Drinking and drug use increases an individual's risk of poor health outcomes, including motor vehicle crashes and unintentional injuries, and is often a contributing factor in child abuse, domestic violence, suicide and homicide. The availability of treatment can be a critical factor in helping people recover from addiction.

Worcester County had 131 admissions to treatment per 10,000 residents in 2022, down 32% from a high of 194 admissions per 10,000 residents in 2018, similar to the statewide decline of 30% in the same time period.

Heroin and other opioids were the most common primary drug of use for admissions among Worcester County residents in 2022, making up 42% of all admissions. Alcohol was the next most common primary drug, making up 38% of admissions. This is similar to the state where heroin and opioids represent 42% and alcohol 36% of admissions.

Heroin admissions were the fastest growing category in Worcester County until 2018 when the rate peaked at 89 per 10,000 residents; this has declined 44% to a rate of 50 per 10,000 in 2022.

The state does not disclose admissions data for cities/towns for confidentiality reasons. National data were not available.