Updated Drug and Alcohol Statistics for Connecticut

Connecticut has navigated shifting challenges in drug and alcohol misuse over the past two decades. This article provides updated, data-driven statistics on critical substance use patterns, offering a clear picture of prevalence, trends, and demographic differences throughout the state.

Below, you’ll find a statistical overview of illicit drug and alcohol use rates among adolescents, young adults, and older populations in Connecticut. We also examine overdose mortality data, revealing how shifting trends—especially the rise of fentanyl—have shaped the state’s substance use crisis.

Key Quick Statistics

• 84.6% of Connecticut’s overdose deaths in recent years involved synthetic opioids such as fentanyl.
• Alcohol-related deaths totaled roughly 1,426 per year between 2015 and 2019.
• Approximately 62.1% of adults in Connecticut report past-month alcohol use, ranking the state among the highest in the U.S.
• Rural counties reported higher overdose mortality than urban areas in 2019, contrary to national trends.

These figures highlight the severity and complexity of Connecticut’s substance misuse landscape. Below, we break down each major aspect of drug and alcohol use to offer detailed insights into the state’s evolving challenges.

Illicit Drug Use Patterns

Understanding the broader scope of illicit drug use in Connecticut provides insight into how certain substances gained traction over time.

• Heroin remained the top cause of substance treatment admissions until 2012, indicating its longstanding prominence.
• The state’s overall drug-induced mortality rate reached 40.3 per 100,000 residents, compared to a national average of 35.
• Between 2018 and 2022, Connecticut experienced a 31% increase in overdose fatalities, largely driven by synthetic opioids.
• Cocaine continues to rank high in treatment admissions, but cannabis use among young adults has also climbed significantly.

Many of these patterns illustrate Connecticut’s sustained vulnerabilities, particularly as fentanyl began to replace heroin as the leading driver of opioid-involved mortalities. The table below outlines the shift in primary substance admissions over time.

Sponsored

Online Therapy Can Help

Over 3 million people use BetterHelp. Their services are:

• Professional and effective
• Affordable and convenient
• Personalized and discreet
• Easy to start

Find a Therapist

Answer a few questions to get started

Opioid Overdoses

Opioid misuse has remained central to Connecticut’s substance crisis, with fentanyl becoming a key factor in overdose rates.

• The state’s overdose death rate reached 41 per 100,000 in 2022, exceeding the national rate.
• 84.6% of overdose deaths in 2022 involved fentanyl, topping regional averages of around 75%.
• Heroin was the main opioid cited in treatment admissions until about 2012, after which synthetic opioids began to dominate.
• Multiple rural counties show disproportionately high rates of opioid misuse compared to more urbanized regions.

Increasingly, synthetic opioids have supplanted heroin in causing fatal overdoses, prompting sustained concern among public health officials. The table below highlights the recent upward shift in fentanyl-related fatalities across the state.

Sponsored

Get Professional Help

BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor.

Find a Therapist

Answer a few questions to get started

Youth Substance Use

Focusing on adolescents and young adults helps clarify future areas of concern and intervention, especially for early prevention strategies.

• Adolescents (12–17) in Connecticut reported a 9.8% past-month illicit drug use rate, which closely aligns with national rates of about 8.2%.
• Underage drinking declined from 18.5% in 2008 to 11.2% by 2021 among those under 21.
• Young adults (18–25) reported 10.6% meeting criteria for illicit drug use disorder in 2017–2019, exceeding the 7.5% national average.
• Cannabis use among 18–25-year-olds rose to about 30% monthly usage by 2024.

Shifts in youth behavior patterns not only reflect evolving substance preference but also highlight risks related to early drug experimentation. The following table shows key youth indicators.

Alcohol Prevalence

Alcohol consistently ranks at the top of Connecticut’s substance use concerns, with elevated consumption rates and notable trends in binge drinking patterns.

• 62.1% of Connecticut adults reported past-month alcohol use, compared to 51.4% nationally.
• Binge drinking among 18–25-year-olds peaked at 29.3%, higher than older cohorts.
• Alcohol-related deaths averaged 1,426 annually from 2015–2019, briefly outpacing opioid fatalities during that timeframe.
• In 2010, alcohol accounted for 35% of substance abuse treatment admissions; by 2023, it was nearly equal with opioids.

These numbers demonstrate the enduring role of alcohol in Connecticut’s substance landscape, requiring continuous monitoring due to its wide reach. Below is a comparison of alcohol metrics across different age groups.

Sponsored

Phone, Video, or Live-Chat Support

BetterHelp provides therapy in a way that works for YOU. Fill out the questionnaire, get matched, begin therapy.

Get Started

Answer a few questions to get started

Geographic Disparities in Overdose Rates

Regional variations underscore how some Connecticut communities bear a more substantial burden of drug-related harm.

• Rural counties reported higher overdose mortality in 2019, contrasting with national data, where urban centers typically show higher rates.
• Youth in rural private high schools encountered distinct risk factors tied to peer influence, elevating drug experimentation rates.
• Opioid use, particularly fentanyl, has spiked in several rural areas, contributing to an overall 31% overdose death increase statewide between 2018 and 2022.
• Urban centers, while still confronting high substance use prevalence, maintain relatively lower overdose rates than their rural counterparts.

These disparities underscore the importance of looking at community-level factors and targeting prevention efforts accordingly. Below is a snapshot of rural vs. urban overdose rates.

Key Statistics Summary

• Opioid-related overdoses rose by 31% between 2018 and 2022.
• Alcohol accounted for 35% of treatment admissions in 2010 and reached parity with opioids by 2023.
• Fentanyl’s involvement in overdose deaths climbed to 84.6% in recent years.
• Underage drinking fell from 18.5% in 2008 to just over 11% by 2021.

Collectively, these statistics illustrate the ongoing challenges Connecticut faces in controlling substance misuse. High overdose mortality rates, persistent alcohol usage, and youth vulnerability signal a continued need for robust, data-driven approaches to stem substance-related harm and guide resources toward the areas where they are most needed.

Sponsored

Get matched with an affordable mental health counselor

Find a Therapist

Answer a few questions to get started