The U.S. is in the midst of a drug epidemic. More Americans than ever before are using drugs and drug addiction is a growing problem. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Mental Health, an estimated 21.5 million Americans suffer from addiction to drugs or alcohol. These are the eleven U.S. states with the highest rates of drug addiction.

1. Florida

With an estimated population of 13.6 million, Florida has the dubious distinction of leading the nation in drug overdose deaths. In 2016, there were nearly 5,000 drug overdose deaths in Florida. Nearly 70 percent of these deaths were due to the opioid epidemic. Seven out of ten Floridians report knowing someone who has an addiction problem. Florida’s annual drug overdose death rate is more than three times the national average.

2. Georgia

Drug overdose deaths in Georgia spiked from 301 in 2015 to 486 in 2016. In the first nine months of 2017, the number of overdose deaths in Georgia was already at 847. Opioid abuse is a major contributor to Georgia’s high drug overdose death rate. More than half of drug overdose deaths in Georgia are due to opioids. From 2013 to 2016, the number of heroin users entering treatment in Georgia jumped from 3,300 to 6,000.

3. Maryland

Maryland is facing an epidemic of addiction to prescription painkillers like OxyContin and Vicodin as well as heroin and other opioids. Drug overdose deaths there increased from 746 in 2015 to 941 in 2016. With an estimated population of 6.7 million, Maryland has the sixth-highest drug overdose death rate in the country. Between 2013 and 2016, the number of heroin users entering treatment in Maryland jumped from 1,950 to 3,251.

4. Massachusetts

Drug overdose deaths in Massachusetts rose from 755 in 2015 to 873 in 2016, the highest number recorded in the state. Heroin was a factor in nearly one-third of these deaths, followed by synthetic opioids like fentanyl.

5. Mississippi

Drug overdose deaths in Mississippi rose from 369 in 2015 to 397 in 2016. Most of these deaths were due to synthetic opioids like fentanyl. In 2015, the last year for which data is available, there were 631 drug overdose deaths in Mississippi.

6. North Carolina

Drug overdose deaths in North Carolina rose from 693 in 2015 to 713 in 2016. 94 percent of these deaths were due to opioids, primarily fentanyl. Over the past five years, the number of heroin users entering treatment in North Carolina jumped from 1,500 to 3,500.

7. Ohio

Drug overdose deaths in Ohio rose from 609 in 2015 to 659 in 2016. The majority of these deaths were due to opioids, primarily prescription painkillers such as OxyContin and hydrocodone. A record 59,000 people were addicted to prescription opioids in Ohio in 2016. Nearly half of them were receiving treatment.

8. Oklahoma

Over the past five years, the number of overdose deaths due to opioids has increased in Oklahoma from 699 in 2012 to 1,187 in 2016. In 2016, Oklahoma had the second-highest rate of overdose deaths in the country.

9. Pennsylvania

Drug overdose deaths rose in Pennsylvania from 587 in 2015 to 608 in 2016. Overdose deaths due to synthetic opioids like fentanyl increased from 409 in 2015 to 473 in 2016.

10. Tennessee

Drug overdose deaths in Tennessee rose from 696 in 2015 to 740 in 2016. The majority of these deaths were due to opioids, primarily prescription painkillers. In 2016 there were 1,408 people addicted to prescription opioids in Tennessee, and nearly a third were receiving treatment.

11. Virginia

Drug overdose deaths in Virginia rose from 536 in 2015 to 587 in 2016. The majority of these deaths were due to opioids, primarily prescription painkillers. In 2016 there were 8,229 people addicted to prescription opioids in Virginia, and nearly a third were receiving treatment.

Knoxville Recovery Center is Here for You 

Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. are on the rise. The majority of these deaths are due to opioid painkillers. Drug addiction is a serious and growing problem in the United States, and with treatment comes the opportunity for a new, sober life.

If you or a loved one are currently struggling with addiction, help is available! We encourage you to reach out to the professionals at Knoxville Recovery Center to learn more about our personalized treatment programs and mental health services. 

Knoxville Recovery Center was founded from firsthand experience of addiction and recovery, with a mission of providing a space where people can heal from addiction and other disorders in a compassionate, creative, open-minded, and heart-centered environment. We believe recovery is always possible. Our experts work with you to design a treatment plan that fits your needs. Common treatment programs include:

• Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)
• On-site Detox
• Full-time Addiction Treatment on campus
• Mental Health Treatment
• Aftercare Services

Contact us today for more information about how our programs and services can help you get your life back on track. You no longer have to struggle with addiction on your own. We are here to help.