Alcohol and Drug Use Statistics in Bethlehem, PA
Pennsylvania has experienced an increase in drug use in the last decade. The amount of heroin seized in Pennsylvania increased between 2006 and 2016 by 56%.2 The following health statistics have been reported for drug and alcohol misuse as well as overdose in Northampton county and the substate region.3, 4
Northampton County experienced 77 drug-related overdose deaths in 2021.
About 11 of the drug-related overdose deaths in 2021 were from heroin and 63 were from fentanyl.
Almost 2% of residents reported cocaine use in the past year between 2016 and 2019.
Less than 1% of residents reported heroin use in the past year between 2016 and 2019.
About 12% of residents reported marijuana use in the past year between 2016 and 2019.
Almost 58% of residents reported alcohol use in the past month between 2016 and 2019.
Less than 1% of residents reported methamphetamine use in the past year between 2016 and 2019.
Nearly 26% of residents reported binge alcohol use in the past month between 2016 and 2019.
- About 3% of residents reported pain reliever misuse in the past year between 2016 and 2019.
How to Pay for Addiction Treatment in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Private Insurance
Insurance providers must cover substance abuse and mental health treatment services to some extent. However, specific coverage varies by plan, so Pennsylvania residents must contact their providers to confirm how much and which treatments are covered by their plan.
Pennsylvania Medicaid
Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program, Medical Assistance (MA), provides health insurance to low-income residents. It covers treatment services like inpatient drug rehab and outpatient substance abuse treatment. To qualify, residents typically are required to provide proof of income. Additionally, to use MA to pay for rehab, the facility must accept MA as a method of payment.
Pennsylvania Medicare
Pennsylvania Medicare is a federal program providing healthcare coverage to residents over the age of 65 as well as those with certain health conditions or disabilities. Pennsylvanians can use Medicare to cover the cost of drug addiction treatment services, including rehab. However, not all rehabs accept Medicare insurance.
TRICARE in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania TRICARE (East region) is a government program that provides health insurance coverage for military personnel, veterans, and their families. TRICARE coverage includes addiction treatment services; however, specific coverage varies by plan.
Sliding Scale Rehabs
Sliding scale rehabs charge only what a resident can reasonably afford to pay, based on their income. To qualify for a sliding scale rehab in Pennsylvania, residents must provide proof of income.
IHS-Funded Drug Rehabs
Drug rehabs funded by the Indian Health Service (IHS) provide free addiction treatment to Alaskan Natives and Native Americans.
Resources
- United States Census Bureau. (n.d.). QuickFacts: Bethlehem city, Pennsylvania
- DEA. (2018). The Opioid Threat in Philadelphia.
- Pennsylvania Office of Drug Surveillance and Misuse Prevention. (2022). DSMP – Drug Overdose Surveillance Interactive Data Report.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). 2016 -2018 NSDUH Substate Region Estimates – Tables.