Updated Drug and Alcohol Statistics for Iowa

Iowa’s ongoing patterns in drug and alcohol use have seen notable changes over the past two decades, with varying impacts across different regions and age groups. Rising alcohol-related deaths, expanding synthetic opioid use, and stubbornly high methamphetamine addiction rates highlight the complexity of the state’s substance use trends.

This article offers a data-driven look into Iowa’s alcohol consumption, opioid escalation, methamphetamine challenges, and other drug-related issues. By focusing on verifiable statistics, it aims to give readers a clear, citable resource for understanding how substance use has evolved and who is most affected by these developments across the state.

Below are a few stand-out figures from Iowa’s current substance use landscape:

• Alcohol-related deaths in Iowa rose 38% between 2019 and 2021, then climbed further to 923 fatalities by 2021.
• Fentanyl was involved in 83% of opioid-related deaths in 2021, increasing to 86% by 2022.
• Methamphetamine-related deaths went up 20% from 2019 to 2021, reaching 196 fatalities.
• Past-month marijuana use among Iowa 11th graders declined to 8% in 2021, the lowest figure in two decades.

The following sections examine alcohol misuse, opioid overdoses, methamphetamine persistence, and marijuana use—along with important demographic breakdowns that reveal who is most affected by these evolving trends. Tables of data are included for clarity and reference.

Alcohol Use and Related Mortality

Statistics on alcohol underscore its leading role in Iowa’s substance use environment.

• Alcohol-related deaths surged to 827 in 2019–2021 before climbing to 923 in 2021.
• Underage drinking remains a concern, with 23% of Iowans aged 12–20 reporting past-month alcohol use versus 17% nationally.
• Alcohol-related mortality in rural counties correlates with limited mental health service access, particularly where alcohol-impaired driving rates run high.
• 74.3% of alcohol-only treatment admissions are among males.

While the state’s rate of illicit drug use often lags behind national figures, binge drinking among Iowa’s youth and adults stands above the U.S. average.

The persistent high rates of alcohol misuse among both youths and adults demonstrate Iowa’s long-running need for data-backed approaches to reducing alcohol-related harm.

Opioid-Related Trends

Opioid use in Iowa has shifted significantly, with prescription declines overshadowed by the rise in fentanyl.

• Total opioid-related deaths rose to 258 in 2021, marking a 64% increase from 2019.
• Prescriptions dropped from 73.6 to 68.0 per 100 persons between 2013 and 2015, yet illicit fentanyl use surged.
• Among opioid fatalities in 2021, 83% involved fentanyl, rising to 86% by 2022.
• Youth opioid deaths rose by 290% from 2019 to 2021.

Iowa’s overdose death rate of approximately 15 per 100,000 in 2022 ranks relatively low compared to other states, but the trend has grown by 65% since 2013.

This lethal shift toward synthetic opioids, particularly in younger populations, points to the need for continued monitoring of illicitly manufactured substances across the state.

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

Methamphetamine Patterns

Methamphetamine issues persist in Iowa, with increasingly pure product and steady rates of addiction.

• Meth-related deaths reached 196 in 2021—a 20% jump from 2019.
• Only 11 local meth labs were seized in 2021, reflecting a shift toward trafficked meth from Mexico.
• Psychostimulant-involved deaths grew to 210 in 2022, with meth involved in 62% of stimulant-related treatment admissions.
• Males account for 53.5% of meth treatment admissions, while females make up 46.5%, often linked to polysubstance use.

This balance between male and female admissions indicates meth’s broad effect across demographics in both urban and rural parts of the state.

Despite reduced local production, high-purity meth remains a leading cause of rural and urban stimulant abuse in Iowa.

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

Marijuana Use in Iowa

Trends for marijuana usage reveal declining youth consumption but rising concerns around hospitalization.

• Past-month marijuana use among 11th graders dropped to 8% in 2021, the lowest in 20 years.
• Marijuana-related emergency department visits increased to 6,799 in 2022, linked to high-THC edibles.
• Adults aged 18–25 have the highest past-year marijuana use at 21.2%, under the U.S. average of 23.6%.
• Black Iowans represent 7% of marijuana treatment admissions, which is lower compared to some other substances.

While overall youth consumption trends downward, potency-related complications appear to drive hospitalizations among adult users.

The higher THC concentration in modern marijuana products underscores these rising emergency department numbers despite relatively stable or declining youth usage.

Demographic Breakdown

Analyzing substance use by age, race, and gender uncovers noteworthy disparities in Iowa’s population.

• 18–25-year-olds have the highest prevalence of substance use disorders at 28.6%.
• Adults over 50 account for 10.9% of treatment admissions, often for alcohol or prescription opioids.
• White Iowans represent 91.3% of total treatment admissions, mirroring statewide demographics.
• Black Iowans comprise 40.5% of cocaine-related admissions but 21.9% for heroin and 7% for marijuana.
• Males make up 68.4% of all admissions, dominating alcohol and marijuana cases.

These figures show how both the type of substance and an individual’s background shape addiction risk and treatment needs across the state.

By highlighting these distinct demographic breakdowns, stakeholders can more clearly see how different groups encounter and manage substance misuse challenges.

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

Key Statistics Summary

• Alcohol-related deaths in Iowa reached 923 in 2021.
• Opioid prescriptions per 100 people declined to 68.0, but fentanyl contributed to over 80% of opioid deaths.
• In 2021, 196 meth-related fatalities occurred statewide, up from previous years.
• Marijuana ED visits rose to 6,799 by 2022, spurred by potent forms and edibles.
• 18–25-year-olds consistently register the highest rates of substance use disorders at nearly 29%.

Overall, Iowa faces varied substance use challenges. Alcohol persists as the most prevalent concern, synthetic opioid dangers continue to rise, and high-purity meth remains entrenched in both rural and urban areas. Meanwhile, declining marijuana use among adolescents coexists with increases in potency-related health complications among adult users.

Sponsored

Get matched with an affordable mental health counselor

Find a Therapist

Answer a few questions to get started