North Carolina substance abuse statistics

Most North Carolinians who are dependent on drugs or alcohol don’t receive the addiction treatment they need and deserve.

North Carolina has a reputation as one of the friendliest and most beautiful states in the country. However, like many other places, the Tarheel State is experiencing an increase in substance abuse. Additionally, many North Carolina residents who suffer from addiction are battling other mental health disorders. In these cases, both issues must be addressed for optimal results. However, most North Carolinians who are dependent on drugs or alcohol don’t receive the addiction treatment they need and deserve.

Lakeview Health in Jacksonville, FL, provides comprehensive addiction treatment for people from North Carolina or any other state in the country. If you live in North Carolina and have decided to enter into addiction treatment, our center provides the perfect setting for recovery. Our team creates personalized treatment plans for each person in our care because we believe that this customized approach maximizes the effectiveness of our programs. Learn more about our wide array of treatment programs and therapy options by reaching out to our team today at 904 677 5010 or complete our secure online form.

Alcohol addiction in North Carolina

One of the most common types of addictions is Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). A few statistics about alcohol addiction in North Carolina include:

27% of drinking adults
reported binge drinking in 2018, with 12% of adult drinkers reporting heavy drinking in the previous 30 days.
48% of North Carolina residents in 2018
reported having at least one drink in the last 30 days
12% of North Carolinians
of North Carolinians of all adult drinkers in 2018 reported heavy drinking within the last 30 days.

There also seems to be a trend among underage drinkers. According to responsibility.org, there were 421 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities in North Carolina in 2018. Unfortunately, of these fatalities, 38 involved drivers under the age of 21. In 2019, 49% of all high school drinkers engaged in binge drinking in the last 30 days. This disturbing trend stems from high schoolers asking older friends or relatives to buy them alcohol. As a result, state and local law enforcement agencies are becoming more stringent on people buying alcohol for minors.

Methamphetamine abuse statistics in North Carolina
Crystal meth is becoming a more significant problem in North Carolina every year

Those that are addicted to this substance are at high risk for overdose and death. But, many people overlook the danger that methamphetamine production causes for people who have never used the drug. For example, in 2018, there were 127 methamphetamine laboratory incidents in North Carolina. This number placed North Carolina in the top ten for the most methamphetamine lab incidents in the country. Because the manufacturing of meth is a highly volatile process, it is quite possible for the chemicals to be mixed incorrectly, leading to an explosion. These explosions kill hundreds of non-meth users every year.

Further, the National Drug Intelligence Center states that the methamphetamine problem is higher in rural western North Carolina than in other parts of the state. Although crack cocaine used to be a greater threat in those areas, it is getting replaced by methamphetamine because meth is easier and cheaper to obtain.

Expand
Opioid abuse statistics in North Carolina

Opioid abuse has become a crisis in every state in the country, and North Carolina is no exception. This type of addiction is particularly difficult to overcome without professional treatment because of changes in the brain’s chemistry that are a side effect of opioid abuse. Some North Carolina opioid abuse statistics include:

According to the National Institute for Drug Abuse, in North Carolina, an estimated 79% of drug overdose deaths involved opioids in 2018, which was a total of 1,783 fatalities.
In 2018, North Carolina providers wrote 61.5 opioid prescriptions for every 100 persons compared to the average U.S. rate of 51.4 prescriptions.
Healthcare expenses for opioid abusers are nearly double those for non-abusers.
Prescription drugs, such as Vicodin and Oxycontin, can act like heroin in the body. Many users turn to the street drug when the price of the prescriptions becomes too high.
Unintentional opioid-involved overdose deaths cost the state a combined total of $2.3 billion in 2018.
Other illicit substance abuse statistics for North Carolina

According to The Blanchard Institute, drugs and alcohol accounted for 22.6 out of every 100,000 death in North Carolina during 2018. Other substance abuse statistics for the Tarheel State include:

44% increase in overdose deaths
There has been a 44% increase in total overdose deaths statewide from 2015 to 2018.
2,259 overdose deaths
If you include all drugs, there were 2,259 North Carolina overdose deaths in 2018.
Almost 6 deaths a day
This data shows that almost 6 North Carolinians die from a drug overdose every day.

Substance abuse affects North Carolinians from all walks of life and virtually all age groups. Some people stuck in the endless cycle of addiction may feel as though their substance abuse is a sign of weakness for which they should be ashamed. At Lakeview Health, our team recognizes that addiction is a disease and should be treated as such. We treat each person in our care with the respect and dignity they deserve.

Programs to help improve substance abuse statistics in North Carolina

The North Carolina state government offers programs to help residents regain control of their lives from addiction. Some of the ways that North Carolinians can find the help they need and deserve include a statewide system of Drug Education Schools, or DES, to function as an alternative to jail time for individuals with drug offenses. Also, the Alcohol Drug Education Traffic School, or ADETS, is available to people convicted for DWI and are at risk for substance use disorders.

Explore how Lakeview Health helps North Carolina residents begin recovery
Many people prefer to get out of the environment where they have set up routines that exacerbate their substance use disorder

Although you can find plenty of rehabs in North Carolina, many people prefer to get out of the environment where they have set up routines that exacerbate their substance use disorder. Lakeview Health welcomes people from every state across the country.

It may seem inconvenient to travel out of your state for rehab, but this approach may give you a better chance of recovering. When the people or places that trigger your substance abuse are left behind during your time at Lakeview Health, you are more likely to immerse yourself in treatment. Patients at Lakeview Health get the support of our expert team to work towards a life filled with balance, health, and wellness. Our welcoming campus accepts and supports individuals from all walks of life and every part of the country.

If you or a loved one is grappling with addiction, help is available. Reach out to our admissions team today by calling 904 677 5010 or completing our convenient online form. Our Lakeview Health team can give you the tools for genuine, long-lasting recovery, but the first step is up to you. Contact our team today.

Contact Us
Safe, comfortable treatment is possible!
Call now and start your healing with Lakeview Health today.

"*" indicates required fields

Call now for a consultation