Drug & Alcohol Statistics for Austin, TX
How Has Substance Abuse Impacted Austin, TX?
It’s common to think that substance abuse only impacts the individual struggling with it. However, the repercussions reverberate throughout communities and families across the United States. The Austin, TX, community showcases the terrible effects.
It’s disconcerting that Austin is the top city in Texas for drug abuse. It’s also referred to as the drunkest city in Texas. In this article, we delve into the statistics surrounding drug and alcohol use in Austin, TX.
Drug Abuse in Austin
Beneath the surface of Austin’s bustling metropolis lies the complex issue of drug abuse. This issue continues to impact individuals and communities at a rising rate. Some of the most common drugs that Austin residents use are:
- Heroin
- Methamphetamines
- Hallucinogens
- Opioids
- Inhalants
The two drugs that pose the biggest threat to Austin are heroin and meth.
It’s been reported that the meth that’s making its way into Austin is a lot more powerful than it has been in previous years.
This extra potency is largely because it’s often smuggled into the city in liquid form. This is because it’s easier to smuggle in unnoticed.
The liquid is then turned into “ice” before selling. When people use meth in this pure “ice” form, the effects hit them much harder. It’s also known to cause much worse side effects.
Heroin is also on rise in Austin, TX. This has caused a spike in overdoses because users are snorting rather than injecting themselves.
Some young adults mistakenly believe that snorting won’t lead to addiction. Unfortunately, many eventually transition to injecting the drug sooner or later.
Increased adulteration with Fentanyl makes heroin more deadly than ever.
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Deaths Due To Overdoses in Austin & Travis County
Austin is grappling with rising drug overdoses.
Sadly, in 2021, Austin lost 247 lives from overdoses. This translates to roughly 25.6 deaths per 100,000 residents.
To put it in perspective, that’s 55% higher than the Texas state average of 14.1 deaths per 100,000. It’s almost the same as the national rate of 28.3 overdose deaths per 100,000.
The situation took an even darker turn in 2022. In the first half of the year, Travis County recorded nearly 200 opioid overdose deaths.
Shockingly, that’s more than double the number of deaths from both suicide and car accidents combined.
What’s truly troubling is that drugs like Adderall, Xanax, and Molly are getting laced with fentanyl which is a lethal opioid that’s more potent than heroin. Fentanyl played a role in 50% of these fatalities.
In the span of a few years, fentanyl-related overdoses have skyrocketed from a mere 4% to a staggering 36% of all overdoses. This shift alarms medical professionals and law enforcement alike.
Alcohol Abuse in Austin
The Daily Beast has dubbed Austin as one of the “Drunkest Cities in America.” In fact, it’s fifth on the list of drunkest cities in the entire nation. It’s the only city in The Lone Star State on the list.
According to data from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Austin and Round Rock area has the highest rate of alcohol abuse in The Lone Star State.
As many as 22.3% of drinkers in the Austin/Round Rock area can be considered binge drinkers according to the CDC’s definition of the term.
Bottom line, Austin is known for its vibrant nightlife and social scene, but it’s also grappling with some serious alcohol-related challenges.
DUI Crisis in Austin
Austin, Texas, finds itself at the center of a concerning DUI crisis that mirrors a nationwide epidemic.
In a single year, a staggering 10,000 lives were tragically lost in alcohol-impaired driving crashes across the country, and Austin is no exception to these alarming numbers.
According to a report from Cars.com, Austin, TX ranks 9th on the top 10 cities for drunk driving violations in the US.
The gravity of the situation is clear when you consider that over a five-year span, there were 30,005 DUI arrests in Austin. That’s an astonishing average of more than 16 DUI arrests every single day in the city.
Perhaps the most chilling statistic of all is that a daunting 32.1% of traffic-related deaths in Austin are attributed to alcohol.
This statistic underscores the devastating consequences of driving under the influence and the critical importance of fostering a culture of responsible drinking and vigilant road safety in the Austin community.
Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center for Austin
Renewal Lodge is an 90-day inpatient rehab facility serving Austin, TX. Our patients receive alcohol and drug addiction treatment via our facility’s unique approach to recovery:
Mindfulness in Recovery Treatment
Patients rebuild healthy neural pathways in their brain by learning mindfulness. This aids their overall recovery.
Emotional Intelligence Training
By practicing emotional intelligence, clients learn how to understand their emotions and change their lives.
The Family Program
Through this program, families learn how to heal, support each other, and love members who deal with addiction.
Aftercare
Our support doesn’t end after you leave our rehab facility. We help create a outcare treatment plan for you.
Our Dual Diagnosis rehab center in Elgin, Texas is on the outskirts of Austin.
It’s close enough for you to stay connected with your family while you’re on the path to recovery. At the same time, you’re far enough away from Austin to avoid potential triggers and distractions.
When you’re ready to start your journey to freedom, contact Renewal Lodge. We support you every step of the way.
