Updated Drug and Alcohol Statistics for Louisiana
In This Article
Louisiana has experienced significant shifts in drug and alcohol misuse over the past two decades, highlighted by increasing overdose deaths and entrenched alcohol-related harm. This article presents key data points and trends to provide a clear, statistics-focused snapshot of the current landscape.
From rising synthetic opioid fatalities to persistent challenges with alcohol and emerging threats like methamphetamine, these numbers underscore the importance of understanding the scope of substance misuse across diverse regions and demographics. Below is a comprehensive look at the most recent data.
Noteworthy Highlights
- Sixfold increase in overall drug overdose deaths in Louisiana since 1999
- 70% of Louisiana’s 1,925 overdose deaths in 2020 involved synthetic opioids
- 18.8% of adults engaged in excessive drinking in 2020, surpassing the national average
- 40% of motor vehicle fatalities in 2020 were DUI-related, costing the state over $1 billion
The following sections break down this data in more detail, covering opioid misuse, alcohol patterns, illicit drug trends, demographic variations, and treatment-related insights.
Opioid Misuse and Overdose Trends
Understanding how opioids contribute to overdose statistics offers a critical lens on Louisiana’s substance use issues.
- Prescription opioid rates in 2020 reached 74.4 opioid prescriptions per 100 residents, nearly double the national average
- Non-heroin opiate misuse treatment admissions were 3,324 in 2010, or 12.6% of total rehab admissions
- Opioid-related deaths rose 32.0% between 2015 and 2020, exceeding national mortality rates
- Naloxone prescriptions were 159.8 per 100,000 residents in 2020, below the national rate of 182.8
Illicit fentanyl remains a major driver of these trends, correlating with higher overdose deaths in urban parishes. The table below illustrates significant opioid-related data points from recent years.
| Year | Total Overdose Deaths | % Involving Synthetic Opioids |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | ~1,300 | ~55% |
| 2020 | 1,925 | 70% |
| 2021 | Not Provided | Not Provided |
These statistics underscore the significant role prescription and synthetic opioids play in Louisiana’s surge of overdose deaths.
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Alcohol Use Patterns
Alcohol remains a leading cause of substance-related harm, with considerable impacts on health, safety, and economic costs across the state.
- Excessive drinking rates reached 18.8% among adults in 2020, above the national average of 17.4%
- 113 fatalities occurred among under-21 individuals due to alcohol between 2016 and 2020
- Binge drinking rates for high school students remain higher than national levels
- 7.1% of residents with alcohol use disorder received specialized treatment between 2016 and 2020
Alcohol misuse affects a broad demographic, contributing to thousands of years of potential life lost. The state also incurs substantial costs due to alcohol-related crashes and healthcare expenditures.
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Excessive Drinking (Adults) | 18.8% |
| Alcohol-Induced Fatalities (Under 21) | 113 (2016–2020) |
| DUI-Related Crash Share | 40% of Motor Vehicle Fatalities |
| Estimated Annual Cost | $1.1 Billion |
Despite declines in youth alcohol usage since 2005, underage binge drinking and associated consequences remain a critical concern.
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Illicit Drug Trends
Louisiana’s landscape of illicit drugs has shifted in recent years, with marijuana, methamphetamine, and cocaine driving new patterns of treatment admissions and hospital visits.
- Marijuana led primary treatment admissions in 2010 with 6,022 cases, or 22.9% of total
- In 2021, 19.03% of residents aged 12+ reported past-year marijuana use
- Methamphetamine was identified by 47% of law enforcement agencies as their top concern in 2022
- Nonfatal meth overdoses jumped 86% from 2021 to 2022, and cocaine-related hospital visits rose 63%
Rising stimulant use is creating new public health challenges. Meanwhile, diversion of prescription sedatives has remained a persistent factor in certain rural regions.
| Illicit Drug | Key Trends |
|---|---|
| Marijuana | Consistent top driver of treatment admissions |
| Methamphetamine | 86% surge in nonfatal overdoses from 2021 to 2022 |
| Cocaine | 63% increase in hospital visits post-2021 |
| Sedatives | 8.5% of adults seeking treatment misused prescription psychotherapeutics |
Overall, high rates of marijuana use and escalating meth and cocaine concerns highlight the shifting complexities of illicit substances in Louisiana.
Demographic Patterns and Regional Variations
Age, race, and urban-rural differences affect how substance use manifests and where it has the greatest impact.
- Youth (12–17) illicit drug use dropped from 7.5% in 2009 to 5.8% in 2019
- Young adults (18–25) reached 26.48% prevalence of substance use disorders in 2021
- African American adolescents accounted for 57.8% of marijuana treatment cases in one data set
- Urban parishes had an average of 18.3 synthetic opioid deaths per 100,000, compared to 14.3 in rural areas
However, meth fatalities are climbing faster in rural locales, suggesting growing disparities in emergency response and access to treatment.
| Group or Location | Notable Statistic |
|---|---|
| Youth (12–17) | Marijuana initiation at 4.44% among at-risk adolescents |
| Young Adults (18–25) | 17.2% engaged in alcohol-cannabis polysubstance use |
| African American Adolescents | 57.8% share of marijuana admissions |
| Rural Communities | Meth-related deaths rising faster than urban rates |
These demographic nuances reveal a complex pattern of substance use across Louisiana’s varied populations and regions.
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Overdose Mortality and Treatment Access
Louisiana’s overall overdose rate continues to exceed both national and neighboring state averages, highlighting the scale of the issue.
- The 2020 overdose mortality rate was 54.5 per 100,000, surpassing the U.S. average of 32.4
- In contrast, Texas reported 28.1 overdose deaths per 100,000
- 607,000 substance use cases in 2021 reportedly went untreated due to workforce capacity issues
- The state ranked 42nd nationally in behavioral health workforce availability
Despite expanded Medicaid coverage, only a fraction of individuals who need treatment for opioid or alcohol use disorders manage to receive it. This gap contributes to persistently high mortality rates.
| Measure | Metric |
|---|---|
| Overdose Mortality Rate (LA) | 54.5 per 100,000 |
| National Overdose Rate | 32.4 per 100,000 |
| Untreated SUD Cases (2021) | 607,000 |
| Treatment Penetration | 8.3% in LA vs. 13.1% in surrounding region |
This combination of high overdose numbers and limited care capacity underscores the critical nature of the state’s treatment shortfall.
Key Statistics Summary
- Drug overdose deaths have grown sixfold since 1999
- Opioid prescriptions reached 74.4 per 100 residents in 2020
- Excessive drinking among adults stood at 18.8% in 2020
- Methamphetamine-related nonfatal overdoses rose 86% from 2021 to 2022
- Louisiana’s overdose rate of 54.5 per 100,000 outpaces the national figure of 32.4
Taken together, these statistics demonstrate a persistent and evolving substance misuse picture in Louisiana, with opioids, alcohol, and stimulants each contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality. Ongoing surveillance and targeted interventions remain essential as new patterns of drug use emerge.
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Related Articles
- America's Health Rankings: Excessive Drinking in Louisiana. United Health Foundation, n.d.
- CDC Data Brief 457. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.
- Drug Policy 2022-2026. Office of the Governor, Louisiana, n.d.
- Louisiana Department of Health: Overdose Data. Louisiana Department of Health, n.d.
- Addiction and Overdose Statistics in Louisiana. New Horizons Centers, n.d.
- Substance Abuse Statistics by State: Louisiana. Recovery Connection, n.d.
- Substance Use: Louisiana State Estimates. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, n.d.
- Behavioral Health Barometer: Louisiana, Volume 6. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, n.d.
