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Updated March 2, 2023
Which states struggle the most with which drugs? Drug addiction is an ever-growing problem in our country and abroad – and several studies have suggested that certain drugs pose a more significant threat to some states rather than others. Learning particular risks for certain states can help health professionals, law enforcement officers, and public policy makers tackle the most popular drugs by area.
Of course, some states currently battle several popular drugs of abuse, and alcohol remains the third leading preventable cause of death in the U.S. The following table shows you which drug is the most abused substance in each state.
The 50 States and Their Drug of Choice
Alabama
Marijuana is the main drug associated with drug treatment admissions in the state. Cocaine and opiates (such as prescription drug painkillers) follow next in line. While many states have legalized marijuana, Alabama, currently, has not. An increase in overdose deaths in the state most notably involved the opioids fentanyl and heroin, according to the Alabama Department of Mental Health.
Alaska
Marijuana is the most popular drug in the state. Today, however, the recreational use of marijuana is legal in Alaska. Aside from marijuana use, the most widely abused drugs in Alaska include methamphetamine, heroin, and prescription opioids.
Arizona
Sadly, in Arizona, the rate of drug-induced deaths is higher than the national average. Between the years of 2007 and 2008, Arizona made the list of the top 10 states in terms of rate of drug use, besides marijuana, among adults of ages 18 to 25. Currently, recreational marijuana is legal. Arizona struggles with a high incidence of opioids, heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine.
Arkansas
Marijuana, followed closely by methamphetamine, is also the most common drug of abuse. Recreational marijuana is not legal in Arkansas. Drug trafficking via the state’s main highways and waterways like the Mississippi River facilitates the illicit drug trade.
California
In this west coast locale, 36 percent of voluntary admissions to drug treatment facilities were for stimulants (like methamphetamines) and 25 percent were for marijuana. Today, of course, marijuana is legal in California. Opioids, meth, and stimulants are the most widely abused drugs in the state. While opioid overdose deaths overall decreased between 2015 – 2019, overdose deaths involving fentanyl increased “tenfold” in the state.
Colorado
Marijuana is the number one drug involved in drug treatment admissions in the state. However, the most widely abused illicit drug in the state is methamphetamine, followed by heroin.
Connecticut
Connecticut finds itself on the list of top 10 states for dependence on illicit drugs among young adults between the ages of 18 and 25. Heroin tops the list for the most common drug leading to drug treatment admissions.
Delaware
“Other opiates,” usually in the form of prescription drugs, are the reason most people go to treatment centers here. Marijuana and heroin follow closely behind.
Florida
Marijuana is the most common drug here, with opiates next in line.
Georgia
Marijuana tops the list in this state. It’s followed by methamphetamine.
Hawaii
Marijuana, then stimulants, are the most commonly used drugs and the drugs most involved in treatment programs in Hawaii.
Idaho
Almost 50 percent of drug treatment admissions in Idaho were due to marijuana usage.
Illinois
In this Midwest state, heroin sadly tops the list in terms of the most common drug associated with rehab and treatment centers. Prescription opioids are also a problem.
Indiana
People in Indiana use marijuana the most. However, heroin use is increasing in the state’s urban areas.
Iowa
Marijuana, followed close behind by stimulants like methamphetamines, is the most commonly noted drug in Iowa.
Kansas
Kansas is home to heavy marijuana usage, more so than other drugs in this state.
Kentucky
Opiates, like prescription drugs, plague Kentucky with the most cited drug treatment admissions in the state. Kentucky has one of the highest overdose rates in the country per capita.
Louisiana
Marijuana and cocaine are the main sources of substance abuse rehabilitation in Louisiana. Louisiana has some of the most drug arrests in the country per capita.
Maine
Opiates—mostly prescription painkillers—top the list in Maine.
Maryland
In Maryland, most people end up in drug treatment centers due to use, abuse, and addiction to heroin.
Massachusetts
This New England state struggles with heroin more than any other drug. Marijuana is only the fourth most abused drug, after heroin, opiates, and cocaine.
Michigan
Most people seeking treatment for drug addiction in Michigan do so for marijuana and heroin.
Minnesota
Marijuana is the most used and abused drug here, with other drugs far behind.
Mississippi
Marijuana tops the list for drug addiction in Mississippi, but there are reports of there being issues with the accurate reporting of statistics for drug use/treatment center enrollment in this state.
Missouri
Marijuana and stimulants run rampant in this southern state. Marijuana is now legal in Missouri. Cocaine use in the state has reportedly increased.
Montana
In Montana, people use marijuana and opiates the most when compared to all other drugs. Montana is also one of the states with the highest percentage of teenage drug users.
Nebraska
Stimulants, mostly methamphetamine, are the reason most people seek drug treatment here.
Nevada
Methamphetamine is the most popular drug of choice in Nevada. It should also be noted that Nevada has the second highest percentage of teenagers (after California) who were offered or sold illegal drugs on school property.
New Hampshire
Opioid painkillers and heroin are most likely to plague individuals in New Hampshire, followed by marijuana.
New Jersey
Heroin is easily the most abused drug in New Jersey and is followed by cocaine, the second-most abused drug in the state.
New Mexico
Back in 2007-2008, New Mexico ranked first out of all states for illicit drug dependence for people ages 12 and older. The drug-induced death rate in this state is markedly higher than the national average.
New York
Heroin, then marijuana, and then cocaine, top the list here. Marijuana, however, is now legal in the state of New York. While heroin tops the list, it might be interesting to note that this state has one of the lowest opioid prescription rates per capita.
North Carolina
Marijuana is the most popular drug in this Carolina state.
North Dakota
Marijuana, opiates, and stimulants are the top most used drugs here—all other drug use is virtually negligent in comparison.
Ohio
Most people use marijuana here, followed by cocaine and crack cocaine.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma residents report that marijuana is their number one abused drug. Marijuana is not legal in Oklahoma. The runner-up for most abused drug in the state is methamphetamine.
Oregon
Marijuana also tops the list in Oregon but is legal here. It should be noted that meth abuse and prescription opioid abuse are higher in Oregon than in any other state.
Pennsylvania
The most commonly abused drug in Pennsylvania (after alcohol) is cocaine/crack cocaine followed by heroin.
Rhode Island
Heroin and cocaine are among the most commonly abused drugs in this coastal New England state.
South Carolina
Marijuana leads the pack in terms of drug treatment admissions.
South Dakota
Marijuana is also the main issue in South Dakota. Per capita, South Dakota has one of the highest percentages of drug arrests per capita in the country.
Tennessee
Opioids, mostly prescription drugs, are the issue here.
Texas
Marijuana is the most cited drug of use and abuse, but other top abused drugs include methamphetamine, cocaine, and opioids, including heroin.
Utah
Although marijuana remains the most commonly abused drug in Utah, methamphetamine leads to the most treatment enrollments here.
Vermont
Opioids such as heroin and prescription narcotics followed by marijuana are the most commonly abused drugs in Vermont. The primary threat to the state is heroin, most of which has been traced back to South America. The trafficking of drugs from South America to northern states like Vermont relies on multiple routes involving land and sea.
Virginia
Marijuana usage runs rampant here. After marijuana, prescription painkillers top the list of most abused drugs in the state.
Washington
Marijuana and stimulants are widely abused in Washington. The state also has one of the lowest percentage of people with drug addictions who are receiving treatment.
Washington, D.C.
Heroin and cocaine/crack top the list of most commonly abused drugs in the nation’s capital.
West Virginia
Opioids drive the majority of enrollments in addiction treatment in the state. West Virginia also suffers from more overdose deaths per capita than any other state. Although the state’s opioid problem takes center stage, it also has a crack cocaine problem.
Wisconsin
Marijuana remains the most abused drug in Wisconsin. Cocaine also tops the list for treatment center enrollments in the state, followed by amphetamines and prescription drugs such as opioids.
Wyoming
Marijuana is the leading drug of abuse in the state, and it’s not legal here. Although Wyoming is the least populous state in the country, it has the highest percentage of drug-related arrests per capita.
Although these statistics highlight the most commonly abused drugs in each state, it is important to bear in mind that most states struggle with multiple drugs. In fact, many states have a serious addiction problem with both illicit and prescription drugs. If these stats illustrate anything, it is that where someone lives can significantly impact their risks of addiction, the nature of their substance abuse, and their access to treatment and a chance at recovery. Sometimes, too, these factors may warrant seeking help from an out-of-state provider.
