Updated Drug and Alcohol Statistics for Utah

Utah faces challenges related to substance use disorders, alcohol use, and the opioid crisis, although the state’s rates are often lower than regional and national averages. This article provides an overview of the current state of drug and alcohol use in Utah, highlighting statistics on substance use disorders, alcohol-related issues, the impact of opioids, and youth substance use rates.

• Excessive alcohol use is responsible for 903 deaths in Utah each year.¹
• There were 21.21 deaths per 100,000 people related to drug poisoning each year in Utah in 2018.²
• Eleven Utahns die each week from drug overdose, with opioids being a significant contributor.³

Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD)

Utah’s rates of substance use disorders are generally lower than regional and national averages. Here are some key statistics:

• The annual average prevalence of past-month illicit drug use was 5.1% (2017-2019), lower than both the regional (8.3%) and national averages (8.2%).⁴
• The annual average prevalence of opioid use disorder was 0.7% (2017-2019), similar to both the regional and national averages.⁴
• The annual average prevalence of illicit drug use disorder was 2.8% (2017-2019), lower than the regional average (4.0%) but similar to the national average (2.9%).⁴

While Utah’s rates are generally lower, substance use disorders still pose significant challenges for the state.

Alcohol Use and Related Issues

Alcohol use, including heavy drinking and binge drinking, contributes to numerous health and social problems in Utah.

• An estimated 4.0% of Utah adults reported heavy drinking in the past 30 days (2021).¹
• Excessive alcohol use is responsible for 903 deaths in Utah each year.¹
• An estimated 11.7% of Utah adults binge drank at least once in the past 30 days (2021).⁵

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Opioid Crisis and Overdose Deaths

The opioid crisis has had a significant impact on Utah, with high rates of drug overdose deaths and the growing threat of fentanyl.

• There were 21.21 deaths per 100,000 people related to drug poisoning each year in Utah in 2018.²
• The production of fentanyl has perpetuated the opioid crisis, with Utah being deeply affected.⁶
• Eleven Utahns die each week from drug overdose, with opioids being a significant contributor.³

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Youth Substance Use

Monitoring youth substance use is crucial for developing targeted prevention and intervention strategies.

• Rates of alcohol use among youth in Utah are monitored, but specific recent percentages are not provided in the search results.⁷
• Utah’s rate of reported use of marijuana in the past 30 days was significantly lower than the U.S. rate in 2019.⁸

The statistics presented in this article highlight the ongoing challenges related to substance use disorders, alcohol use, and the opioid crisis in Utah. While the state’s rates are often lower than regional and national averages, the impact of these issues on public health and well-being cannot be overstated. By investing in prevention, treatment, and recovery services, and promoting collaboration among community stakeholders, Utah can work towards supporting those struggling with addiction and creating a healthier future for all its residents.

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