Ohio Drug and Alcohol Statistics

Statistical Data on Drugs in Ohio

Ohio is facing a substantial drug and alcohol abuse crisis, with alarming statistics in overdose deaths, youth drug use, and the cost of rehabilitation services. This report provides key statistics based on available data and includes an analysis of each area, highlighting the severity of the substance abuse issue in Ohio.

Drug Overdose Deaths Ohio

Drug Overdose Deaths

Total overdose deaths: 4,251 per year.
Percentage of total deaths: 3.42% of all deaths in Ohio are from drug overdose.
Annual increase in overdose deaths: 0.88% increase in the last 3 years.
Overdose death rate: 38.3 per 100,000 people (85.02% higher than the national average).
Ohio’s share of nationwide overdose deaths: 6.05%.
Opioid overdose deaths: 3,237 annually.
Opioid overdose death rate: 29.6 per 100,000 (102.7% above the national average).
Percentage of opioid-related overdose deaths: 81.3% of all overdose deaths.
Percentage of opioid deaths involving synthetic opioids: 86%.

Ohio has an overdose death rate that is significantly higher than the national average, with opioids being a major factor. The data shows that synthetic opioids, like fentanyl, are involved in the vast majority of opioid-related deaths, making it a critical issue to address in the state.

Youth Drug Use

Age Group	Drug/Substance	Percentage
Teens (12-17)	Drug Use	7.98% (71,000 teens)
Teens (12-17)	Marijuana	80.28% of drug users
Teens (12-17)	Cocaine	0.34%
Teens (12-17)	Methamphetamines	0.22%
Teens (12-17)	Heroin	Up to 0.06%
Teens (12-17)	Pain Relievers (Misuse)	2.47%
Teens (12-17)	Illicit Drug Use Disorder (IDUD)	3.48%
Young Adults (18-25)	Drug Use	430,000 (1.28% more likely than national average)

While teen drug use in Ohio is slightly lower than the national average, the high rate of marijuana use among teens and the higher likelihood of alcohol consumption are concerning. The use of more dangerous drugs like cocaine, meth, and heroin, although lower in prevalence, still poses a significant risk to this age group

Rehabilitation Services and Costs

Active substance abuse clinics: 589.
Clients served annually: 66,296.
Clients in outpatient rehab: 66,124.
Outpatient rehab cost per individual: $1,705.
Percentage of U.S. public funds spent on outpatient rehab in Ohio: 4.88% ($112.7 million).
Clients in residential (non-hospital) rehab: 3,653.
Residential rehab cost per individual: $56,688.
Percentage of U.S. public funds spent on residential rehab in Ohio: 3.99% ($207 million).
Hospital-based rehab clients: 519.
Free drug rehab facilities: 5 in Ohio.

Ohio has a significant number of substance abuse clinics, serving tens of thousands of clients annually. However, the high cost of rehabilitation, particularly for residential programs, places a financial burden on both individuals and the public. The availability of free treatment options is limited, which may contribute to continued substance abuse for those unable to afford treatment.

Opioid Epidemic

Opioid Epidemic Ohio

Percentage of overdose deaths involving prescription opioids: 14.6%.
Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal syndrome cases: 1.16% of hospital births.
Hepatitis C cases from intravenous drug use: 89,600.
HIV/AIDS cases from intravenous drug use: 21,899.
Doctors write enough opioid prescriptions for: 53.5% of Ohio’s residents.

Prescription opioids play a significant role in Ohio’s opioid epidemic, although the primary issue appears to be with synthetic opioids. The rise in neonatal Opioid Withdrawal syndrome highlights the broader societal impact of opioid abuse, affecting not just individuals but families and future generations.

Drug Use Trends in Ohio

Category	Percentage/Number
Ohio residents using illicit drugs in the past month	7.87% (below the national average of 8.82%)
Ohio residents using illicit drugs other than marijuana	3.48% (close to the national average of 3.6%)
Number of people aged 12+ using illicit drugs	1.2 million
Percentage of teens (12-17) misusing pain relievers	2.47%
Methamphetamine use among Ohio residents	0.67%
Marijuana use among Ohio residents	16.27%

Ohio’s overall drug use is slightly below the national average, but there are still significant numbers of individuals using illicit substances, particularly marijuana. The relatively high number of teens misusing pain relievers and adults using methamphetamine reflects a growing concern for opioid and meth-related issues in the state.

County-Specific Drug Use Data

Scioto County drug overdose rate: 106.2 per 100,000 people (highest in Ohio).
Gallia County drug overdose rate: 76 per 100,000 people.
Lawrence County drug overdose rate: 68.8 per 100,000 people.
Montgomery County drug overdose deaths: 293 in 2023, down from 316 in 2022 (7.3% decrease).
Clark County drug overdose deaths: 79 in 2021 (51.9% increase from 52 deaths in 2020).

Certain counties in Ohio, especially Scioto, Gallia, and Lawrence, are experiencing extremely high overdose rates, far exceeding the state average. While Montgomery County saw a decrease in overdose deaths, other areas, like Clark County, are experiencing significant increases, suggesting that the crisis is far from under control.

Statistical Data on Alcohol in Ohio

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Substance Use Disorder Ohio

Ohio residents with alcohol use disorder (AUD): 503,000 annually (5.1% of the population).
Percentage of young adults (18-25) engaging in binge alcohol use: 38.9%.
Opioid addiction rate in Ohio: 1.4% (twice the national average of 0.7%).
Opioid-related overdose death rate in 2020: 47.2 per 100,000 (national average: 28.3).

Ohio faces high levels of alcohol and opioid addiction, with young adults being particularly at risk for alcohol abuse. The opioid addiction rate in Ohio is twice the national average, further underscoring the need for targeted interventions to curb the crisis.

Alcohol abuse is a significant public health concern in Ohio, with rates of consumption and related issues often surpassing national averages. This report summarizes key statistics on alcohol use, binge drinking, and associated consequences in Ohio, drawing from various sources including state departments and national health organizations.

Key Statistics with Analysis

Ohio Alcohol Statistics

55% of Ohio residents use alcohol (on par with the U.S. average)
27% of Ohio residents engage in binge drinking (slightly above the U.S. average of 26%)
17.2% of Ohio adults over 18 binge drink at least once per month
Median number of drinks per binge: 5.7
Top 25% most active drinkers consume a median of 8.2 drinks per binge
Binge drinking frequency:
- Median: 1.9 times monthly
- Top 25% most active drinkers: 4.4 times per month

Ohio’s drinking patterns closely mirror national averages, with a slightly higher tendency towards binge drinking. The data on the top 25% of drinkers indicates a subset of the population engaging in particularly risky drinking behaviors, which may require targeted intervention strategies.

Excessive Drinking by Demographics

Demographic Group	Likelihood of Excessive Drinking
College-educated	21% more likely
Income > $75,000	78% more likely
White	18% more likely than Black
Male	47% more likely than female
Age 18-44	200% more likely than 65+

Contrary to many health trends, excessive drinking in Ohio is more prevalent among higher-educated, higher-income, white, male, and younger populations. This suggests that targeted interventions may be necessary for these demographic groups, and that factors such as stress, social norms, and disposable income may play a role in excessive drinking patterns.

Alcohol-Related Deaths and Health Impacts

Alcohol Related Deaths and Health Impacts Ohio

Annual deaths attributable to excessive alcohol use: 5,739
Death rate: 1 death per 2,056 adults (18+) or 6.24 deaths per 10,000 adults
54.8% of excessive alcohol use deaths are male
54.8% of deaths are from chronic causes (e.g., Alcohol Use Disorder)
83% of deaths are adults aged 35 years and older
2.63% of deaths are individuals under 21
Estimated years of potential life lost annually: 151,736

The significant number of deaths and years of potential life lost underscore the severe impact of excessive alcohol use on public health in Ohio. The higher proportion of male deaths and the concentration among adults 35 and older suggest that middle-aged men may be particularly at risk for alcohol-related mortality.

Trends

The 5-year average annual rate of excessive alcohol deaths per capita in Ohio increased by up to 56.1% from 2015 to 2019.
Self-reported excessive alcohol use decreased from 2019 to 2020 by nearly a percentage point.

The contrasting trends between increasing death rates and slightly decreasing self-reported excessive use suggest a complex situation. It may indicate that while overall consumption is slightly down, those who do drink excessively are facing more severe consequences. This could be due to factors such as increased potency of alcoholic beverages or changes in drinking patterns.

Underage Drinking

Category	Percentage/Number
Percentage of alcohol-related deaths under age 21	2.6%
Ohio teens who drink alcohol (2023 data)	10%
Likelihood of Ohio teens using alcohol vs national average	5.65% higher
Percentage of 12- to 17-year-olds with Alcohol Use Disorder (2023)	1.57%

While underage drinking accounts for a small percentage of alcohol-related deaths, the higher likelihood of alcohol use among Ohio teens compared to the national average is concerning. This suggests a need for enhanced prevention efforts targeting adolescents.

Alcohol Use Disorder Prevalence

Estimated 503,000 Ohio residents struggle with alcohol use disorder annually (5.1% of the population)
For 18-25 year olds:
- 10.1% had an alcohol use disorder in the last year
- 38.9% engaged in binge alcohol use

The high prevalence of Alcohol Use Disorder, particularly among young adults, highlights the need for targeted intervention and treatment programs. The significantly higher rates among 18-25 year olds suggest this age group may be particularly vulnerable.

Drunk Driving Fatalities in Ohio

Total fatalities: 294
Fatalities under age 21: 24

Drunk driving remains a serious issue in Ohio, with a notable number of fatalities, including among those under 21.