Updated Drug and Alcohol Statistics for Missouri
In This Article
Missouri’s landscape of substance use reveals a steady growth in both alcohol and illicit drug misuse over the past two decades. This article offers a data-focused look at the statistical shifts and demographic details behind these trends, providing a clear snapshot of current drug and alcohol use across the state.
From fluctuating alcohol consumption rates to rising opioid-involved mortality, this overview highlights the state’s most pressing substance use challenges. Each section below focuses on presenting key figures that illuminate the scope and scale of drug and alcohol misuse among Missouri residents.
Noteworthy Statistics at a Glance
Below are several standout figures that capture Missouri’s substance use profile in recent years:
- 46.4% of Missourians aged 12+ reported past-month alcohol use at its 2021 peak
- 10.2% of residents had an alcohol use disorder during 2021
- 9.7% of Missourians experienced a drug use disorder in 2021
- 70% of Missouri overdose deaths involved opioids
These key data points underscore the magnitude of substance use disorders statewide. In the sections that follow, we delve deeper into trends by substance type, demographic patterns, and overdose metrics.
Alcohol Use in Missouri
Alcohol remains the leading substance of misuse in Missouri, offering insight into broader public health concerns tied to drinking behaviors.
- Past-month alcohol use ranged from 44% to 46.4% among Missourians aged 12+ between 2002 and 2021
- The prevalence of alcohol use disorders more than doubled from 5.2% in 2018–2019 to 10.2% in 2021
- In 2021, 9.7% of the population (about 505,000 residents) needed but did not receive specialized alcohol treatment
- Adult binge drinking, while variable, remained a driver of hospitalizations over the last decade
These figures show a consistent demand for alcohol-related support services. Below is a comparative look at Missouri’s alcohol consumption patterns over selected years.
| Year | Past-Month Alcohol Use (%) | Alcohol Use Disorder (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 2018–2019 | 45.2 | 5.2 |
| 2020 | 44.6 | 8.1 |
| 2021 | 46.4 | 10.2 |
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Illicit Drug Use and Overdose Trends
Illicit drugs significantly impact Missouri’s public health, with methamphetamine and opioids at the forefront.
- Drug use disorders affected 9.7% of the state’s population in 2021
- An estimated 37% increase in meth lab seizures occurred between 2008 and 2011
- Prescription opioid misuse impacted 3.6% of residents in 2021, with heroin use at 1.7%
- 70% of 2021 overdose deaths in Missouri involved opioids, reflecting a persistent trend from prior years
This data underlines both traditional and synthetic opioid threats. The table below highlights select overdose figures and historical meth manufacturing rates.
| Year | Meth Lab Seizures | Opioid Overdose Death Rate (per 100k) |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 1,510 | 9.2 |
| 2011 | 2,068 | 12.2 |
| 2016 | 1,475 | 15.9 |
| 2020 | 1,210 | ~32.4 (all drug ODs) |
The climb in synthetic opioid deaths continues to set Missouri apart, emphasizing the urgent need for understanding these lethal trends.
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Tobacco, Marijuana, and Other Substances
Beyond alcohol and opioids, other substances present their own patterns of use and impact.
- Tobacco use declined from 27.9% in 2021 to 24.5% in 2023
- Marijuana use showed a 65% increase since 2002, reaching 14.3% (742,000 individuals) in 2021
- Youth marijuana initiation doubled between 2000 and 2021, with 2.6% of adolescents trying it for the first time annually
- Newer psychoactive substances remain less common, but sporadic outbreaks of synthetic drug use have occurred in urban regions
Below is a snapshot showing recent trends in tobacco and marijuana use percentages, illustrating the inverse paths these substances have taken over time.
| Substance | 2021 Use (%) | 2023 Use (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Tobacco | 27.9 | 24.5 |
| Marijuana | 14.3 | ~15.0 (est.) |
Demographic Insights
Different age groups and vulnerable populations face unique challenges, shaping treatment needs and overall public health outcomes.
- 6.45% of adolescents (12–17) reported past-month illicit drug use in 2021
- Young adults (18–25) showed the highest SUD rates at 28.34% in 2021
- Opioid misuse among adults aged 26+ tripled from 2010 to 2021, reaching 2.24%
- Veterans (about 543,000 in Missouri) reported a 6% rate of substance use disorders, chiefly involving alcohol and opioids
- Justice-involved individuals (over 50,000 on probation or parole) frequently require SUD treatment, with lower recidivism among those completing programs
These demographic patterns reveal that young adults, in particular, bear a significant burden of misuse, while justice-involved populations present a sizable treatment gap. The table below highlights selected age group statistics for 2021.
| Age Group | Past-Month Illicit Drug Use (%) | SUD Prevalence (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 12–17 | 6.45 | ~4.2 (est.) |
| 18–25 | 16.28 | 28.34 |
| 26+ | ~9.0 (est.) | ~15.0 (est.) |
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Comparative Context and Mental Health
Placing Missouri in a national context helps illustrate where the state stands on SUD rates and the role mental health comorbidities play.
- In 2021, Missouri’s overall SUD rate stood at 17.45%, topping the U.S. average of approximately 16.5%
- Missouri’s 2020 overdose death rate (about 32.4 per 100,000) tracked closely with the nationwide figure
- Rural Missouri counties recorded nearly double the overdose rates compared to urban centers in some years
- In 2021, 24.5% of adults had a mental illness, and 42% of individuals with SUDs also reported co-occurring mental health conditions
The following table contrasts Missouri’s mental health prevalence with its SUD rates, underscoring the frequent overlap between the two.
| Category | Missouri Rate (%) | National Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall SUD | 17.45 | 16.5 |
| Alcohol Use Disorder | 10.2 | 9.8 |
| Any Mental Illness | 24.5 | ~21.0 (est.) |
| Co-Occurring (SUD + MI) | 42.0 | ~35.0 (est.) |
Data suggests that mental health factors often amplify substance misuse, making these intertwined issues a critical aspect of public health analysis.
Key Statistics Summary
- Past-month alcohol use reached 46.4% statewide in 2021
- Approximately 9.7% of Missourians grappled with a drug use disorder
- Opioid overdose deaths accounted for around 70% of all overdose fatalities
- Young adults (18–25) reported SUD rates of nearly 28.34%
- 24.5% of Missouri adults experienced any form of mental illness in 2021
Missouri’s substance use profile shows significant alcohol misuse, notable increases in illicit drug dependence, and considerable overlap with mental health conditions. Trends over the past two decades underscore both longstanding and emerging threats, particularly with opioids, marijuana, and ongoing methamphetamine activity.
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Related Articles
- Missouri Alcohol and Drug Status Report. Missouri Department of Mental Health, 2023.
- DMH 2020 Status Report Section A. Missouri Department of Mental Health, 2021.
- DMH 2023 Status Report Section A. Missouri Department of Mental Health, 2024.
- Missouri Opioid Overdose Deaths Pass National Average. Harris House, 2017.
- MO-CARE Initiatives. University of Missouri, 2023.
- Missouri State Profile. Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2013.
- Missouri Drug Stats and Resources. Midwest Recovery Centers, 2021.
- 2021 NSDUH: Missouri. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2021.
