Updated Drug and Alcohol Statistics for Texas

Texans face multifaceted challenges around substance use, marked by shifting drug prevalence and persistently high alcohol consumption. By examining updated drug and alcohol statistics, we can better understand the scope of use, identify key demographic disparities, and spotlight trends over time.

Over the past two decades, reported usage patterns in Texas have evolved to include rising rates of synthetic opioids, entrenched methamphetamine prevalence, and continued widespread alcohol consumption. The data below serves to provide a clear statistical overview of these developments without lengthy policy discussions or speculation. Instead, this article strives to present factual numbers in an easily accessible format.

Key Noteworthy Statistics

Below are a few figures that stand out in Texas’s overall substance use landscape.

• 57% of Texas residents aged 12+ reported past-month alcohol use in 2021
• 3,172 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2022, accounting for 58% of all drug overdoses
• Binge drinking rate sits at 17%, exceeding the national average of 15.3%
• 14.74% of Texans aged 12+ reported past-year marijuana use in 2022

Understanding these high-level metrics is essential in setting the stage for a more detailed exploration. In the sections that follow, you’ll find key statistics and trends for alcohol, various illicit drugs, youth and college demographics, and treatment realities.

Alcohol Use in Texas

Alcohol remains the most widely consumed substance in Texas, with both youth and adult populations showing notable usage patterns.

• 57% of residents aged 12+ in Texas reported using alcohol within the past month in 2021
• The overall binge drinking rate in Texas sits at 17%, compared to the national 15.3%
• In some urban counties, binge drinking rates are significantly higher (23% in Travis County)
• Among middle and high school students, 52% report having tried alcohol at least once

While stable adult alcohol consumption dominates headlines, youth alcohol experimentation remains a pervasive concern in many districts. Below is a summarized table comparing statewide adult vs. youth usage.

Efforts such as prevention education have shown some success in reducing underage drinking. Yet the accessible nature of alcohol and cultural norms around social drinking pose ongoing challenges.

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Opioids and Fentanyl

Opioid overdoses and the rising impact of fentanyl contamination represent one of Texas’s most urgent drug concerns.

• From 2000 to 2018, the state’s opioid-related overdose deaths tripled
• In 2022, 3,172 opioid-related deaths represented 58% of all drug overdoses statewide
• Fentanyl now accounts for about 25.5% of total opioid deaths in Texas
• Lower fentanyl prevalence compared to eastern states has somewhat limited overdose rates, but numbers continue to increase

Texas has historically reported weaker heroin formulations (like black tar), but the emergence of synthetic opioids still drives significant risk. Here is a breakdown of opioid overdose deaths over recent years:

Despite some intervention successes, the trajectory indicates continued increases in synthetic opioid misuse and overdose fatalities.

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Methamphetamine and Cocaine

Methamphetamine has steadily grown into one of the most pressing substance use problems in the state, surpassing older concerns about powder cocaine in many regions.

• Methamphetamine was linked to 10.8% of Texas treatment admissions in 2018
• Border regions still show elevated cocaine use, but state-level admissions for cocaine dropped from 35% in 1994 to 8% in 2018
• Crack cocaine disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic communities
• Meth commonly appears in forensic lab reports and is the most cited illicit stimulant

Cocaine usage remains a localized issue, especially near border towns. By contrast, meth usage spans both rural and urban environments. Below is a comparative table of treatment admissions for meth vs. cocaine:

While national trends mirror these findings, policymakers and health professionals in Texas have long noted meth’s heightened risk due to its intense addictive properties and frequent association with other health complications.

Marijuana Use

Marijuana consumption in Texas remains widespread, with ongoing debates surrounding legalization. Enforcement policies, however, continue to be relatively strict in most parts of the state.

• 14.74% of Texans aged 12+ reported past-year marijuana use in 2022
• 19% of all treatment admissions are tied to primary marijuana issues
• Legalization remains limited, though certain CBD products have been permitted
• Young adults report the highest prevalence of regular or near-daily use

Discussions around broader legalization continue, but these figures show persistent and consistent marijuana usage across Texas. The table below highlights how marijuana fits within the broader substance use landscape.

As opposed to the ongoing spikes in synthetic opioids, marijuana use has remained relatively stable, though it remains a focal point of enforcement.

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Youth and College Substance Use

Young Texans, from middle school students to college populations, exhibit diverse consumption patterns. Alcohol, marijuana, and easy-to-obtain prescription drugs rank among the most commonly reported substances.

• 52% of Texas middle/high school students report lifetime alcohol use
• 29% of students say they consumed alcohol in the last 30 days
• Border counties show higher rates of lifetime cocaine use (13.3%) than non-border counties (7%)
• 58% of college students reported past-month alcohol use, with 12% admitting to driving under the influence of marijuana or other drugs

Youth-focused interventions have contributed to some downturn in underage consumption rates. Yet these statistics reveal that substance use persists, particularly for alcohol, in the younger demographic. Below is a table illustrating drug involvement among college students:

High social acceptance of drinking and relative ease of finding drugs near campuses may contribute to these statistics.

Treatment and Access Gaps

Despite a wide range of state- and county-level interventions, many Texans in need of specialized treatment for substance use disorders do not receive it.

• Only about 3.95% of Texans with opioid use disorder accessed treatment services in 2022
• An estimated 77.13% of those needing alcohol use disorder treatment did not receive specialty care
• Rural and minority populations remain underserved compared to urban areas
• Naloxone distribution and prevention programs do show positive signs, but coverage remains inconsistent

While expanded efforts to distribute overdose-reversal medications have saved lives, there are still many barriers to consistent care. Below is a snapshot of current treatment access rates:

Numerous treatment centers operate throughout urban areas, but access remains uneven statewide, leaving many people without the specialized intervention they need.

Key Statistics Summary

• 57% of Texas residents aged 12+ reported alcohol use in the past month
• 52% of middle/high school students in Texas have used alcohol at least once
• Texas recorded 3,172 opioid-related overdose deaths in 2022
• 14.74% of Texans 12+ used marijuana in the last year
• 77.13% of individuals with alcohol use disorder did not receive treatment

These data points confirm persistent alcohol consumption, rising synthetic opioid concerns, and notable treatment access gaps. From youth statistics to adult overdose figures, it’s clear that substance use in Texas requires ongoing monitoring. Consistent reporting and accurate analysis of the numbers will remain the cornerstone of understanding these trends.

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