Statistics on Prescription Addiction and Abuse in Austin, Texas
Prescription drugs are made for many reasons, but the intention isn't ever to create a drug dependence. Even so, if you look at any prescription drugs research report published in recent years you'll find that misuse of medications is a persistent problem across the nation.
It can be called prescription drug misuse, a prescription addiction, prescription substance abuse – no matter the name, it’s a serious health issue in Austin, TX right now. The latest statistics give our recovery center and other healthcare providers insight into the scope of the problem so that we can better help those who need support.
We’ve analyzed the data and below is an overview of what the statistics tell us about prescription drug abuse in Austin and other parts of Texas.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- 771,000 people in Texas misused prescription pain relievers in 2022.
- 451,000 Texans have a prescription drug abuse disorder.
- 8.7% of kids in Texas between the ages of 12-17 have misused prescription drugs.
- 22% of college students in Texas have reported misusing prescription medications.
- 70% of people access prescription drugs a doctor prescribed to a friend or family member.
- Less than 25% of Texans that have a substance abuse disorder receive treatment.
Statistics on Prescription Drug Abuse in Austin and Texas
Let’s first look at some basic statistics on prescription medication use in Austin and the state of Texas as a whole.
The misuse of prescription drugs can happen in many ways, some of which are completely unintentional. It’s not always a case of a person using someone else’s prescription. Someone who has a legitimate prescription could take higher doses than they should or might not reduce use as soon as they should and they begin to slip into use that has negative consequences on the central nervous system.
It’s a common story among the 451,000 people in Texas who have a prescription drug abuse disorder. More troubling is that 771,000 Texans over the age of 12 have misused prescription pain relievers in the last year.
The vast majority of these people (70%) gained access to the prescription drugs through a friend or relative.
If we drill down further into the different regions of Texas it begins to become clear that Austin is an area where prescription drug abuse is on the rise. By all measures, Austin is one of the poorest performing regions of Texas in terms of opioid abuse and addiction.
- Travis County has the fourth highest rate of opioid-related ER visits with 530 total visits in 2021.
- Travis County has the second highest rate of opioid-related incidences per 100,000 ER visits.
- Austin has one of the highest rates of opioid-related overdose deaths. In 2022 there were 361 opioid-related deaths, which is a rate of 10 per 100,000 people. Only Houston has a higher rate of 11.1.
Virtually all of these people with a substance use disorder will experience withdrawal symptoms if they attempt to stop using prescription drugs and other opioids. It’s part of the vicious cycle that keeps someone physically dependent and addicted.
Less than a quarter of people in Texas needing substance abuse treatment receive care. Health officials are focusing on ways to increase this number so that fewer people move from an addiction to prescription painkillers to an even more dangerous opioid addiction.
Prescription Drug Users Who Use Other Opioids
One of the biggest consequences of misusing prescription medicine is developing an addiction that leads to using more potent drugs. These are often illicit drugs that come from sources with no oversight or regulations for safety.
People who become addicted to prescription painkillers often begin using other opioids like heroin and fentanyl. An opioid addiction can quickly form and progress rapidly. Right now, Austin is fighting a fentanyl epidemic that is taking more lives even with a wide distribution of Narcan to counteract overdoses.
How Prescription Drug Misuse in Austin Compares to Rest of the U.S.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) are among the organizations that collect data for the entire U.S. The annual survey from SAMHSA differentiates between three types of prescription drugs. In 2023, the research found 14.4 million Americans 12 and older had misused some sort of prescription medicine.
The most commonly abused type of prescription medication is prescription pain relievers. Across the nation 8.6 million people misused prescription pain medicine.
If 771,000 Texans are in the group that has misused prescription drugs, it means the state has a high incidence rate compared to other states. To be fair, Texas does have one of the largest state populations in the country. The rate of misuse and opioid-related overdoses in Texas is actually significantly lower than California and Florida.
Prescription Substance Abuse Among Different Age Groups in Austin, TX
A lot of the data on prescription drug misuse is broken down by age group starting with minors between the ages of 12 and 17 years old. Because prescription drugs are a common gateway to a more serious addiction, it’s important to understand the prevalence of prescription drug abuse at younger ages and how it can be prevented.
Teens
The Texas School Survey (TSS) of Drugs & Alcohol Use gathers data on the use of a variety of substances among teens in secondary schools. One of the things they analyze is the use of prescription drugs. The latest TSS Drugs & Alcohol Use Survey found in 2022, 8.7% of teens in Texas schools had misused prescription drugs, in particular prescription painkillers.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration estimates that 51,000 kids in Texas between the ages of 12 and 17 years old abused prescription pain relievers in 2022.
Young Adults
The number of minors abusing prescription drugs is startling, but they aren’t the age group that’s most likely to abuse prescription drugs. According to the SAMHSA, Texans between the ages of 18 and 25 are twice as likely to abuse prescription drugs. However, the vast majority of people who admitted prescription drug misuse are 26 or older.
Next Steps to Reduce Prescription Drug Use That Leads to Abuse
Because of the risk factors involved for prescription drug abuse to escalate to an opioid use disorder or fentanyl addiction, Texas health officials and legislators are taking the issue seriously and taking steps to curb the problem.
In an effort to reduce the instances of prescription drug abuse the Texas Prescription Monitoring Program was initiated. This was a major step forward is creating oversight, checks and balances for prescribing medications and tracking patient prescriptions. Allowing physicians to know what a patient has been prescribed, by whom and why allows them to provide better care that’s safer all around.
It also dramatically reduces the likelihood of patients receiving multiple prescriptions for medications that are being abused.
Do you need help overcoming prescription drug abuse?
Any Length Retreat is a specialize recovery center that assists men of all ages that are taking control of their substance abuse disorder and leading a fulfilling life once more. Contact us to learn about our unique approach to reaching recovery and lifelong sobriety.
You can overcome alcohol addiction and recover your life, and Any Length Retreat’s men’s alcohol rehab program can help. Call or text (512) 960-1440 to begin your journey today. We’re standing by 24/7 to help you get started.
*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.
