Do You Know the Prevalence of Drug Use in Your State?
As a small business owner, you’re constantly focused on managing operations, retaining quality employees, and delivering value to your customers. But, as you know, drug and alcohol use can greatly impact the efficacy of your workplace and the well-being of your employees. Have you taken a close look at how prevalent drug use is in your state—and what that might mean for your workplace?
According to an annual comprehensive analysis from WalletHub, the prevalence of drug use and its related consequences—such as overdose deaths, unmet treatment needs, and drug arrests—varies drastically across the U.S. But no state is untouched.
Where Does Your State Stand? Check out the interactive diagram here.
A Few Data Points of Interest:
% of Adult Drug Users
- Highest Rates: Vermont, Oregon, New Mexico, Alaska, Washington
- Lowest Rates: South Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, Alabama, Texas
Overdose Deaths per Capita
- Highest: West Virginia (tied with D.C.), Delaware, Tennessee, Louisiana
- Lowest: Montana, North Dakota, Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska
% of Adults with Unmet Drug-Treatment Needs
- Highest Need: Nevada, New Mexico, Alaska, D.C., Oklahoma
- Lowest Need: Hawaii, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Texas, Florida
This last category is particularly important. If you're a business owner in a state like Florida or Texas, you may assume things are under control because treatment needs appear lower. But this doesn’t mean drug use isn't happening; it could just mean more people are getting help or fewer are being counted for a variety of reasons.
Why Should This Matter to You?
If your workforce includes individuals struggling with substance use, the consequences can ripple throughout your business operations. According to data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), substance use disorders (SUDs) are linked to a range of negative workplace outcomes. These include decreased productivity, increased absenteeism and turnover, more frequent workplace accidents, elevated health insurance claims, and heightened legal and compliance risks. Employees with SUDs are significantly more likely to miss work—opioid use disorder alone is associated with 15 extra missed days per year—resulting in substantial productivity losses and increased costs for employers. 1,2 Additionally, businesses may face legal liabilities if safety incidents arise due to impairment on the job, and insurance expenses often rise when untreated substance use leads to more claims and chronic health conditions (American Addiction Centers, 2023).
How to Respond Proactively
- Know Your State’s Stats: Bookmark this interactive WalletHub report and revisit it regularly.
- Implement a Drug-Free Workplace Policy: Clear guidelines help set expectations and protect your business. We here at NDWA can help you do this!
- Offer Support and Consider Becoming a Recovery-Friendly Workplace: Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and access to treatment can turn lives (and performance) around. Find out more about becoming a recovery-friendly workplace here.
- Stay Educated: Train managers to spot the signs of substance use and respond appropriately. NDWA has reasonable suspicion trainings ready to go!
The question isn't if substance use affects your workplace—it’s how much. Armed with the right data and a proactive approach, you can help protect your employees, your reputation, and your bottom line.
Citations:
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- Bush, D. & Lipari, R. (2015) Substance use and substance use disorder by industry. (n.d.). https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/report_1959/ShortReport-1959.html
- Morgan, J. R., Murphy, S. M., Assoumou, S. A., & Linas, B. P. (2022). Estimating absenteeism related to nonalcohol substance use in a US national cohort of Full-Time employees. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 64(11), 899–904. https://doi.org/10.1097/jom.0000000000002612
- The effects of substance abuse in the workplace. (2025, March 28). American Addiction Centers. https://americanaddictioncenters.org/workforce-addiction?
Sources:
Bush, D. & Lipari, R. (2015) Substance use and substance use disorder by industry. (n.d.). https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/report_1959/ShortReport-1959.html
Kiernan, J. S. (2025). Drug use by state in 2025. WalletHub. https://wallethub.com/edu/drug-use-by-state/35150
Morgan, J. R., Murphy, S. M., Assoumou, S. A., & Linas, B. P. (2022). Estimating absenteeism related to nonalcohol substance use in a US national cohort of Full-Time employees. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 64(11), 899–904. https://doi.org/10.1097/jom.0000000000002612
The effects of substance abuse in the workplace. (2025, March 28). American Addiction Centers. https://americanaddictioncenters.org/workforce-addiction?