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Addiction Statistics, Research, and Recovery Data

By NJ Addiction Centers Editorial Team | Last reviewed: | 18 min read Clinically Reviewed

Addiction Statistics, Research, and Recovery Data

Substance use disorders affect approximately 48.7 million Americans aged 12 and older, according to SAMHSA’s 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). In New Jersey, the opioid epidemic has driven overdose death rates well above the national average for over a decade, while treatment capacity has struggled to keep pace with demand. This page compiles national and New Jersey-specific addiction data from federal agencies, state health departments, and peer-reviewed research, organized by topic and updated quarterly.

Every statistic on this page includes a source and data year. Where data is provisional or subject to revision, that is noted. Statistics pages age quickly — the “Last Reviewed” date at the top of this page reflects when these numbers were last verified against their original sources.

Key Takeaways

  • According to SAMHSA’s 2023 NSDUH, 48.7 million Americans aged 12 or older had a substance use disorder in the past year
  • The CDC reported 107,543 drug overdose deaths in the United States in the 12-month period ending January 2024, a decline from the peak of approximately 111,000 in 2023
  • New Jersey recorded 2,861 suspected drug-related deaths in 2023, according to the NJ Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner
  • Fentanyl and fentanyl analogs were involved in approximately 77% of NJ overdose deaths in 2023, per the NJ Department of Health
  • SAMHSA data show that only about 24% of individuals with a substance use disorder received any treatment in the past year nationally
  • The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) estimates relapse rates for substance use disorders at 40-60%, comparable to relapse rates for chronic conditions like hypertension and type 1 diabetes
  • New Jersey has approximately 600 licensed substance abuse treatment facilities, according to SAMHSA’s National Directory of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment Facilities
  • The economic cost of substance use disorders in the United States exceeds $600 billion annually, according to NIDA, encompassing healthcare, criminal justice, and lost productivity

Addiction by the Numbers: National and NJ Data

The most comprehensive national dataset on substance use comes from SAMHSA’s annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The 2023 NSDUH, the most recent full release, provides the following baseline figures.

National prevalence (SAMHSA 2023 NSDUH):

  • 48.7 million people aged 12 or older had a substance use disorder (SUD) in the past year
  • 29.5 million people had an alcohol use disorder
  • 27.2 million people had a drug use disorder
  • 21.5 million adults had both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder (co-occurring)
  • 13.1 million people aged 12 or older misused opioids in the past year, including 8.5 million who misused prescription pain relievers (SAMHSA 2023 NSDUH)

Treatment gap: Of the 48.7 million people with an SUD, approximately 24% received any substance use treatment in the past year. That means roughly 37 million Americans with a diagnosable SUD did not receive treatment. Barriers cited in the survey include cost (38% of those who perceived a need but did not receive treatment), stigma, not knowing where to go for treatment, and not being ready to stop using. Among individuals who perceived a need for treatment but did not receive it, approximately 22% reported that they did not know where to go for help, according to SAMHSA 2023 NSDUH data.

Demographic Breakdowns

National prevalence data vary significantly by age group, gender, and race/ethnicity:

By age (SAMHSA 2023 NSDUH):

  • Ages 12-17: Approximately 4% had a substance use disorder in the past year
  • Ages 18-25: Approximately 25% had a substance use disorder — the highest rate of any age group
  • Ages 26-49: Approximately 19% had a substance use disorder
  • Ages 50 and older: Approximately 10% had a substance use disorder

By gender (SAMHSA 2023 NSDUH):

  • Males had higher rates of SUD overall (approximately 20%) compared to females (approximately 15%)
  • The gender gap has been narrowing over the past decade, particularly for alcohol use disorder among women aged 18-25
  • Women progress from first use to dependence faster than men for several substances, a phenomenon researchers call “telescoping”

By race/ethnicity (SAMHSA 2023 NSDUH):

  • American Indian/Alaska Native populations have the highest rates of SUD among racial/ethnic groups
  • Non-Hispanic white and multiracial individuals have rates above the national average
  • Asian Americans have the lowest rates of SUD, though treatment-seeking in this population may be disproportionately low due to cultural stigma

New Jersey-specific prevalence: New Jersey’s estimated SUD prevalence mirrors or slightly exceeds national rates. According to NJ Department of Human Services data, New Jersey’s treatment system served approximately 120,000 admissions in 2022, though this includes repeat admissions and does not represent unique individuals. The state’s Substance Abuse Overview published by DMHAS provides annual admission data by substance, county, and demographic.

NJ treatment admission data from DMHAS show that heroin/opioids account for the largest share of admissions (approximately 40-45%), followed by alcohol (approximately 25%), marijuana (approximately 15%), and cocaine/crack (approximately 8-10%). These proportions have shifted over the past decade, with opioid-related admissions increasing substantially while alcohol admissions have remained relatively stable.

For detailed demographic breakdowns — including rates by age group, gender, race/ethnicity, and substance type — see our page on addiction statistics and demographics. For NJ-specific substance abuse trends and county-level data, see NJ substance abuse statistics.

New Jersey has been among the states hardest hit by the opioid epidemic, consistently ranking above the national average in per-capita overdose death rates.

NJ overdose death data (NJ Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner and NJ Department of Health):

  • 2023: 2,861 suspected drug-related deaths in New Jersey
  • 2022: 2,982 suspected drug-related deaths
  • 2021: 3,124 confirmed drug-related deaths (the state’s peak year)
  • 2020: 2,915 confirmed drug-related deaths
  • 2019: 2,879 confirmed drug-related deaths
  • 2015: Approximately 1,600 drug-related deaths (pre-fentanyl baseline)

The trajectory shows a slight decline from the 2021 peak, though numbers remain substantially elevated compared to the pre-fentanyl era. The state experienced a near-doubling of overdose mortality between 2015 and 2021 as fentanyl saturated the illicit drug supply.

Fentanyl dominance in NJ: According to the NJ Department of Health, fentanyl and fentanyl analogs were present in approximately 77% of overdose deaths in 2023. This represents a dramatic shift from 2016, when heroin without fentanyl was still the primary driver of opioid overdose deaths in the state. In 2015, fentanyl was involved in fewer than 30% of NJ overdose deaths, according to NJ SUDORS (State Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System) data. The speed of this transformation illustrates how rapidly the illicit drug supply can change.

County-Level Overdose Data

Overdose death rates vary significantly across New Jersey’s 21 counties. The NJ Department of Health publishes county-level dashboards that are updated periodically. Based on recent NJ DOH data:

Highest per-capita overdose death rates (recent years):

  • Atlantic County has consistently recorded among the highest per-capita rates in the state
  • Cape May County — despite its small population — has experienced elevated rates disproportionate to its size
  • Cumberland County in southern New Jersey has been persistently affected
  • Camden County has high absolute numbers, driven partly by population density and the proximity to Philadelphia’s drug supply

Lower per-capita rates:

  • Hunterdon, Somerset, and Morris counties in north-central New Jersey have had lower per-capita rates, though absolute numbers of deaths still occur in these communities
  • Bergen County, despite being the most populous county, has had a lower per-capita rate than the state average

Important context: Per-capita rates can be misleading for smaller counties, where a small change in absolute numbers produces a large change in the rate. The NJ Department of Health cautions against over-interpreting year-to-year fluctuations in counties with fewer than 50 annual overdose deaths.

Xylazine in NJ: An emerging complication in New Jersey’s overdose crisis is the presence of xylazine (a veterinary tranquilizer, sometimes called “tranq”) in the illicit drug supply. The DEA and CDC have reported increasing xylazine detection in overdose deaths nationally, and NJ has been among the states with the highest prevalence. Xylazine is not reversed by naloxone, complicating overdose response. Additionally, xylazine is associated with severe necrotic skin wounds at injection sites, a clinical presentation that has been increasingly reported by NJ emergency departments and harm reduction programs.

For year-by-year NJ overdose data, county-level breakdowns, and dashboard links, see our dedicated page on NJ overdose data.

Does Rehab Work? Success Rates Examined

The question of whether rehab “works” is one of the most searched topics in the addiction treatment space, but the answer depends heavily on how success is defined and measured. There is no single, universally accepted success rate for addiction treatment.

What the research shows:

  • NIDA states that treatment can reduce drug use by 40-60% during and after treatment
  • SAMHSA reports that individuals who complete treatment have significantly better outcomes than those who do not — including lower rates of drug use, criminal activity, and unemployment
  • A frequently cited figure in the research literature is that relapse rates for substance use disorders fall between 40-60%, which NIDA notes is comparable to relapse rates for other chronic medical conditions such as type 1 diabetes (30-50%), hypertension (50-70%), and asthma (50-70%)

The relapse framing matters: Relapse is often misinterpreted as treatment failure. NIDA’s clinical framework positions addiction as a chronic, relapsing brain disorder — meaning relapse is a common part of the disease course, not evidence that treatment did not work. This framing is consistent with how relapse is understood in other chronic conditions.

Treatment completion as a proxy: Treatment completion rates vary by modality. According to SAMHSA’s Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS) 2020 data, approximately 42% of individuals admitted to treatment for substance use completed their treatment episode. Completion rates tend to be higher for longer programs and for programs that include medication-assisted treatment. TEDS data also show that completion rates vary by substance: individuals in treatment for alcohol use disorder have completion rates of approximately 45%, while those in treatment for opioid use disorder have rates closer to 38%, though MAT programs show higher retention.

Duration matters: Research published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence and summarized by NIDA consistently shows that longer treatment durations correlate with better outcomes. The threshold commonly cited is 90 days — individuals who remain in treatment for at least 90 days have significantly better long-term outcomes than those who leave earlier, regardless of modality. A landmark NIDA study found that patients who stayed in treatment fewer than 90 days had outcomes no better than those who received no treatment at all.

Cost-effectiveness of treatment: NIDA reports that every dollar invested in addiction treatment yields a return of $4 to $7 in reduced drug-related crime, criminal justice costs, and theft. When healthcare savings are included, total savings can exceed costs by a ratio of 12 to 1.

For a detailed analysis of success rate methodology, completion statistics, and what outcome measures actually reveal, see our pages on rehab success rates and 30-day rehab success rates.

Recovery Rates by Substance and Treatment Type

Outcomes vary substantially depending on the substance involved and the type of treatment provided. Some substance use disorders have more established treatment protocols and higher sustained-recovery rates than others.

Opioid use disorder: MAT with buprenorphine (Suboxone) or methadone has the strongest evidence base. Research reviewed by NIDA shows that patients maintained on buprenorphine or methadone have significantly lower rates of illicit opioid use, overdose death, and criminal activity compared to those receiving behavioral treatment alone. A Cochrane review found that methadone maintenance therapy retains patients in treatment at a rate approximately 4.4 times higher than non-pharmacological approaches. Retention in MAT programs is a strong predictor of positive outcomes.

Alcohol use disorder: Medications including naltrexone (ReVia, Vivitrol), acamprosate (Campral), and disulfiram (Antabuse) are FDA-approved for alcohol use disorder, though utilization rates remain low relative to the evidence supporting them. According to NIAAA, approximately one-third of people with alcohol use disorder who receive treatment achieve sustained sobriety, while an additional one-third reduces their drinking significantly. The COMBINE study, funded by NIAAA and published in JAMA, found that naltrexone combined with medical management was effective in reducing heavy drinking days.

Stimulant use disorder: No FDA-approved medications exist for cocaine or methamphetamine addiction as of 2025. Treatment relies on behavioral approaches, with contingency management showing the strongest evidence according to NIDA. Outcomes for stimulant use disorders are generally less favorable than for opioid use disorders treated with MAT. A 2023 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that a combination of injectable naltrexone and oral bupropion reduced methamphetamine use more than placebo, representing a potential future pharmacological option.

Cannabis use disorder: Treatment is primarily behavioral. While cannabis use disorder is the most prevalent drug use disorder by volume (after alcohol), treatment demand is lower relative to prevalence. Research on outcomes is less robust than for opioid or alcohol use disorders. SAMHSA data from 2023 indicate that approximately 16 million Americans met the criteria for cannabis use disorder, reflecting the continued expansion of cannabis use nationally.

For substance-specific outcome data and long-term recovery statistics, see recovery rates and recovery rates by substance.

Overdose Statistics: National and by Geography

Beyond New Jersey, the national overdose crisis has been defined by three distinct waves, as characterized by the CDC.

Three waves of the opioid epidemic (CDC framework):

  • Wave 1 (1990s): Rise in overdose deaths involving prescription opioids, driven by increased prescribing. The CDC estimates that between 1999 and 2019, nearly 247,000 Americans died from overdoses involving prescription opioids.
  • Wave 2 (2010): Rise in overdose deaths involving heroin, as individuals who had developed dependence through prescription opioids transitioned to heroin due to reformulation of OxyContin and increased prescribing restrictions.
  • Wave 3 (2013-present): Rise in overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids, primarily illicitly manufactured fentanyl. This wave has been by far the most lethal.

National overdose data (CDC):

  • The CDC reported 107,543 drug overdose deaths nationally in the 12-month period ending January 2024
  • This represents a decline from the peak of approximately 111,000 overdose deaths reported in 2023
  • Synthetic opioids (primarily fentanyl) were involved in approximately 73% of all overdose deaths nationally in 2023 (CDC provisional data)
  • Psychostimulants (primarily methamphetamine) were involved in approximately 34% of overdose deaths, often in combination with opioids (CDC provisional data)
  • Cocaine was involved in approximately 28% of overdose deaths nationally in 2023, frequently in combination with fentanyl (CDC WONDER data)

State comparisons: West Virginia, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Kentucky have consistently had the highest per-capita overdose death rates according to CDC data. New Jersey’s rate has been above the national average, typically ranking in the top 15 states. However, New Jersey has invested significantly in naloxone distribution, harm reduction programs, and treatment expansion, which may be contributing to the slight decline in deaths since the 2021 peak.

Global context: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) 2023 World Drug Report estimated that approximately 296 million people worldwide used drugs in 2021, a 23% increase over the previous decade. The United States accounts for a disproportionate share of global opioid overdose deaths, driven primarily by the synthetic opioid crisis that has not replicated at the same scale in other countries.

For national overdose trend data, state-by-state comparisons, and geographic analysis, see our dedicated page on overdose statistics.

The Economic Cost of Addiction

The financial burden of substance use disorders extends far beyond healthcare costs. NIDA estimates that the total economic cost of substance use disorders in the United States exceeds $600 billion annually. This figure encompasses:

Healthcare costs: Emergency department visits, hospitalizations, outpatient treatment, medication, neonatal abstinence syndrome treatment, HIV and hepatitis C treatment related to injection drug use, and long-term management of chronic conditions caused or worsened by substance use. The CDC estimated that the opioid epidemic alone cost the U.S. healthcare system approximately $35 billion in 2017 (CDC 2021 analysis).

Criminal justice costs: Incarceration, court proceedings, law enforcement, probation and parole, and drug court programs. The Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that approximately 65% of the U.S. jail population has an active substance use disorder.

Lost productivity: Absenteeism, reduced workplace performance, unemployment, disability, and premature mortality. The opioid crisis alone has been estimated to cost the U.S. economy $1.5 trillion in lost economic output between 2020 and 2022, according to a study published by the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress.

In New Jersey specifically: A 2019 analysis published by the NJ Department of Health estimated that the opioid epidemic cost New Jersey approximately $4 billion annually in healthcare, criminal justice, and lost productivity combined. This figure predates the most lethal years of the fentanyl crisis and is likely an underestimate of current costs.

Cost of treatment vs. cost of no treatment: NIDA consistently emphasizes that the cost of untreated addiction far exceeds the cost of treatment. Residential treatment costs approximately $20,000 to $30,000 for a 30-day episode, while a year of methadone maintenance costs approximately $6,500 per patient, according to NIDA. By comparison, the annual cost of incarcerating one person in the United States averages approximately $35,000 to $40,000, according to the Bureau of Prisons.

Recidivism, Criminal Justice, and Treatment

The intersection of substance use disorders and the criminal justice system is substantial. Bureau of Justice Statistics data indicate that approximately 65% of the U.S. jail population has an active substance use disorder, and another 20% were under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of their offense.

Drug courts and diversion: New Jersey operates drug court programs in all 21 counties. The NJ Administrative Office of the Courts reports that drug court participants have lower recidivism rates compared to similarly situated individuals processed through the traditional criminal justice system. National Drug Court Institute data indicate that drug court graduates have recidivism rates approximately 8 to 14 percentage points lower than comparable non-drug-court populations.

NJ’s approach: New Jersey has been recognized nationally for its drug court model, which emphasizes treatment over incarceration for nonviolent drug offenses. The NJ Drug Court program requires a minimum of 36 months of supervised treatment and mandates abstinence monitoring through regular drug testing. New Jersey was among the first states to establish statewide drug court coverage, and the program has been cited as a model by the National Drug Court Institute.

Treatment in correctional settings: SAMHSA and NIDA both emphasize that treatment initiated during incarceration — particularly MAT — reduces post-release overdose deaths. The period immediately following release from incarceration is the highest-risk period for overdose death, as tolerance decreases during periods of forced abstinence. A Rhode Island study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that providing all three FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder within correctional facilities reduced post-release overdose deaths by 61%. New Jersey has been expanding MAT access within its correctional facilities, though implementation varies by facility.

For detailed data on recidivism, drug court outcomes, and the intersection of treatment and criminal justice, see recidivism rates and treatment.

Research Resources and Health Outcomes

Addiction’s impact extends beyond substance use itself. Chronic substance use disorders affect life expectancy, cardiovascular health, liver function, cognitive ability, and economic productivity.

Life expectancy impact: CDC data show that drug overdose is now the leading cause of accidental death in the United States for adults under 55. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine published a 2021 report finding that the opioid epidemic contributed measurably to declines in U.S. life expectancy between 2015 and 2017. The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics reported that U.S. life expectancy declined to 76.4 years in 2021, the lowest level in nearly two decades, with drug overdoses cited as a contributing factor alongside COVID-19.

Years of potential life lost (YPLL): Because overdose deaths disproportionately affect younger adults (ages 25-54), the YPLL attributable to drug overdose is among the highest for any single cause of death. The CDC has estimated that drug overdose accounts for more years of potential life lost than any other injury cause, surpassing motor vehicle crashes.

Where to find research:

  • SAMHSA (samhsa.gov): National surveys (NSDUH, TEDS, N-SSATS), treatment data, evidence-based practice guides, treatment locator
  • NIDA (nida.nih.gov): Research summaries, treatment principles, drug-specific information, Clinical Trials Network data
  • NIAAA (niaaa.nih.gov): Alcohol-specific research, treatment guidelines, the Alcohol Treatment Navigator
  • CDC WONDER (wonder.cdc.gov): Mortality data, overdose statistics, provisional death counts, Behavioral Risk Factor data
  • NJ Department of Health (nj.gov/health): State overdose dashboards, SUDORS data, naloxone distribution reports, county health profiles
  • PubMed (pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov): Peer-reviewed research on all aspects of addiction treatment and outcomes
  • Cochrane Library (cochranelibrary.com): Systematic reviews of treatment effectiveness, including reviews of MAT, behavioral interventions, and mutual aid groups

For guidance on navigating scholarly research and understanding research methodology in the addiction field, see research resources. For data on how substance use disorders affect life expectancy and long-term health outcomes, see the dedicated spoke page.

Topics in This Guide

For context on how these statistics relate to the underlying science of addiction, see our guide to understanding addiction. For New Jersey-specific resources, treatment directories, and state program information, see NJ resources.

Looking for treatment options in your area? We can help point you in the right direction. (800) 555-0199 — or request a callback.