Updated Drug and Alcohol Statistics for Utah

Utah’s drug and alcohol statistics highlight a unique landscape shaped by cultural norms and evolving substance trends. This article explores key data points and comparisons that shed light on prevalence, demographic differences, and overdose patterns across the state.

Although Utah often reports lower-than-average substance use and alcohol consumption, recent increases in synthetic opioid-related deaths underscore the complexity of its addiction profile. By examining the numbers behind different drug categories, age groups, and regional comparisons, this resource provides a thorough understanding of the state’s current situation.

Noteworthy Data Points

• 5.1% of residents age 12+ reported past-month illicit drug use, compared to an 8.2% national average.
• 437% increase in fentanyl-related overdose deaths from 2019 to 2023.
• Utah ranks 51st nationally in per capita alcohol consumption (1.5 gallons of pure alcohol per adult annually).
• 72% of underage drinkers in Utah engage in binge drinking, exceeding the national rate.

These figures illustrate both the lower baseline use in many areas and a concerning spike in synthetic opioid overdoses. The sections below break down the data by illicit drugs, alcohol trends, age-specific patterns, and overdose mortality.

Illicit Drug Use in Utah

Analyzing illicit drug statistics provides insights into usage patterns that differ from regional and national levels.

• Statewide past-month illicit drug use among individuals aged 12+ stands at 5.1%, below the regional average of 8.3% and the national figure of 8.2%.
• Marijuana remains the most commonly used illicit substance, with 25.9% of Utah’s 18–25 age group reporting past-year use, compared to 35.0% nationally.
• Opioid use disorder in young adults (18–25) has stabilized at 0.8%, close to the national average of 1.0%.
• Methamphetamine use persists as a concern, particularly as synthetic opioid misuse rises.

Though overall usage rates are comparatively low, evolving dynamics in opioid and synthetic drug availability have broad implications. Below is a comparison table indicating overall illicit drug use indicators.

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Alcohol Use and Trends

Alcohol statistics show notably lower consumption in Utah, yet binge drinking patterns among youth reveal striking nuances.

• Utah is ranked 51st in alcohol consumption, with an estimated 1.5 gallons of pure alcohol consumed per adult each year.
• Only 11.7% of adults in Utah report binge drinking, which is significantly lower compared to about 30% nationally.
• 72% of underage drinkers in Utah who do drink report binge drinking, surpassing the national underage binge drinking rate of 55%.
• Among young adults, alcohol use disorder dropped from 10.5% (2002–2004) to 6.4% (2017–2019).

Despite low per capita consumption, these binge drinking figures underscore the importance of youth-focused data. The table below summarizes select alcohol-related indicators.

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Age-Specific Patterns

Evaluating usage by age provides insight into which groups face the greatest substance-related challenges.

• Among young adults aged 18–25, illicit drug use disorder stands at 5.3%, significantly lower than the regional average of 9.7%.
• Substance use disorder overall in this 18–25 bracket sits at 9.8%, below the national rate of 14.7%.
• For adolescents (12–17), the past-year marijuana use rate is 10.23%, below many national benchmarks.
• Adolescents in Utah report 17.1% having experienced a major depressive episode, raising concerns about co-occurring issues.

Youth substance patterns appear lower than other areas, yet the high rate of binge drinking among the teens who do drink stands out. The table below highlights a few core measures for these age groups.

Overdose Mortality and Fentanyl Trends

Monitoring overdose deaths reveals critical insights into opioid challenges and emerging synthetic drug threats.

• Utah recorded 541 overdose deaths in 2022, with opioids involved in 74% of fatalities.
• Fentanyl is now implicated in nearly half of all overdose deaths as of 2023.
• While the U.S. overall saw a 10.6% decrease in overdose deaths (2023–2024), Utah’s rate rose by 8.08%.
• Neighboring states such as Nevada and Colorado also experienced increases, indicating a regional surge.

Utah’s rising fentanyl-related mortality highlights a shift from prescription opioid misuse to synthetic opioid consumption, even as prescription dispensing rates have declined. This regional parallel underscores the need for closer monitoring.

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Key Statistics Summary

• 5.1% of Utahns aged 12+ used illicit drugs in the past month.
• Underage binge drinking (72%) far surpasses the national rate.
• Opioid-related overdose deaths now represent 74% of total overdose deaths.
• Fentanyl-related deaths jumped by 437% between 2019 and 2023.
• Alcohol consumption in Utah remains the lowest nationally at 1.5 gallons per adult.

Overall, Utah’s substance use statistics reflect a lower baseline for many categories, yet emerging opioid challenges signal the potential for shifting risks. These data highlight the importance of targeted efforts to address rising overdose rates and the persistent issues of youth binge drinking.

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