Updated Data and Trends on Drug and Alcohol Use in New Hampshire

New Hampshire has seen rapidly evolving patterns of drug and alcohol misuse over the last two decades. These trends encompass dramatic shifts in opioid-related mortality, persistent high rates of alcohol consumption, and notable demographic disparities.

This article provides a data-centric overview of drug and alcohol usage in the state, drawing on a wide range of statistical sources to highlight key numbers, rates, and comparative insights. The goal is to present comprehensive, easily citable statistics for readers seeking an in-depth understanding of New Hampshire’s substance use landscape.

Key Statistics at a Glance

Below are several standout findings that frame the scope of New Hampshire’s substance misuse challenges:

• Fentanyl-related deaths increased 1,590% from 2010 to 2017.
• 49.7% of young adults (18–25) reportedly engaged in binge drinking between 2017 and 2019.
• Adults aged 30–39 accounted for 28% of all opioid overdose fatalities in 2022.
• Overdose fatalities declined by 12% between 2022 and 2023, yet New Hampshire remains in the top two states for opioid-related death rates.

These figures highlight a complex crisis, spanning prescription opioids, illicit fentanyl, and excessive alcohol consumption. The following sections break down each area in more detail.

Historical Opioid Trends

Understanding the early patterns of opioid misuse in New Hampshire offers important context for current challenges.

• Non-medical use of prescription painkillers among young adults placed the state in the top 10 nationally by 2007–2008.
• The rate of past-month illicit drug use (12.15%) in those years exceeded the national average of 8.82%.
• By 2010, drug-induced deaths (13.0 per 100,000) surpassed motor vehicle fatalities in the state.
• In 2017, fentanyl was involved in 86% of opioid-related deaths, up from 30 deaths in 2013 to 374 deaths just four years later.

These statistics illustrate how prescription opioids paved the way for synthetic compounds like fentanyl to dominate the market. The following table shows key opioid-related metrics observed from 2010 onward.

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Fentanyl-Driven Overdoses

Illicitly manufactured fentanyl and its analogs have drastically reshaped overdose patterns in New Hampshire.

• Fentanyl-related deaths grew by 1,590% between 2010 and 2017.
• By 2022, synthetic opioids were implicated in 85% of overdose deaths, surpassing the national 75% average.
• In 2023, 69.7% of fentanyl overdose victims were male.
• Coos County recorded the highest overdose death rate in 2023 at 6.97 per 10,000 residents.

The geographic disparities further point to localized spikes in fentanyl distribution and use. Hillsborough County, with two major urban centers, remains a critical area for synthetic opioid overdose.

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Alcohol Misuse Patterns

Despite widespread attention on opioids, alcohol misuse has persistently remained a significant concern in New Hampshire.

• 49.7% of individuals aged 18–25 reported binge drinking between 2017 and 2019, exceeding national averages by 40%.
• By 2022, 19% of all adults reported excessive drinking, ranking the state 33rd nationally.
• Marijuana co-use is noted in 45.7% of young adults who drink heavily.
• Binge drinking rates remain 22% above the U.S. average across all demographics.

The following table highlights alcohol consumption trends over the last few years among young adults and older populations in the state.

Demographic Insights

Closer examination reveals how substance misuse patterns vary across age and gender in the Granite State.

• Males accounted for 70% of all overdose deaths in 2023.
• The 30–39 age bracket saw the highest opioid mortality rate in 2022, representing 28% of total fatalities.
• Youth (12–17) illicit drug use was at 10.6% past-month use, above the national average of 8.2%.
• Urban counties like Hillsborough and rural counties like Coos both exhibit high overdose rates, though Coos leads with 6.97 deaths per 10,000 residents in 2023.

These numbers underline that while males in their 30s bear the greatest burden of opioid-related fatalities, underage and adolescent use of illicit drugs is also a growing issue.

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Regional and National Comparisons

New Hampshire’s statistics stand out within New England and against overall U.S. figures.

• In 2017, the state’s age-adjusted opioid death rate reached 34.0 per 100,000, more than double the U.S. average of 14.6.
• By 2022, New Hampshire had the second-highest opioid-related fatality rate nationally, with fentanyl involved in 85% of cases.
• Neighboring states like Vermont show comparable marijuana use, but lower fentanyl-related mortality rates.
• As of 2023, New England remains a hotspot for synthetic opioids, driven by trafficking routes from neighboring states.

These interstate comparisons emphasize that while regional influences exist, New Hampshire’s numbers are especially pronounced with regard to overdose mortality and binge drinking.

Overdose Reversal and Treatment Capacity

Efforts such as widespread Narcan distribution have partially curbed fatalities, but gaps remain in treatment access.

• Narcan administrations exceeded 14,000 between 2013 and 2017, preventing countless opioid overdose deaths.
• Mobile crisis units, introduced in 2024, now offer 24/7 behavioral health support in several counties.
• Despite these measures, workforce shortages reached 20% in 2022, affecting 64,000 residents seeking treatment.
• Overdose deaths fell by 12% from 2022 to 2023, although the rate remains near historic highs.

Treatment and harm reduction efforts appear to be mitigating some overdose risks, yet the system’s capacity constraints continue to hinder broader progress.

Key Statistics Summary

• Drug-induced deaths in New Hampshire exceeded vehicle fatalities as early as 2010
• Fentanyl-related overdoses rose by over 1,500% between 2010 and 2017
• Nearly 50% of young adults reported binge drinking in recent statewide surveys
• 70% of overdose fatalities in 2023 were among males
• Overdose mortality dipped by 12% from 2022 to 2023, but remains high compared to national levels

Overall, the data reveals a persistent challenge involving both opioid misuse—especially fentanyl—and alcohol abuse among diverse populations across the state. While recent decreases in overdose deaths offer a sign of hope, New Hampshire continues to grapple with some of the nation’s highest substance-related mortality and binge drinking rates.

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