Idaho has one of the smallest populations in the United States. Even so, many of the people in this state struggle with substance abuse and addiction. In particular, tens of thousands of them often have challenges with alcohol and drugs, among other substances of abuse.
Idaho is like other states in the United States in the sense that it has also been negatively impacted by the epidemic involving substances of abuse. From 2009 to 2013, for instance, about 96,000 of its residents - around 5 percent of the total population - had abused or were dependent on alcohol.
Over the same period of time, around 73,000 residents or 9 percent of the total population - reported that they had engaged in heavy or binge drinking episodes at least once within the month before the survey was conducted. In the same way, approximately 32,000 of its residents were dependent on or had abused illicit drugs. This number was around 5 percent of the state's entire population.
In 2009, a single day count found that 4246 people were currently enrolled in an addiction treatment program or center. This number shot up by 56 percent to 6619 active enrollments when another single day count was conducted in 2013.
Other figures report that the state has the following on any given hour or day:
Every year, the state makes an average of 8900 arrests for a charge related to drugs, as well as an average of 6700 arrests for a DUI or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol offense. Alcohol abuse also contributes to approximately 410 fatalities, illicit drugs to 82 deaths, and drunk driving to 80 deaths throughout any given year.
From the numbers above, the most dangerous substance of abuse as well as the biggest drug related problem in Idaho is alcohol. In fact, it has been estimated that the total number of people who are addicted to and dependent on alcohol in the state is equal to that of all the people who are dependent on or addicted to other substances of abuse combined.
However, the state has also witnessed an increase in the number of admissions into an addiction treatment center for marijuana and methamphetamine abuse and addiction. Similarly, there has been a sharp increase in the number of deaths involving opiates (particulars morphine and methadone) and benzodiazepines.
For those who have been struggling with drugs and alcohol - or any other substance of abuse - the state has a number of highly qualified recovery programs. These are offered at professionally licensed and accredited addiction treatment and rehabilitation centers in Idaho to guide clients towards a lifestyle of sobriety, abstinence, productivity, health, and wellness.