During recovery from substance abuse, detoxification plays a crucial role in helping you overcome addiction and achieve lasting sobriety. Detoxification, or detox as it is commonly called, is the initial phase of treatment. It focuses on safely and effectively eliminating one or more addictive substances from your body. This process is essential for managing the uncomfortable and potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms that are common when you stop using drugs or alcohol. Calling a Mississippi drug hotline to find professional detox programs near you is therefore a vital first step in getting clean.

The National Drug Helpline is a toll-free number 1-844-289-0879 that operates around the clock. We connect people seeking addiction treatment with affordable detox and drug rehab programs in their community. Our goal is to provide access to updated information and resources about drug and alcohol treatment in Mississippi to anyone in need. All calls to the Mississippi drug helpline are confidential. Your call will be answered by a trained professional who can give you the information you need and offer guidance in a safe, non-judgmental, private space.

Call 1-844-289-0789 today to find detox programs in your area. We can help you find drug and alcohol addiction treatment facilities in Jackson, Gulfport, Southaven, Biloxi, Hattiesburg, and other communities in Mississippi.

MISSISSIPPI SUBSTANCE ABUSE RESOURCES

SUBSTANCE ABUSE BY YOUTH IN MISSISSIPPI

The Mississippi Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2021 showed the following findings among 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders in the state: [1]

ALCOHOL USE

  • Percentage of students who had their first alcoholic drink before age 13 years: 21.1%
  • Percentage of students who currently drank alcohol: 21.9%
  • Percentage of students who were currently engaged in binge drinking on at least 1 day in the past 30 days: 9.7%
  • Percentage of students who go the alcohol they drank by someone giving it to them: 33.4%
  • Percentage of students who reported they had 10 or more drinks in a row within a couple of hours in the past 30 days: 3.9%

MARIJUANA USE

  • Percentage of students who ever used marijuana: 25.5%
  • Percentage of students who tried marijuana for the first time before age 13 years: 8.0%
  • Percentage of students who used currently used marijuana in the past 30 days: 13.4%
  • Percentage of students who ever used synthetic marijuana (spice, K2, black mamba, fake weed): 8.8%

PRESCRIPTION PAIN MEDICATION MISUSE

  • Percentage of students who ever took prescription pain medications such as codeine, Vicodin, OxyContin, or Percocet without a doctor’s prescription or differently than prescribed: 16.1%

EXPOSURE TO DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

  • Percentage of students who ever used cocaine: 4.8%
  • Percentage of students who ever used inhalants (glue, aerosol cans, paints, sprays): 12.2%
  • Percentage of students who ever used heroin (smack, junk, China White): 4.4%
  • Percentage of students who ever used methamphetamines (speed, crystal meth, ice, crank): 4.5%
  • Percentage of students who ever used ecstasy: 6.7%
  • Percentage of students who ever injected an illegal drug: 3.9%
  • Percentage of students who were ever offered, given, or sold an illegal drug on school property: 20.9%

SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN MISSISSIPPI

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) reports the following with regards to substance use in Mississippi: [2]

YOUTH AGED 12-17 YEARS

  • Past-month marijuana use was reported by 5.0% of adolescents in 2017-2019 which is the same as 2002-2004. During a similar timeframe, the US national average decreased from 7.9% in 2002-2004 to 6.8% in 2017-2019.
  • Past-month alcohol use was reported by 9.3% of youth in 2017-2019 compared to 15.0% in 2002-2004. The US national average also showed a downward trend from 17.6% in 2002-2004 to 9.4% in 2017-2019.
  • Past-month illicit drug use was reported by 6.6% of Mississippi teens aged 12-17 years in 2017-2019 compared to 6.3% in 2015-2017. The US national average was stable at 8.2% during this time.
  • Past-year initiation of substances (first lifetime use) was reported by youth as follows during 2017-2019: Alcohol 10.3% (US average 9.3%), marijuana 4.9% (US average 5.2%), and cigarettes 3.7% (US average 2.3%).

Marijuana use remained stable, alcohol use declined, and illicit drug use increased among adolescents in Mississippi between 2002 and 2019.

YOUNG ADULTS AGED 18-25 YEARS

The data for young adults aged 18-25 years in Mississippi is as follows:

  • Past-year marijuana use was reported by 23.9% of young adults in Mississippi in 2017-2019 compared to 20.5% in 2002-2004. During a similar timeframe, the US national average increased from 28.7% in 2002-2004 to 35.0% in 2017-2019.
  • Past-year marijuana use disorder was reported in 3.4% of young adults aged 18-25 years in Mississippi in 2017-2019, compared to 4.5% in 2002-2004. The US national average changed from 6.0% in 2002-2004 to 5.6% in 2017-2019.
  • Past-year opioid use disorder was reported in 1.4% of young adults in Mississippi in 2017-2019, which was the same as 2015-2017. The US national average changed from 1.3% in 2015-2017 to 1.0% in 2017-2019.
  • Past-year illicit drug use disorder was reported in 4.5% of Mississippi residents aged 18-25 years in 2017-2019 compared to 5.0% in 2015-2017. The US national average was around 7.2% to 7.5% during this time period.
  • Past-month binge alcohol use was reported by 23.5% of young adults in 2017-2019 compared to 23.0% in 2015-2017. The US national average in 2017-2019 was 35.4% showing binge alcohol use in Mississippi is significantly lower than the entire country on average.
  • Past-year alcohol use disorder among young adults aged 18-25 was reported in 6.6% of Mississippi residents in 2017-2019, compared to 12.5% in 2002-2004. The US national average for 2017-2019 was 9.8%. Mississippi therefore has a lower percentage of young adults battling alcohol use disorder compared to the US average for all states.
  • Past-year substance use disorder was reported in 9.9% of young adults aged 18-25 years in Mississippi in 2017-2019 compared to 10.3% in 2015-2017. The national average has hovered between 15.1% and 14.7% during this time.

MISSISSIPPI RESIDENTS 12 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER

The Behavioral Health Barometer also found the following for 2017-2019 in Mississippi residents aged 12 years and older:

  • Past-year tobacco use: 35.6% (US average 26.8%)
  • Past-year marijuana use: 11.8% (US average 16.2%)
  • Past-year marijuana use disorder: 1.3% (US average 1.6%)
  • Past-year heroin use: 0.11% (US average 0.30%)
  • Past-year prescription painkiller misuse: 3.9% (US average 3.7%)
  • Past-year opioid use disorder: 0.6% (US average 0.7%)
  • Past-year illicit drug use disorder: 2.4% (US average 2.9%)
  • Past-year alcohol use disorder: 4.4% (US average 5.3%)
  • Past-year substance use disorder: 6.3% (US average 7.4%)
  • Number of people enrolled in substance use treatment (single day counts for 2019): 6,179
  • Number of people enrolled in opioid treatment programs (single day counts for 2019): 797
  • Problems among people enrolled in treatment: 41.1% drug problem only, 11.5% alcohol problem only, 47.4% both drug and alcohol problems
A bottle of medicine and scattered round white pills

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST DRUG THREATS IN MISSISSIPPI?

The following drugs pose the biggest threats in Mississippi: [3]

Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine is the main drug threat in Mississippi due to its widespread availability, escalating abuse, and links to violent crime. Mexican drug trafficking organizations are increasingly importing methamphetamine (ICE) into the United States and this is the most commonly available form of meth in the state.

Diverted Pharmaceuticals

Prescription drug abuse continues to pose a significant threat in Mississippi. Common means of obtaining illegal prescription drugs are prescription forgeries and doctor shopping. Prescription drugs are also obtained illegally on the internet and from Mexico. These pharmaceuticals are frequently unsafe on account of being fake, expired, or contaminated. The involvement of drug trafficking organizations, burglaries in pharmacies, and corruption among health professionals further add to this threat.

Heroin

Heroin is an emerging drug of concern in Mississippi and is impacting public health and safety. The decrease in the availability of prescription pain pills and the influx of heroin and fentanyl from Mexican drug cartels have contributed to the rise in heroin abuse in the state. Overdose deaths related to heroin and fentanyl are increasing. In fact, fentanyl deaths have surpassed drug overdose deaths caused by heroin because cartels are cutting heroin with fentanyl to boost profits.

Marijuana

Marijuana remains one of the most frequently abused and readily available drugs in Mississippi. The legalization of this drug in various states has created a false perception of safety regarding marijuana. Yet, the potency (strength) of marijuana has increased in recent years, making it an unsuspected threat. Intelligence reports suggest that marijuana serves as a gateway drug for teens and young adults who are in the early stages of experimenting with drugs. The availability of cannabis edibles and vape oils has added to the problem. The higher the potency, the greater is the demand for THC products.

Cocaine

Cocaine use has seen a slight increase in Mississippi, but seizures of this drug are declining, partly due to the surge in methamphetamine. Nevertheless, cocaine remains a constant drug threat in the state, largely because of its high addiction rate, association with violence, and affiliation with gangs and drug cartels. Most cocaine is transported by American and Mexican drug trafficking organizations through Texas and other border states to the southwest. The drug is distributed by criminal groups, street gangs, and independent dealers.

New Psychoactive Substances

These drugs are an emerging concern in Mississippi. Also called “designer drugs,” they are equally addictive and destructive as methamphetamine and other traditional illegal drugs. In fact, new psychoactive substances are developed with the aim to mimic the effects of other illicit drugs. These drugs are available online, at gas stations, adult stores, and smoke shops, often targeting young adults. One troubling aspect is that there is very little knowledge about these substances among consumers.

If you or a loved one is battling addiction to any of the above-mentioned drugs or other addictive substances, call the National Drug Helpline on 1-844-289-0879. We can help you find comprehensive treatment programs for substance abuse in Mississippi that include medically supervised detox, counseling, and other treatment modalities.

References:

  1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mississippi Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2021. Available online. Accessed on July 31, 2023.
  2. SAMHSA. Behavioral Health Barometer Mississippi. Available online. Accessed on July 31, 2023.
  3. State of Mississippi – Department of Public Safety – Bureau of Narcotics. Drug Threat Assessment March 2020. Available online. Accessed on July 31, 2023.

Last updated: July 31, 2023