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

Statistical Data on Drugs in Nevada

The data reveals significant public health challenges, with Nevada consistently ranking above national averages in multiple substance use categories. The statistics highlight concerning trends in youth drug use, rising overdose deaths, and the evolving nature of the drug crisis from prescription opioids to synthetic substances like fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Overdose Death Statistics

Current Mortality Rates

647 overdose deaths per year (historical data)
1,352 deaths recorded in 2023 (19% increase from 2022)
32 per 100,000 drug overdose death rate in 2022
2.62% of all deaths are from drug overdose

Nevada Drug Use Statistics

Opioid-Related Deaths

904 opioid-related overdoses in 2023 (28% increase from 2022)
372 opioid overdose deaths (11.5 per 100,000 residents)
123% increase in opioid overdoses from 2020-2023

Drug-Specific Mortality (2023)

773 psychostimulant deaths (74% increase from 2020)
65 heroin overdose deaths (55% decrease from 2020)
158 cocaine overdose deaths

Nevada’s overdose crisis is intensifying, with a notable shift from heroin to synthetic opioids and psychostimulants. The 19% increase in total overdose deaths from 2022 to 2023 indicates an accelerating crisis, with rural counties disproportionately affected.

Regional and Demographic Disparities

County-Level Overdose Rates (2022)

County	Deaths per 100,000
Nye County	62.1
Elko County	46.3
Washoe County	42.3
Lyon County	32.5
Clark County	28.8

Age and Gender Disparities

Males: 38.3 per 100,000 overdose death rate
Females: 20.3 per 100,000 overdose death rate
Ages 55-64: 145.6 deaths per 100,000 (highest rate)
Ages 65-74: 134.0 deaths per 100,000

Rural counties show significantly higher overdose rates than urban areas, suggesting challenges in accessing treatment and harm reduction services. The higher mortality rates among older adults indicates that substance use disorders affect all age groups, not just youth.

Youth Drug Use Statistics (Ages 12-17)

Current Usage Rates

24,000 (10.24%) of Nevada teens report using drugs in the last month
Nevada teens are 22.98% more likely to have used drugs than the average American teen
91.67% of teen drug users report using marijuana in the last month
16.65% of all teens report using marijuana in the last year

Specific Drug Usage Among Teens

0.43% reported using cocaine in the last year
0.21% report using methamphetamines
0.21% used heroin
2.99% report misusing pain relievers

Teen Substance Use Disorders

4.70% of teens met criteria for Illicit Drug Use Disorder (IDUD)
1.71% met criteria for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
Youth in Nevada are 175% more likely to meet IDUD criteria than AUD criteria

Nevada’s youth substance use rates are significantly elevated compared to national averages, with marijuana being the predominant drug of choice. The higher likelihood of developing drug use disorders compared to alcohol use disorders among teens is particularly concerning and suggests early intervention programs should focus heavily on illicit drug prevention.

Adult Substance Use Statistics

Current Usage Patterns (2022)

23.6% of adults aged 18+ used illicit drugs in the past month (vs. 16.3% national average)
28.3% used marijuana (higher than national average)

Specific Drug Usage Rates (2022)

4.4% used hallucinogens
2.2% used methamphetamine
1.8% used cocaine
4.2% engaged in opioid misuse (vs. 3.4% national average)

Substance Use Disorders (2022)

20.9% prevalence of substance use disorder among individuals aged 12+
12.7% had drug use disorder
2.0% had opioid use disorder (similar to national average)

Nevada’s adult population shows consistently higher rates of substance use across most categories compared to national averages. The state’s legalized marijuana environment correlates with significantly higher usage rates, while opioid misuse remains a critical concern.

Age-Specific Substance Use Patterns (2022-2023)

By Age Group Usage Rates

Substance	Ages 12+	Ages 12-17	Ages 18-25	Ages 26+
Illicit Drug Use (Past Month)	22.03%	8.54%	31.91%	22.22%
Marijuana Use (Past Year)	29.76%	13.33%	45.61%	29.47%
Cocaine Use (Past Year)	1.76%	0.23%	3.23%	1.73%
Hallucinogen Use (Past Year)	3.67%	1.95%	9.85%	3.03%
Methamphetamine Use (Past Year)	1.63%	0.10%	0.26%	1.98%

Substance Use Disorders by Age

Disorder Type	Ages 12+	Ages 12-17	Ages 18-25	Ages 26+
Substance Use Disorder	21.32%	10.05%	31.07%	21.28%
Drug Use Disorder	12.17%	8.26%	23.06%	11.14%
Opioid Use Disorder	2.52%	1.23%	1.36%	2.82%

Young adults (18-25) show the highest rates of substance use and disorders across most categories, indicating this age group requires targeted intervention strategies. The relatively high rates among older adults (26+) suggest substance use issues persist throughout adulthood.

Specific Drug Trends

Methamphetamine

57% of overdose deaths involved methamphetamine (2022)
330% increase in seizures in Northern Nevada (2008-2015)

Fentanyl and Synthetic Opioids

43% of overdose deaths involved synthetic opioids (2022)
97% increase in combined fentanyl-methamphetamine deaths (2020-2023)
13.1 times increase in fentanyl deaths (1999-2022)

Marijuana

28.3% adult past-year use (2022)
130% increase from 2013-2021
Youth use declined from 29% (2017) to 15.9% (2022)

Methamphetamine remains the primary driver of overdose deaths, while synthetic opioids represent a rapidly growing threat. The contrasting trends in marijuana use between adults and youth suggest that legalization has had different impacts across age groups.

Co-Occurring Mental Health and Substance Use

Mental Health and Substance Use Statistics

33% of overdose deaths in 2021 involved individuals with documented mental health issues
34% of overdose deaths involved individuals with current mental health problems
28% had received mental health treatment
27% of those with opiate history have serious mental illness
64% have any mental illness

The high prevalence of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders highlights the need for integrated treatment approaches. The fact that only 28% of overdose victims had received mental health treatment suggests significant gaps in mental health service delivery.

Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Statistics

Treatment Facility Information

116 active substance abuse clinics statewide
7,249 patients treated annually for drug rehabilitation
4,260 patients enrolled in outpatient services annually
249 patients enrolled in residential (non-hospital) services
5 facilities offer free drug rehabilitation treatment

Treatment Costs

$62,530 average cost for residential treatment (tied for 44th most expensive state)
$1,626 average cost for outpatient treatment
$6.93 million spent on outpatient services (0.3% of U.S. total)
$15.57 million spent on residential treatment (0.3% of U.S. total)

Treatment Enrollment by Problem Type (2019)

47.6% received treatment for drug problems only
34.4% received treatment for both drug and alcohol problems

Treatment Gaps

Only 5.22% received substance use treatment
23.43% classified as needing treatment
77.37% of those needing treatment did not receive it

Despite having adequate treatment infrastructure, Nevada shows a significant treatment gap with over three-quarters of individuals needing treatment not receiving it. The high cost of residential treatment may be a barrier to access.

Criminal Justice and Drug-Related Arrests

Arrest and Conviction Trends (2016-2023)

Year	Total Arrests	Drug-Related Arrests	% Drug-Related	Drug Convictions	% Drug-Related Convictions
2016	46,276	6,964	15.0%	7,225	15.6%
2017	45,247	5,403	11.9%	6,495	14.4%
2018	48,570	6,516	13.4%	7,401	15.2%
2019	51,750	6,878	13.3%	5,839	11.3%
2020	37,107	6,117	16.5%	3,775	10.2%
2021	34,502	6,758	19.6%	4,609	13.4%
2022	28,758	5,608	19.5%	4,252	14.8%
2023	16,049	3,129	19.5%	2,115	13.2%

Felony Drug Convictions

41% of felony convictions were drug-related in 2023 (up from 17% in 2016)
Over 41% of new prison inmates in Nevada are incarcerated due to drug-related offenses

The proportion of drug-related arrests has increased significantly from 2017 to 2023, indicating either increased enforcement or rising drug-related criminal activity. The dramatic increase in drug-related felony convictions suggests more serious drug offenses are being prosecuted.

Prescription Drug Monitoring

PDMP Statistics (2021-2023)

49.9% of Nevada’s forensic population have prescriptions reported in PDMP

Fiscal Year	Clients in PDMP	Total Clients	% in PDMP
2021	275	565	48.7%
2022	315	609	51.7%
2023	308	624	49.4%

Self-Disclosed Drug Use Among Forensic Clients

Fiscal Year	Drug Users	Total Clients	Rate
2021	242	565	42.8%
2022	266	609	43.7%
2023	308	624	49.4%

The high proportion of forensic clients with PDMP records and self-disclosed drug use demonstrates the strong connection between substance use and criminal justice involvement in Nevada.

Historical Trends and Projections

Marijuana Use Trends

303% increase in past-month marijuana use from 2013 to 2020
130% increase since recreational legalization in 2017
High school cannabis use declined from 29% in 2017 to 15.9% in 2022

Treatment Enrollment Changes

2,079 people receiving methadone in 2019 (increase from 1,555 in 2015)
333 people receiving buprenorphine in 2019 (increase from 261 in 2015)

Marijuana legalization has led to dramatic increases in adult use while youth use has actually declined, suggesting successful age-restriction enforcement. The increase in medication-assisted treatment enrollment indicates growing recognition of evidence-based treatment approaches.

Emergency Department and Hospital Statistics

Healthcare Utilization (2021)

69,452 emergency department visits related to alcohol and drugs
10,704 encounters primarily drug-related
54,385 hospital admissions related to alcohol and drugs
33,301 admissions for drugs

The healthcare system bears a significant burden from substance use, with drug-related visits and admissions outnumbering alcohol-related ones, reflecting the severity of Nevada’s illicit drug problem.

Public Health Interventions and Outcomes

Prevention and Treatment Access

Less than 12% of individuals with substance use disorders access medication-assisted treatment
18% national benchmark for treatment access
Rural counties average 1 provider per 10,000 residents
Urban areas have 4.2 providers per 10,000 residents

Harm Reduction Efforts

Naloxone distribution increased 400% since 2018
Reportedly prevented 1,200 overdose deaths
Opioid prescribing rates dropped 30% from 2017-2022

While harm reduction efforts like naloxone distribution show positive results, significant treatment gaps remain, particularly in rural areas. The low medication-assisted treatment access rate indicates substantial room for improvement in evidence-based treatment delivery.

This data reveals Nevada faces substantial challenges with substance abuse across all demographics, with particular concerns around methamphetamine and synthetic opioids driving increased mortality rates. The treatment gap and criminal justice involvement highlight the need for comprehensive public health approaches combining prevention, treatment, and harm reduction strategies.

Statistical Data on Alcohol in Nevada

Nevada ranks third nationally in per capita alcohol consumption, with residents consuming nearly 4 gallons of pure alcohol annually – significantly exceeding the national average of 3 gallons. The state’s alcohol statistics reveal troubling patterns: over half of adults report recent alcohol use, nearly one in four engage in binge drinking, and alcohol use disorders affect more than 330,000 Nevadans. Nevada’s unique position as a tourism and entertainment destination has created an environment where excessive drinking has become normalized, contributing to a public health crisis with consequences reaching across healthcare systems, criminal justice, and economic productivity.

Health Consequences and Deaths

Annual Death Statistics

Category	Number of Deaths	Percentage
Total excessive alcohol deaths (average)	1,548	–
Deaths in 2020	804	–
Deaths in 2021 (preliminary)	776	–
Male deaths	–	68.6%
Deaths from chronic causes	–	61.5%
Deaths ages 35+	–	86.6%
Deaths under age 21	37	2.39%

The significant year-over-year variation in deaths (24% increase 2019-2020, 3% decrease 2020-2021) may reflect pandemic impacts. The predominance of male deaths (68.6%) and deaths from chronic causes (61.5%) aligns with typical alcohol-related mortality patterns.

Death Rates and Comparisons

Death rate per 100,000 (2020): 14.3 (above national average of 13.1)
Death rate per 10,000 adults: 6.43 deaths
Death ratio: 1 death per 2,006 adults aged 18+
5-year increase in death rate (2015-2019): 46.2%
Age-specific death rate (55-64 years, 2021): 145.6 per 100,000

Nevada Alcohol Death Statistics

Nevada’s alcohol-related death rate exceeds the national average, with the 46.2% increase over five years representing a public health crisis. The extremely high death rate among 55-64 year-olds (145.6 per 100,000) indicates this age group requires immediate intervention.

Years of Potential Life Lost

Annual years of potential life lost: 38,880 years
Years lost from under-21 deaths: 2,125 years

The substantial years of potential life lost (38,880 annually) demonstrates the profound impact of alcohol-related deaths on Nevada’s population, representing decades of lost productivity and family impact.

Overall Alcohol Consumption and Rankings

Nevada’s National Standing

Alcohol consumption per capita: 3.42 gallons of pure alcohol annually (ranks 3rd nationally)
National average comparison: Nevada consumption significantly exceeds the national average of 3.0 gallons
Binge drinking rate: 17.0 of adults (varies by region and measurement criteria)
National rank for excessive drinking: 27th

Nevada’s position as the third-highest state for alcohol consumption indicates a significant public health concern. The variation in consumption measurements (3.42-4.0 gallons) likely reflects different data collection periods and methodologies, but consistently shows Nevada well above national averages.

Age-Specific Alcohol Use Patterns

Youth (Ages 12-17)

Measure	Nevada	Regional Average	National Average
Past-month alcohol use (2017-2019)	8.7%	8.5%	9.4%
Past-month alcohol use (2022-2023)	8.0%	–	–
Ever consumed alcohol (middle school, 2021)	21.7%	–	–
Current alcohol use (middle school, 2021)	6.4%	–	–

Youth alcohol use in Nevada has shown positive trends with declining rates. The decrease in middle school current use from 11.7% to 6.4% between 2019-2021 represents a significant improvement in preventing early alcohol initiation.

High School Students

Current alcohol use (2021): 19.3% (decreased from 26.5% in 2017)
Rural region usage: 29.3% (significantly higher than state average)
Risk perception: 37.5% view 5+ drinks as risky (below national average of 43.0%)

The decline in high school alcohol use represents positive progress, though rural areas show concerning higher rates. The lower risk perception compared to national averages suggests need for enhanced education programs.

Young Adults (Ages 18-25)

Measure	Nevada	Regional Average	National Average
Past-month binge drinking (2017-2019)	32.5%	33.4%	35.4%
Past-year alcohol use disorder (2017-2019)	10.7%	10.2%	9.8%
Current alcohol use (2022-2023)	52.78%	–	–
Current binge drinking (2022-2023)	27.94%	–	–

Young adults show the highest rates of problematic alcohol use, with over half reporting current use and more than one-quarter binge drinking. The alcohol use disorder rate slightly exceeds national averages, indicating this age group requires targeted interventions.

Adults (18+ and specific age groups)

Age Group	Alcohol Use	Binge Drinking	Notes
18+ overall	51.32%	24.55%	2022-2023 data
26+	51.11%	24.09%	2022-2023 data
18-44 females	16.5%	–	Binge/heavy drinking, 2021-2022
65+	10.3%	–	Binge/heavy drinking, 2022

Adult alcohol use rates remain consistently high across age groups, with binge drinking affecting nearly one-quarter of adults. The lower rate among seniors (65+) reflects typical age-related consumption patterns.

Binge Drinking Patterns

Monthly binge drinking rate (adults 18+): 16.0%
Median drinks per binge session: 5.5 drinks
Top 25% of binge drinkers: 7.8 drinks per session
Median binge frequency: 1.6 times per month
Top 25% binge frequency: 3.7 times per month

The binge drinking patterns reveal a concerning intensity of consumption, with the most active drinkers consuming nearly 8 drinks per session multiple times monthly.

Geographic and Demographic Variations

Statewide binge drinking: 23.4%
Clark County binge drinking: 25.6%
Rural region high school alcohol use: 29.3% (vs. 19.3% statewide)

Rural areas show higher rates of youth alcohol use, while urban Clark County shows higher adult binge drinking rates. This suggests different intervention strategies may be needed for urban versus rural populations.

Alcohol Use Disorders and Treatment

Prevalence of Alcohol Use Disorder

Population	Rate	Number of People
Ages 12+ (2017-2019)	6.2%	157,000
Ages 12+ (2019)	6.0%	–
Ages 12+ (2020)	10.2%	–
Ages 12+ (2022-2023)	12.17%	330,000
Ages 12-20 (2022-2023)	6.65%	24,000
Ages 18-25 (2022-2023)	18.34%	54,000

The dramatic increase in alcohol use disorder prevalence from 6.0% in 2019 to 10.2% in 2020 likely reflects both the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and improved detection methods. The 2022-2023 rates show continued elevation, particularly concerning among young adults at 18.34%.

Treatment Statistics

Average age of addiction initiation: 16.1 years
Alcohol as primary substance in treatment (2019-2021): 13% of admissions
Treatment admissions (2010): 2,602 for alcohol alone, 1,520 for alcohol with secondary drug

The young age of addiction initiation (16.1 years) underscores the critical importance of prevention programs targeting adolescents. The relatively low percentage of treatment admissions focused on alcohol (13%) suggests potential underutilization of treatment services.

Healthcare Utilization

Emergency Department and Hospital Visits

Category	Quarterly Numbers (2021)	Annual Estimate
Alcohol-related ED visits	8,600	34,400
Drug-related ED visits	9,300	37,200
Alcohol-related inpatient admissions	5,300	21,200
Drug-related inpatient admissions	8,400	33,600

Additional Statistics

Total alcohol/drug-related ED visits (2021): 69,452
Primary alcohol intoxication cases: 15,550
Alcohol appearing in substance-related ER visits: 40%

While drug-related visits slightly exceed alcohol-related visits, the near-parity indicates alcohol remains a major healthcare burden. The trend of increasing alcohol ED encounters from 2017-2021 suggests growing acute alcohol-related problems.

Economic Impact

Financial Costs

Cost per alcoholic drink: $2.01

Total cost to taxpayers (2010): $2.296 billion
Inflation-adjusted cost (2022): $3.1 billion
Total state economic impact: $2.3 billion annually

The economic burden of excessive alcohol use represents a significant drain on Nevada’s resources. The cost per drink ($2.01) provides perspective on the true societal cost of alcohol consumption beyond the purchase price.

Alcohol-Related Crime Statistics

Incarcerated individuals with substance use disorder: 65%
Under influence during crime commission: 20%
Fatal crashes involving 15-20 year-old drivers with BAC >0.01% (2022): 12 fatalities (27% of all fatal crashes in this age group)

The high percentage of incarcerated individuals with substance use disorders (65%) demonstrates the strong link between alcohol/substance abuse and criminal behavior. The significant involvement of alcohol in fatal crashes among young drivers (27%) highlights the need for enhanced prevention and enforcement.

Risk Perception and Attitudes

Age Group	Percentage Viewing 5+ Drinks as High Risk
Ages 12+	46.55%
Ages 12-17	39.68%
Ages 18-25	42.51%
Ages 26+	47.87%
Ages 12-20	40.62%

The relatively low risk perception across all age groups, particularly among youth and young adults, correlates with higher usage rates. The perception that fewer than half of adolescents view heavy drinking as risky indicates need for enhanced education programs.

Nevada’s alcohol statistics reveal a state facing significant challenges with alcohol consumption and related consequences. With consumption rates ranking 3rd nationally, death rates exceeding national averages, and economic costs exceeding $3 billion annually, alcohol abuse represents a major public health crisis. While some positive trends exist, particularly in youth consumption rates, the overall data indicates need for comprehensive intervention strategies targeting prevention, treatment, and harm reduction across all age groups and geographic regions.

In general, Nevada faces a severe dual substance abuse crisis that significantly exceeds national averages across multiple metrics. The state ranks third nationally in alcohol consumption while simultaneously experiencing a 19% increase in drug overdose deaths from 2022 to 2023, with methamphetamine and synthetic opioids driving the majority of fatalities. Despite having adequate treatment infrastructure with 116 active substance abuse clinics, a critical treatment gap persists with over 77% of individuals needing substance use treatment not receiving it, while the economic burden exceeds $3 billion annually. The data reveals that Nevada’s unique position as an entertainment destination has normalized excessive substance use, creating a public health emergency that demands immediate, comprehensive intervention strategies combining prevention, expanded treatment access, and harm reduction approaches to address both the immediate crisis and long-term recovery needs.