Updated Drug and Alcohol Statistics for Pennsylvania
In This Article
Drug and alcohol use continues to shape health outcomes across Pennsylvania, impacting communities of all sizes. This article presents a data-focused look at ongoing substance use trends, illuminating where challenges persist and where improvements have emerged.
Over the past two decades, Pennsylvania has documented shifts in opioid misuse, mounting concerns over synthetic substances, and consistently high alcohol use rates across diverse age groups. By examining key statistics and demographic disparities, this overview underscores the tangible scope of substance use throughout the state.
Below is a snapshot of some of the most noteworthy figures, followed by deeper sections covering each substance category and relevant demographic details.
Key Highlights
- 40.9 overdose deaths per 100,000 in 2022, surpassing the U.S. average of 33.1
- 18.4% of Pennsylvania adults reported binge drinking in 2022, about 3.2% higher than the national figure
- 82% of opioid-related deaths in 2023 involved synthetic opioids such as fentanyl
- 46.9% of the state’s 12th graders reported lifetime alcohol use in 2023, with 9.5% engaging in binge drinking
These data points underline the importance of consistent monitoring and analysis of substance-related trends. What follows is a detailed statistical breakdown of various substances and population groups across Pennsylvania.
Opioid Trends in Pennsylvania
Opioids have played a central role in Pennsylvania's overdose deaths, prompting expanded public reporting of data.
- From 2000 to 2022, annual opioid-related overdose fatalities rose from 1,304 to 5,169
- 82% of these opioid-related deaths in 2023 were tied to synthetic opioids
- Preliminary numbers show a 9.22% year-over-year reduction in overdose mortality in 2024 (from 5,248 in 2023 to 4,764)
- Prescription opioid dispensing fell from 72.4 prescriptions per 100 residents in 2012 to 45.2 in 2022
These figures demonstrate both the scale of prescription misuse in the past and the recent downward shift in opioid-related fatalities.
| Year | Opioid Overdose Deaths | Prescription Rate (per 100) |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 2,476 | 72.4 |
| 2022 | 5,169 | 45.2 |
| 2023 | 5,248 | -- |
| 2024 | 4,764 | -- |
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Alcohol Use Patterns
Alcohol remains the most commonly abused substance in the state, affecting multiple demographics.
- 18.4% of adults reported binge drinking in 2022, exceeding national averages by 3.2%
- A 46.9% lifetime alcohol use rate among 12th graders was documented in 2023
- Adult alcohol use rates have stabilized since 2015, but alcohol-related hospitalizations grew by 41% from 2010 to 2020
- 4.9% of Pennsylvanians aged 26 or older experience alcohol use disorder
Data indicates that while adult drinking prevalence remains high, hospitalization rates suggest an escalating impact on healthcare systems.
| Age Group | Binge Drinking Rate | Hospitalizations (2010–2020 Increase) |
|---|---|---|
| Adults (18+) | 18.4% | +41% |
| Youth (12th Graders) | 9.5% (past 2 weeks) | -- |
| Older Adults (26+) | 4.9% (AUD) | -- |
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Synthetic Drugs and Other Emerging Substances
In recent years, synthetic cannabinoids, illicit stimulants, and other emerging drugs have contributed to a widening substance use landscape.
- There was a 610% rise in synthetic cannabinoid-linked emergency room visits from 2015 to 2024
- Statewide methamphetamine treatment admissions climbed from 5,085 in 2021 to 7,200 in 2024
- An overall 420% increase in meth-related treatment admissions was recorded from 2015 to 2024
- Cocaine-involved deaths surged by 89% between 2015 and 2022, frequently involving opioids
These upward trends highlight the growing variety of substances contributing to overdose rates and broader health concerns.
| Substance | Key Increase | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Synthetic Cannabinoids | +610% ED Visits | 2015–2024 |
| Methamphetamine | +420% Treatment Admissions | 2015–2024 |
| Cocaine | +89% Deaths | 2015–2022 |
Demographic Disparities
Substance use and access to care vary sharply by age group, race, and geographic region throughout Pennsylvania.
- Adolescents (12–17) in Pennsylvania report past-month drug use at 7.22%, compared to 8.33% nationwide
- 84.85% of these adolescent drug users cite cannabis as their primary substance
- Rural counties exhibit 19.6 overdose deaths per 100,000 vs. 22.0 in urban areas
- Black residents face 2.3× higher rates of opioid-related hospitalization but receive medication-assisted treatment at 58% the rate of White patients
Such figures underscore gaps in both prevention and treatment access, affecting outcomes across Pennsylvania’s diverse population groups.
| Group | Drug Use/Overdose Rate | Treatment Access |
|---|---|---|
| Adolescents (12–17) | 7.22% Past Month | Primarily Cannabis |
| Urban Residents | 22.0 Deaths/100k | More MAT Facilities |
| Rural Residents | 19.6 Deaths/100k | Fewer MAT Facilities |
| Black Residents | 2.3× Higher Hospitalization | 58% Rate of MAT vs. Whites |
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Additional State Comparisons
Overdose trends in Pennsylvania can be benchmarked against neighboring states for additional context.
- Ohio had 47.2 overdose deaths per 100,000 in 2022, slightly higher than Pennsylvania’s 40.9
- New York reported an opioid mortality rate of 27.1 per 100,000, but higher rates of cocaine-related deaths
- West Virginia’s overdose mortality rate reached 81.4 per 100,000, the nation’s highest
- Overdose deaths in Pennsylvania decreased 9.22% between 2023 and 2024
- Alcohol-related hospitalizations climbed 41% from 2010 to 2020
- Methamphetamine admissions jumped 420% from 2015 to 2024
- Adult binge drinking (18.4%) exceeds the national average by 3.2%
- Black residents experience 2.3× higher opioid hospitalization rates than White residents
While Pennsylvania’s per-capita overdose figure remains substantial, these comparisons illustrate the broader regional burden of substance misuse.
| State | Overdose Death Rate (per 100,000) |
|---|---|
| New York | 27.1 |
| Pennsylvania | 40.9 |
| Ohio | 47.2 |
| West Virginia | 81.4 |
Key Statistics Summary
Across every age range and region, Pennsylvania’s statistics highlight an evolving substance use climate. While some indicators show encouraging downward trends, persistent challenges like alcohol misuse and synthetic drug threats remain. These figures collectively illustrate the scope of ongoing substance use concerns and the vital need for continued data monitoring.
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Related Articles
- 2005 PAYS Key Findings Final. PA.gov, 2005.
- 2020 Health Disparities in Substance Use among Pennsylvania Adults. PA.gov, 2020.
- CDC Reports Suggest Central PA Drug Deaths Slowing. WITF, 2024.
- Drug Addiction in Pennsylvania Stats and Facts. Little Creek Recovery, n.d.
- NSDUHsaePennsylvania2020. SAMHSA, 2020.
- Opioid Dispensing Rate Maps. CDC, n.d.
- Pennsylvania. CDC, n.d.
- Pennsylvania Addiction Stats | Caron Pennsylvania. Caron, n.d.
- Pennsylvania Opioids. data.pa.gov, n.d.
- State Profile - Pennyslvania. Obama White House Archives, n.d.
