Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment for Arizonans

In 2019, an estimated 7.2 million people called Arizona home.¹ Many among that population have or continue to struggle with drug and alcohol abuse, mental illness, or both.

Between 2018-2019, 20.1% of Arizonans reported symptoms of mental illness.² During that same period, 6.8% of Arizona adults reported an unmet need for mental health treatment.³ Additionally, 5.1% of Arizona adults reported having alcohol use disorder, and 3.1% reported having an illicit drug use disorder.⁴ 

Fortunately, there are numerous addiction rehab facilities and mental health resources in and around Arizona for those residents who are struggling with these challenges. Substance Abuse and Addiction in Arizona

Arizonans are impacted by alcohol and drug use in numerous ways. Below, we’ll highlight some statistics regarding drug and alcohol misuse among Arizona residents.

Alcoholism in Arizona

In Arizona, alcohol abuse and its outcomes continue to impact families and communities across the state. In 2021, Arizonans consumed 2.49 gallons of alcohol per capita.⁸ In fact, 15% of Arizona adults report binge drinking on at least one occasion over a 30-day period.⁹ The most frequently reported substance used by Arizona teens in the 8th, 10th, and 12th grades is alcohol, and excessive drinking is the cause of an average of 79 deaths each year among underage Arizona youth.¹⁰

This is alarming since individuals who begin drinking alcohol before 14 years of age are at least 3x more likely to end up dependent on alcohol someday than people who refrain from drinking until they are 21 or older.¹¹

Alcohol is the 28th leading cause of death in Arizona, with 378 deaths in 2020 directly attributable to alcohol.¹² And despite a significant decrease in traffic volume in 2020 due to the pandemic, there were still 181 deaths as a result of alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents.¹³

These factors, as well as many others, led Arizona Governor Doug Ducey to proclaim April 2021 as Arizona Alcohol Awareness Month.¹⁴

Drug Abuse in Arizona

The increased need for drug rehabilitation programs in Arizona is evident when one examines current trends and statistics.  In 2018, there were 1,106 opioid-involved deaths reported in Arizona, while deaths involving synthetic opioids (primarily fentanyl) doubled to 522.¹⁵

The impact of drug abuse on children in Arizona continues to have profound implications. In 2019, between 21-30% of children were removed from their homes by the state and placed in out-of-home care as a direct result of a parent’s alcohol or drug abuse.¹⁶

The situation for Arizona youth is also concerning. Some 43,000 12- to 17-year-olds reported using drugs within a 30-day period, including marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, heroin, and pain relievers.¹⁷

Mental Health and Addiction in Arizona

Many who abuse drugs and alcohol have found their way into that lifestyle as a means of coping with undiagnosed or undertreated mental health disorders. Half of all people with severe forms of mental illness also struggle with substance misuse.¹⁸ Mental illnesses that may co-occur with substance use disorders include:

• Schizophrenia
• Bipolar disorder
• Major depressive disorder
• Generalized anxiety disorder

Between 2017-2019, the annual average prevalence of past-year serious mental illness among adults in Arizona was 5.4% or 294,000.¹⁹ During that same period, the annual average percentage of Arizona adults seeking mental health services for any mental illness was 44.3% (460,000).^20. 

In adults who reside in Arizona, 4.9% or 262,000 had serious thoughts about suicide between 2017 and 2019.²¹ Among young adults ages 18-25, that percentage was significantly higher at 11.5%.²²

For Arizonans who suffer from both addiction and another mental health disorder, treatment that focuses on treating both conditions is crucial.

Substance Abuse Treatment in Arizona

Treatment options for drug and alcohol addiction in Arizona and nearby states are plentiful. There are at least 160 facilities within 25 miles of Phoenix, 59 near Tucson, and 154 close to Mesa.²³ There are even more located in the Southwest region of the U.S.

Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, Desert Hope Treatment Center offers several types of addiction treatment for those struggling with substance use disorder. These addiction treatment programs range from inpatient residential rehab to PHP/day treatment, standard outpatient programs, and more—and all programs incorporate co-occurring disorder treatment. The safe and welcoming facility is staffed with caring and compassionate professionals providing the highest quality of care. They are industry accredited and offer flexible treatment programs to meet the needs of each individual patient.

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