into the regional nature of substance abuse by highlighting the shifting trends in the reasons for admission to substance abuse treatment,” says Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, JD. “By carefully analyzing these data, policy makers, public health experts and behavioral health service providers can better direct limited resources and meet the treatment needs of people living in states and communities.”  

— Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration