Rising Concerns Over the Overlooked 'Silent Epidemic' of Stimulant Use Amidst Opioid Crisis

While the ongoing opioid epidemic continues to claim thousands of lives annually in North America, emerging research highlights a less visible but equally alarming public health issue: the increasing misuse and mortality linked to stimulant drugs. Published in the open-access journal PLOS Mental Health, a recent study led by Yutong Li from the University of Alberta uncovers the growing co-involvement of stimulants alongside opioids in drug-related deaths.

In 2021 alone, over 88,000 fatalities from opioid overdoses were recorded in the United States and Canada, marking a significant surge in what has been described as the third wave of the opioid crisis. Notably, a substantial proportion of these individuals—82%—had also been exposed to stimulants, with 22% regularly using amphetamines.

To understand this complex overlap, researchers analyzed data on both intentional and unintentional deaths spanning from 1999 to 2021 (U.S. data) and from 2016 to 2021 (Canadian data). Additionally, they examined Google search trends related to opioids and stimulants to gauge public awareness.

The study identified four distinct peaks in opioid-related deaths, with the largest increase observed between 2019 and 2021. Similarly, stimulant-related deaths surged three times from 1999 to 2021, with a prominent rise from 2013 onward. Interestingly, the co-occurrence of both substances in overdose deaths increased sharply during this period, especially between 2013 and 2021. Despite this, online interest in stimulants remained relatively low compared to opioids, suggesting a significant gap in public awareness.

These findings point to a hidden epidemic where stimulant-involved deaths escalate alongside opioid fatalities, yet public recognition remains limited. The lack of awareness could hinder effective intervention strategies, blunting efforts to combat this compounding public health crisis.

While the study did not include data on other substances such as alcohol, its findings underscore the urgent need for expanded awareness and targeted responses to address the intertwined nature of opioid and stimulant misuse. As stimulant use continues to rise covertly, public health authorities must acknowledge and confront this shadow epidemic to better mitigate its devastating impact.