Drug Use
What Are the Most Common Addictions in Texas?
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Published August 6, 2018
Updated September 29, 2025
While drug problems plague every region of this country, the specific substances of abuse differ from state to state. In this post, we’ll look at some of the most common addictions in Texas. Drug addiction is a public health crisis that has reached epidemic proportions across the United States and the soaring rates of heroin abuse have garnered national attention, but the nation’s drug problem isn’t confined to any one particular area. It seems that no state has managed to escape this scourge, and Texas is no exception.
Texas Substance Abuse Statistics
To get a better look at the overall drug abuse in Texas, here are some of the most recent Texas drug use statistics.
What are the Drug overdose deaths 2014-2016 data (per 100,000 population)
- Harris County – 1,384
- Denton – 178
- Collin – 227
- El Paso – 220
- Tarrant – 592
- Bexar – 614
- Travis – 415
- Dallas – 949
- Galveston – 151
- Nueces – 193
- Montgomery – 171
- Fort Bend – 120
What are the Statistics for Drug Abuse in Texas
- 1,386,158 people in Texas reported having a substance use disorder involving alcohol.2
- 465,102 people in Texas reported having a substance use disorder involving illicit drugs.2
- The most commonly seized drugs in Texas in 2015 were methamphetamine, cannabis, and cocaine.2
- Statewide, in 2015 there were 1,174 opioid-related deaths in Texas.3
- There were 715 deaths due to methamphetamine in Texas in 2017.4
- There were 539 deaths due to heroin in Texas in 2017.4
- Methamphetamine seizures at the Texas-Mexico border have increased by 103% since 2014.4
- was the most abused benzodiazepine in Texas in 2017.4
What are the Top Drugs Seized in Texas
According to the 2023 Crime in Texas Annual Report, the following are the most commonly seized drugs statewide, ranked by volume (pounds):
Marijuana (including THC) (5,045,394 lb
Methamphetamines/Amphetamines) 534,821 lb
Cocaine (non-crack) (7,184 lb
Hashish) 1,006 lb
Heroin (254 lb
Other Narcotics (e.g., codeine, hydrocodone, methadone, etc.)) 1,556 lb
Other Hallucinogens (like MDMA, psilocybin, “Spice,” etc.) (1,321 lb
PCP) 32 lb
LSD, 8 lb
Morphine, 4 lb
Opium, 64 lb
These are the top drug categories by sheer weight, presenting a clear view of what law enforcement is intercepting most frequently.
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Common Addictions in Texas by the Numbers
One of the ways to assess the most common addictions in a state is to look at data regarding drug treatment admissions. According to statistics on Texas addiction treatment admissions from 2015 (the most recent year available), alcohol is the most commonly abused substance in the state, followed by heroin (and other opiates) and marijuana, respectively.5
A total of 32,347 people were admitted to state-funded substance abuse treatment programs in 2023. The table below is a breakdown of the primary substances of abuse at admission.
Substance Abuse Treatment Admissions in Texas, 2023 (ages 12 and over)
According to the 2023 Treatment Episode Data Set: Admissions (TEDS‑A), here are the statewide figures for substance use treatment admissions (individuals aged 12 and older), broken down by primary substance:
How Many People Enter Treatment for Alcohol only
Alcohol only: 17.0% (≈ 5,503)
How Many People Enter Treatment for Alcohol with a secondary drug
Alcohol with a secondary drug: 11.9% (≈ 3,837)
How Many People Enter Treatment for Heroin
Heroin: 11.6% (≈ 3,758)
How Many People Enter Treatment for Other opiates
Other opiates: 9.7% (≈ 3,126)
How Many People Enter Treatment for Cocaine (smoked)
Cocaine (smoked): 3.2% (≈ 1,051)
How Many People Enter Treatment for Cocaine (other routes)
Cocaine (other routes): 3.9% (≈ 1,258)
How Many People Enter Treatment for Marijuana
Marijuana: 17.5% (≈ 5,651)
How Many People Enter Treatment for Amphetamines
Amphetamines: 21.7% (≈ 7,010)
How Many People Enter Treatment for Other categories
Other categories (inhalants, hallucinogens, PCP, etc.): minimal (<1%)
Common Addictions in Texas by the Numbers
One of the ways to assess which drug addictions are most common in a state is to look at data regarding drug treatment admissions. According to statistics on Texas treatment admissions, marijuana is the most commonly abused drug in the state; cocaine and heroin take second and third place, respectively.1
A few factors contribute to the high rate of marijuana abuse in Texas; the introduction of blunt cigars has driven up the use of cannabis, as has the trend toward vaping cannabis oil. The availability of quality marijuana from Colorado also plays a role and abusing the substance has become one of the more common addictions in Texas. Many people mistakenly assume that marijuana has no addictive properties and cannot be abused, but drug treatment admissions statistics clearly refute this.
Cocaine Abuse in Texas
Although cocaine, which includes crack as well as the powdered form, was responsible for the second-highest number of treatment admissions in Texas, cocaine addiction in the state has decreased in recent years.
The demographics of cocaine abuse are changing as well. The percentage of African American cocaine users has decreased, while the percentage of Caucasian users has increased.2 Recent forensic data reveals that more and more cocaine is being discovered along the Mexican border, so cocaine use may see a spike in the near future.
A Growing Heroin Problem
Heroin abuse has been skyrocketing across the United States in recent years. As recently as 2003, use of the drug had reached record lows. Just over a decade later, the number of heroin users has tripled. This level of heroin addiction hasn’t been observed since the heroin epidemic of the mid-1970s, both in Texas and elsewhere in the country.
Texas’ location on the border of Mexico plays a role in the state’s heroin problem. The most common forms of heroin being sold and used in Texas are powdered brown heroin and black tar heroin, two types of heroin manufactured in Mexico. These formulas are not desirable for smoking and are usually injected.
Meth and heroin addiction in West Texas, drug trafficking, and drug-related crimes are all increasing and have been correlated with oil drilling in the area. The Houston Chronicle recently reported that more than three times the amount of local workers tested positive for meth in the first half of 2017 than in the first half of 2009. The increase followed a major boom in oil and gas production in the area.7,8 Methamphetamine and heroin addiction in Midland and nearby areas plague many oilfield workers due to factors like long shifts, tough working conditions, and easy access to drugs.
Get Help Today: Drug Detox in Houston and Austin, TX
It’s clear that drug abuse is a serious problem in the United States, and certain drug addictions are particularly common in Texas. If you’re a Texas resident who is struggling with drug or alcohol abuse, recovery is an option. Nova Recovery Center, a 90-day residential treatment center in Texas has many treatment options available. Drug rehab in Austin, Texas is closer than you think. Call today to conquer your addiction and live the life you were meant to live.
References
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Frequently Asked Questions About Common Addictions and Drug Use in Texas
What are the most common addictions in Texas?
n Texas, alcohol addiction tops the list, largely due to its easy access and social acceptance. Following closely are heroin (and other opioids), marijuana, and cocaine
How prevalent is alcohol addiction in Texas?
Alcohol use is widespread. Over a million people aged 12 and older experienced an alcohol use disorder each year, and binge drinking rates are comparable to national averages
Why are opioids so addictive, and how common is opioid addiction?
Opioids hijack the brain’s reward system by releasing endorphins, creating euphoria. Over time, tolerance builds, and stopping use can trigger painful withdrawal: making dependency, or opioid use disorder (OUD), all too common. OUD is a serious and growing challenge across Texas and the U.S.
What treatments are available for opioid addiction?
The most effective approach is medication-assisted treatment (MAT), using methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone, especially when coupled with counseling, therapy, or support groups
Why is meth addiction a concern in Texas?
Methamphetamine is highly addictive and increasingly available in Texas, sometimes influenced by border trafficking. Its abuse leads to cognitive damage, dental decay, skin problems, and heightened health risks
Can prescription drug use lead to addiction?
Yes. Many are first exposed to prescription opioids for pain relief, but these can quickly lead to dependence, even when used as directed. Dependency is driven by tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. Commonly abused medications include painkillers like oxycodone, codeine, and fentanyl.
Is heroin addiction a serious problem in Texas?
Absolutely. Heroin remains one of the most addictive and dangerous drugs used statewide. In treatment populations, heroin ranked among the top reported substances, and its use is often combined with other drugs like meth, cocaine, or fentanyl
Is marijuana use addictive?
Although often perceived as harmless, marijuana use disorder is very real. In fact, marijuana ranks as one of the most commonly admitted substances in treatment programs in Texas.
How widespread is cocaine abuse in Texas?
Cocaine and crack cocaine remain heavily abused stimulants here. Texas’s proximity to trafficking routes contributes to their popularity, and users face serious health risks such as heart attack, stroke, and dependency.
What drives Texas’s broader drug problem?
Several factors contribute: widespread availability of both legal (like alcohol and prescription drugs) and illegal substances; large urban centers and border towns with high trafficking rates; and social challenges like stigma and uneven treatment access.
What treatment and recovery options are available in Texas?
Texas offers a range of addiction services, from detox and residential rehab to outpatient programs and support groups. Organizations like Nova Recovery Center provide residential and outpatient treatment throughout the state. Even evidence-based therapies like CBT or DBT, paired with counseling and medication, can make a significant difference.
Are overdose rates rising in Texas?
Overdose rates, especially from opioids, have surged in recent years. Programs like naloxone distribution and overdose training (such as CPR and naloxone admin) are helping bring death rates down in affected areas.
How many drug-related deaths occur in Texas?
Nationwide studies show drug overdoses, including opioids, lead to tens of thousands of deaths per year, illustrating the scale of the crisis.
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