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

Statistical Data on Drugs in Iowa

Iowa ranks among the lowest states nationally for overall illicit drug use (45th) and overdose deaths (48th), yet faces significant challenges with methamphetamine use (13th highest) and prescription drug misuse (5th highest for pain relievers). The state successfully eliminated local methamphetamine production, with lab seizures dropping 99% from 1,666 in 2004 to just 3 in 2022, but now confronts rising threats from Mexican-sourced drugs and fentanyl, which is involved in 89% of opioid deaths. Despite maintaining low youth substance use rates, Iowa’s overdose death rate has nearly doubled since 2010, with over 400,000 residents needing but not receiving substance abuse treatment.

Drug Overdose Deaths

Recent Data

352 overdose deaths per year (11.5 per 100,000 residents)
1.16% of all deaths are from drug overdose
44.44% below national average overdose death rate
0.50% of nationwide overdose deaths occur in Iowa
Annual increase rate: 3.93% over the last 3 years

Iowa Drug Overdose Statistics

Ratio by Years

2022: 469 overdose deaths (15 per 100,000 people)
2021: Approximately 470 deaths (15.3 per 100,000)
2019: Drug overdose deaths increased 4.6% nationally to 70,980 (194 lives per day)
2010: 258 deaths (8.5 per 100,000)
Iowa vs. motor vehicle accidents (2010): 258 drug deaths vs. 400 vehicle deaths vs. 213 firearm deaths

Iowa’s overdose death rate has nearly doubled since 2010, representing a 59% increase since 2018 and 65% increase since 2013. Despite this growth, Iowa maintains one of the lowest overdose death rates in the US.

County-Level Overdose Deaths (2022)

County	Deaths per 100,000
Polk County	28.1
Pottawattamie County	26.8
Linn County	17.9
Scott County	17.8

Urban counties show higher overdose rates, with Polk County (Des Moines area) having the highest rate at nearly double the state average.

Mortality Comparisons and Trends

Substance-Related Deaths (2022 vs. 2019)

Opioid deaths: +51% (-8% vs. 2021)
Stimulant deaths: +28% (+6% vs. 2021)
Youth opioid deaths (<25): +160% (-33% vs. 2021)

Historical Context

2000: Opioids represented 48% of US overdose deaths
2021: Opioids represented 75% of US overdose deaths
Iowa 2021: Opioids represented 55% of overdose deaths

Recent Trends

US overdose deaths (Aug 2022): 101,552 in 12-month period (-1.0% change)
Iowa overdose trend: +1.51% during same period

While national overdose trends may be stabilizing, Iowa continues to see increases, particularly concerning given the state’s historically low rates.

National Rankings

Iowa’s National Position

Category	Iowa Rank	Iowa Rate	US Average
Current illicit drug use	45th	9.17%	12.34%
Current marijuana use	48th	6.70%	10.80%
Drug overdose deaths	48th	9.6 per 100,000	20.7 per 100,000
Pain reliever misuse	5th	4.14%	3.58%
Methamphetamine use	13th	1.11%	0.70%
Binge drinking	8th	27.92%	24.21%
Current tobacco use	15th	25.16%	21.28%
Cocaine use	44th	1.45%	2.00%
Heroin use	39th	0.25%	0.28%
Youth illicit drug use (12-17)	14th	6.7%	–

Iowa shows a mixed profile – very low illegal drug use overall but concerning rates of prescription drug misuse, methamphetamine use, and binge drinking.

Opioid-Related Statistics

Opioid Deaths by Year

Year	Total Opioid Deaths	Fentanyl Involvement
2016	183 (6.2 per 100,000)	Not specified
2019	~157	Not available
2021	258-259 (8.6 per 100,000)	83%
2022	237	89%

Fentanyl has become the dominant factor in opioid deaths, involved in nearly 9 out of 10 opioid fatalities by 2022. Youth opioid deaths showed a dramatic 160% increase in 2022 compared to 2019.

Breakdown by Opioid Type

Prescription opioids: 44.8% of opioid overdose deaths
Heroin: 25.9% of opioid deaths
Synthetic opioids: 55.9% of opioid deaths

Prescription Trends

2013: 73.6 opioid prescriptions per 100 persons (2.3 million total)
2015: 68.0 opioid prescriptions per 100 persons (2.1 million total)
2019: Continued decline in controlled substance prescriptions to lowest levels since 2013

Demographic Breakdown of Synthetic Opioid Deaths (2022)

48% were under age 35
17% were African American
29% were female

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

1999: 0.3 cases per 1,000 births
2013: 2.2 cases per 1,000 births (seven-fold increase)
National average (2013): 6.0 cases per 1,000 births

Despite significant reductions in prescription opioids, illicit fentanyl has more than compensated, driving overall opioid death increases.

Methamphetamine Statistics

Meth Lab Seizures

Year	Lab Seizures
2004	1,666 (peak)
2007	198
2009	267
2012	400
2021	11
2022	3

Meth lab seizures have dramatically declined since 2005 federal legislation, dropping 99% from peak levels. This reflects a shift from local production to trafficking of Mexican-sourced methamphetamine.

Methamphetamine Seizures by Weight

2021: 79 pounds seized by Story County Sheriff’s Office alone
2021: Over 150,000 grams (331 pounds) seized statewide
Treatment rate: Iowa 29% vs. surrounding states 19% vs. national 10%

Meth-Related Deaths and Treatment

2019: ~163 meth-related deaths
2021: 196 meth-related deaths (+20% from 2019)
2022: 209-210 psychostimulant deaths (+28% vs. 2019)
Treatment admissions: 62% of stimulant-related admissions involve methamphetamine
Gender distribution: 53.5% male, 46.5% female admissions

Iowa Meth Related Deaths and Treatment

Iowa ranks 13th nationally in annual meth use (1.11% vs. 0.70% US average) and has the 8th highest rate of meth use disorder treatment admissions, indicating methamphetamine remains a significant challenge.

Marijuana Statistics

Usage Rates by Age Group (2021)

Age Group	Past Month Use	Past Year Use
12-17 years	5.07% (13,000)	10.69% (28,000)
18-25 years	19.20% (68,000)	30.86% (109,000)
26+ years	10.72% (222,000)	18.47% (382,000)
Overall (12+)	11.28% (303,000)	19.34% (519,000)

Iowa consistently ranks among the lowest states for marijuana use, with youth rates particularly low. The state ranks 48th nationally in current marijuana use.

Youth Trends and Perceptions

2021: 8% of 11th graders used marijuana in past 30 days (lowest in 20 years)
2019: 9.6% of 11th graders used marijuana in past 30 days
Risk perception: 18% of Iowa 6th graders perceive no risk in weekly marijuana use
Risk perception: Nearly 1 in 4 Iowa 11th graders perceive no risk in weekly marijuana use
Driving misconception: 33% of US teens think smoking marijuana and driving is legal

Hospital and Emergency Data

2021: 6,503 marijuana-related emergency department visits
2022: 6,799 marijuana-related emergency department visits
2016-2021: +58% increase in marijuana-related ED visits
National trend: 3,054 US children under 6 accidentally consumed edibles in 2021 (+1,375% vs. 2017)

Cannabis Use Disorder

Legal states: 25% higher cannabis use disorder among 12-17 year olds
Primary treatment drug: 77% of Iowa juveniles in treatment

Iowa consistently ranks among the lowest states for marijuana use, with youth rates particularly low. The state ranks 48th nationally in current marijuana use.

Other Substance Statistics

Prescription Drug Misuse

Past year pain reliever misuse: 2.82% overall (76,000 people)
Youth (12-17): 1.71% misuse rate
Adults (18+): 2.94% misuse rate
Non-medical prescription drug use: 14.6% of adults (19th nationally)

Cocaine Use

Past year use: 1.52% overall (41,000 people)
18-25 age group: 3.16% past year use
Treatment admissions (2009): 1,094 people for crack/cocaine
National ranking: 44th in current cocaine use (1.45% vs. 2.00% US)

Heroin Use

Past year use: 0.11% overall (3,000 people)
Deaths from heroin overdose (2012): 14 deaths
Deaths from heroin overdose (2016): 47 deaths
National ranking: 39th in heroin use (0.25% vs. 0.28% US)

Substance Use Disorders (2021)

Prevalence by Age Group

Age Group	Drug Use Disorder	Substance Use Disorder
12-17 years	8.57% (22,000)	10.99% (29,000)
18-25 years	16.58% (58,000)	28.64% (101,000)
26+ years	9.09% (188,000)	18.09% (374,000)
Overall	10.02% (269,000)	18.79% (504,000)

Specific Disorder Prevalence (2021)

Pain Reliever Use Disorder: 1.53% overall (41,000 people)
Opioid Use Disorder: 1.90% overall (51,000 people)
Marijuana Use Disorder: 1.1% overall (28,000 people)

Treatment Gaps

Needing but not receiving illicit drug treatment: 193,000 people (7.18%)
Overall treatment gap: 417,000 people (15.55%)

Young adults (18-25) show the highest rates of substance use disorders at nearly 29%, highlighting this as a critical intervention period.

Criminal Justice and Treatment Statistics

Correctional Population Substance Use Needs

State prisoners with substance abuse treatment needs: 60.2%
Probationers/parolees with treatment needs: 42.1%
Drug use among state prisoners: 58%
Drug use among jail inmates: 63%
General population drug use: 5%

Treatment Admissions and Capacity

2009 total admissions: 27,843 people
Gender distribution: 68.6% male, 31.4% female
2019 single-day count: 8,838 people enrolled in treatment (down from 8,975 in 2015)

Primary Substances in Treatment

Marijuana: Over 50% of admissions
Stimulants (including meth): 28% of admissions
Drug problem only: 31.7% of those in treatment
Both drug and alcohol: 50.5% of those in treatment

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Methadone recipients (2019): 1,362 people (up from 783 in 2015)
Buprenorphine recipients (2019): 549 people (up from 106 in 2015)

Facility Information (2006)

Total rehab facilities: 125
Residential treatment facilities: 28
Opioid treatment facilities: 4

The criminal justice system serves as a major touchpoint for people with substance use disorders, with treatment needs far exceeding general population rates.

Demographic Patterns

Treatment Admissions by Demographics

Demographic	Primary Substance	Percentage
White Iowans	All substances	91.3% of admissions
Black Iowans	Cocaine	40.5% of cocaine admissions
Black Iowans	Heroin	21.9% of heroin admissions
Black Iowans	Marijuana	7% of marijuana admissions
Males	All substances	68.4% of admissions
Females	Methamphetamine	46.5% of meth admissions
Adults 50+	Various	10.9% of admissions
Youth (12-17)	Marijuana	23.5% of marijuan admissions

Racial disparities exist in substance-specific treatment patterns, with Black Iowans overrepresented in cocaine treatment relative to their population percentage.

Workplace and Driving Statistics

Workplace Drug Testing Results

Substance	Iowa Rate	US Rate
Methamphetamine	1.6%	1.1%
Cocaine	0.16%	0.26%
Marijuana	1.6%	2.5%
Opiates	0.2%	0.22%
Overall positive	3.9%	4.5%

Drug-Impaired Driving

Marijuana in fatal crashes (2016): 51% in Iowa vs. 41.1% nationally
Marijuana-impaired drivers nationally: 12 million (2018), up 47% from 2014

Top 3 Drugs in Iowa OWI Tests (besides alcohol)

THC: 33%
Amphetamines: 19%
Benzodiazepines: 18%

Iowa shows lower overall workplace drug positivity but higher methamphetamine rates, reflecting the state’s specific drug challenges.

Health-Related Statistics

HIV and Injection Drug Use

Iowa HIV cases (2015): 126 total new cases
IDU-related HIV in males: 9.4% of new cases
IDU-related HIV in females: 10.5% of new cases
Total living with HIV (2014): 2,355 persons (91 per 100,000)
Males living with IDU-related HIV: 17.2%
Females living with IDU-related HIV: 18.6%

Iowa HIV and Injection Drug Use

Hepatitis C

Total HCV cases (2015): 2,235
IDU-related cases (≥30 years old): 51.1% of 303 cases
Estimated total living with HCV: 35,865-136,900 persons
Diagnosed with HCV (2015): 21,748 persons

Poison Control and Suicide

OTC analgesic involvement in suicides: 57% increase from 2000-2018
Prescription/OTC drug poison calls: Over 50% of Iowa poison exposure calls
Leading poison exposure: Pain relievers (#1)

Injection drug use contributes significantly to blood-borne disease transmission, with rates comparable to or exceeding national averages.

Iowa presents a paradoxical drug situation with overall low illicit drug use rates (45th nationally) but significant challenges with prescription drug misuse (5th highest) and methamphetamine use (13th highest). While the state successfully eliminated local meth production, it now faces rising threats from Mexican-sourced drugs and fentanyl, which accounts for 89% of opioid deaths. Despite relatively low overdose rates compared to other states, Iowa’s overdose deaths have nearly doubled since 2010, with over 400,000 residents needing but not receiving substance abuse treatment.

Statistical Data on Alcohol in Iowa

Iowa demonstrates concerning alcohol consumption patterns that significantly exceed national averages, particularly in binge drinking behaviors. The state consistently ranks among the nation’s leaders in excessive alcohol use, with corresponding increases in alcohol-related deaths and substantial economic impacts. This comprehensive analysis examines alcohol usage patterns, demographics, health consequences, and societal costs based on available state data.

Alcohol-Related Deaths and Health Impact

Annual Death Statistics

2019: 827 alcohol-related deaths
2020: 836 alcohol-related deaths
2021: 923 alcohol-related deaths
2022: 1,128 alcohol-related deaths

Average annual deaths: 1,305

Death Rate Trends

2008-2019: 73% increase in alcohol-related deaths
2019-2021: 38-53% increase
5-year average increase (2015-2019): 51.8%

Death Rates per 100,000 Population

Iowa (2020): 15.1 per 100,000
National average: 13.1 per 100,000
Urban areas: 27.1 per 100,000
Rural areas: 26.4 per 100,000

Demographics of Deaths

Male deaths: 69.4% of total (36.7 per 100,000)
Female deaths: 30.6% of total (17.1 per 100,000)
Deaths under age 21: 2.45%
Deaths age 35+: 88%
Chronic causes: 67%

5-Year Average Deaths by Cause (2015-2019)

Cause Category	Annual Deaths
All alcohol-attributable causes	431
Suicides due to alcohol	113
Coronary Heart Disease due to alcohol	110
Alcohol Dependence Syndrome	58
Homicides due to alcohol	37

Iowa’s alcohol-related death rates exceed national averages and show alarming upward trends, with deaths nearly doubling in recent years and disproportionately affecting males and middle-aged adults.

Overall Alcohol Consumption Rankings

National Rankings

Binge Drinking Rate: #1 nationally at 22.5-23% (various sources)
Excessive Drinking: #2 nationally at 22.8% of adults
Adult Binge Drinking: #4 nationally at 22% of adults
Overall Excessive Drinking: 46th ranking (21.3% – this appears to be an inverse ranking where lower numbers indicate higher rates)

Top 5 States for Binge Drinking

Rank	State	Rate
1	Iowa	22.5%
2	North Dakota	22.4%
3	Montana	21.9%
4	South Dakota	21.5%
5	Nebraska	20.5%

Iowa consistently ranks in the top tier nationally for problematic drinking behaviors, indicating a statewide pattern that requires significant public health attention.

Adult Alcohol Usage Statistics (2020-2021)

Metric	Iowa Rate	US Average	Difference
Alcohol use (past 30 days)	57-58.69%	53%	+4-5.69%
Binge drinking (past 30 days)	22-24.43%	16-17%	+5-8.43%
Excessive drinking	25%	25%	Equal

Youth Alcohol Statistics

Ages 12-17 (2021)

Past month alcohol use: 10.79% (28,000 youth)
Past month binge drinking: 4.84% (13,000 youth)
Past year alcohol use: 10.69%

Ages 12-20 (Underage Drinking)

Past month alcohol use: 19.29-23% vs. 17% national average
Past month binge drinking: 9.40-15% vs. 10% national average

By Grade Level (2021)

6th grade alcohol use: 2%
8th grade alcohol use: 6%
11th grade alcohol use: 18%
11th grade binge drinking: 9%
11th graders who have ever consumed alcohol: 41%

Iowa youth demonstrate higher alcohol consumption rates than national averages, with particularly concerning escalation through high school years and high rates of binge drinking among those who do consume alcohol.

Young Adults (Ages 18-25) Statistics

Consumption Patterns (2017-2019)

Past month binge drinking: 41.9% vs. 35.4% national average
Past year alcohol use disorder: 14.7% vs. 9.8% national average

2021 Data

Past month alcohol use: 55.81% (197,000 people)
Past month binge drinking: 31.66% (112,000 people)

Young adults in Iowa show the most concerning drinking patterns, with binge drinking rates nearly 7 percentage points above national averages and alcohol use disorder rates significantly elevated.

Binge Drinking Demographics (2020)

By Gender

Males: 28-29%
Females: 14-15%

By Age Group

Ages 18-24: 33%
Ages 25-44: 31%
Ages 45-64: 20%
Ages 65+: 5%

By Education Level

Less than high school: 13%
High school graduate/GED: 22%
Some post-high school: 24%
College graduate: 20%

By Race/Ethnicity

White, Non-Hispanic: 22%
Hispanic: 20%
Black, Non-Hispanic: 16%
Another race: 14%

By Relationship Status

Never married: 31%
Partnered (married/unmarried): 20%
Divorced/widowed/separated: 15%

By Employment Status

Employed for wages: 29%
Student: 27%
Self-employed: 24%
Out of work <1 year: 23%
Retired: 1%

Binge drinking patterns reveal highest rates among young adults, males, and working-age populations, with concerning rates across educational levels suggesting this issue spans socioeconomic boundaries.

Geographic and Demographic Variations

Highest County Rates

Buchanan County: 27% excessive drinking
Dubuque County: 27% excessive drinking

Income-Based Patterns

Binge drinking highest: $50,000-$74,999 income bracket
Heavy drinking highest: $75,000+ income bracket

Mental Health Correlations

14+ poor mental health days: 26% binge drinking rate
1-13 poor mental health days: 25% binge drinking rate
0 poor mental health days: 19% binge drinking rate

Smoking Status Correlation

Current smokers: 34% binge drinking rate
Former/never smokers: 19% binge drinking rate

Alcohol misuse patterns show clear correlations with mental health status and other risk behaviors, while geographic variations suggest community-level factors influence consumption patterns.

Risk Perceptions

Perception of Risk from 5+ Drinks Once/Twice Weekly:

Ages 12+: 36.67% perceive great risk
Ages 12-17: 37.67% perceive great risk
Ages 18-25: 31.28% perceive great risk
Ages 26+: 37.47% perceive great risk

Lower risk perception among young adults (18-25) correlates with their higher consumption rates, suggesting targeted education efforts may be needed for this demographic.

Treatment and Substance Use Disorders

Alcohol Use Disorder Prevalence (2017-2019)

Ages 12+: 6.5% (170,000 people) vs. 5.3% national average
Ages 18-25: 14.7% (52,000 people) vs. 9.8% national average

Treatment Admissions (2009)

Alcohol only: 8,668 people
Alcohol with secondary drug: 6,384 people
Gender distribution: 74.3% male, 25.7% female

Treatment Outcomes

After 6 months of treatment: 45% still used alcohol

Iowa shows higher rates of alcohol use disorders than national averages, particularly among young adults, with treatment success rates indicating significant challenges in long-term recovery.

Economic Impact

Financial Costs

2010: $1.934 billion in costs
2022 adjusted value: $2.610 billion
2020 estimated loss: $1.9 billion

Cost per drink: $2.15 (2022 dollars)
Annual potential life years lost: 30,070 years

The economic burden of excessive alcohol use in Iowa represents a substantial drain on state resources, equivalent to billions in annual costs across multiple sectors.

Driving and Safety Statistics

Impaired Driving

2022: 35% of fatal crashes involved impaired drivers
2016-2020: 27% of motor vehicle crash deaths involved alcohol
2022 OWI charges: 1,100 drivers (25% were repeat offenders)

Alcohol-impaired driving remains a significant public safety issue, contributing to more than one-quarter of fatal crashes despite prevention efforts.

Iowa presents a stark alcohol crisis with the nation’s highest binge drinking rate (22.5%) and second-highest excessive drinking rate (22.8%), resulting in alcohol-related deaths that have nearly doubled from ~600 in 2019 to 1,128 in 2022. While the state shows concerning consumption patterns across all demographics—particularly among young adults (41.9% binge drinking vs. 35.4% nationally) and males (28-29% binge drinking rate)—the economic impact reaches $2.6 billion annually. Despite having higher alcohol use disorder rates than national averages (6.5% vs. 5.3%), treatment success remains limited with only 55% of patients maintaining sobriety after six months, while alcohol continues to contribute to 35% of fatal crashes and disproportionately affects working-age adults and rural communities.

In general, Iowa demonstrates a dual crisis characterized by contrasting drug and alcohol patterns: while ranking among the lowest nationally for illicit drug use (45th) and overdose deaths (48th), the state leads the nation in binge drinking (22.5%) and ranks second in excessive alcohol consumption (22.8%). Despite successfully eliminating local methamphetamine production (99% reduction in lab seizures), Iowa faces emerging threats from Mexican-sourced drugs and fentanyl-involved deaths (89% of opioid fatalities). The state’s alcohol crisis has intensified dramatically, with deaths nearly doubling from ~600 in 2019 to 1,128 in 2022, generating $2.6 billion in annual economic costs. Most concerning is the treatment gap affecting over 400,000 residents who need but cannot access substance abuse services, while young adults show the highest risk patterns across both alcohol (41.9% binge drinking) and drug use disorders (28.6% overall substance use disorder rate).