Throughout 2024, health services provided treatment to 2,390 people for the use of psychoactive substances, representing a 6% decrease compared to 2023, when 2,547 patients were recorded. Despite this reduction, the figure marks a 34% increase compared to 2020, indicating a gradual return to pre-pandemic levels of care.
These figures were presented during a meeting of the interinstitutional commission on drug dependency and other addictions, which is responsible for defining the priority actions of the Comprehensive Addiction Plan of the Balearic Islands 2025–2032 (PIA-IB).
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Health services assisted nearly 2,400 people with psychoactive substance use in 2024, showing a year-on-year decrease
The substances most frequently associated with the initiation of treatment were alcohol, accounting for 38.7% of cases (926 individuals), followed by cocaine at 29.3% (702 patients) and cannabis at 16.7% (400 users). These substances were the most prevalent among both men and women.
Men accounted for the majority of treatments, representing 75% of patients, while women accounted for the remaining 25%. Among female patients, alcohol-related treatments were particularly prominent, accounting for nearly half of all interventions involving women.
The average age of patients was 39.8 years. More than half of those treated accessed services on their own initiative or with encouragement from family or friends, while almost 30% were referred by other healthcare services.
Distinct profiles were identified depending on the substance involved: alcohol-related treatments typically involved middle-aged men with daily consumption; cocaine-related cases often involved working-age men with weekly use; and cannabis-related treatments were more common among younger individuals, many of whom were entering treatment for the first time.
Addictions remain one of the most significant public health challenges in the Balearic Islands. In response, the Regional Ministry of Health has implemented the PIA-IB 2025–2032, a strategic framework grounded in scientific evidence aimed at strengthening prevention, comprehensive care and institutional coordination, with a particular focus on young people and emerging consumption patterns.