42 Drug Overdose Death Statistics

Understanding Drug Overdose Statistics

To comprehend the gravity of the drug overdose crisis, it is crucial to examine the statistics surrounding drug overdose deaths. By analyzing these numbers, we can gain insight into the scale of the problem and identify major contributing factors.

Rising Drug Overdose Deaths

The United States experienced a significant increase in drug overdose deaths in recent years. From 2019 to 2020 alone, drug overdose deaths rose by 30%, reaching over 93,000 deaths in 2020 CDC. This alarming surge highlights the urgent need for comprehensive strategies and interventions to address this public health crisis.

Top 10 Key Drug Overdose Death Statistics

In 2019, there were 70,630 drug overdose deaths in the United States.
The age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths in 2019 was 21.6 per 100,000.
Opioids were involved in 49,860 overdose deaths in 2019.
Synthetic opioids other than methadone (primarily fentanyl) were involved in 36,509 overdose deaths in 2019.
Prescription opioids were involved in 14,427 overdose deaths in 2019.
Cocaine was involved in 16,167 overdose deaths in 2019.
Psychostimulants with abuse potential were involved in 16,167 overdose deaths in 2019.
The states with the highest rates of drug overdose deaths in 2019 were West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Ohio.
The states with the lowest rates of drug overdose deaths in 2019 were South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa, and Texas.
Drug overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone increased by 38.4% from 2018 to 2019.

Synthetic Opioids and Overdose Deaths

The rise in drug overdose deaths has been closely linked to the surge of synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl. These powerful drugs have had a devastating impact on communities across the United States, contributing to a significant portion of overdose fatalities.

The Surge of Synthetic Opioids

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), drug overdose deaths in the United States rose by 30% from 2019 to 2020, reaching over 93,000 deaths in 2020. Synthetic opioids played a major role in this alarming increase, accounting for over 60% of all drug overdose deaths in 2020.

Synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, are incredibly potent and can be up to 100 times stronger than morphine. They are often manufactured illicitly and added to other drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and counterfeit prescription pills without the user's knowledge. This makes it extremely challenging for individuals to gauge the potency of the substances they are consuming.

Fentanyl's Role in Overdose Deaths

Fentanyl, in particular, has emerged as a leading cause of overdose deaths. It is a synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times more potent than morphine and has a rapid onset of action. In 2019, nearly 50,000 drug overdose deaths involved synthetic opioids, with fentanyl being a primary contributor.

From 2019 to 2020, the rate of drug overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl, increased by a staggering 55%. The increase in fatalities can be attributed to the widespread availability and distribution of illicitly manufactured fentanyl, often mixed with other drugs.

The potency and prevalence of synthetic opioids like fentanyl pose a significant challenge in combating the drug overdose crisis. Efforts to address this issue include increasing access to evidence-based treatments for substance use disorders, expanding naloxone distribution, and implementing harm reduction strategies to reduce the risk of overdose.

The impact of synthetic opioids on overdose deaths underscores the urgent need for comprehensive and targeted interventions to address this crisis. By raising awareness, implementing effective prevention measures, and providing support and resources to individuals struggling with addiction, we can work towards reducing the devastating toll of drug overdose deaths in our communities.

Opioids

In 2019, opioids were involved in 70.6% of all drug overdose deaths.
From 1999 to 2019, almost 500,000 people died from an opioid overdose.
The age-adjusted rate of opioid-involved deaths increased by nearly five times from 1999 to 2019.
Men are more likely to die from an opioid overdose than women.
The highest rate of opioid-involved deaths was among adults aged 25–34 years old.

Prescription Opioids

In the United States, there were more than 165 million prescriptions for opioid pain medication written in 2018.
Prescription opioids are often a gateway drug to heroin and fentanyl use.
The states with the highest rates of prescription opioid-related overdose deaths in 2019 were West Virginia, Maryland, Maine, and Utah.

Fentanyl

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 100 times stronger than morphine.
Fentanyl was involved in over half of all opioid-related overdose deaths in the United States in 2017.
Illicitly manufactured fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs such as heroin or cocaine without the user's knowledge.

Impact of Cocaine on Overdose Deaths

Cocaine, a powerful stimulant drug, plays a significant role in drug overdose deaths. The impact of cocaine on overdose mortality has been a cause for concern in recent years. Let's explore the increasing deaths involving cocaine and its contribution to overdose fatalities.

Increasing Deaths Involving Cocaine

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), overdose deaths involving cocaine saw a concerning rise. In 2020, deaths involving cocaine increased by 26% compared to 2019, with over 16,000 deaths reported. This trend highlights the gravity of the cocaine overdose crisis and the need for effective interventions to address it.

The CDC also reports that the drug overdose death rate involving cocaine experienced a notable increase from 2018 to 2019. In 2019 alone, there were 15,883 cocaine-related overdose deaths reported in the United States. Furthermore, the overdose death rates involving cocaine have shown a significant upward trajectory over the years, increasing from 1.6 per 100,000 in 1999 to 4.9 in 2019.

Cocaine as a Contributing Factor

Cocaine plays a dual role in overdose deaths. It can act as the primary cause of death or contribute to fatalities in combination with other substances. In many cases, cocaine is involved in polydrug use, where it is combined with opioids or other drugs, leading to a heightened risk of overdose.

The CDC's data indicates that deaths involving cocaine increased by 26.5% from 2019 to 2020, while deaths involving psychostimulants like methamphetamine rose by 34.8% for the same period [4]. These figures emphasize the significant impact of cocaine in the context of overdose deaths.

Addressing the increasing deaths involving cocaine requires comprehensive strategies that focus on prevention, education, and access to treatment. Efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of cocaine use, implement harm reduction measures, and expand addiction treatment and recovery services are crucial steps in combating the devastating consequences of cocaine-related overdoses.

As the fight against drug overdose deaths continues, it is essential to recognize the specific challenges posed by cocaine and develop targeted interventions to reduce harm and save lives.

Cocaine

From 2009 to 2018, cocaine-involved overdose death rates increased by approximately four times.
Cocaine was involved in over a quarter of all drug overdose deaths in New York City in 2018.

Psychostimulants and Overdose Deaths

The rise in drug overdose deaths is not only attributed to opioids but also to the increasing use of psychostimulants. Psychostimulants, such as cocaine and methamphetamine, have played a significant role in the alarming statistics of overdose deaths.

Rise in Psychostimulant-Related Deaths

Over the years, there has been a steady and concerning increase in deaths related to psychostimulant use. From 2015 to 2021, deaths involving psychostimulants rose from 12,122 to 53,495, representing a substantial increase. This upward trend has been observed since 2014, irrespective of opioid involvement.

Methamphetamine and Overdose Deaths

Methamphetamine, a potent psychostimulant, has been particularly implicated in the surge of overdose deaths. In 2020, drug overdose deaths involving psychostimulants, primarily methamphetamine, saw a significant increase of approximately 45% compared to the previous year. The rate reached 3.8 per 100,000 standard population, highlighting the magnitude of the problem.

It is crucial to understand that the impact of psychostimulant use extends beyond opioids. Synthetic opioids, prescription opioids, and heroin have also seen substantial increases in overdose deaths. From December 1999 to June 2023 in the United States, overdose deaths involving psychostimulants with abuse potential, mainly methamphetamine, increased by 64-fold [7].

Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine-involved overdose death rates have been increasing since at least 2005.
In California, methamphetamine was involved in more than twice as many overdose deaths as heroin in both the first quarter and second quarter of 2020.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines were involved in nearly one-third (30.7%) of opioid-related overdose deaths in 2018.
The states with the highest rates of benzodiazepine-involved overdose deaths in 2019 were New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont.

Alcohol

In 2018, alcohol was involved in more than one-third (34.2%) of all drug overdose deaths.
Alcohol-involved overdose death rates have been increasing since at least 1999.

Other Drugs

Overdose death rates involving synthetic cannabinoids increased by approximately nine times from 2013 to 2017.
In 2019, there were over 10,000 drug overdose deaths involving psychostimulants such as methamphetamine and cocaine.
Overdose death rates involving heroin decreased by approximately four times from their peak in 2010 to their lowest point in 2018.
Overdose death rates involving methadone decreased by approximately eight times from their peak in 2007 to their lowest point in 2018.

Demographic Patterns in Overdose Deaths

Examining the statistics surrounding drug overdose deaths reveals distinct demographic patterns, including racial and gender disparities. Understanding these disparities is crucial in developing targeted interventions and strategies to address the crisis effectively.

Racial Disparities in Overdose Rates

Drug overdose death rates vary significantly among different racial and ethnic groups. In 2019, non-Hispanic American Indians or Alaska Natives had the highest drug overdose death rate, with 30 deaths per 100,000 individuals, surpassing other racial or ethnic groups.

The recent surge in drug overdose deaths has disproportionately impacted Black men. In 2020, the overdose death rate among Black men increased by a staggering 39%, reaching 38.6 deaths per 100,000 individuals. This increase was significantly higher compared to other demographic groups [8]. Similarly, Hispanic men experienced a 29% increase, with a death rate of 23.6 per 100,000, while white men saw a 27% increase, with a death rate of 31.9 per 100,000.

Among women, the overdose death rate also exhibited disparities across racial and ethnic groups. In 2020, Black women experienced a 36% increase in overdose deaths, with a death rate of 15.9 per 100,000 individuals. Hispanic women saw a 35% increase, with a death rate of 14.4 per 100,000, while white women experienced a 25% increase, with a death rate of 24.2 per 100,000.

Understanding these racial disparities is crucial for implementing targeted prevention and treatment efforts that address the specific needs and challenges faced by different communities.

Gender Disparities in Overdose Rates

Gender also plays a role in drug overdose death rates. While the recent surge in overdose deaths has impacted both men and women, there are notable differences in the rates.

Among men, the overdose death rate in 2020 increased by 39% for Black men, reaching 38.6 deaths per 100,000 individuals. Hispanic men experienced a 29% increase, with a death rate of 23.6 per 100,000, while white men saw a 27% increase, with a death rate of 31.9 per 100,000 [8].

Among women, the overdose death rate also exhibited disparities. In 2020, Black women experienced a 36% increase in overdose deaths, with a death rate of 15.9 per 100,000 individuals. Hispanic women saw a 35% increase, with a death rate of 14.4 per 100,000, while white women experienced a 25% increase, with a death rate of 24.2 per 100,000.

These gender disparities highlight the need for targeted prevention and treatment strategies that address the unique factors influencing drug overdose deaths among men and women.

Understanding the demographic patterns in drug overdose deaths is essential for developing effective policies, interventions, and resources to combat this crisis. By addressing these disparities, we can work towards reducing the devastating impact of drug overdoses and saving lives.

Demographics

Men are more likely to die from a drug overdose than women.
Adults aged 25–54 years old have the highest rate of drug overdose deaths.
Non-Hispanic Black individuals had the largest percentage increase (26.5%) in drug overdose death rates from 2018 to 2019.
The age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths among American Indians or Alaska Natives was nearly two times higher than the overall rate for all races/ethnicities combined.

References

[1]: https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/featured-topics/evidence-based-strategies.html‍

[2]: https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/deaths/other-drugs.html

‍[3]: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db457.htm

‍[4]: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/drug-overdose-data.htm

‍[5]: https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/trends-statistics/overdose-death-rates

‍[6]: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/drugpoisoningmortality/drug_poisoning.htm

Lacey has worked for over a decade as a writer, in conjunction with having worked around the world in poor social and economic living conditions to provide sustainability programs through numerous non-profits. Her efforts focus on making a difference in people's lives one small step at a time.