According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the final federal figures released on Thursday revealed that nearly 108,000 Americans lost their lives to drug overdoses in 2022. This marks a continuation of the troubling trend that has been observed over the past two decades, with the number of overdose deaths in the U.S. steadily increasing each year and setting new records, culminating in what is now considered the worst overdose epidemic in American history.
The official count for 2022 stood at 107,941, a slight increase of about 1% compared to the nearly 107,000 overdose deaths recorded in 2021. Earlier provisional data had estimated a higher figure of over 109,000 overdose deaths in 2022, but it is important to note that provisional data includes all overdose deaths, whereas the final numbers are limited to U.S. residents.
While the report indicated a decline in the female overdose death rate for the first time in five years, the male overdose death rate continued to rise, with males accounting for approximately 70% of all overdose deaths in the U.S. The overall drug overdose death rate did increase from 2021 to 2022, although the rise was deemed statistically insignificant.
Looking ahead, the CDC has not yet released overdose numbers for the most recent year. However, provisional data covering the first ten months of 2023 suggests that overdose deaths remained relatively stable during that period.
This data underscores the ongoing public health crisis posed by drug overdoses in the United States and highlights the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address substance abuse and prevent further loss of life.
