Updated Drug and Alcohol Statistics for Oklahoma
In This Article
Drug and alcohol misuse in Oklahoma has long been an important public health topic, marked by high overdose rates and unique demographic patterns. This article provides an in-depth look at key statistics, trends, and disparities across various substances, drawing on data from 2005 through 2025.
Below is a comprehensive overview of key findings on opioid use, methamphetamine use, alcohol misuse, demographic differences, and how these figures compare regionally and nationally. By presenting statistics in a straightforward manner, this summary aims to help readers grasp the scope of substance misuse in Oklahoma.
Key Findings at a Glance
Below are several key points highlighting the current state of drug and alcohol misuse in Oklahoma.
- The statewide drug-induced mortality rate peaked at 20.8 deaths per 100,000 residents in a single year.
- Unintentional meth-related overdose deaths surged by 354% from 2010 to 2020.
- Prescription opioid dispensing rates once reached 127 prescriptions per 100 residents, among the highest in the country.
- Excessive alcohol use costs Oklahoma more than $3 billion annually in healthcare and lost productivity.
These data points provide a snapshot of a multifaceted challenge that includes opioids, methamphetamine, and alcohol. The sections below examine each substance category in detail and outline the populations most affected.
Opioid Trends in Oklahoma
Understanding prescription and synthetic opioid use is essential for assessing the broader addiction landscape.
- From 2005 to 2012, the state’s opioid prescription rate peaked at 127 prescriptions per 100 residents.
- Annual overdose deaths related to opioids reached 444 during the height of prescription misuse.
- By 2017, opioid prescription rates decreased by 30%, yet synthetic opioids (e.g., fentanyl) and heroin contributed to rising overdose fatalities.
- In 2025, an estimated 65% of overdose deaths involved both methamphetamine and fentanyl.
Opioid prescription monitoring and shifts to illicit synthetic opioids have reshaped overdose patterns throughout the state. Below is a table summarizing selected opioid-related overdose figures.
| Year | Opioid RX Rate (Per 100 Residents) | Opioid Overdose Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 122 | 380 |
| 2012 | 127 | 444 |
| 2017 | 88.1 | Heroin: 61 / Synthetic: 102 |
| 2025 (Est.) | -- | 65% Overdoses Involving Both Opioids & Meth |
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Methamphetamine Patterns
Methamphetamine remains a major concern, driving overdose rates and disproportionately impacting rural communities.
- Unintentional meth-related overdose deaths jumped from 1.6 per 100,000 in 2010 to 13 per 100,000 in 2020.
- Meth-related treatment admissions in Oklahoma increased by 88% between 2012 and 2020.
- By 2025, roughly 1.6% of Oklahoma adults reported past-year meth use, compared to 0.9% nationally.
- Rural counties accounted for 72% of meth-related treatment admissions by 2025.
Efforts to reduce local meth labs have changed production methods, prompting an uptick in smuggling from external sources and the emergence of adulterated products. The table below presents key methamphetamine indicators over time.
| Indicator | 2010 | 2020 | 2025 (Est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meth Overdose Death Rate (per 100k) | 1.6 | 13 | -- |
| Treatment Admissions for Meth | -- | +88% from 2012 levels | 72% in Rural Regions |
| Adult Past-Year Meth Use | -- | -- | 1.6% in OK vs. 0.9% U.S. |
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Alcohol Use Insights
Alcohol-related harms and binge drinking patterns also pose significant public health issues statewide.
- 13.6% of Oklahoma adults reported binge drinking, a figure that remained stable for multiple years.
- The state faces $3.08 billion in annual costs due to excessive alcohol use.
- There are an estimated 2,104 alcohol-attributable deaths each year.
- 45% of treatment admissions listed alcohol as a contributing factor.
Binge drinking and related mortality statistics have been influenced by legislative changes to alcohol availability, but the overall rate of heavy drinking remains a key public health concern. Below is a table highlighting select alcohol-related data in Oklahoma.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Binge Drinking Prevalence | 13.6% of adults |
| Annual Alcohol-Attributable Deaths | 2,104 |
| Annual Economic Impact | $3.08 Billion |
| Admissions with Alcohol Factor | 45% |
Demographic Factors and Disparities
Demographic disparities highlight which groups are disproportionately affected or protected from certain types of substance use.
- Native American youth in Oklahoma reported up to 30–50% lower rates of illicit drug initiation than their peers in other states.
- Only 28% of Oklahoma Native 7th–9th graders had tried marijuana, compared to 63% nationally.
- Nonmedical prescription drug use among adolescents ranked sixth-highest nationwide, with 7.6% reporting misuse of pain relievers.
- Males constituted 68.6% of alcohol-induced deaths, whereas females made up 60% of prescription opioid misuse cases.
In addition, age-specific data indicate that young adults experience higher rates of substance use disorder, while older adults face elevated mortality risks. Below is a table illustrating select demographic details related to substance use in the state.
| Group | Key Statistic |
|---|---|
| Youth (12–17) | 8.2% Past-Month Illicit Drug Use |
| Young Adults (18–25) | 15.2% Substance Use Disorder |
| Adults 26+ | 85% of Alcohol-Related Deaths; 68.6% of Meth Fatalities in 35–54-year-olds |
| Native American Youth | 30-50% Lower Illicit Drug Initiation than Other States |
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Comparisons with Regional and National Averages
Looking at surrounding states and national benchmarks reveals how Oklahoma’s substance use patterns differ from other jurisdictions.
- Past-month illicit drug use in Oklahoma measured 9.66%, above the national figure of 8.82%.
- Nonmedical prescription drug use among adolescents ranked sixth-highest compared to other states.
- Drug-induced death rates peaked at 20.8 per 100,000 in Oklahoma, higher than Arkansas (17.2) and Texas (14.5).
- By 2022, marijuana use disorder affected 1.0% of residents, slightly higher than Texas at 0.7%.
While synthetic opioid involvement in overdoses has been comparatively lower in Oklahoma than the U.S. average, methamphetamine-related fatalities outpace neighboring states. Below is a summary table.
| Comparison Metric | Oklahoma | National/Other States |
|---|---|---|
| Past-Month Illicit Drug Use | 9.66% | 8.82% (U.S. Avg) |
| Top Age Group Affected | 35–54 years | Varies by State |
| Opioid Rx Decline (2005–2017) | 30% | -- |
| Methamphetamine Fatalities | Higher than Region 6 States | -- |
Key Statistics Summary
- 13.6% of adults in Oklahoma engage in binge drinking behaviors.
- Meth-related deaths increased by 354% within a decade.
- Oklahoma’s past-month illicit drug use rate reached 9.66%, surpassing national averages.
- Adults aged 35–54 bear the highest share of drug-induced fatalities.
- Opioid prescription rates once topped 127 prescriptions per 100 residents.
The data presented reflect notable shifts in Oklahoma’s substance use patterns, emphasizing the prominence of methamphetamine, ongoing opioid challenges, and persistent alcohol misuse. These figures also expose pronounced demographic differences that continue to shape prevention and treatment efforts.
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Related Articles
- Alcohol-Attributable Deaths Data. Cheyenne Public Schools, 2023.
- Data Snapshot: Methamphetamine in Oklahoma. Healthy Minds Policy Initiative, 2020.
- Differences in Illicit Drug Use. ODMHSAS, n.d.
- Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. ODMHSAS, n.d.
- Oklahoma Opioid Summary. National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020.
- Drug Overdose Mortality in the United States. PubMed, 2020.
- Prevalence Data - Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. ODMHSAS, n.d.
- Tulsa Alcohol Summit. ODMHSAS, 2016.
- The Pulse: Opioid Epidemic. United Way OKC, 2019.
- State of Oklahoma Profile. The White House Archives, n.d.
- A Summary of Changes to Alcohol Laws in Oklahoma. INTEGRIS Health, 2018.
- Drug Overdose Data Dashboard. Oklahoma State Department of Health, n.d.
- 2019 Oklahoma Behavioral Health Barometer. SAMHSA, 2019.
- 2022 NSDUH State Tables: Oklahoma. SAMHSA, 2022.
