UWLP Releases Research on Substance Use Disorders Among Utah Women

The Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) at Utah State University recently published a research brief, “Substance Use Disorders Among Utah Women: A 2025 Update.” The research examines how substance use disorders (SUDs) impact women in Utah and across the United States. Using state and national data, the report explores how Utah’s patterns compare to national trends, and it highlights the unique factors that shape substance use in the state. The analysis focuses on three key areas: prevalence and demographic differences in substance use among women; the intersection of women’s health, pregnancy, and trauma; and current efforts and programs aimed at reducing SUDs throughout Utah. 

SUD Statistics: According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 73.6 million Americans aged 12 and older (25.5% of the population) reported illicit drug use in 2024, but only 19.3% of those with SUDs received treatment. In Utah, 16,440 individuals received public SUD services in FY2024; 37% of them were women. Methamphetamines (29.7% of women) and opioids (32.9% of women) were cited most often as primary drugs. Although Utah maintains one of the nation’s lowest adult SUD rates, 591 residents died from overdoses in 2024; 43% involved fentanyl and 27% prescription opioids. Men aged 35–44 experienced the highest overdose fatality rates, while Utah women aged 45–54 were most affected. By mid-2024, over 774,000 fentanyl pills had been seized statewide, surpassing the previous year’s record in just six months.  

Factors that Impact Women:  SUDs present unique risks for women, particularly during pregnancy and postpartum. In 2024, 247 Utah women were pregnant upon admission to public treatment programs; 42% reported opioid use, 69% methamphetamine use, and 29% were experiencing homelessness. Nearly 1 in 10 Utah infants were prenatally exposed to substances (mostly opioids), a 33% increase from 2010, and SUD-related deaths are a leading cause of pregnancy-related mortality, with nearly 90% occurring postpartum and about 80% involving opioids. Trauma is a major contributing factor to substance misuse, and Utah women experience higher-than-average rates of sexual assault, domestic violence, and adverse childhood experiences, all of which significantly increase SUD risk. Addressing trauma-informed care and targeted prevention for women remains critical to reducing substance use and improving long-term outcomes for Utah families. 

Efforts to Combat SUDs:  In Utah, women account for 37% of individuals receiving public SUD treatment, with opioids and methamphetamine reported as their most common primary substances. Under the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of Substance Use and Mental Health oversees statewide prevention, treatment, and recovery programs serving more than 16,000 Utahns annually. Counties across Utah have received over $56 million in opioid settlement funds, though only 14% has been spent to date. An additional $57 million from the Purdue Pharma settlement will soon be distributed. Recent legislation expanded access to fentanyl test strips (S.B. 086) and allowed pharmacists to dispense naloxone without a prescription (H.B. 288). While opioid-related deaths accounted for 43% of Utah’s 591 overdose fatalities in 2024, experts note that methamphetamine and alcohol remain significant drivers of women’s treatment admissions, underscoring the need for comprehensive, multi-substance prevention strategies. 

Addressing SUDs among Utah women requires coordinated, gender-responsive strategies. Women face unique risk factors, including pregnancy, trauma, and higher rates of prescription opioid use, which increase vulnerability to SUD and related mortality. An untreated SUD imposes significant financial and emotional costs on individuals, families, and communities.  

“Finding ways to prevent addiction and help women suffering from SUDs will not only improve the lives of individuals but also strengthen the positive impact of women in communities and the state,” said Susan Madsen, UWLP founding director and co-author of the report.  

Additional report co-authors include Rachel Denton, Licensed Clinical Social Worker; Corinne Clarkson, research associate, UWLP; Sarah Denton, graduate research assistant, UWLP; and Kolene Anderson, former associate director, UWLP. 

The “A Bolder Way Forward” initiative provides opportunities for Utahns to learn and contribute to meaningful change across 18 areas of focus. The UWLP is affiliated with the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business and USU Extension.