2020’s Deadly Overdose Toll

2020’s Deadly Overdose Toll

COVID-19 continues to dominate the news as it did throughout much of 2020.

Hidden from sight is the raging epidemic of drug overdose deaths across America.

93,331

That’s the number of Americans who perished from a drug overdose in 2020.

And that number represents a jump of 30% over the prior year.

According to the New York Times:

“Several grim records were set: the most drug overdose deaths in a year; the most deaths from opioid overdoses; the most overdose deaths from stimulants like methamphetamine; the most deaths from the deadly class of synthetic opioids known as fentanyls.”

Why a deadly problem grew worse

According to experts, the pandemic contributed to heightened income insecurity, isolation, and depression. Those factors combined with a loss of treatment options proved deadly.

While the epidemic of drug overdose deaths touches all demographics hard, in 2020, young people and people of color suffered disproportionately.

Another enduring factor?

Fentanyl

This deadly synthetic opioid is finding its way into more and more drug combinations – and it is many times more powerful than heroin. Just over 100 pounds of the stuff is enough to quickly kill 26 million people.

Also cause for concern – a rise in the number of physicians prescribing opioids for pain associated with post-covid syndrome.

That perplexing trend raises the question, have we still not learned the lesson of the past two decades?

If you’re struggling with an addiction to alcohol and/or drugs and need help in Southern Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Florida, or Indiana, the recovery teams at Aware Recovery Care are here to help. Our unique model of care is giving clients a significantly better chance of recovery when compared to traditional inpatient rehab care. To learn more, please contact one of our Recovery Specialists.