Report Analysis

Drug Overdose Deaths in the United States, 2001–2022

Demographics
Overdose
  • Published by: US Department of Health and Human Services/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Published Date: December 2022
  • Link: Click here to read full report

Part One

Report Summary

A recent report highlighted the alarming rise in drug overdose deaths in the United States over the past two decades. Data from the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) revealed that in 2021, 106,699 drug overdose deaths occurred, which is an age-adjusted rate of 32.4 per 100,000 standard population, marking a 14% increase from 2020.

The rate of overdose deaths increased for both males (from 39.5 to 45.1) and females (from 17.1 to 19.6) from 2020 to 2021. The largest percentage increase in rates occurred among those aged 65 and over, showing a spike of 28%. Non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native people experienced the highest drug overdose death rates in both 2020 and 2021.

The report also detailed the increase in drug overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone, psychostimulants with abuse potential, and cocaine from 2020 to 2021. Deaths involving synthetic opioids spiked by 22%, while the rate of deaths involving heroin declined by 32%.

The rate of drug overdose deaths has shown a steady increase since 2013, with all age groups above 25 experiencing a rise in 2021 compared to 2020. Rates were highest for adults aged 35–44 and lowest for people aged 65 and over. However, adults aged 65 and over experienced the largest percentage increase in drug overdose death rates.

Except for non-Hispanic Asian people, the rate of drug overdose deaths increased for all race and Hispanic-origin groups. Non-Hispanic Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (NHOPI) and non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native (AIAN) people experienced the largest percentage increases in rates.

The report underscores the escalating national crisis of drug overdose deaths, necessitating urgent interventions and comprehensive drug abuse prevention strategies.

Part Two

Key Findings

  1. There was a significant increase in drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2021, with 106,699 deaths reported. This represents an age-adjusted rate of 32.4 per 100,000 standard population, marking a 14% increase from 2020.

  2. Both males and females experienced an increase in drug overdose death rates between 2020 and 2021, with rates increasing from 39.5 to 45.1 and 17.1 to 19.6 respectively.

  3. The largest percentage increase in drug overdose death rates was seen among those aged 65 and over, with a 28% increase between 2020 and 2021.

  4. Rates of drug overdose deaths were highest among non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native people in both 2020 and 2021. However, non-Hispanic Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (NHOPI) and non-Hispanic AIAN people experienced the largest percentage increases in rates between 2020 and 2021.

  5. The rate of drug overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids (other than methadone) increased by 22% between 2020 and 2021, while deaths involving heroin declined by 32%.

  6. Drug overdose death rates for all age groups 25 and over were higher in 2021 than in 2020. The rate was highest among adults aged 35–44 and lowest among those aged 65 and over.

  7. The rate of drug overdose deaths involving cocaine has been on the rise since 2012, with a 22% increase observed between 2020 and 2021.

  8. The age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths involving psychostimulants with abuse potential, such as methamphetamine, increased by 33% from 2020 to 2021.

These findings underscore the escalating crisis of drug overdose deaths in the United States and highlight the urgent need for comprehensive interventions and prevention strategies.

Part Three

Statistical Data Categorized

General Overdose Death Rates

  • Drug overdose deaths have risen fivefold over the past 2 decades.
  • In 2021, there were 106,699 drug overdose deaths, resulting in an age-adjusted rate of 32.4 per 100,000 standard population.
  • The age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths rose more than 14% from 2020 through 2021.
  • From 2001 through 2021, the rate for males was consistently higher than for females.

Overdose Death Rates by Gender

  • The rate for males increased from 39.5 in 2020 to 45.1 in 2021.
  • The rate for females increased from 17.1 in 2020 to 19.6 in 2021.

Overdose Death Rates by Age

  • Adults aged 35–44 had the highest rate among people aged 15 and over in both 2020 and 2021.
  • The largest percentage increase in rates occurred among those aged 65 and over (28%) between 2020 and 2021.

Overdose Death Rates by Race

  • Rates were highest for non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native (AIAN) people in 2020 and 2021.
  • The greatest percentage increase in rates from 2020 to 2021 occurred for non-Hispanic Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (NHOPI) people.

Overdose Deaths by Type of Drug

  • Increases in rates occurred for drug overdose deaths involving psychostimulants with abuse potential (from 7.5 in 2020 to 10.0 in 2021), synthetic opioids other than methadone (17.8 in 2020 to 21.8 in 2021), and cocaine (6.0 in 2020 to 7.3 in 2021).
  • The only drug that had a lower rate of overdose deaths in 2021 than in 2020 was heroin (2.8 in 2021 and 4.1 in 2020).
  • The rate of drug overdose deaths involving methadone increased from 0.5 in 2001 to 1.8 in 2006, decreased through 2019 (0.8), and was then stable through 2021 (1.1).
  • The age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths involving natural and semisynthetic opioids, such as oxycodone and hydrocodone, increased from 1.2 in 2001 to 3.5 in 2010, and did not change significantly from 2010 through 2021, remaining at 4.0 in 2020 and 2021.
  • The age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths involving cocaine increased from 1.3 per 100,000 in 2001 to 2.5 in 2006, decreased to 1.5 in 2011, then increased to 7.3 in 2021. The rate in 2021 was 22% higher than the rate in 2020 (6.0).

Other Insights

  • The age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths increased from 6.8 in 2001 to 11.5 in 2006, was stable from 2006 through 2013, then increased from 13.8 in 2013 to 32.4 in 2021.
  • Among adults aged 25 and over, the rate of drug overdose deaths was significantly higher in 2021 compared with 2020

Part Four

Trends and Observations

  1. Increasing Overdose Rates: Drug overdose deaths have been consistently increasing over the past two decades in the United States. The age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths rose more than 14% from 2020 through 2021.

  2. Gender Disparity: Males consistently had higher rates of drug overdose deaths compared to females over the past two decades. However, the rate for females is also increasing.

  3. Aging Population at Risk: While adults aged 35–44 had the highest rate of drug overdose deaths, the largest percentage increase in rates occurred among those aged 65 and over.

  4. Racial and Ethnic Differences: Non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native (AIAN) people had the highest drug overdose death rates in both 2020 and 2021. The largest percentage increases in rates from 2020 to 2021 occurred for non-Hispanic Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (NHOPI) and non-Hispanic AIAN people.

  5. Drug-Specific Trends: The rates of drug overdose deaths involving different types of opioids and stimulants also increased from 2020 to 2021, with synthetic opioids other than methadone and psychostimulants with abuse potential seeing particularly notable increases. The rate of overdose deaths involving cocaine has been rising since 2012. However, overdose deaths involving heroin had a lower rate in 2021 than in 2020.

In general, these trends highlight the growing public health issue of drug overdoses in the United States, with rising rates across most demographic groups and types of drugs. They also underscore the need for targeted interventions to address these specific population groups and substances.

Part Five

Possible Prevention Strategies

  1. Addressing the Gender Gap: The report indicates a consistent gender gap, with the rate of drug overdose deaths for males being higher than for females. This suggests that interventions should not be one-size-fits-all but should instead address the specific needs and circumstances of men and women separately.

  2. Interventions for Older Adults: There was a significant increase in drug overdose deaths among adults aged 65 and over from 2020 to 2021. As a result, older adults might benefit from more targeted prevention efforts and resources.

  3. Focus on Synthetic Opioids and Stimulants: The rates of drug overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone, and stimulants with abuse potential have been increasing. This might necessitate increased education about the risks of these substances and efforts to restrict their availability.

  4. Addressing Racial and Ethnic Disparities: Rates of drug overdose deaths increased for each race and Hispanic-origin group, except for non-Hispanic Asian people. Furthermore, non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native people had the highest rates in both 2020 and 2021. This suggests a need for more culturally competent interventions tailored to specific racial and ethnic communities.

  5. Reducing Cocaine and Psychostimulant Overdose Deaths: The report shows that overdose deaths involving cocaine and psychostimulants with abuse potential have been rising. This suggests a need for interventions specifically targeted towards these substances.

  6. Lessening Heroin Overdose Deaths: Despite the overall increase in overdose deaths, the rate of drug overdose deaths involving heroin actually decreased from 2020 to 2021. It could be beneficial to study and learn from the strategies that have contributed to this decrease to apply them to other substances.

Please note that these recommendations are based on the data provided, but they might not represent the full picture or the complexities involved in addressing such a multifaceted issue. The report authors or experts in the field may have additional or alternative recommendations based on other data or research. Specific strategies and interventions should be developed and implemented in consultation with healthcare providers, public health officials, and policymakers.

Citation: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, December). Drug Overdose Deaths in the United States, 2001–2022. Retrieved May 17, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/index.htm.