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

Statistical Data on Drugs in South Carolina

South Carolina has faced significant challenges with drug abuse and overdose deaths, showing concerning trends particularly in recent years. The state has experienced dramatic increases in drug-related fatalities, with opioids and fentanyl emerging as the primary drivers of the crisis. However, 2023 marked a historic turning point, showing the first decrease in overdose deaths in over a decade.

Overdose Deaths Statistics

Key Facts

Drug overdose death rates increased from 13.3 per 100,000 in 2011 to 42.8 per 100,000 in 2021
Fentanyl involved in 72% of overdose deaths (1,550 deaths in 2023)
15 out of 46 counties still showed increases in 2023
Opioids account for 80% of all drug overdose deaths

South Carolina Death Statistics

Recent Death Statistics

Year	Deaths	Change	Key Fact
2020	1,734	+53.3%	COVID-19 impact year
2021	2,168	+25.0%	Peak year for deaths
2022	2,296	+5.9%	Highest rate: 43 per 100,000
2023	2,157	-6.1%	First decrease in 10+ years

County Variations (2022)

Highest rates per 100,000:

Barnwell: 98.0
Dillon: 90.1
Jasper: 62.4
Georgetown: 61.8
Aiken: 56.8

Lowest rate: Beaufort at 22.9 per 100,000

Deaths by Drug Type in Major Counties

County	Total Deaths	Fentanyl Deaths	Cocaine Deaths
Greenville	270	194	47
Horry	272	188	93
Charleston	201	139	54
Spartanburg	153	105	21
Richland	137	82	47

The data shows significant geographic disparities in both overall death rates and specific drug impacts, with coastal and urban areas generally showing higher numbers.

Historical Drug Overdose Death Trends

Deaths by Intent (2012-2021)

Year	Total	Unintentional	Suicide	Homicide	Undetermined
2012	573	478	80	1	14
2015	789	713	66	0	10
2018	1,103	1,030	64	3	6
2021	2,168	2,077	71	9	11

The nearly fourfold increase in total overdose deaths from 2012 to 2021 represents a dramatic escalation of the drug crisis. The high proportion of unintentional deaths (95.8% in 2021) suggests that many of these deaths might be preventable with proper intervention and education strategies.

Substance-Specific Death Trends (2017-2021)

Year	Total	Prescription Drugs	Opioids	Psychostimulants	Fentanyl	Heroin	Cocaine
2017	1,001	782	748	194	362	144	235
2018	1,103	863	816	242	460	168	254
2019	1,131	923	876	338	537	196	230
2020	1,734	1,463	1,400	551	1,100	244	352
2021	2,168	1,853	1,733	778	1,494	136	446

The data shows a striking shift in the drug landscape, with fentanyl deaths increasing by 313% from 2017 to 2021. While heroin deaths have decreased, the dramatic rise in fentanyl-related fatalities suggests a dangerous transition in the drug Supply chain, often involving contamination of other substances with fentanyl.

Youth Drug Use (Ages 12-17)

Drug use in past month: 8.11% (31,000 teens)
Marijuana use among drug users: 80.65%
Marijuana use in past year: 11.24%
Cocaine use: 0.26%
Methamphetamine use: 0.26%
Heroin use: Up to 0.13%
Pain reliever misuse: 3.40%

Marijuana dominates youth drug use, with over 80% of teen users choosing this substance. The relatively low rates of hard drug use suggest prevention programs may be having some success, though pain reliever misuse remains a concern.

Opioid Crisis Impact (2021 Data)

Opioid-Related Statistics

Total opioid deaths: 1,733

Deaths involving fentanyl: 1,494 (72% of all overdose deaths)
Deaths involving prescription opioids: 44.9% of opioid deaths
Deaths involving heroin: 21.9% of opioid deaths
Deaths involving synthetic opioids: 61.1% of opioid deaths

Prescription Statistics

Doctors write enough prescriptions for 69.2% of residents
Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal syndrome: 0.5% of hospital births
HIV/AIDS cases attributed to IV drug use: 16,858
Hepatitis C cases attributed to IV drug use: 35,600

Fentanyl has emerged as the deadliest substance in the opioid crisis, while prescription opioids continue to be a significant concern with high prescription rates.

Historic Meth Lab Trends

2007: 26 lab seizures
2008: 130 lab seizures
2009: 86 lab seizures
2011: 335 lab seizures

The fluctuating numbers of meth lab seizures suggest changing patterns in local production, with a significant overall increase from 2007 to 2011.

Combined Substance Issues

45% of heroin users also addicted to prescription opioids
Alcohol involved in 18.5% of opioid-related hospital visits
32.4% of treatment patients seeking help for both drugs and alcohol

The high rate of polysubstance use, particularly between opioids and other substances, indicates the complexity of addiction patterns in the state.

Substance Use Statistics by Age Group (2021)

Past Month Usage Rates

Age Group	Illicit Drug Use	Marijuana Use	Other Illicit Drugs
12-17	6.67%	4.83%	2.27%
18-25	24.45%	21.07%	4.39%
26+	11.36%	9.49%	3.26%
Overall (12+)	12.43%	10.39%	3.30%

Past Year Usage Statistics

Substance Type	Ages 12+	Ages 18-25	Ages 26+
Marijuana	15.64%	32.54%	13.92%
Cocaine	1.95%	3.25%	1.96%
Methamphetamine	1.32%	0.44%	1.59%
Pain Reliever Misuse	2.90%	3.17%	2.91%
Opioid Misuse	3.09%	2.97%	3.17%

The data reveals a concerning pattern in the 18-25 age group, which shows significantly higher rates of substance use across all categories. This age group’s marijuana use rate (32.54%) is more than double the overall population rate, suggesting a particular vulnerability in young adults. The relatively lower rates in the 12-17 age group might indicate some success in youth prevention programs, though continued vigilance is necessary.

Substance Use Patterns

Regional Comparisons (2014-2017)

SC Marijuana Use: 11.6% (Regional avg: 12.1%, National avg: 13.9%)
SC Heroin Use: 0.17% (Regional avg: 0.26%, National avg: 0.33%)
SC Pain Reliever Misuse: 4.3% (Equal to both regional and national averages)

South Carolina generally shows lower substance use rates compared to regional and national averages, though pain reliever misuse matches broader trends.

Substance Use Disorders and Treatment Needs (2021)

Disorder Prevalence by Age Group

Disorder Type	Ages 12+	Ages 12-17	Ages 18-25	Ages 26+
Drug Use Disorder	8.24%	6.27%	14.81%	7.52%
Pain Reliever Use Disorder	1.97%	1.04%	1.15%	2.20%
Opioid Use Disorder	2.15%	1.04%	1.20%	2.42%
Any Substance Use Disorder	14.73%	6.56%	24.22%	14.29%

Treatment Gap Statistics

People needing but not receiving treatment for illicit drug use: 277,000
People needing but not receiving treatment for substance use: 553,000
Percentage of population needing but not receiving substance use treatment: 12.60%

The treatment gap statistics reveal a critical healthcare access issue in South Carolina, with over half a million people needing but not receiving treatment. The high prevalence of substance use disorders in the 18-25 age group (24.22%) combined with limited treatment access suggests a significant public health challenge that requires immediate attention.

Drug Treatment and Facilities

Treatment Costs

Outpatient services: Average $1,707 per individual
Residential treatment: Average $57,774 per individual
Total state spending on outpatient services: $33.73 million
Total state spending on residential treatment: $31.14 million

The stark difference between outpatient and residential treatment costs ($56,067) may create significant barriers to accessing intensive care. Despite serving far fewer patients, residential treatment consumes nearly the same budget as outpatient services.

Treatment Statistics

Active substance abuse clinics: 126
Annual patients served: 20,539
Outpatient services patients: 19,754
Residential treatment patients: 539
Hospital-based treatment patients: 246
Free treatment facilities: 8

The data shows a significant disparity between outpatient and residential treatment, with over 96% of patients receiving outpatient care. The limited number of free treatment facilities (only 8) suggests potential accessibility issues for lower-income individuals.

Treatment Admissions by Drug Type

Marijuana: 6,085 admissions
Opiates (non-heroin): 1,982 admissions
Cocaine (smoking): 1,377 admissions
Cocaine (other methods): 577 admissions
Methamphetamine: 560 admissions

Marijuana leads treatment admissions, followed by opiates and cocaine. The significant gender disparity in treatment suggests possible barriers to access for women or differences in substance use patterns between genders.

Treatment Enrollment Trends

Single-Day Count Comparisons

Service	2013	2017	Change
Total Enrollment	15,824	16,844	+6.4%
Methadone Treatment	4,323	5,360	+24.0%
Buprenorphine Treatment	671	946	+41.0%

Treatment enrollment has shown steady growth, with medication-assisted therapy showing particularly strong increases.

South Carolina’s drug crisis shows concerning trends, with overdose deaths climbing from 573 in 2012 to 2,296 in 2022, though 2023 brought the first decrease in a decade with 2,157 deaths. Fentanyl remains the primary threat, involved in 72% of overdose deaths, while a significant treatment gap affects over 553,000 people needing care. The dramatic variation in death rates across counties and the high cost barrier between outpatient and residential treatment underscore the urgent need for expanded access to prevention and treatment services.

Statistical Data on Alcohol in South Carolina

South Carolina faces significant challenges with alcohol abuse, showing higher-than-average death rates and concerning patterns of excessive drinking across different age groups. The state has particularly troubling statistics regarding binge drinking and alcohol-related deaths, with substantial economic and public health impacts.

Death and Health Impact

Annual Alcohol-Related Deaths

Total deaths: 2,586
Death rate (2020): 13.9 per 100,000
Years of potential life lost: 66,458 annually

Death Distribution

Male: 70.8%
Chronic causes: 54.5%
Adults 35+: 82.7%
Under 21: 3.21%

The mortality data reveals a disproportionate impact on males and older adults, with chronic conditions being the primary cause of alcohol-related deaths.

5-Year Average Deaths (2015-2019)

Suicides due to alcohol: 192
Homicides due to alcohol: 208
Alcohol Dependence Syndrome deaths: 62
Coronary Heart disease deaths due to alcohol: 121

Demographic Distribution of Deaths

Total alcohol-attributable deaths: 1,177

Male over 21: 875
Female over 21: 302
Male under 21: 61
Female under 21: 20

Males account for the majority of alcohol-related deaths, with a significant impact on older adults. The state lost an estimated 66,458 years of potential life annually due to excessive alcohol use.

Death Rate Changes

5-year increase in excessive alcohol deaths (2015-2019): Up to 53.4%
Current death rate: One death per 1,979 adults
Deaths per 10,000 adults: 6.44

The significant increase in death rates over the five-year period indicates a worsening public health crisis.

Alcohol Use by Age Group (2021)

General Population (12+)

Measure	Number (thousands)	Percentage
Past Month Use	2,072	47.19%
Binge Use	995	22.66%
Alcohol Use Disorder	413	9.40%

Nearly half of the general population uses alcohol monthly, with over one-fifth engaging in binge drinking, indicating widespread risky drinking behaviors.

Youth and Young Adult Usage

Age Group	Alcohol Use	Binge Use	Alcohol Use Disorder
12-17	5.63%	2.60%	2.83%
18-25	48.38%	29.23%	12.78%
26+	51.77%	24.01%	9.67%

A dramatic increase in alcohol use occurs between adolescence and young adulthood, with the 18-25 age group showing particularly high rates of binge drinking and disorder prevalence.

Underage Drinking Statistics (2022)

Age Group	Users	Usage Rate	Binge Users	Binge Rate
12-14	9,000	4.7%	5,000	2.4%
15-17	24,000	12.9%	11,000	6.2%
18-20	62,000	29.3%	48,000	22.4%

Each age progression shows a concerning increase in both use and binge drinking, with the most dramatic jump occurring in the 18-20 age group despite being under legal drinking age.

Adult Drinking Patterns (21+)

Regular use: 1,811,000 (48.9%)
Binge drinking: 961,000 (26%)
Adults who binge drink monthly: 16.3%
Median drinks per binge: 5.7
Heavy drinkers (top 25%): drinks per binge: 8.44; monthly binge frequency: 4.6 times

The pattern among heavy drinkers is particularly concerning, with the most active quarter of drinkers consuming nearly 50% more drinks per session than the median.

Special Populations

Youth Impact

Average initiation age: 16.4 years
Deaths under 21: 83
Years of potential life lost under 21: 4,716
Fatal crashes (15-20, BAC > 0.01%): 28 (20% of all fatal crashes)

Early initiation of alcohol use correlates with significant youth mortality, particularly in traffic-related incidents, suggesting a need for enhanced youth prevention programs.

Regional Comparisons

SC binge drinking rate: 16.2%
National average: 15.3%
State rank for excessive drinking: 19th

South Carolina’s higher-than-average binge drinking rate and ranking among the worst states for excessive drinking in the Southeast indicate a regional public health challenge requiring targeted intervention strategies.

Treatment and Healthcare Needs (2021)

People with Alcohol Use Disorder: 413,000 (9.40%)
Needing but not receiving treatment: 396,000 (9.03%)

Treatment admissions (2010):

Alcohol only: 11,571
Alcohol with secondary drug: 5,034

South Carolina Treatment Statistics

A significant treatment gap exists, with nearly 96% of those needing treatment not receiving it.

Economic Impact

2010 cost to taxpayers: $3.983 billion
2022 adjusted cost: $5.377 billion
Cost per drink (2022): $2.88

The economic burden is substantial and growing, with inflation-adjusted costs showing a significant increase over time.

Public Health Concerns

DUI-related crashes (2011-2015): 29,300
Neonatal impacts (2020): 5.5 newborns per 1,000 hospitalized with neonatal abstinence syndrome
Maternal health: 20.4% of women aged 18-44 report binge drinking (above national average of 19.7%)

The economic and public health impacts of alcohol abuse are substantial, affecting both individual health outcomes and broader societal costs.

South Carolina faces substantial challenges with alcohol abuse, as evidenced by 2,586 annual deaths and a death rate of 13.9 per 100,000, above the national average. Young adults (18-25) show particularly concerning patterns with high binge drinking rates (29.23%), while the $5.377 billion annual economic burden and treatment gap affecting 396,000 people highlight the urgent need for enhanced prevention and treatment programs.

In general, South Carolina faces severe challenges with substance abuse, as evidenced by 2,157 drug overdose deaths and 2,586 alcohol-related deaths annually. While 2023 showed the first decrease in drug overdose deaths in a decade, fentanyl remains involved in 72% of these deaths. Young adults (18-25) show the highest rates of both drug use (24.45%) and binge drinking (29.23%), while a significant treatment gap affects over 553,000 people, highlighting an urgent need for enhanced prevention and treatment programs.