Florida Substance Abuse Statistics: An Overview

According to the Florida Department of Health, 8,093 people died from drug overdoses in Florida in 2021[1]. This Florida substance abuse statistic represents preventable deaths in the Sunshine State. And, while death is the most tragic outcome of substance abuse, for many others, their lives are disrupted and altered for the worse by drug and alcohol use.

Furthermore, addiction doesn’t only affect the person abusing substances. The lives of others—family members, friends, and the community as a whole—are impacted as a result of substance abuse.

Gulf Coast Recovery Center is here to help those struggling with substance abuse in Florida. If you or a loved one needs addiction treatment, visit our admissions page today to get started.

Florida Substance Abuse Statistics at a Glance

Substance abuse statistics in Florida changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, where they generally increased across the board. However, trends seem to be on the decline following the effects of the pandemic. Still, drug and alcohol use in the state is relatively high.

The following statistics provide a sense of substance abuse in Florida at a glance:

• 83,197 drug-related arrests in 2021 [1]
• 8,093 fatal overdoses occurred in 2021 [1]
• Fentanyl caused the most overdose deaths (2,744) from January to June 2022 [2]
• 105,490 EMS responses to drug overdoses in 2022 [1]

Fentanyl appears to be the primary cause of many overdoses and drug-related deaths in Florida. In addition, fentanyl is the driving cause of the opioid epidemic in the United States. And Florida is no exception to the effects of the current opioid epidemic.

The Opioid Epidemic in Florida

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), opioid-related drug overdose deaths have been steadily on the rise in the United States since 1999. Across the nation, 80,411 overdose deaths involved opioids in the US. This is an increase from the previous year’s rate of 68,630 deaths.

In the Sunshine State, opioids have also caused unnecessary deaths and overdoses. Fortunately, naloxone (Narcan) kits are available to prevent overdose deaths. Still, the numbers are alarming, considering that all of these deaths are preventable.

Opioid statistics in Florida include the following:

• Naloxone was administered 51,752 times (for opioid overdoses) [1]
• From January to June 2022, fentanyl caused the most drug overdose deaths (2,744) [2]
• In addition, fentanyl analogs caused 390 deaths from January to June 2022 [2]
• Oxycodone caused 223 deaths from January to June 2022 [2]
• Over 11 million opioid prescriptions were dispensed in 2022 [1]

Many people unintentionally get addicted to opioids after taking them to relieve pain. This is why opioid medication use is heavily regulated and monitored by physicians. Still, other prescription drugs besides opioids can cause fatalities when misused or abused.

Florida Prescription Drug Abuse

Prescription drugs can help people with several disorders and ailments. However, some people get addicted to the unintended side effects, such as euphoria, increased focus, and relaxation. Prescription drugs that work as sedatives or stimulants tend to be the ones most likely to be misused.

Stimulant drugs, like amphetamines (ex. Adderall), help with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. Unfortunately, some people misuse these drugs due to their stimulating effects. They might overuse their medication or buy it illegally from others.

In addition, sedative drugs like benzodiazepines and barbiturates, also have a high potential for abuse. While these prescription drugs help those with anxiety and insomnia, some people abuse them for their side effects. These drugs induce euphoria and can have a similar effect as other depressants, like alcohol.

Florida substance abuse regarding prescription drugs includes the following statistics: 

• From January to June 2022, there were 3,033 prescription drug overdose deaths [2]
• From January to June 2022, 437 deaths occurred due to benzodiazepines (benzos) [2] 
• Of these 437 benzo overdose deaths, 260 were due to alprazolam (Xanax) [2]
• Amphetamine was responsible for 418 deaths from Jan-June 2022 [2]

When left untreated, prescription drug abuse can lead to illegal, or illicit, drugs. For instance, a person could become tolerant to the effects of Adderall and move on to a more potent stimulant drug like cocaine or crystal meth. However, some people begin their addictive cycle with illicit substances without first misusing prescriptions.

Illicit Drug Use in Florida

Illicit drugs are illegal (nonprescription) drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. People often use these drugs recreationally to get high. Others abuse illicit drugs to self-medicate for underlying mental health disorders.

The following statistics highlight illicit drug use in Florida:

• The number of adults (18+) engaged in past month illicit drug use from 2019-2020 was 2,260 [4]
• 1,282 adults (18+) had an illicit drug use disorder in 2020 [4]
• 1,230 deaths occurred from cocaine use from January to June 2022 [2]
• 1,088 deaths occurred from methamphetamine use from January to June 2022 [2]

However, illicit drugs are not necessarily the most problematic. Alcohol is among the most widespread and most commonly abused substances in Florida.

Alcohol Abuse in Florida

With several nightclubs, bars, and recreational settings, Florida is no stranger to alcohol abuse. Although alcohol is a legal substance in the US, it is also one of the most dangerous and deadly. 

The following statistics highlight the prevalence of alcohol abuse in Florida:

• In 2019, 18% of adults engaged in binge or heavy drinking [3]
• From 2012 to 2019, the number of deaths where alcohol played a causal role increased by 72% [3]
• 9,508 adults aged 18+ engaged in past month alcohol use from 2019-2020 [4] 
• 4,155 adults aged 18+ engaged in past month binge-drinking from 2019-2020 [4]
• Ethyl alcohol was found in 3,026 decedents from Jan-June 2022 [2]
• In 2019, 5,385 deaths occurred where alcohol was identified in the decedent (but not the direct cause of death) [3]

No matter what type of substance a person abuses, there is help available. At Gulf Coast Recovery Center, we hope to see substance abuse in Florida decrease as more and more people engage in recovery.

Find Help for Substance Abuse in Florida Today

Do you or a loved one have a substance abuse issue? We’re here to help. Gulf Coast Recovery Center in Tampa, Florida, offers outpatient drug and alcohol addiction treatment, including detox, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and sober living. 

Call us today or visit our admissions page to begin your recovery from substance abuse.

Sources:

1. 1. https://www.flhealthcharts.gov/ChartsDashboards/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=SubstanceUse.Overview
   2. https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/MEC/Publications-and-Forms/Documents/Drugs-in-Deceased-Persons/2022-Interim-Drug-Report-FINAL.aspx#:~:text=%E2%9C%93%20The%20drugs%20that%20caused,)%20and%20oxycodone%20(223).
   3. https://cdac.info/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Alcohol-Consumption-Trends-in-Florida.pdf
   4. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt35964/NSDUHHsaeSpecificStates2020F/NSDUHsaeFlorida2020.pdf