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.

Norfolk County had 62 admissions to treatment per 10,000 residents in 2021, down 37% from 2008. This rate was higher than in Middlesex County (59 per 10,000) but below Essex (87) and the state (126).

Heroin and opioids were the most common primary drug of use for admissions among Norfolk residents in 2021, making up 42% of all admissions. Alcohol was the next most common primary drug making up about 37% of admissions. This is similar to comparison counties and the state where heroin and opioids represent nearly half of admissions and alcohol about a third.

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