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

Statistical Data on Drugs in Idaho

Idaho confronts a growing substance abuse crisis, with drug overdose deaths reaching a historic peak of 20 per 100,000 residents in 2023—a 53% increase since 2013—driven by an explosive 978% surge in fentanyl fatalities that now account for 56% of all overdose deaths. The state’s emergency is compounded by a 222% spike in methamphetamine seizures, disproportionately affects young adults aged 18-25 with drug use disorder rates exceeding national averages, and reveals stark gender disparities where female opioid misuse has tripled while male misuse dropped by half. Despite operating 147 treatment facilities and offering some of the nation’s most affordable rehabilitation services, Idaho struggles with treatment access gaps and faces a 31% increase in drug-related crime as synthetic opioids reshape the state’s substance abuse landscape.

Overdose Deaths and Mortality Rates

Current Overdose Statistics (2023)

386 total overdose deaths (20 deaths per 100,000 people)
Represents the highest drug overdose death rate since data collection began in 1999
35% lower than the national overdose death rate
1.86% of all deaths in Idaho are from drug overdose
265 opioid overdose deaths (67% of all overdose deaths)
15.1 deaths per 100,000 residents overall

Idaho Drug Overdose Statistics

While Idaho maintains a lower overdose rate than the national average, the state has reached its highest recorded overdose death rate, indicating a worsening crisis that requires immediate attention.

Historical Trends

40% increase in overdose deaths since 2018
53% increase in overdose deaths since 2013
54% rise in overdose fatalities statewide since 2013
Overdose death rate increased in 17 of the last 24 years with available data
Annual rate of increase: 0.57% over the last 3 years

The consistent upward trend over two decades demonstrates that Idaho’s overdose crisis has been building gradually but persistently, with acceleration in recent years.

County-Level Overdose Deaths (2023)

County	Deaths per 100,000
Bannock County	25.4
Bonneville County	21.3
Canyon County	20.6
Ada County	19.6
Kootenai County	16.2

Urban counties show the highest overdose rates, with Bannock County leading at 25% above the state average, suggesting concentrated substance use issues in population centers.

Fentanyl and Synthetic Opioid Crisis

978% increase in fentanyl overdose death rate from 2012 to 2022 (0.9 to 9.7 deaths per 100,000)
56% of all overdose deaths involve fentanyl and synthetic opioids in 2023
81.1% of opioid overdose deaths involve synthetic opioids like fentanyl
58% of toxicology-confirmed overdose deaths involve synthetic opioids
Synthetic opioid fatalities grew 67% faster than the regional average between 2018-2022

Idaho Fentanyl and Synthetic Opioid Crisis

Fentanyl has become the primary driver of Idaho’s overdose crisis, with nearly a 1000% increase demonstrating how rapidly this synthetic opioid has infiltrated the state’s drug Supply.

Drug-Specific Usage and Seizure Data

Methamphetamine

222% increase in methamphetamine seizures year-over-year (143 kg in 2023)
39% of drug treatment admissions for stimulants including methamphetamine (2012)
56.3% of meth-related treatment admissions are adult women
9% of Idahoans aged 18+ reported ever using methamphetamine in 2021
0.92% past-year use among people aged 12+ (2021)

Methamphetamine remains a significant problem in Idaho, with dramatic increases in seizures and a notable gender disparity showing women comprising the majority of treatment admissions.

Heroin

90% decrease in heroin seizure volume since 2022
0.25% past-year use among people aged 12+ (2017-2019)
Heroin-related overdose deaths increased from 11 to 25 deaths (2014-2016)

While heroin use remains relatively low and seizures have dropped significantly, likely due to fentanyl displacement, historical death increases show its past impact on the crisis.

Marijuana

15% of Idahoans aged 12+ reported using marijuana in 2021 (below national average of 18.7%)
13.4% past-year use among people aged 12+ (2017-2019)
Adult use by gender: 10.7% (males), 7% (females)
High school students: 14% reported past-month use (2021), down from 18% (2001)
Adolescent past-year use: 11.8% (slightly above national average of 11.2%)

Idaho Marijuana Use Statistics

Marijuana use in Idaho remains below national averages for most demographics, with encouraging decreases among high school students over the past two decades.

Age-Specific Substance Use Patterns

Youth (Ages 12-17)

7.2% illicit drug use in past month (including marijuana)
6.76% reported drug use in past month
7.3% illicit drug use in past month (2017-2019)
5.9% marijuana use in past month (2017-2019)
83.33% of youth drug users reported marijuana use
7.09% met criteria for Drug Use Disorder in past year
4.04% met criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder in past year

Youth drug use in Idaho is generally below national averages, but the high percentage of marijuana use among those who use drugs suggests it remains the primary gateway substance.

Young Adults (Ages 18-25)

50,000 adults used drugs in past month

18.8% drug use disorder (exceeding national average of 18.6%)
28.7% marijuana use in past year (2017-2019)
12.2% substance use disorder in past year (2017-2019)
2.5% marijuana use disorder in past year (2017-2019)

Young adults represent the highest-risk demographic, with drug use disorder rates exceeding national averages, highlighting the need for targeted intervention programs.

Prescription Opioid Patterns

Prescription Statistics

Doctors write prescriptions for 44.2% of residents
70.3 opioid prescriptions per 100 persons (2017), down from 76.4 (2015)
24.5% of opioid overdose deaths involve prescription opioids
27% decrease in retail hydrocodone distribution (2014-2018)

Gender Disparities in Prescription Misuse

Male non-medical opioid misuse: 50% decrease (2018-2021)
Female opioid misuse: Tripled to 2.7% (2018-2021)
3.6% of Idaho adults took more opioids than prescribed (2021)
1.2% of Idaho adults used unprescribed opioids (2021)
Prescription opioid misuse among adults 26+: 3.1% (above national rates)

Idaho Prescription Misuse Statistics

While overall prescription rates are declining, concerning gender disparities have emerged, with female misuse tripling while male misuse decreased significantly.

Treatment and Healthcare Infrastructure

Treatment Capacity

147 substance abuse facilities in Idaho
5,634 patients served annually by drug rehab facilities
5,452 clients in outpatient services annually
123 clients in residential (non-hospital) services
59 clients in hospital-based drug rehab
2 facilities offer free drug rehab treatment

Treatment Costs

Average outpatient cost: $1,695 per individual
Average residential cost: $42,195 per individual
Idaho ranks as the cheapest state for residential rehabilitation
Among top 10 cheapest states for outpatient services

Idaho offers relatively affordable treatment options, but the low number of residential treatment clients suggests potential capacity or access issues despite competitive pricing.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

607 people receiving methadone (2019), up from 312 (2015)
559 people receiving buprenorphine (2019), up from 353 (2015)

94% increase in methadone treatment enrollment
58% increase in buprenorphine treatment enrollment

Significant improvements in MAT access demonstrate Idaho’s commitment to evidence-based opioid treatment, with nearly doubling of methadone treatment capacity.

Demographic and Geographic Disparities

Ethnic Disparities

American Indian/Alaska Native groups: 15.6% of cocaine treatment admissions (only 3.1% of Idaho population)
5x overrepresentation in cocaine treatment admissions

Age and Gender Patterns

Adolescents (12-17): 5.1% past-year suicide attempts, with higher risk among female and gender-nonconforming youth
18.9% of young adults meet criteria for alcohol use disorder (exceeding U.S. averages)
Only 6.93% of Idahoans receive specialty substance use disorder treatment (compared to 7.20% nationally)

Significant disparities exist across demographic groups, with Native American populations facing disproportionate cocaine-related treatment needs and young adults showing elevated risk across multiple substance categories.

Health Consequences and Complications

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

10.3 per 1,000 births diagnosed with neonatal Opioid Withdrawal syndrome (2020)
National study showed 5-fold increase in NAS between 2004-2014
Hospital costs increased from $91 million to $563 million nationally

The high rate of drug-exposed newborns reflects the broader impact of the opioid crisis on families and healthcare systems.

Infectious Disease Connections

3.6 new hepatitis C cases per 100,000 linked to IV drug use (2022)
3.1 new HIV/AIDS diagnoses per 100,000 connected to IV drug use (2023)
1,362 chronic hepatitis C cases reported (2015)
38 new HIV cases in 2015, with 11.1% attributed to injection drug use

Idaho Infectious Disease Connections Statistics

While infectious disease rates remain relatively low, the connection to injection drug use demonstrates the broader public health implications of the substance use crisis.

Criminal Justice and Economic Impact

Crime and Economic Costs

31% increase in drug-related crime (2005-2025)
0.4% of U.S. public spending ($9.24 million) on outpatient services in Idaho
0.1% of U.S. public spending ($5.19 million) on residential treatment in Idaho

The substantial increase in drug-related crime over two decades reflects the broader societal impact of substance use disorders, while relatively low treatment spending suggests potential underinvestment in solutions.

Idaho maintains lower substance use rates than national averages in many categories, the state faces a growing crisis driven primarily by synthetic opioids, with significant demographic disparities and evolving patterns of use requiring targeted, evidence-based interventions.

Statistical Data on Alcohol in Idaho

Idaho faces a growing alcohol abuse crisis marked by escalating mortality despite lower consumption rates than national averages. The state experiences 732-986 annual deaths from excessive alcohol use, with death rates climbing by 41-43.6% between 2015-2019. Idaho’s alcohol problem features intensive binge drinking, with 21.29% of adults engaging in monthly episodes averaging 5.8 drinks per session, disproportionately affecting men who comprise 68.6% of alcohol-related deaths. While youth consumption remains below regional averages, Idaho faces substantial treatment gaps with 11.56% having Alcohol Use Disorder and 170,000 needing but not receiving specialized treatment, resulting in $1.536 billion in inflation-adjusted economic costs.

Alcohol-Related Deaths and Mortality

Overall Death Statistics

Total annual deaths from excessive alcohol use: 732 deaths
Deaths per capita: 5.31 deaths per 10,000 adults (1 death per 2,512 people aged 18+)
Death rate increase: 43.6% increase from 2015-2019
Gender distribution: 68.6% of deaths are male
Age distribution: 85.9% of deaths occur in adults aged 35 and older
Under-21 deaths: 3.01% of alcohol-related deaths

Idaho Alcohol Related Deaths Statistics

Idaho shows a concerning upward trend in alcohol-related deaths, with the mortality rate increasing by over 40% in just four years. The demographic pattern shows alcohol deaths predominantly affect older males, suggesting chronic alcohol use issues rather than acute incidents.

Causes of Death

Chronic causes: 60.8% (such as Alcohol Use Disorder)
Acute causes: 39.2%
Years of potential life lost: 18,119 years annually

Specific Mortality Categories (2015-2019 averages)

Alcohol Dependence Syndrome: 19 deaths per year
Coronary Heart Disease (alcohol-related): 38 deaths per year
Alcohol-related suicides: 89 deaths per year
Alcohol-related homicides: 16 deaths per year

The high proportion of chronic-cause deaths indicates long-term alcohol abuse patterns. The significant number of alcohol-related suicides (89 annually) highlights the connection between alcohol use and mental health issues.

Adult Alcohol Consumption Patterns

General Consumption (Ages 18+)

Past-month alcohol use: 45.84% (below national average of 52%)
Past-month binge drinking: 21.29% (national comparison varies by source)
Perceived risk of 5+ drinks: 41.77% view as great risk

Binge Drinking Patterns

Overall binge drinking rate: 23%
Median drinks per binge: 5.8 drinks
Top 25% of binge drinkers: 9.1 drinks per binge
Binge frequency: 2.0 times monthly (median)
Heavy binge drinkers: 4.5 times per month

Idaho’s overall alcohol consumption is below national averages, but binge drinking patterns show concerning intensity, particularly among heavy drinkers who consume nearly twice the standard binge drinking threshold.

Gender-Specific Patterns (2023 BRFSS)

Male binge drinking: 19% (past 30 days)
Female binge drinking: 11% (past 30 days)
Male heavy drinking: 5.2% (past 30 days)
Female heavy drinking: 6.4% (past 30 days) – significant increase from 4.5% in 2014

While male binge drinking rates are higher, female heavy drinking has shown a statistically significant increase over the past decade, indicating changing drinking patterns among Idaho women.

Excessive Drinking Classification

Excessive drinking rate: 16.4% of adults
National ranking: 23rd among states
High-intensity drinkers: 25% consume 8+ drinks per occasion

Idaho’s moderate national ranking masks concerning patterns among its drinking population. While the overall excessive drinking rate of 16.4% appears manageable, the fact that one-quarter of excessive drinkers consume 8+ drinks per occasion indicates a subset engaging in particularly dangerous high-intensity drinking behaviors that significantly increase health risks and mortality potential.

Youth and Underage Drinking

Youth Consumption (Ages 12-17)

Past-month alcohol use: 6.7%
Past-month binge drinking: 3.7%
Regional comparison: Lower than regional average (10.9%) and close to national average (9.4%)
High school binge drinking: 16%
Early initiation: 17% had first drink before age 13

Underage Drinking (Ages 12-20)

Past-month alcohol use: 12.66%
Past-month binge drinking: 6.82%
High school alcohol use: 23% (above national average of 22.7%)

Idaho shows relatively low youth drinking rates compared to regional averages, but high school students drink at rates above the national average. The concerning finding is that 17% of youth had their first drink before age 13, indicating early exposure issues.

Young Adult Consumption (Ages 18-25)

Consumption Patterns

Past-month alcohol use: 52.61%
Past-month binge drinking: 30.81%
Regional comparison: Similar to regional average (33.4%) but lower than national (35.4%)

Alcohol Use Disorders

Alcohol Use Disorder rate: 17.96% (varies by data source)
Treatment gap: High percentage needing but not receiving treatment

Young adults show the highest consumption rates across all age groups, with over half using alcohol monthly and nearly one-third engaging in binge drinking. The treatment gap is particularly concerning in this age group.

Alcohol Use Disorders and Treatment

Overall Population (Ages 12+)

Age Group	AUD Rate	Treatment Need Gap
12+	11.56%	10.73%
12-17	4.55%	4.05%
18-25	17.96%	17.80%
26+	11.53%	10.55%

Treatment Statistics

Adults diagnosed with AUD: 6% (ages 18+)
Teens diagnosed with AUD: 1.7%
People needing but not receiving specialty treatment: 170,000 (ages 12+)

Idaho faces a significant treatment gap, with over 170,000 people needing but not receiving specialized alcohol treatment. Young adults show the highest rates of both alcohol use disorder and unmet treatment needs.

Economic Impact

Financial Burden

Total economic cost (2010): $1.138 billion
Inflation-adjusted cost (2022): $1.536 billion
Cost per drink: $2.19 (2022 dollars)
Alternative estimate: $1.62 per drink sold annually

Cost Categories

Economic costs include:

Lost productivity
Criminal justice expenses
Healthcare costs

The economic burden of alcohol abuse in Idaho exceeds $1.5 billion annually when adjusted for inflation, representing a substantial drain on the state’s economy through multiple channels.

Law Enforcement and Public Safety

Crime Statistics

Alcohol-related offenses: Decreased from 7.3 to 4.7 per 1,000 residents (2013-2022)
Improvement rate: 36% reduction in alcohol-related offenses

Despite increasing death rates, alcohol-related criminal offenses have significantly decreased, possibly indicating improved law enforcement efficiency or changes in enforcement priorities.

While Idaho maintains lower alcohol consumption rates than national averages, the state faces a growing alcohol crisis driven primarily by intensive binge drinking and chronic use disorders, with significant demographic disparities in mortality and treatment access requiring targeted, evidence-based interventions.

In general, Idaho faces a severe substance abuse crisis despite maintaining lower consumption rates than national averages, with drug overdose deaths reaching a historic peak of 20 per 100,000 residents driven by an explosive 978% surge in fentanyl fatalities and alcohol-related deaths climbing 41-43% between 2015-2019. The state’s 170,000 people needing but not receiving specialized alcohol treatment, combined with young adults showing drug use disorder rates exceeding national averages, reveals a massive treatment gap that undermines the effectiveness of Idaho’s 147 treatment facilities. While synthetic opioids reshape the drug landscape and intensive binge drinking patterns claim nearly 1,000 lives annually, significant demographic disparities—including tripled female opioid misuse and 5x overrepresentation of Native Americans in cocaine treatment—demand immediate, targeted interventions to prevent further escalation of this dual crisis.