Arkansas Drug and Alcohol Statistics - Methadone dot org (NAMA Recovery)

Statistical Data on Drugs in Arkansas

Arkansas faces significant challenges with methamphetamine use, high opioid prescription rates, and substance use disorders, while showing some positive trends in recent overdose death reductions.

Drug Overdose Deaths

Overall Overdose Statistics

Current Annual Deaths: 388 overdose deaths per year
Death Rate: 13.5 deaths per 100,000 residents (34.78% below national average)
Percentage of All Deaths: 1.20% of all deaths are from drug overdose
National Share: 0.55% of nationwide overdose deaths occur in Arkansas

Historical Death Rate Trends

2010: 12.8 per 100,000 (374 deaths)
2011: 12.6 per 100,000
2021: 22.3 per 100,000 (546 deaths)
2022: 21.7 per 100,000

Overall Increase: 95% increase since 2013, 38% increase since 2018

Drug-Involved Autopsy Data (2014-2021)

Year	Methamphetamine	Fentanyl	Both M&F	Heroin	Cocaine
2014	29	3	3	5	—
2015	31	14	3	6	—
2016	41	8	3	1	—
2017	44	20	—	5	13
2018	75	51	14	14	—
2019	89	80	25	22	12
2020	142	148	64	13	20
2021	237	281	114	10	63

The data shows dramatic increases in both methamphetamine and fentanyl-related deaths, with fentanyl showing particularly sharp increases after 2019.

Recent Trends (2022-2023)

2022: 617 people died of overdoses (20 per 100,000)
2023: 510 drug overdose deaths (13.7% decline from 2022)
Two-Year Decline: Nearly 19% reduction since 2021
Comparison to National: Arkansas decline of 13.7% vs. national drop of 3%

Arkansas has shown remarkable improvement in reducing overdose deaths, with a decline rate several times higher than the national average, though the state still faces significant challenges.

County-Level Overdose Data (2022)

County	Deaths per 100,000
Garland County	38.0
Pulaski County	34.6
Sebastian County	28.7
White County	27.0
Saline County	18.8
Washington County	16.8
Faulkner County	16.4
Benton County	14.5

Significant variation exists across counties, with Garland County having more than double the rate of Benton County, indicating geographic disparities in the crisis.

Substance Use Disorders by Age Group

Overall Prevalence (2022-2023 Data)

Age Group	SUD Rate	Population Estimate
12+ years	17.62%	450,000
12-17 years	8.79%	22,000
18-25 years	26.78%	86,000
26+ years	17.25%	342,000
18+ years	18.57%	428,000

Drug Use Disorders Specifically

Age Group	Drug Use Disorder Rate	Population Estimate
12+ years	9.50%	242,000
12-17 years	6.85%	17,000
18-25 years	16.28%	52,000
26+ years	8.73%	173,000

Young adults (18-25) show dramatically higher SUD rates at over 25%, indicating this demographic requires targeted intervention strategies.

Youth-Specific Statistics (Ages 12-17)

Current Usage Rates

Any Illicit Drug Use: 7.90% past month (20,000 teens)
Marijuana Use: 6.82% past month (17,000 teens)
Comparison: 24.84% less likely to use drugs than average American teen

Substance-Specific Youth Data

Marijuana: 93.33% of drug-using teens report marijuana use
Cocaine: 0.42% reported use in past year
Methamphetamines: 0.42% reported use
Heroin: Up to 0.21% used (limited data)
Pain Relievers: 3.34% report misuse

Youth Treatment Needs

IDUD Criteria: 2.92% met criteria for illicit drug use disorder
AUD Criteria: 1.67% met criteria for alcohol use disorder

Arkansas youth show lower drug use rates than national averages, but significant numbers still require intervention, particularly for marijuana and prescription drug misuse.

Opioid-Specific Statistics

Prescription Rates

2022: 71.7 opioid prescriptions per 100 persons (2nd highest in nation)
2013: 117.5 prescriptions per 100 persons (3.5 million total)
2015: 111.2 prescriptions per 100 persons (3.3 million total)
National Comparison 2022: Arkansas 71.7 vs. National 46.8
Historical High: Alabama leads at 74.5 per 100 persons

Opioid Deaths and Usage

2021: 386 opioid overdose deaths (61% of all drug deaths)
2022: 208 opioid overdose deaths (7.4 per 100,000)
Death Rate Increase: From 6.2 per 100,000 (2011) to 13.7 per 100,000 (2021)
Use Disorder Prevalence: 2.58% of adults (2021)

Fentanyl Impact

2022: 51% of total overdose deaths involved fentanyl and synthetic opioids
Rate Increase: 12.7 times increase in fentanyl deaths between 2002-2022
2021: 75% of overdose deaths involved synthetic opioids

Arkansas maintains one of the highest prescription rates nationally while experiencing significant fentanyl-related mortality, indicating both prescription and illicit opioid problems.

Cannabis/Marijuana Usage

Youth Usage Trends

High School Grades 10-12: Downward trend over six years
Heavy Use Decline: From 4.5% (2014) to 3.3% (2019)
Current High School Senior Statistics: Out of 10 seniors, 3 tried cannabis, 1 currently uses, 1 uses heavily

Adult Usage (2022-2023)

Past Month Use (12+ years): 14.63% (374,000 people)
Past Year Use (12+ years): 21.03% (537,000 people)
Adults 26+: 11.8% current use (lower than national 14.3%)
18-25 Age Group: 23.13% past month use

Arrest Statistics

Possession Arrests: 50% increase since 2010
2018: Cannabis possession = 49% of all drug arrests

While youth cannabis use is declining, adult usage remains significant, and enforcement continues to represent a substantial portion of drug-related arrests.

Methamphetamine Statistics

Usage Prevalence

2022: 4.1% of adults reported past-year methamphetamine use (40% higher than U.S. average)
National Ranking: 3rd highest methamphetamine use rate in the country
Federal Sentences: 33% of drug-related federal sentences involved methamphetamine vs. 14% U.S. average

Treatment and Deaths

Treatment Admissions: 83% increase in meth-related admissions (2015-2019)
2021 Death Rate: 5.3 deaths per 100,000 people
Rate Increase: 11.8 times increase in meth-related deaths (2003-2022)

High-Risk Counties (Methamphetamine Deaths 2021)

Cross County: 17.8 per 100,000
Hot Spring County: 15.1 per 100,000
Izard County: 14.7 per 100,000

Methamphetamine represents Arkansas’s most significant illicit drug challenge, with usage rates well above national averages and substantial increases in related deaths and criminal activity.

Treatment Infrastructure and Access

Treatment Facilities and Capacity

Active Facilities: 180 substance abuse facilities statewide
Annual Patients Served: 7,640 patients
Outpatient Services: 6,925 clients annually
Residential Services: 685 clients annually
Hospital-Based: 30 clients
Free Treatment: 6 facilities offer free services

Treatment Costs

Outpatient Average: $1,668 per individual
Residential Average: $53,036 per individual
National Ranking: 3rd cheapest residential rehabilitation (non-hospital)
Top 10: Among cheapest states for outpatient services

Treatment Gap Analysis

Need Treatment: 19.79% of population (505,000 people)
Receive Treatment: 4.99% of population (128,000 people)
Treatment Gap: 74.93% of those needing treatment don’t receive it
Youth Gap: 57.74% of 12-17 year-olds needing treatment don’t receive it

EMS Naloxone Administration

2021: 136.8 per 100,000 people
2022: 142.8 per 100,000 people
Trend: Increasing naloxone usage indicating ongoing opioid emergency responses

Despite relatively affordable treatment costs, a significant treatment gap exists with approximately 3 in 4 people needing treatment not receiving it.

Treatment Provider Infrastructure

Healthcare Provider Capacity

DATA Waived Practitioners: Increased from 364 (August 2020) to 581 (July 2022)
Individuals in Treatment: 12,255 people (2022)
Certified Prevention Providers: Only 28 statewide
Coverage Gaps: Regions 7 and 13 have no certified prevention providers
Peer Recovery Specialists: 348 currently active

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Methadone Recipients: 1,031 people (March 2019), decreased from 1,095 (2015)
Buprenorphine Recipients: 928 people (March 2019), increased from 389 (2015)

While some treatment capacity has expanded, significant gaps remain in prevention services and geographic coverage, particularly in certain regions of the state.

Special Populations and Conditions

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)

2004: 0.4 per 1,000 births
2013: 2.6 per 1,000 births (nearly sevenfold increase)
2000-2012: Fivefold rise in NAS cases
National Comparison: Arkansas 2.6 vs. National average 6.0 per 1,000 births

HIV and Hepatitis C Related to Drug Use

HIV Prevalence: 5,174 persons living with diagnosed HIV (210 per 100,000)

IDU-Related HIV: 16.4% of males, 18.8% of females
HCV Prevalence: 1.8% of adults (37,709 people)
Among People Who Inject Drugs: 33.7% have HCV attributed to IDU

Maternal and Social Vulnerability

Maternal Vulnerability: 3rd highest index score nationally
Maternal Mortality: Highest rate nationally at 43.5 deaths per 100,000 live births
Maternity Care Deserts: 45.3% of counties (34 of 75)
Social Vulnerability: 18 of 75 counties in highest vulnerability category

Arkansas faces compounding challenges with substance use occurring alongside significant maternal health and social vulnerability issues.

Economic and Criminal Justice Impact

Treatment Spending

Outpatient Services: $11.55 million (0.5% of U.S. total)
Residential Services: $36.33 million (0.7% of U.S. total)
Per-Person Costs: Well below national averages

Criminal Justice Statistics

Drug Courts: 79 programs statewide (43 adult, 13 juvenile, 9 DWI, others)
Drug Court Participants: 2,312 adults in 2013
Success Rate: 87% remained drug-free upon completion vs. 50% on probation
Youth Criminal Charges: 258 drug-related charges (2023), 24.6% increase from 2022

Motor Vehicle and Safety Impact

2010 Data: 261 alcohol/drug-related traffic fatalities
Traffic Crashes: 4,086 alcohol/drug-related crashes
Boating Accidents: 9 of 72 accidents involved alcohol/drugs (3 fatal)

While treatment costs are relatively low, the broader economic and social costs remain substantial, though drug courts show promising success rates.

This comprehensive analysis reveals Arkansas faces a complex substance use crisis with methamphetamine and prescription opioids as primary concerns, though recent trends in overdose death reduction and expanding treatment access provide reasons for cautious optimism.

Statistical Data on Alcohol in Arkansas

Arkansas faces significant challenges with alcohol-related deaths and substance use disorders, with over 1,400 annual deaths from excessive alcohol use and a 52% increase in death rates from 2015-2019, while showing positive trends in reduced youth alcohol use and rates below national averages in some key areas.

Alcohol-Related Deaths and Health Impact

Overall Death Statistics

Total annual deaths: 1,407 deaths attributable to excessive alcohol use
Deaths per capita: 1 death for every 2,140 people aged 18 and older (6.08 deaths per 10,000 adults)
Death rate increase: 52.1% increase in excessive alcohol deaths per capita from 2015 to 2019
Under 21 deaths: 3.55% of alcohol-related deaths

Arkansas shows a concerning trend with over 1,400 annual deaths from excessive alcohol use and a significant 52% increase in death rates over a 4-year period, indicating a growing public health crisis.

Demographics of Deaths

Male deaths: 69.8% of excessive alcohol use deaths
Age distribution: 83.4% of deaths occur in adults aged 35 and older
Cause breakdown: 55.7% from chronic causes (such as Alcohol Use Disorder)

Years of life lost: 35,826 years of potential life lost annually

Specific Causes of Death (5-year averages 2015-2019)

Suicides due to alcohol: 136 deaths
Homicides due to alcohol: 112 deaths
Alcohol Dependence Syndrome: 34 deaths
Coronary Heart Disease (alcohol-related): 92 deaths

All alcohol-attributable causes: 623 deaths

Male over 21: 459 deaths
Female over 21: 164 deaths
Male under 21: 36 deaths

The data shows alcohol contributes to various causes of death beyond direct alcohol poisoning, with suicide and homicide being significant contributors, highlighting the broad social impact of alcohol abuse.

Historical Trends and Comparisons

Alcohol Use Changes Over Time

Youth (Ages 12-17)

2002-2004 to 2017-2019: Past-month alcohol use decreased to 8.6%
Current rate: 7.3% (2022-2023 data)
National comparison: Similar to regional (9.4%) and national (9.4%) averages

Young Adults (Ages 18-25)

Binge drinking: 30.2% (2017-2019), lower than national average (35.4%)
Alcohol use disorder: Decreased from 17.4% to 6.5% over two decades

Arkansas has made significant progress in reducing youth and young adult alcohol use, with rates now comparable to or better than national averages.

State Rankings and Comparisons

Excessive drinking rank: 6th lowest in the nation (14.5% of adults)
Adult drinking rate: 40.8% (2019) vs. national rate of 53.8%
Overdose deaths: 21.7 per 100,000 (2022), lower than neighboring states
2023 improvement: 13.4% drop in overdose deaths (higher than 3% national decline)

Arkansas performs relatively well compared to other states in excessive drinking rates and has shown recent improvement in overdose deaths.

Current Alcohol Use Patterns (2022-2023 Data)

Adult Alcohol Use by Age Group

Age Group	Alcohol Use (Past Month)	Binge Drinking (Past Month)
12+ years	42.43% (1,083,000)	19.41% (495,000)
12-17 years	6.94% (17,000)	3.62% (9,000)
18-25 years	43.13% (138,000)	26.26% (84,000)
26+ years	46.76% (928,000)	20.27% (402,000)
18+ years	46.26% (1,066,000)	21.11% (486,000)

Young adults (18-25) show the highest rates of binge drinking at over 26%, while overall adult alcohol use remains relatively consistent across age groups above 18.

Underage Drinking (Ages 12-20)

Alcohol use: 13.40% (49,000) reported use in past month
Binge drinking: 8.08% (29,000) reported binge drinking in past month
Risk perception: 41.39% (151,000) perceive great risk from having 5+ drinks once or twice a week

Underage drinking remains a significant concern with over 49,000 youth reporting recent alcohol use, though the majority recognize the risks associated with heavy drinking.

College and University Data

University of Arkansas Alcohol Use

Past-month alcohol use: 60.1% of students aged 18-22
Monthly binge drinking: 39.0%
Heavy alcohol use: 13.2%
Peak usage: June through October

Student Behaviors and Consequences

High-Risk Behaviors

Behavior	UARK	National
Pregaming	52%	50%
Doing shots	44%	48%
Chugging alcohol	24%	26%
Binge drinking (5+ drinks)	33.8%	29.7%

Negative Consequences

Consequence	UARK	National
Blacked out	41%	34%
Passed out	23%	18%
Hangover	53%	47%
Poor assignment performance	26%	19%

University of Arkansas students show higher rates of negative consequences from drinking compared to national averages, with blackouts and hangovers being particularly common.

Student-Athlete Data

Past-year alcohol use: 77.1% (compared to 78.9-81.3% of similar-age non-athletes)
Binge drinking: 42% (decreased from 55% in 2009)

Reasons for Not Drinking

Going to drive: 67%
Don’t want to spend money: 36%
Have other things to do: 36%
Don’t need alcohol to have fun: 29%
Don’t want to lose control: 29%

The majority of students who abstain cite safety concerns (driving) as their primary reason, indicating good awareness of alcohol-related risks.

Alcohol Use Disorders and Treatment

Alcohol Use Disorder Trends

2021 prevalence: 9.43% of Arkansans 12+ (slightly below national average of 10.1%)
Young adults (18-25): Dropped from 17.4% (2002-2004) to 6.5% (2017-2019)
Overall population: Decreased from higher levels in 2002-2004 to 5.0% (2017-2019)

Arkansas shows positive trends with significant decreases in alcohol use disorders, particularly among young adults, though treatment access remains inadequate.

Treatment Access and Gaps

Specialty treatment access: Only 5.9% of Arkansans with substance use disorders received specialty treatment in 2022 (below 7.2% national average)
Young adult treatment gap: 12.63% of young adults needing treatment lacked access
Adult treatment needs: 4.5% of adults 26+ needed but didn’t receive treatment for alcohol (2018-2019)

Arkansas faces significant challenges in treatment access, with the vast majority of people needing substance use treatment not receiving it, particularly among young adults.

Economic Impact

2010 costs: $2.073 billion spent by Arkansas taxpayers due to excessive alcohol use
2022 equivalent: $2.799 billion (adjusted for inflation)
Cost per drink: $3.06 in 2022 dollars

The economic burden of excessive alcohol use is substantial, costing the state nearly $2.8 billion annually in today’s dollars.

Arkansas faces a complex alcohol-related crisis with rising death rates and significant treatment gaps as primary concerns, though positive trends in youth alcohol use reduction and rates below national averages in some areas provide reasons for cautious optimism.

In general, Arkansas faces a multifaceted substance abuse crisis with the nation’s second-highest opioid prescription rate (71.7 per 100 persons), methamphetamine use rates 40% above the national average, and over 1,400 annual alcohol-related deaths. Despite recent progress including a 13.7% drop in overdose deaths and declining youth substance use, Arkansas struggles with a critical treatment gap where nearly 75% of those needing treatment do not receive it. The state’s recent improvements in overdose death reduction and expanding treatment infrastructure provide cautious optimism, but sustained investment in prevention and treatment access will be essential to combat this complex public health crisis effectively.