Updated Drug and Alcohol Statistics for Rhode Island
In This Article
Rhode Island has experienced notable shifts in drug and alcohol use over the past two decades, with evolving patterns of opioid misuse, rising synthetic drug fatalities, and high rates of alcohol consumption. This article highlights key statistics that illustrate these trends and offers a data-focused view of substance use across different demographics.
From prescription opioid dominance to increased fentanyl involvement and persistent alcohol misuse, the state’s experience underscores the complexities of substance use disorders. The following sections present a detailed statistical overview, focusing on overdose mortality, demographic distinctions, and comparative data.
Below are several core statistics that stand out from the available research:
- 38.1 deaths per 100,000 was Rhode Island’s overdose mortality rate in 2022, above the national average.
- 61% of Rhode Island adults reported past-month alcohol consumption, notably higher than national figures.
- Overall overdose deaths decreased by 7.3% in 2023, yet cocaine-related fatalities rose by 5%.
- Black Rhode Islanders saw a 50% increase in overdose mortality from 2021 to 2022.
Each of these statistics underscores the shifting nature of Rhode Island’s substance use environment. The sections that follow provide a closer look at the data behind these broader trends.
Substance Use Overview in Rhode Island
Understanding the breadth of drug and alcohol use patterns helps contextualize Rhode Island’s evolving landscape.
- Overdose mortality rates exceeded the national average every year from 2005 to 2025, peaking at 38.1 per 100,000 in 2022.
- Fentanyl was involved in 83% of overdose fatalities by 2023.
- Prescription opioids accounted for 53% of overdose deaths by 2012, with prescribing rates reaching 85.2 prescriptions per 100 residents.
- Younger individuals showed increased heroin use, with 18–25-year-olds at 22.2 initiations per 1,000 for heroin.
While opioid-related deaths have dominated headlines, alcohol-related harm remains a significant burden in the state’s healthcare system. The table below further illustrates Rhode Island’s substance use landscape.
| Year | Key Substance Trend | Notable Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Prescription opioids drove overdose deaths | 53% overdose share |
| 2019 | Synthetic opioids (fentanyl) contribution | 72% of overdoses |
| 2020 | Alcohol-attributable deaths | 434 total |
| 2023 | Overdose deaths vs. prior year | 7.3% decline |
Opioid Trends and Overdose Rates
Opioid misuse has undergone several phases, shifting from prescription dominance to fentanyl involvement.
- Between 2019 and 2021, overdose deaths spiked 42%, reaching approximately 434 deaths annually.
- By 2019, 72% of overdose fatalities involved synthetic opioids, double the national figure of 36% that same year.
- In 2023, 83% of all opioid deaths still involved fentanyl.
- Despite a small decline in overall overdose deaths, cocaine- and methamphetamine-related deaths saw a continued rise.
Prescription opioid misuse remains a factor, yet the shift to illicit fentanyl has reshaped the fatal overdose profile. The table below offers a comparative look at overdose mortality rates in Rhode Island versus national levels.
| Metric | RI (2022) | National Avg | Northeast Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opioid Deaths/100k | 38.1 | 14.6 | 32.4 |
| Alcohol Deaths/100k | 28.8 | 10.3 | 22.1 |
| Cocaine Deaths/100k | 9.2 | 6.8 | 7.9 |
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Alcohol Use Patterns
While opioid overdoses garner attention, alcohol use has remained consistently high among Rhode Island adults.
- 61.8% of adults reported past-month alcohol consumption, surpassing the national average of 55.1%.
- Binge drinking rates reached 29.4% among 18–34-year-olds, higher than older age groups.
- Alcohol-related deaths peaked at 434 in 2020, with 63.2% resulting from chronic liver disease.
- The economic impact of alcohol-related conditions is estimated at $1.2 billion in healthcare costs and lost productivity annually.
Alcohol misuse affects all adult age segments, though older groups experience rising mortality from liver disease. The following table demonstrates selected alcohol-specific indicators.
| Indicator | Rhode Island Rate/Value | National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Past-Month Consumption | 61.8% | 55.1% |
| Binge Drinking (Age 18–34) | 29.4% | N/A |
| Alcohol Deaths (per 100k) | 28.8 | 10.3 |
| Estimated Annual Costs | $1.2 Billion | N/A |
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Demographic Disparities
Drug and alcohol use in Rhode Island varies significantly by race, age, and gender.
- 50% increase in overdose mortality among Black Rhode Islanders from 2021 to 2022.
- Overdose mortality among Hispanic/Latino individuals also rose by 50% between 2021 and 2022.
- Alcohol-attributable deaths among women aged 55+ grew by 34.2% from 2018 to 2022.
- Men have 3.2 times higher alcohol-attributable mortality rates than women overall.
Socioeconomic factors, including poverty rates above 21% in urban areas like Providence and Woonsocket, further exacerbate these patterns. The table below highlights examples of demographic differences.
| Group | Substance Issue | Notable Figure |
|---|---|---|
| 18–25-year-olds | Heroin initiation rate | 22.2 per 1,000 |
| Black Rhode Islanders | Increase in overdose mortality (2021–2022) | 50% rise |
| Women 55+ | Alcohol-attributable mortality increase | 34.2% |
| Men (All Ages) | Share of opioid deaths | 68% |
Comparisons with National Data
Rhode Island’s metrics align with some regional patterns yet exceed national averages for most substances.
- The state’s unmet treatment need for substance use disorders stood at 18.5%, higher than the U.S. average of 15.9%.
- Only 42% of Rhode Islanders with opioid use disorder received medication-assisted treatment, compared to 48% nationwide.
- Rhode Island’s opioid fatality rate is among the top 10 nationally, surpassing adjacent states such as Connecticut and Massachusetts.
- Co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders affected 26% of treatment admissions, compared to 18% nationally.
High potency synthetic opioids, persistent alcohol misuse, and limited treatment reach contribute to Rhode Island’s elevated substance-use indicators when compared to national figures.
| Treatment Metric | Rhode Island | National Level |
|---|---|---|
| Unmet Treatment Need | 18.5% | 15.9% |
| MAT Access (Opioid Users) | 42% | 48% |
| Co-occurring Disorder Admissions | 26% | 18% |
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Key Statistics Summary
- Rhode Island’s overdose mortality rate reached 38.1 per 100,000 in 2022.
- Alcohol-related deaths cost the state $1.2 billion in healthcare and lost productivity each year.
- 50% increase in overdose mortality among Black Rhode Islanders between 2021 and 2022.
- Overdose deaths decreased by 7.3% in 2023 but cocaine-related fatalities rose by 5%.
Drug and alcohol misuse continues to evolve in Rhode Island, reflecting persistent opioid challenges, high levels of alcohol consumption, and rising stimulant-related incidents. Ongoing data reveals significant disparities by race, age, and gender, emphasizing the dynamic nature of the state’s substance use profile.
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Related Articles
- Alcohol-Attributable Chronic Conditions and Deaths. Rhode Island Department of Health, n.d.
- Center for Health Journalism: Chasing the Fix. USC Annenberg, 2021.
- Drug Overdose Rates Down in Rhode Island, CDC Says Report. Patch, 2023.
- 2017 Rhode Island State Epi Profile. Rhode Island Prevention Resource Center, 2017.
- Rhode Island Opioid Summary. National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020.
- Rhode Island—Behavioral Health Barometer, Volume 6. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2021.
- Substance Abuse Statistics by State: Rhode Island. Recovery Connection, n.d.
- Supporting data for Overdose Mortality in Rhode Island. State of Rhode Island, 2022.
