The Show Me state has made progress in combating its drug problem, to the point where cocaine and meth are both in fairly short supply, driving up demand for marijuana and heroin, which are both widely available. Alcoholism, however, is the number one substance abuse problem in Missouri, ranked well above national averages year over year. Note from the charts below that across all age groups in Missouri, alcohol dependence is above the average, while drug dependencies are at or slightly below.

In 2006, the most recent year for which data is available, over 45,000 people were admitted to drug and alcohol treatment programs in Missouri. Administered through a network of 257 drug and alcohol treatment and rehabilitation centers, Missouri substance abuse programs encompass both outpatient services (93%) and residential programs (24%). Private nonprofit organizations manage 76% of all Missouri rehabilitation centers, while 19% are private for-profit. Level of services and types of programs vary by treatment center, and not every drug and alcohol treatment facility in Missouri offers programs for every type of addiction. Only 10 facilities offered opioid treatment programs, and just  14 were certified to administer buprenorphine for opiate addiction. This type of addiction includes problems with prescription painkillers like Oxycontin and Vicodin, an increasing problem nationwide and in Missouri.

Individuals seeking treatment for alcohol or drug abuse in Missouri have many choices of rehab facilities located across the state. A careful evaluation of the services offered, the staffing levels, and available funding should be made prior to committing to care. Experience with the particular type of substance problem is essential, and not all rehabilitation centers in Missouri are equipped for the full range of detoxification, counseling, and behavior modification therapy often required to produce good outcomes. Just about half of all Missouri drug and alcohol treatment centers contract their services to hospitals or other organizations, and 73% receive some type of public funding. The sheer number of people being treated by an single facility or in any given community may mean that families seeking a particular type of treatment program may have to extend their search outside the local area.

Across the United States, people under age 25 are at higher risk of exposure to a wide variety of drugs, and are more likely to indulge in binge drinking. Studies have shown that a high percentage of drug and alcohol dependencies begin with adolescent exposure. Missouri parents or young people who believe that drugs or alcohol aren’t really a problem should review the chart below.

The sobering fact is that younger and younger children are exposed to illicit drugs every year. Missouri families who never imagined that “rehab” could be part of their future may find themselves hunting for a Missouri drug and alcohol treatment center long before their child turns 18.