S.A.R.A.H. Events

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In 2023, fentanyl continued to drive the opioid overdose crisis in the U.S., with synthetic opioids like fentanyl being responsible for the majority of overdose deaths. Preliminary data indicated that fentanyl was involved in about 70,000 overdose deaths in 2022, representing over 75% of total drug-related deaths. This number is expected to remain alarmingly high for 2023.

In 2023, the United States saw approximately 107,543 drug overdose deaths, marking a slight decrease (3%) from 2022. This is the first reduction in overdose deaths since 2018. Opioid-related deaths were a significant portion, with 81,083 deaths involving opioids, down from 84,181 in 2022. Despite this overall decline, some regions still experienced rising overdose rates. Synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl, remained a major factor, although deaths from cocaine and methamphetamine increased during this period.

In 2023, approximately 22.2 million adults in the U.S. considered themselves in recovery from a substance use problem. This accounts for around 73.1% of adults who have ever had a substance use disorder (SUD). Additionally, about 12.8 million people aged 12 or older were classified as needing substance use treatment, with around 23.6% receiving it during the year.

It’s notable that recovery numbers are similar across different racial and ethnic groups, indicating consistent trends in self-reported recovery experiences. These figures highlight the ongoing challenges in both accessing treatment and maintaining recovery for many Americans struggling with addiction.

Sources: SAMHSA’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health