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

Statistical Data on Drugs in Delaware

Delaware faces a significant substance use crisis that has evolved dramatically over recent decades. The state consistently ranks among the highest in the nation for drug overdose deaths, with rates substantially exceeding national averages. However, recent data shows encouraging progress, with a historic 36% decrease in overdose deaths in 2024—the first decline in a decade. This comprehensive statistical report draws from state agencies, federal databases, and public health monitoring systems to provide a detailed picture of substance use patterns, treatment access, and the ongoing impact of the opioid epidemic in Delaware.

Overdose Deaths and Mortality Rates

Annual Death Trends

2024: 338 confirmed overdose deaths (36% decrease from 2023)
2023: 527 deaths (1.8% decrease from 2022)
2022: 549 deaths
2021: 514 deaths
2019: 431 deaths
2018: 400 deaths
2010: 147 deaths
2007: 102 deaths

Delaware experienced a seven-fold increase in overdose deaths from 2010 to 2019, escalating from 147 to 431 deaths. After peaking at 549 deaths in 2022, the state achieved its first significant decline in over a decade, with 2024 marking a historic 36% reduction. This improvement outpaced the national decline of 26.5% and matched regional trends in Virginia (42%) and Washington D.C. (33%).

Mortality Rates per 100,000 Population

Year	Rate per 100,000	Comparison to National Average
2022	55.3	47.63% higher than national rate
2021	54.1	–
2019	48.4 (age-adjusted)	Second highest in the nation
2019	48.5	79.6% higher than national average (27 per 100,000)
2010	16.4	Exceeded national rate of 12.9

Delaware’s overdose death rate has consistently exceeded the national average by significant margins. The 2019 age-adjusted rate of 48.4 per 100,000 made Delaware the state with the second-highest drug overdose death rate in the country. Even with recent improvements, Delaware’s rate of 55.3 deaths per 100,000 in 2022 remained nearly 48% higher than the national average.

Overdose Deaths as Percentage of All Deaths

5.16% of all deaths in Delaware are from drug overdose
0.51% of nationwide overdose deaths occur in Delaware

Despite representing only 0.51% of nationwide overdose deaths due to its small population, Delaware’s rate of 5.16% of all in-state deaths being drug overdoses demonstrates a disproportionately severe local crisis compared to the national impact.

Opioid Crisis Statistics

Opioid Overdose Deaths

2023 Opioid Death Data

Total opioid overdose deaths: 457
Rate: 47.0 deaths per 100,000 residents
95.8% higher than the national opioid death rate
Opioids involved in 87.0% of all overdose deaths

2019 Opioid Death Data

Fentanyl present in 79% of overdose fatalities
Cocaine present in 39% of overdose fatalities
Other opioids present in 29% of overdose fatalities

Opioids dominate Delaware’s overdose crisis, accounting for nearly nine out of every ten overdose deaths. The state’s opioid death rate of 47.0 per 100,000 is nearly double the national rate, indicating a particularly severe local epidemic. Synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl, have become the primary driver of opioid deaths.

Types of Opioids Involved in Deaths

Opioid Type	Percentage of Opioid Deaths
Synthetic opioids (fentanyl)	94.3%
Heroin	5.3%
Prescription opioids	6.8%

The overwhelming dominance of synthetic opioids (94.3%) demonstrates the shift in Delaware’s drug market from prescription opioids and heroin to illicitly manufactured fentanyl. This transition has made the drug Supply more dangerous and unpredictable.

Opioid-Related Health Complications

Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal syndrome: 49.3 per 1,000 births (2020)
New hepatitis C cases linked to IV drug use: 8.8 per 100,000 (2022)
New HIV/AIDS diagnoses linked to IV drug use: 6.4 per 100,000 (2023)

Opioid Prescribing Patterns

Prescription rate: 39.5% of residents have a prescription
Monthly prescription rate: 33 per 1,000 persons (December 2019) – above national average
Monthly rate of opioid prescriptions filled: 2.8 per 100 people (March 2025) – no change from March 2024

While Delaware’s opioid prescription rates have been declining, they remain above the national average. The stabilization at 2.8 per 100 people suggests prescribing practices have reached a plateau, though the rate still contributes to the overall availability of opioids in the state.

Historical Context and Rankings

National Rankings (2010-2011)

Delaware ranked in the top ten states for:

Past month use of illicit drugs other than marijuana (persons 12+)
Past year nonmedical pain reliever use (persons 12+)
Illicit drug dependence (persons 12+ and young adults 18-25)

Drug Use Comparison to National Averages (Most Recent Survey)

Delaware residents using illicit drugs in past month: 8.99%
National average: 8.82%
Delaware residents using illicit drug other than marijuana in past month: 3.98%
National average: 3.33%

Delaware Drug Use Comparison

Delaware has consistently exceeded national averages for substance use across multiple categories for over a decade. While the gaps have narrowed somewhat, Delaware continues to rank among states with the most serious substance use problems.

Substance Use Prevalence by Age Group

Youth (Ages 12-17) Substance Use Statistics (2022-2023)

Illicit Drug Use

Past month illicit drug use: 9.17% (7,000 youth)
26.40% more likely than average American teen to have used drugs in the last month
85.71% of youth who used illicit drugs reported marijuana use
Past year illicit drug use other than marijuana: 2.00%

Marijuana Use

Past year marijuana use: 11.94%
Past month marijuana use: 7.49%
4.53% used marijuana for the first time in the past year

Other Substances

Past year cocaine use: 0.18%
Past year methamphetamine use: 0.11%
Past year prescription pain reliever misuse: 1.66%
Past year opioid misuse: 1.71%

Substance Use Disorders

Drug use disorder (DUD): 8.94%
Alcohol use disorder (AUD): 2.76%

Delaware youth demonstrate significantly higher rates of substance use compared to national averages, with drug use 26.4% above typical rates and alcohol use 7% above average. The predominance of marijuana among illicit drugs (85.71%) reflects national patterns, though Delaware’s overall youth substance use rates are concerning.

Young Adults (Ages 18-25) Substance Use Statistics (2022-2023)

Illicit Drug Use

Past month illicit drug use: 29.94% (29,000 young adults)
12.11% more likely to use drugs than average American in same age group
Past month illicit drug use other than marijuana: 3.22%

Marijuana Use

Past year marijuana use: 37.02%
Past month marijuana use: 27.83%
6.87% used marijuana for the first time in the past year

Other Substances

Past year cocaine use: 2.79%
Past year heroin use: 0.06%
Past year hallucinogen use: 8.08%
Past year methamphetamine use: 0.35%
Past year prescription pain reliever misuse: 2.82%
Past year opioid misuse: 2.79%

Binge Drinking

30% of 18-24 year olds binged in last 30 days
28% of 25-34 year olds binged in last 30 days
National average for this age group: 19%

Substance Use Disorders

Substance use disorder: 28.86%
Drug use disorder: 17.92%
Marijuana use disorder: 7.2% (2017-2019 data)
Opioid use disorder: 1.07%
Pain reliever use disorder: 1.16%

Young adults in Delaware show alarming rates of substance use, with nearly 30% reporting past-month illicit drug use. Binge drinking rates are particularly concerning, with Delaware young adults consuming alcohol at rates 58% higher than the national average. The 18-25 age group consistently emerges as the highest-risk demographic across multiple substance categories.

Adult Population (Ages 26+) Substance Use Statistics (2022-2023)

Illicit Drug Use

Past month illicit drug use: 15.66% (111,000 adults)
Past month illicit drug use other than marijuana: 3.79%

Marijuana Use

Past year marijuana use: 20.76%
Past month marijuana use: 13.94%

Other Substances

Past year cocaine use: 1.55%
Past year heroin use: 0.63%
Past year hallucinogen use: 2.11%
Past year methamphetamine use: 0.75%
Past year prescription pain reliever misuse: 3.38%
Past year opioid misuse: 3.40%

Substance Use Disorders

Substance use disorder: 17.18%
Drug use disorder: 8.62%
Pain reliever use disorder: 2.02%
Opioid use disorder: 2.31%

While adult substance use rates are lower than those of young adults, they remain substantial, with more than 111,000 adults using illicit drugs monthly. Adults report opioid use disorder at more than double the rate of young adults (2.31% vs 1.07%), suggesting age-related progression of addiction severity.

All Ages Combined (12+) Statistics (2022-2023)

Illicit Drug Use

Past month illicit drug use: 16.68% (146,000 people)
Past month illicit drug use other than marijuana: 3.58%

Marijuana Use

Past year marijuana use: 21.80% (191,000 people)
Past month marijuana use: 14.93% (131,000 people)

Other Substances

Past year cocaine use: 1.57%
Past year hallucinogen use: 2.73%
Past year methamphetamine use: 0.65%
Past year prescription pain reliever misuse: 3.17%
Past year opioid misuse: 3.19%

Historical Comparison (2017-2019)

Past year marijuana use: 17.2% (141,000 people) – increased from 2002-2004
Past year heroin use: 1.27% (10,000 people) – increased from 2002-2004
Marijuana use disorder: 1.9% (15,000 people)
Opioid use disorder: 1.5% (12,000 people)
Illicit drug use disorder: 3.8% (31,000 people)
Substance use disorder: 9.6% (79,000 people)

Substance Use Disorders

Total with substance use disorder: 17.88% (157,000 people)
Drug use disorder: 9.67% (85,000 people)
Pain reliever use disorder: 1.88% (17,000 people)
Opioid use disorder: 2.10% (18,000 people)

More than 140,000 Delaware adults are living with a substance use disorder. Delaware’s substance use disorder rate of 9.6% (2017-2019 data) was higher than both the regional average (7.0%) and national average (7.4%). Marijuana remains the most commonly used illicit substance, with usage rates increasing significantly over the past two decades.

Historical Substance Use Trends

Youth Marijuana and Illicit Drug Use (2002-2019)

2017-2019 Annual Averages (Ages 12-17)

Past month marijuana use: 9.1% (6,000 youth) – no significant change from 2002-2004
Past month illicit drug use: 9.7% (7,000 youth) – no significant change from 2015-2017
Delaware rates higher than regional (6.2% marijuana, 7.5% illicit drugs) and national averages (6.8% marijuana, 8.2% illicit drugs)

Substance Initiation (2017-2019)

First-time alcohol use: 9.9% (7,000 youth)
First-time marijuana use: 4.3% (3,000 youth)
First-time cigarette use: 1.9% (1,000 youth)

Young Adult Historical Trends (2002-2019)

2017-2019 Annual Averages (Ages 18-25)

Past year marijuana use: 39.3% (37,000) – no significant change from 2002-2004
Past year marijuana use disorder: 7.2% (7,000) – no significant change from 2002-2004
Past year opioid use disorder: 1.0% (1,000) – decreased from 2015-2017
Past year illicit drug use disorder: 8.7% (8,000) – no significant change from 2015-2017
Past year substance use disorder: 17.0% (16,000) – no significant change from 2015-2017

While young adult marijuana use has remained relatively stable over nearly two decades, the rate of opioid use disorder showed a significant decrease between 2015-2017 and 2017-2019, suggesting some success in intervention efforts targeting this age group.

Perception of Great Risk from Substance Use (2022-2023)

Substance/Behavior	Ages 12-17	Ages 18-25	Ages 26+	All Ages 12+
Smoking marijuana once a month	20.71%	9.28%	19.42%	18.41%
Using cocaine once a month	47.41%	59.31%	67.84%	65.18%
Trying heroin once or twice	55.77%	77.51%	86.03%	82.57%

Young adults (18-25) show dramatically lower risk perception for marijuana use (9.28%) compared to other age groups, which may contribute to higher usage rates in this demographic. Risk perception increases with age for all substances, with heroin perceived as most dangerous across all age groups.

Treatment Access and Capacity

Substance Use Treatment Statistics

Treatment Need vs. Receipt

People classified as needing substance use treatment: 19.75% (173,000 people)
People who received substance use treatment: 4.41% (39,000 people)
People not receiving treatment among those needing it: 77.60% (135,000 people)

By Age Group – Treatment Need vs. Receipt

Age Group	Needing Treatment	Received Treatment	Treatment Gap
12-17	11.94%	4.17%	65.16% not receiving
18-25	29.95%	4.46%	85.33% not receiving
26+	19.18%	4.43%	76.78% not receiving
Treatment Enrollment18+	20.48%	4.43%	78.28% not receiving

Delaware faces a massive treatment gap, with more than three-quarters of people needing substance use treatment not receiving it. The gap is most severe among young adults (18-25), where 85.33% of those needing treatment don’t receive it, despite this age group having the highest rates of substance use disorders.

Single-Day Count (March 2019)

Total enrolled in treatment: 17,307 people
Increase from 10,327 in 2015 (67.6% increase)

Annual Services

17,307 clients serviced annually by Delaware drug rehab clinics
17,183 patients enroll in outpatient services annually
87 patients enroll in residential (non-hospital) services
37 patients in hospitals for drug rehab

Delaware Annual Services Statistics

Treatment Focus (March 2019)

Drug problem only: 57.0%
Alcohol problem only: 8.9%
Both drug and alcohol problems: 34.1%

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Receiving methadone in opioid treatment programs: 5,153 people (March 2019) – increased from 3,266 in 2015
Receiving buprenorphine: 752 people (March 2019) – decreased from 2,425 in 2015

While overall treatment enrollment increased significantly (67.6%) between 2015 and 2019, the dramatic decrease in buprenorphine treatment (69% decline) is concerning given this medication’s effectiveness. The shift toward methadone may reflect changing treatment protocols or barriers to buprenorphine access.

Treatment Facilities and Services

Active rehabilitation clinics: 56
No facilities offer free drug rehab treatment for all clients
57.5% of facilities provide substance abuse treatment only
25% offer treatment for a variety of conditions
23% offer in-house detox treatment

Historical Data (2009)

Total admissions: 7,814 people
Male: 73%
Female: 27%
White: 69.3%
African-American: 27.9%

Treatment Admissions by Primary Substance (2009)

Marijuana: 1,813 people
Heroin: 1,668 people
Opiates other than heroin: 1,403 people
Cocaine (all forms): 668 people

The lack of free treatment facilities represents a significant barrier to care, particularly given the high cost of treatment and the large treatment gap. The shift in primary substances from 2009 to recent years reflects the evolution of Delaware’s drug crisis from cocaine and prescription opioids toward heroin and synthetic opioids.

Treatment Costs

Outpatient Treatment

Annual federal spending on outpatient services in Delaware: $29.34 million (1.27% of U.S. public total)
Average individual cost: $1,707
Delaware has the same average cost as South Carolina for outpatient services

Residential Treatment

Annual federal spending on residential treatment in Delaware: $4.67 million (0.09% of U.S. public total)
Average individual cost: $53,690
Delaware has the 4th cheapest residential rehabilitation service (non-hospital) in the nation

Despite having relatively affordable residential treatment compared to other states, the $53,690 average cost remains prohibitively expensive for most individuals without insurance or financial assistance. The substantial difference between outpatient ($1,707) and residential ($53,690) costs highlights the financial barriers to intensive treatment.

Drug Market and Seizure Data

Drug Purity and Composition (2019)

Heroin

95% of heroin seized by DEA also contained fentanyl
Nearly 50% of heroin seized exceeded 60% purity
National comparison: Less than 25% of heroin seizures nationwide exceeded 60% purity

Cocaine

Average purity: 66%

Methamphetamine

Crystal methamphetamine average purity: 98%

Delaware’s heroin Supply is exceptionally pure compared to national standards and almost universally contaminated with fentanyl, creating an extremely dangerous combination. The near-universal presence of fentanyl in heroin (95%) explains the high rates of opioid overdose deaths.

Laboratory Analysis of Drug Exhibits (2018)

Drug Category	Percentage of Exhibits
Illicit opioids (heroin, fentanyl, FRS)	41%
Cocaine	28%

Illicit opioids comprised the highest percentage of drug exhibits submitted for analysis, reflecting their prominence in Delaware’s drug market and law enforcement priorities.

Drug Pricing in Delaware (2019)

Cocaine

Per gram: $32-$48
Per 1/8 ounce (8-ball): $160-$170
Per ounce: $850-$1,300
Per kilogram: $24,000-$40,000

Delaware Drug Pricing Statistics

Crack Cocaine

Per 1/8 ounce (8-ball): $150
Per ounce: $1,200-$1,600

Fentanyl

Per pill: $10-$13

Heroin

Per bundle: $15-$70
Per gram: $47-$60
Per “Log” (10 bundles): $170-$600

Marijuana

Per pound: $1,200-$2,000

Methamphetamine

Per ounce: $300-$700 (Mexican-produced: $700; OMG-produced: $500)
Per pound: $3,500-$7,500

Prescription Drugs

Oxycodone: $10-$30 per pill
Suboxone: $75 per strip
Adderall: $7.50 per pill

Counterfeit Pills

Illicitly-manufactured oxycodone with fentanyl: $13 individually or $10 per pill for quantities over 1,000

The relatively low cost of fentanyl pills ($10-$13) compared to traditional opioids, combined with their high potency, has driven the shift toward synthetic opioids. In 2019, DEA seized approximately 14,000 tablets of counterfeit oxycodone containing fentanyl in New Castle, demonstrating the scale of the counterfeit pill problem.

Medical Marijuana Program

Six medical marijuana locations operating (end of 2019)
8,200 active medical marijuana card holders (2019)
Projected to reach 9,000 card holders by end of 2020 (approximately 1% of Delaware’s population)

Delaware’s medical marijuana program remains relatively small, with only 8,200 cardholders in 2019 representing less than 1% of the state’s population, suggesting either restrictive qualifying conditions, limited public awareness, or barriers to access despite six operational dispensaries.

Drug Impaired Driving Statistics

DUI Arrests and Testing (Delaware County Data)

Five-Year DUI Arrest Trends

Year	Total Arrests	License Suspensions	E-Citations	Blood Tests	Breath Tests
2016	664	162	152	597	253
2017	583	175	223	618	222
2018	579	134	386	512	192
2019	530	144	448	477	152
2020	368	102	295	480	70

Statewide DUI Data (2009)

Total DUI arrests: 3,804
Juvenile DUI arrests: 314
Middle-aged drivers (25-54) accounted for 55% of all crashes and 58% of fatal crashes
10% of all fatal crashes involved people under the influence of drugs

DUI arrests declined significantly from 2016 to 2020, with a 44.6% decrease over the five-year period. The 2020 drop may be partially attributed to COVID-19 pandemic effects on driving patterns. Blood testing remained relatively stable while breath testing decreased dramatically in 2020.

Positive Drug Test Results by Class (Delaware County)

Drug Class	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020
Cannabinoids	107	50	73	70	80
Benzodiazepines	7	66	51	40	26
Narcotics	46	50	53	62	55
Stimulants	26	50	48	43	55
Muscle Relaxants	0	0	2	2	3
Barbiturates	0	1	1	0	1
Z-Drugs	0	3	0	1	0

Common Prescription Drugs Found (2009)

Codeine, Xanax, Valium, Percocet, Nembutol, and cough syrups

Cannabinoids consistently show the highest detection rates in impaired driving cases, though the numbers fluctuate year to year. The spike in benzodiazepine detections in 2017 (7 to 66 cases) followed by a steady decline suggests either a temporary supply increase or enhanced testing protocols that year.

Demographics of Impaired Drivers

Age and Gender – E-Citations

Age Group	Female	Male
15-24	7.86%	20.97%
25-34	9.12%	21.37%
35-44	5.13%	13.32%
45-54	3.20%	7.46%
55-64	2.60%	7.32%
65-84	0.47%	1.20%

Race/Ethnicity – E-Citations

White: 70.50%
Black: 16.39%
Hispanic: 1.74%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 0.47%
Other: 0.07%
Unknown: 10.84%

Race/Ethnicity – Arrests

White: 81.66%
Black: 16.35%
Asian/Pacific Islander: 0.44%
American Indian or Native Alaskan: 0.04%
Unknown: 1.52%

Males are disproportionately represented in impaired driving cases across all age groups, with rates approximately 2-3 times higher than females. Young adults (15-34) account for the majority of impaired driving incidents, with males aged 25-34 representing the single largest demographic at 21.37% of E-citations.

Public Health Impact

Drug-Related Mortality Comparisons (2010)

Cause of Death	Number of Deaths
Drug-induced deaths	147
Motor vehicle accidents	111
Firearms	88

Even in 2010, before the peak of the opioid crisis, drug-induced deaths exceeded both motor vehicle and firearm fatalities, demonstrating the long-standing severity of Delaware’s substance use problem.

Recent Trends in Key Health Indicators

Category	Measure	2023 Value	Trend (2018-2023)
Adult Excessive Drinking	Binge Drinking	13.6%	Decreased 17%
Drug Overdose Deaths	Death Rate (per 100,000)	54.1 (2021 data)	Increased 69% (2016-2021)
Mental Health	Depression	20.1%	Increased 19%
Tobacco Use	Adults Who Smoke	11.4%	Decreased 31%
Youth Substance Use	Prescription Pill Abuse	8.0% (2021 data)	Decreased 21% (2017-2021)
Suicide	Deaths	134 (2021 data)	Increased 13% (2016-2021)

While binge drinking and tobacco use have decreased substantially, overdose deaths increased dramatically (69%) between 2016 and 2021. The 19% increase in depression rates may be related to both the substance use crisis and broader mental health challenges. The 21% decrease in youth prescription pill abuse represents a positive trend.

Non-Fatal Overdoses

Suspected non-fatal overdoses (June 2020): 2.7 per 10,000 people (monthly age-adjusted rate)
Decreased 41% from June 2019 to June 2020

The significant decrease in non-fatal overdoses from 2019 to 2020 may reflect pandemic-related changes in drug use patterns, emergency response effectiveness, or availability of naloxone.

Federal Funding and Resources

Overdose Prevention Funding (FY23)

Total CDC Appropriation: $3,415,187

Recipient	Amount
Delaware Department of Health and Social Services/Division of Public Health	$3,327,587
Overdose Response Strategy	$87,600

With 549 overdose deaths in 2022, the federal funding amounts to approximately $6,220 per overdose death. This funding supports prevention activities, though the treatment gap data suggests substantially more resources are needed to meet demand for substance use treatment services.

Criminal Justice Statistics

Federal Drug Offenses (2005)

18.6% of federally-sentenced defendants in Delaware committed drug offenses
44% of federal drug cases involved crack cocaine

Drug Courts and Prison Treatment (2006-2010)

Drug courts operating for more than 2 years: 7 (as of 2006)
No additional drug courts planned (as of 2006)
Total treatment beds in prison system: 1,456 (adolescents and adults combined) (2010)

Delaware Criminal Justice Statistics

Delaware’s drug court infrastructure has remained limited, with no expansion planned as of 2006. The prison system has developed substantial treatment capacity with 1,456 beds, recognizing the connection between incarceration and substance use disorders.

Delaware’s substance use crisis has evolved significantly over the past two decades, from a general drug problem to one dominated by the opioid epidemic and synthetic opioids. The 36% decrease in overdose deaths in 2024 represents the first major progress after years of escalating fatalities, offering hope that a combination of harm reduction strategies, increased treatment access, and law enforcement efforts may be beginning to turn the tide. However, significant challenges remain: more than 140,000 adults live with substance use disorders, the treatment gap exceeds 75%, and rates of substance use—particularly among young adults—continue to exceed national averages. Continued investment in prevention, treatment, and recovery support services will be essential to sustaining recent improvements and addressing the underlying factors driving Delaware’s substance use crisis.

Statistical Data on Alcohol in Delaware

Delaware faces significant challenges with alcohol consumption and related harms. The state ranks among the highest in the nation for alcohol consumption, placing 2nd nationally at approximately 4.01 gallons of ethanol per capita. Despite being a small state with a population of approximately 957,248, Delaware experiences substantial public health and economic costs from excessive drinking. This report compiles comprehensive statistics on alcohol use patterns, deaths, disorders, and treatment across different age groups in Delaware, highlighting the scope of alcohol-related issues in the First State.

Alcohol-Related Deaths

Total annual deaths from excessive alcohol use: 466 deaths
Deaths under age 21: 2.79% (approximately 13 deaths)
Death rate: 1 death per 2,124 adults (5.95 deaths per 10,000 adults)
Gender distribution: 70.2% male, 29.8% female
Deaths by cause type: 53.6% from chronic causes (such as Alcohol Use Disorder), 46.4% from acute causes
Deaths by age: 81.3% are adults aged 35 years and older
5-year trend: Death rate increased by 65.3% from 2015 to 2019
Years of potential life lost: 12,543 years annually
Economic cost (2010): $803.8 million ($1.085 billion in 2022 dollars, or $2.21 per drink)

Delaware Alcohol-Related Deaths Statistics

Delaware experiences a concerning rate of alcohol-related mortality, with deaths disproportionately affecting males and middle-aged adults. The dramatic increase in death rates over recent years indicates a worsening crisis.

Adult Drinking Patterns

Binge Drinking Behavior

Adults who binge drink monthly: 18.3% of adults over 18
Median drinks per binge: 5.3 drinks
Top 25% of binge drinkers: 7.3 drinks per binge
Median binge frequency: 1.7 times per month
Top 25% binge frequency: 4.4 times per month

Excessive Drinking Rates

Adults engaging in excessive drinking: 15.0% (ranked 10th nationally)
Adults who binge drink: 13.6% (meeting target of below 17.4%)
Adults who drink heavily: 5.2% (meeting target of below 6.6%)

Nearly one in five Delaware adults engages in binge drinking monthly, with the most active drinkers consuming significantly more. The state’s 10th place ranking for excessive drinking indicates this is a systemic issue.

Alcohol Use by Age Group (2022-2023 Annual Averages)

Past-Month Alcohol Use

Age Group	Number (thousands)	Percentage
12+	466	53.10%
12-17	5	7.36%
18-25	50	51.73%
26+	410	58.11%
18+	460	57.35%
Ages 12-20	16	14.82%

Past-Month Binge Alcohol Use

Age Group	Number (thousands)	Percentage
12+	201	22.89%
12-17	3	3.36%
18-25	28	29.53%
26+	170	24.05%
18+	198	24.71%
Ages 12-20	9	8.13%

Perceptions of Great Risk from Heavy Drinking

Age Group	Number (thousands)	Percentage
12+	373	42.53%
12-17	31	40.94%
18-25	36	37.00%
26+	307	43.44%
18+	342	42.67%
Ages 12-20	44	40.03%

Alcohol use peaks in the 26+ age group, though young adults aged 18-25 show the highest rates of binge drinking and alcohol use disorder. Youth consumption has declined over time, which is encouraging.

Youth-Specific Concerns

11th graders who attended parties where parents provided alcohol (2009): 40%
Youth ages 12-17 drinking in past month: 7.4% (ranked 31st nationally)

Parental provision of alcohol to minors remains a significant concern, with 40% of high school juniors reporting exposure to this risky behavior.

Alcohol Use Disorder Prevalence (2022-2023)

Age Group	Number (thousands)	Percentage
12+	95	10.87%
12-17	2	2.76%
18-25	16	16.57%
26+	77	10.95%
18+	93	11.63%
Ages 12-20	6	5.58%

Young adults aged 18-25 experience the highest rate of alcohol use disorder at 16.57%, significantly above other age groups. Overall, more than 1 in 10 adults in Delaware have alcohol use disorder.

Historical Trends

Youth Alcohol Use (Ages 12-17)

2002-2004 average: Higher than 9.7%
2017-2019 average: 9.7% (7,000 youth) – Decreased from earlier period
Comparison: Similar to regional average (9.1%) and national average (9.4%)

Young Adult Binge Drinking (Ages 18-25)

2015-2017 average: Comparable to 35.1%
2017-2019 average: 35.1% (33,000 young adults) – No significant change
Comparison: Similar to regional average (37.9%) and national average (35.4%)

Young Adult Alcohol Use Disorder (Ages 18-25)

2002-2004 average: Higher than 11.1%
2017-2019 average: 11.1% (10,000 young adults) – Decreased from earlier period
Comparison: Similar to regional average (9.8%) and national average (9.8%)

Delaware Young Adult Alcohol Use Disorder Statistics

Overall Alcohol Use Disorder (Ages 12+)

2002-2004 average: Comparable to 6.9%
2017-2019 average: 6.9% (56,000 people) – No significant change
Comparison: Higher than regional average (5.1%), similar to national average (5.3%)

Youth alcohol use has decreased significantly over the past 15 years, which is positive. However, alcohol use disorder rates among the general population have remained relatively stable, indicating persistent challenges.

Treatment and Recovery Resources

Recovery Residences by County

County	Population	Number of Residences	Per 100,000 Population	Rank	Mortality Rate	CCVI
Delaware Total	957,248	104	10.86	1	19.80	–
New Castle	556,165	65	11.69	1	45.70	Low
Sussex	224,384	22	9.80	2	47.80	Moderate
Kent	176,699	17	9.62	3	42.70	Moderate

Treatment Admissions (2009)

Total admissions for alcohol as primary or secondary substance: 1,935 people

Delaware has relatively strong recovery residence availability compared to other regions, ranking 1st overall with nearly 11 residences per 100,000 population. However, treatment admissions data shows alcohol remains a primary concern.

Delaware’s alcohol statistics reveal a state grappling with high consumption rates and significant health consequences. While youth drinking rates have declined and remain near national averages, adult drinking—particularly binge drinking—remains elevated. The 65.3% increase in alcohol-related death rates from 2015 to 2019 is particularly alarming. Young adults aged 18-25 face the highest risk for alcohol use disorder at 16.57%, though the state has made progress in expanding recovery residence availability. The economic burden of $1.085 billion annually (in 2022 dollars) underscores the need for continued prevention and treatment efforts across all age groups.

Conclusion

In general, Delaware’s substance use crisis reflects a complex public health emergency with both concerning trends and recent progress. The state has historically ranked among the highest nationally for drug overdose deaths and excessive alcohol consumption, with opioids—particularly fentanyl—dominating the overdose landscape and accounting for 87% of all overdose deaths. However, the historic 36% decrease in overdose deaths in 2024 marks a significant turning point after a decade of escalating fatalities. Despite this progress, critical challenges persist: over 157,000 residents live with substance use disorders, more than three-quarters of those needing treatment don’t receive it, and young adults aged 18-25 remain the highest-risk demographic across multiple substance categories, demonstrating the urgent need for sustained investment in prevention, treatment access, and recovery support services.