Substance Addiction In Pennsylvania

The past decade has experienced an increase in deaths related to drug overdoses in Pennsylvania. Opioids are the leading drugs when it comes to deaths. In 2022, Pennsylvania reported more than 5,000 overdose deaths1. Here are the statistics of drug abuse in the state:

Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction in Pennsylvania is a serious issue, and it is one of the highest-ranking states in the U.S. in terms of substance abuse1. Here are some statistics on the number of alcohol consumers in the state:

  • 60% of the adult population consumes alcohol
  • 18.4% of the adults are involved in binge drinking
  • 9.5% youth are binge drinkers2
  • 4% of the adults have alcohol use disorder (AUD)

 

 

Opioid Addiction

Apart from alcohol addiction, opioid addiction is another problem for people in Pennsylvania. This state has been ranked as the third-highest state in the U.S  in terms of opioid overdose. 

  • A total of 293,000 individuals have been reported to have active substance use disorder. 
  • 65% of the total overdose deaths have been attributed to opioids. 
  • Five times more deaths are caused by opioid abuse than by alcohol use. 
  • In 2022, more than 5000 deaths have been reported because of opioid overdose3. 

Prescription Medication

Among various opioids, prescription painkillers are the most commonly used ones. The same is the situation in Pennsylvania. 

  • In 2018, 50 opioid prescriptions per 100 individuals were provided. 
  • More than 404,000 individuals, 12 years and older, were identified for misusing prescription painkillers.
  • 3% of the adolescents have used painkillers.3

Heroin 

Heroin consumption is not very common in Pennsylvania as compared to prescription painkillers, but it has more serious health consequences. The following are the trends of heroin use in Pennsylvania:

  • 64,000 individuals used heroin once in 2018. 
  • It is also responsible for thousands of overdose cases every year.4 

Fentanyl

Fentanyl, being called a “silent drug,” is a cause of overdose deaths in Pennsylvania. It is very potent and often mixed with other drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine.  From 2017 to 2023, an apparent increase in the death rate related to fentanyl was observed.4

Cocaine

It is one of the most consumed drugs in Pennsylvania, along with marijuana. It is not associated with many deaths but can still cause serious issues. According to a report:

  • More than 231,000 individuals, 12 years and older, have consumed cocaine in 2018. 
  • 3% of the adolescents have used cocaine3. 

Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine is not a very common drug like opioids, marijuana, or cocaine. Fewer people consume this drug, which is why it doesn’t have serious impacts on the community. Around 60.000 individuals in Pennsylvania used methamphetamine in 20184. 

Cannabis Abuse

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH):

  • 4.4 million individuals in New York are involved in marijuana misuse. 

This is 1.6% of the total population.5

Substance Use In New York

In New York, there were a total of 616 deaths reported due to drug overdoses in the first quarter of 2024. The 2023 Addiction Data Bulletin by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) reported that approximately 2.8 million individuals more than 12 years of age are suffering from substance use disorders (SUDs) in New York.6 Stats for substance abuse in New York are as follows:

Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction is very prevalent in New York. People from all age groups are involved in drinking. Here are the statistics of alcohol addiction in New York:

  • In 2022, 18.4% of adults were involved in binge and heavy drinking. 
  • 16.6% were engaged in binge drinking.
  • Almost 6.1% were involved in heavy drinking.
  • 2003 deaths in 2023 have been reported to have been caused by alcohol addiction.6

Opioids Addiction

  • 6,348 deaths related to opioid overdoses were reported in 2023. 
  • 40.7% of individuals received treatment for opioid addiction.

72% of these were male.6

Fentanyl Addiction

Fentanyl is a very potent opioid that is a highly consumed substance responsible for overdose deaths in New York. 

  • Out of 6,358 deaths of opioid overdose reported in New York, 84.3% were identified as caused by fentanyl.7 

Heroin Addiction

According to a report of 22, New York is titled as the largest heroin market in the U.S, where heroin is sold at wholesale rates.7

Cocaine Addiction

According to the report of 2024:

  • 2.5% of adults reported cocaine use in the past year in New York.
  • 3.6% of youth aged 15 to 18 years reported cocaine use.7

Methamphetamine Addiction

  • In 2022, methamphetamine use in New York was lower compared to the national average (0.6% compared to 1.0%). 
  • Lifetime methamphetamine use among youth individuals was 3.5% compared to the national statistics of 1.8%.7

Cannabis Use And Abuse

  • Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit substance in New York. It was consumed by 48.2 million people between 2018 and 2021.
  • Adults consume more as compared to adolescents.8

Substance Use In New Jersey

New Jersey is the ninth most populous state in the US, recognized as a drug transshipment point and distribution center. Drug abuse is a significant threat to public health.9 Here is the list of the most abused substances in New Jersey in recent years:

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  • According to the NJ Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner (OCSME), more than 300 casualties as a result of drug overdose were reported in New Jersey between January and April 2025.
  • In the first few months of 2025, weekly deaths have been reported due to drug overdose. Among these, 61% were male.
  • From April 2024 to April 2025, 297 substance abuse-related deaths have been reported. Among these, 74 deaths were reported from the age group 35-44 years, 77 from 55-64 years, 61 from 45-54 years, 37 from 25-43 years, and 27 from 65-74 years.
  • There were 306 substance use deaths reported from January 2025 to April 2025 (OCSME). Out of these deaths, 65% were male and 34% were female.9

Alcohol addiction

Alcohol addiction is a serious issue for people living in New Jersey. It not only causes health consequences, financial issues, and social isolation, but also has long-lasting impacts on the people related to them, their families, and the communities in which they live. 

  • In 2019, 3,008 deaths were reported as a result of alcohol consumption in New Jersey. Among these, 54.8% of deaths were due to chronic alcohol use. 
  • In 2022, more than 31,000 patients were admitted for alcohol addiction treatment. These are only 37% of the substance use patients admitted for treatment. Among these, 69.4% were male and 30.6 % were female. 
  • According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 15.8% of individuals were involved in binge drinking in 2022.10 

Opioid Addiction

This use of prescription opioids is quite common in NJ. This has paved the way for people to consume synthetic opioids (fentanyl). 

  • According to the Substance Use Statewise Overview, there were a total of 18,137 substance use cases in New Jersey. Out of these, 44% were opioid users. 
  • 90% of the drug use cases involved opioid consumption in 2018. These resulted in 2.583 deaths. 
  • In 2022, 2.900 opioid use deaths were reported by the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.11

Methamphetamine Addiction

Methamphetamine is a powerful stimulant that affects both physical and emotional well-being. In New Jersey, meth addiction is a concerning health issue, but less prevalent than other substances. 

As per Substance Abuse Treatment Admissions in New Jersey, 1,244 methamphetamine admissions were reported, which is 1% of the total substance abuse cases.12

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Fentanyl Abuse

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is often combined with other drugs to increase its potency. It is considered a silent threat in NJ and has been associated with overdose deaths. Along with heroin, fentanyl is the most prevalent substance in all counties in New Jersey. 

  • More male cases (72%) of addiction were reported as compared to the female (28%) population in 2022.13 

Heroin Addiction

Heroin addiction cases have become a public health emergency in the state. Recently, thousands of treatment admissions have been reported. 

  • In 2022, 30,933 individuals used heroin. This is 36% of the total substance abuse cases. 
  • Out of these, 2,914 were overdose cases.9

Cocaine Addiction and Abuse

In NJ, cocaine is frequently distributed by street gangs. It is available in the form of powder. It is a highly addictive drug that poses serious health issues. 

  • In 2022, 5,005 hospital admissions were related to cocaine abuse. This accounts for 6% of the total admissions.

Cannabis Use and Abuse

  • Cannabis abuse contributed to 5,610 hospital admissions in 2022.
  • In 2022, about 20.3% of adults in New Jersey reported using cannabis in the past year.

FAQs: Drug overdose in New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey

Which drug has the most overdose cases reported in NJ?

According to the report of the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, alcohol and heroin were the most used drugs in 2022, followed by opiates and cocaine. 

What is the overdose rate in NJ?

New Jersey has been famous for substance use and overdose for many years. According to the New Jersey Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner, a total of 1,080 overdose deaths have been reported in the first half of 2024. 

How many overdose deaths were reported in 2025 in NJ?

There were 306 overdose deaths reported from January 2025 to April 2025. Out of these deaths, 65% were male and 34% were female. 

Why are drug addiction cases prevalent in NJ?

High addiction rates are attributed to its location and transportation system, which facilitates the distribution of drugs. Located between New York and Philadelphia, having many seaports and airports, it makes the easy entry of illicit drugs. 

What is the fastest-growing drug-related issue in the U.S?

The fastest-growing drug-related issue in the U.S is prescription drug abuse. The misuse of these drugs (opioids, benzodiazepines, and stimulants) is becoming a serious addiction, with an increase in overdose cases. 

Which drug causes the most deaths in Pennsylvania?

Opioid overdoses are related to the most deaths in Pennsylvania. 

Which substance is responsible for most deaths in New York?

Fentanyl is responsible for causing most overdose deaths in New York City. 

Sources:

Medical Disclaimer:

ChoicePoint aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use disorder and mental health issues. Our team of licensed medical professionals research, edit and review the content before publishing. However, this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For medical advice please consult your physicians or ChoicePoint's qualified staff.

Medical Disclaimer:

ChoicePoint aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use disorder and mental health issues. Our team of licensed medical professionals research, edit and review the content before publishing. However, this information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For medical advice please consult your physicians or ChoicePoint's qualified staff.