More Than Half of US Overdose Deaths Now Involve Stimulants: stimulant use, opioid co-use, and CDC comparisons

Stimulant-involved overdose deaths now make up more than half of US overdose deaths, with a sharp rise since 2011. From January 2021 to June 2024, stimulants (especially cocaine and methamphetamine) were involved in 59% of nearly 309,300 reported overdose deaths. About 1 in 4 overdose deaths involved simultaneous use of stimulants and opioids. CDC data also indicate that 73% of stimulant-related overdose deaths involved opioids, and deaths involving stimulants alone were more likely among older people with a history of cardiovascular disease. This pattern highlights the need to address both stimulant and polysubstance risk in overdose prevention and treatment.