Alabama
The Alabama state page provides you with a quick overview of issues relating to drug and alcohol addiction, Alabama drug abuse statistics and Alabama drug rehab centers.
It should be noted that these pages are not intended as an academic reference. The data collected is from State and Federal sources.
Alabama Addiction Treatment Statistics
The State Profile of Behavioral Health for 2010 found that 75% of those on the health Insurance Exchange were non-Hispanic White or Black males, 18-34 years of age.Â
As of March 31, 2011, there were 15,924 clients in Alabama substance abuse treatment facilities.
In the 2011 Alabama National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services, 147 facilities provided some form of substance abuse treatment.
103 of those facilities were only substance abuse treatment with an additional 33 providing a mix of mental health and substance abuse treatment.
According to the same survey in 2011, 4,755 clients were treated for both alcohol and drug abuse, another 9,810 clients were treated for drug abuse only with an additional 1,359 clients treated for alcohol abuse.
Alcohol Addiction in Alabama
SAMHSA’s Behavioral Health Barometers survey for Alabama 2009-2013 found that each year 225,000 individuals 12 years of age and older were dependent on abused alcohol.
During the same period in Alabama, 267,000 adults 21 years of age or older per year reported heavy alcohol use on any given month.
Admissions for primary alcohol abuse and alcohol combined with a secondary drug were the second most abused substance in Alabama. In 2010, there were 4,635 people admitted for primary alcohol treatment, and an additional 2,746 people admitted for alcohol abuse with a secondary substance.
The 2009 Pride Survey polled students in all 50 states during 2008-2009 and found that students in grades 6-12 were more likely to use a broad range of drugs and alcohol, but Alabama teens were below the national average.
Commonly Abused Drugs in Alabama
The Alabama Department of Public Health’s prescription drug awareness poster, the most commonly abused prescription drugs are opioids, depressants, and stimulants. Of those Vicodin, Xanax, and Ritalin or Adderall top the list.
According to SAMHSA’s Behavioral Health Barometers for Alabama 2009-2013, found that 99,000 individuals 12 years of age and older were dependent on or abused illicit drugs each year.
The BHB for Alabama also found that approximately 90.3% of all those using illicit drugs DID NOT receive treatment.
Cocaine is among Alabama’s most significant drug threats. Cocaine is widely available throughout Alabama, as it ranks second for the number of drug addiction treatment admissions. In 2010, 2,108 individuals were treated for smoking cocaine with an additional 842 people treated for using cocaine through other routes of ingestion than smoking.
Heroin
Heroin abuse, use, and sales have skyrocketed across the nation. The cause is due to the crackdown on the street availability of opioids and the ability to obtain good, inexpensive Mexican heroin. In fall of 2015, police departments across Alabama were expressing concern over the growing number of deaths across all counties. In Jefferson County, there were 138 people who died of a heroin overdose, 56 in Birmingham for example.
Marijuana
In 2010, marijuana was the primary drug abused for individuals admitted to treatment centers in Alabama in 2010. There were 6,945 people admitted to drug treatment in Alabama in 2010. Marijuana is the most widely available and abused drug in Alabama. It is also the most popular drug among high school students and young adults.
Methamphetamines
Methamphetamine has been identified as Alabama’s up and coming primary drug threat. Alabama methamphetamine is produced in both “mom and pop” labs, also called meth labs, as well as in larger scale labs that produce the purer form of crystal meth called “ice”.
Ecstasy
Ecstasy abuse in Alabama continues to increase. Ecstasy, as well as similar drugs such as LSD, GHB, and ketamine are primarily abused in night club settings and are often referred to as “club drugs.” Arrests, overdoses and emergency room visits for club drugs have mirrored the increase in use. Ecstasy remains the leading number one club drug, followed by GHB.
Prescription Drugs
According to the Center for Disease Control’s Alabama Prescription Drug overview, the overdose rate was 11.8 per 100,000 individuals. There was a sharp rise in opioid pain reliever abuse and substance abuse treatment admissions for opioid abuse. The nonmedical use of prescription pain relievers in 2011 was 5% of those 12 y
Alabama Drug and Alcohol Fatalities, Injuries and Drug Court Statistics
According to the Alabama Department of Corrections December 2014 report, there were 2,733 inmates who completed drug treatment programs. There were 2,059 who were in aftercare programs.
A 2009 Alabama Drug Court map indicated a total of 41 specialty courts that included adult drug court,
3 domestic violence courts, and 6 juvenile drug courts.
The Alabama Department of Transportation’s Crash Fact sheet indicated that in 2012, the number of drivers under the influence of alcohol, drugs or both involved in crashes was 10,083. 6,630 were male, 2,911 were female, and there were 542 in all age categories for which gender was not reported.
The proportion of fatality crashes involving DUI (2.86%) is over 4 times that of all crashes in general (0.68 %) for 2012.
Alabama Drug and Alcohol Addiction Resources
- Alcoholics Anonymous (go to the AA main page, click on find a meeting, follow link to state pages, click on Alabama)
- Narcotics Anonymous
Looking For Treatment?
If you or someone you love is suffering from a drug or alcohol addiction, treatment can help. Recovery Connection’s helpline open 24/7, is staffed by trained coordinators who understand addiction and treatment. Call 866-812-8231. Our counselors can provide you with information about treatment programs. Our services are free and calls are always confidential.
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- How to Choose The Right Drug and Alcohol Treatment Program
Choosing the right treatment facility for you or your loved one can be confusing. Find out what is important in getting appropriate treatment.