Study Reveals 59% of Overdose Deaths Involved Stimulants from 2021 to 2024

A recent investigation into overdose fatalities from January 2021 to June 2024 indicates that nearly 60% of these deaths involved stimulants, according to data published in the August 28 issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report by the CDC. Lauren J. Tanz, Sc.D., and her team analyzed data from the CDC's Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System, uncovering a significant rise in stimulant-related overdose deaths across the United States.

The study found that 59.0% of overdose deaths involved stimulants, with 43.1% involving both stimulants and opioids, and 15.9% involving stimulants without opioids. Notably, individuals who overdosed on stimulants without opioids tended to be older—over 45 years—and had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease, compared to those who combined stimulants and opioids.

Between 2018 and 2023, there has been a marked increase in overdose death rates associated with stimulants like cocaine and psychostimulants such as methamphetamine. The increase was particularly pronounced among non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native populations, with rates rising from 11.0 to 32.9, and among non-Hispanic Black or African American populations, with rates climbing from 9.1 to 24.3. These trends are driven by deaths involving both stimulants and opioids.

The findings underscore the urgent need for expanding access to evidence-based behavioral treatments, like contingency management, aimed at addressing stimulant use disorder effectively. As the overdose crisis continues to evolve, targeted interventions and comprehensive strategies are essential to combat the rising number of stimulant-involved fatalities.

Source: Medical Xpress