CDC Report: Drug Overdose Deaths Stabilize in 2022, But Still Break Previous Year’s Record

Nearly 108,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in 2022, breaking the previous year’s record total, according to a new CDC report.

Although the official number of deaths caused by overdoses—107,941—breaks the previous year’s total of 106,669, the only slight increase shows that overdose deaths are stabilizing. And while the age-adjusted death rate has nearly quadrupled since 2002—from 8.2 deaths per 100,000 people in 2002 to 32.6 in 2022—the death rate did not significantly change between 2021 and 2022.

^{Source: National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics System, mortality data file.}
However, changes were found in the age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths for men. Between 2021 and 2022, the rate of overdose deaths among men increased from 45.1 in 2021 to 45.6 in 2022, while the rate for women slightly decreased from 19.6 to 19.4 during that same time.

Looking at certain age groups, from 2021 to 2022, the rate of drug overdose deaths decreased among those aged 15 to 34 years, while rates increased among adults aged 35 years and older. In both years, the rates were highest for adults aged 35 to 44 years (62.0 and 63.1 deaths per 100,000 population, respectively). For adults aged 65 years and older, there was a 10% increase in drug overdose deaths between 2021 and 2022, the largest percentage increase among all age groups, the report showed.

^{Source: National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics System, mortality data file.}

Drug overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone–which the CDC defined as fentanyl, fentanyl analogs, and tramadol—increased 4.1% between 2021 and 2022.

Other findings from the report:

• From 2021 to 2022, the rate of drug overdose deaths involving cocaine increased 12.3% (from 7.3 to 8.2) and the rate for deaths involving psychostimulants with abuse potential, like methamphetamine, increased 4% (from 10.0 to 10.4).
• The rate of drug overdose deaths involving heroin decreased 35.7% from 2.8 in 2021 to 1.8 in 2022.
• Between 2021 and 2022, rates increased for all races and Hispanic-origin groups, except Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander non-Hispanic and White non-Hispanic individuals.

References:

1. New reports confirm US life expectancy increased while drug overdose deaths remained stable in 2022. News release. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; March 21, 2024. Accessed March 25, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2024/20240321.htm.
2. Drug overdose deaths in the United States, 2002–2022. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; March 21, 2024. Accessed March 25, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db491.htm#Key_finding.