Methamphetamine Addiction Statistics in Austin, Texas
Methamphetamine, sometimes referred to as crystal meth, was a concern in Austin, TX long before fentanyl became the biggest drug abuse problem. The fact that methamphetamine overdose deaths have dramatically increased in recent years highlights that the problem is still prevalent and can't be overshadowed.
The National Institute of Drug Abuse notes that methamphetamine was first developed in 1893 as a way to treat obesity and narcolepsy. Then in the 1950s meth was prescribed as a weight loss treatment that suppressed appetite. We now know that the benefits of methamphetamine are far outweighed by the health risks and high potential for addiction.
There are many negative effects related to the use of methamphetamine, a highly addictive and dangerous synthetic stimulant. While the short term effects of methamphetamine include a sense of euphoria and increase in energy, it can also cause psychotic symptoms like paranoia and anxiety. These reactions can manifest into other issues like violent behavior, delusions, mood swings and confusion. The physical effects can include rapid heart beat and increased blood pressure that puts people at a higher risk for heart attacks. Kidney disease and damage are also possible even with short term use.
The long term effects of methamphetamine use on the brain and body are even worse. Use can lead to memory loss, disrupted sleep patterns, psychosis and damage to many vital organs. Tooth decay known as meth mouth is another long term impact of repeated use.
Because of how methamphetamine affects a person, repeated use occurs often. Methamphetamine can be injected, smoked, snorted or ingested orally. It produces a strong high very quickly that wears off soon after, leading some people to repeatedly take methamphetamine in higher doses to maintain the high. This is one of the factors that make methamphetamine so addictive.
Today methamphetamine can still be prescribed for one-time use, but it’s mostly produced in illegal meth labs within and outside of the state. The cheap production of meth is a contributing factor for the increase in methamphetamine addiction across Texas, including Austin.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Around 200,000 people in Texas used methamphetamine in 2022.
- Methamphetamine related deaths in Austin have risen since 2020, from 95 in 2020 to 206 in 2022.
- Texas ranks 2nd in the country for methamphetamine use in terms of total users.
- Less than 1% of high school students have used methamphetamine.
- Texans with a meth use disorder are more likely to seek treatment compared to cocaine addicts.
Statistics on Methamphetamine Addiction in Austin and the State of Texas
Although methamphetamine is the least used illicit drug in Texas, the addiction and overdose rates are much more grim. The latest Survey of Drug Use and Health in Texas from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) found that approximately 200,000 Texans used meth in 2022. While that’s much lower than marijuana, cocaine, opioid and prescription pain reliever misuse, the potential for addiction and death is much higher compared to other drugs.
Unfortunately, breaking the meth addiction cycle could prove to be difficult in Austin due to the higher rate of mental illness and lack of adequate resources for treatment. Some of the most recent data suggests that nearly a third of Austinites struggle with poor mental health.
When we look at the nation as a whole it’s clear that methamphetamine is a serious issue in Texas. Review of nationwide data shows that Texas has the second highest number of methamphetamine users. Only California outranks Texas in meth use.
Methamphetamine Overdose Statistics
Up until last year, Austin had seen a dramatic increase in overdoses and overdose deaths, largely due to fentanyl. However, local health care providers reported a large number of cases involving methamphetamine.
The most troubling statistic comes from the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office. They found in 2020 there were 95 overdose deaths attributed to methamphetamine use, and that number increased to 206 deaths in 2022, which works out to be 49% of all overdose deaths in the county. The 117% increase in just two years is alarming. Only fentanyl caused more overdoses in 2022 with a total of 245 related deaths. This is right in line with national data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that found fentanyl and methamphetamine were the top causes of overdose death.
It’s a trend that isn’t isolated in Austin. Across Texas unintentional deaths due to psychostimulants like methamphetamine has also increased. In 2011 there were a total of 156 methamphetamine-related deaths. By 2023 that number had risen to 2,228.
Part of the reason for the dramatic uptick in overdose deaths is the presence of other substances like fentanyl that’s sometimes laced into methamphetamine. In April 2024 when there was a string of 75 overdoses in Austin that resulted in nine deaths, every one of the deceased had fentanyl in their system and three also had methamphetamine. This shows the overlap between the two drugs that have accounted for the vast majority of all overdose deaths.
Methamphetamine Use Disorder Among Teens in Austin, TX
There is encouraging data for methamphetamine uses among teens in Austin and the rest of Texas. Both the Texas School Survey of Drugs & Alcohol Use and Texas College Survey of Substance Use found that few teens and young adults have ever used stimulants like methamphetamine.
The most recent data among high schoolers shows that just 1% of students in 10-12th grade have used methamphetamine at some point, and no students in 7-9th grade reported use.
The rate is slightly higher among college students in Texas, many of which attend the University of Texas in Austin. In 2022, 96.8% of college students that were surveyed stated they had never used stimulants. That is a notable decline from 2015 when 93.4% reported the same.
The results of these surveys echo findings from SAMHSA in 2021 and 2022. During that time period 0.12% of Texans between the ages of 12-17 reported methamphetamine use while 0.29% of people who were 18-25 years old noted the using meth.
Getting Support for Treating Methamphetamine Addiction
The city of Austin is putting a lot of effort into combating the drug epidemic on all fronts. While the main focus has been curbing the effects of fentanyl, methamphetamine use is also getting a lot of attention. Awareness, education and access to treatment are all improving.
There are treatment programs available through the city, but a shortage of mental health professionals and resources means that the supply can’t meet the demand. Treatment providers like Any Length Retreat have stepped in to fill the gap with a variety of programs that are aimed at various types of substance abuse disorders.
At Any Length Retreat we specialize in long term recovery for men in the Austin area. We take a unique approach to addiction treatment that emphasizes all around care. Our team addresses past experiences and trauma that lead to drug or alcohol abuse, the current dependence and building a foundation for the future so that recovery is sustainable.
Contact our team to find out more about how our programs help men overcome methamphetamine addiction.
*Any Length Retreat is a supportive, educational recovery system and community. It is not a substitute for psychotherapy, clinical, or medical treatment for substance use disorders or mental health disorders.
