Four in 5 (81.2%) U.S. adults 18 and older who needed substance use disorder treatment in 2023-2024 did not receive it, according to KFF data derived from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Participants were classified as needing treatment if they met criteria for a drug or alcohol use disorder outlined in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or had received treatment through inpatient or outpatient counseling, medication-assisted treatment, telehealth services or care provided in a prison, jail or juvenile detention center.
Estimated numbers were rounded to the nearest 1,000, and the survey noted the findings carry additional uncertainty because of a high proportion of respondents categorized under “substance unspecified” treatment.
Here are the 50 states and the District of Columbia ranked by share of resident adults who did not receive needed treatment:
1. Connecticut — 85.8%
2. District of Columbia — 85.2%
3. New Jersey — 84.4%
4. Delaware — 84.2%
4. Massachusetts — 84.2%
6. Michigan — 84%
7. Arizona — 83.8%
7. Nevada — 83.8%
7. Virginia — 83.8%
10. Minnesota — 83.5%
11. Montana — 83.4%
11. Wisconsin — 83.4%
13. Oklahoma — 83.2%
14. Colorado — 83.1%
14. Kansas — 83.1%
16. Florida — 83%
17. Illinois — 82.8%
17. New Hampshire — 82.8%
19. Maine — 82.5%
20. California — 82.2%
21. Idaho — 82%
22. Arkansas — 81.9%
23. Georgia — 81.8%
23. Wyoming — 81.8%
25. Iowa — 81.7%
25. New York — 81.7%
25. South Carolina — 81.7%
28. Nebraska — 81.5%
29. North Dakota — 81.4%
30. Oregon — 81.2%
30. South Dakota — 81.2%
32. Washington — 81.1%
33. Maryland — 81%
33. Rhode Island — 81%
35. Hawaii — 80.5%
35. Indiana — 80.5%
37. Missouri — 80.3%
38. Texas — 80.2%
39. Vermont — 79.7%
40. Pennsylvania — 79.4%
41. Utah — 79.1%
42. New Mexico — 78.8%
43. Mississippi — 77.2%
44. North Carolina — 77%
45. Ohio — 76.2%
46. West Virginia — 76%
47. Louisiana — 75.9%
48. Alabama — 75.7%
49. Kentucky — 75.1%
50. Tennessee — 74.4%
51. Alaska — 73.5%
At the Becker's Fall Behavioral Health Summit, taking place November 4–5 in Chicago, behavioral health leaders and executives will explore strategies for expanding access to care, integrating services, addressing workforce challenges and leveraging innovation to improve outcomes across the behavioral health continuum. Apply for complimentary registration now.
