Drug addiction crosses cultural and socioeconomic lines. The honor student, the sports hero, the loner, the musician, the proud parent–none are immune to the danger of drug addiction. For some, addiction begins with a prescription; others experiment with gateway drugs and seek stronger highs.
Society stigmatizes people with an addiction and overdose deaths, leaving families shunned and isolated. In 2022, more than 100,000 individuals died from an overdose. For every overdose death, many loved ones are left behind with grief, questions, and the brand of a scarlet “A” that is addiction. On August 31, International Overdose Awareness Day honors those who died from an overdose and provides families with a day to grieve without fear and remember and honor their loved ones.
What Is International Overdose Awareness Day?
Sally Finn from the Salvation Army founded International Overdose Awareness Day, celebrated annually on August 31. The Penington Institute (in Australia) has supported the campaign since 2012.
International Overdose Awareness Day allows family and friends to honor and remember their loved ones without shame, stigma, or judgment. Many families grieve in silence, understanding that “addiction” remains a dirty, shameful societal stigma. Instead of compassion, grace, and comfort, families grieving a loved one who died from an overdose may feel judged and have their grief minimized.
Addiction is a universal problem. International Overdose Awareness Day shines a light on grieving families and invites them to openly grieve, honor, and celebrate the memories of those they lost to drug addiction. This day also aims to reach people with an addiction and help them understand that they are loved and valued.
Families and friends are invited to post a tribute online. All tributes are posted publicly for all to read. These tributes allow grief to pour openly and tell the world that those lost mattered, were loved unconditionally, and made an important impact. Families and friends can post tributes for free.
Addiction and Overdose Facts
Addiction is a prevalent disease. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS), more than 37 million Americans (age 12 and up) used illegal drugs, and more than a quarter of users reported suffering from a drug use disorder.
Almost 108,000 individuals lost their lives to a drug overdose in 2022. This number has risen consistently and quite dramatically since 1999. While opioids remain the main cause of fatal drug overdoses, they are only one drug contributing to the increasing fatalities.
In 2022, psychostimulants and stimulants resulted in more than 57K fatal overdoses. However, many stimulant overdoses also included synthetic opioid involvement. Approximately 30K fatal overdoses were caused by a combination of stimulants and opioids.
Statistics also isolated overdose deaths attributed to fatal psychostimulants. These overdoses totaled 34,022 in 2022. Psychostimulants include methamphetamine, and, once again, many fatal overdoses involving meth also involved synthetic opioids.
Fatal cocaine overdoses also have increased. In 2022, more than 27K deaths were attributed to a cocaine overdose. Synthetic opioids used in combination with cocaine contributed to the majority of these fatalities.
Benzodiazepines (benzos) also led to thousands of fatal overdoses in 2022. More than 10,900 individuals died from a fatal Benzo overdose, and many of these fatalities involved benzos used in combination with synthetic opioids.
Fatal antidepressant overdoses were far less common. According to 2022 statistics, antidepressant overdoses contributed to 5,863 fatalities. Approximately half of these fatalities also involved synthetic opioids.
Opioid Overdose Facts
According to statistics provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), opioid deaths in the U.S. have continuously climbed since 1999. In 2022, more than 80K individuals died from an opioid overdose.
While overall opioid overdose deaths continue to climb, deaths from an overdose related to prescribed opioids peaked in 2017 when more than 17K individuals died from a prescription opioid overdose. More than 14K individuals died from an overdose related to an opioid prescription in 2022.
Heroin overdose deaths have consistently declined. NIDA reported that 5,871 individuals died from a heroin overdose in 2022; this represented a significant decline from the previous year when 9,173 heroin overdose deaths were recorded
The Top 10 Most Common Drugs
Opioid addiction and overdose is a common problem throughout the world. Prescription drugs like oxycodone could initiate a drug habit or addiction. Unfortunately, many are introduced to the powerful impact of opiates because of a painkiller prescription.
While opioids represent the largest danger for overdose deaths, these drugs are only one of the most commonly abused drugs in the country. The 10 most commonly abused drugs include:
Tobacco
Alcohol
Cannabinoids (marijuana, hashish)
Opioids
Stimulants (meth, cocaine, etc.)
Club drugs (MDMA, GHB, etc.)
Dissociative drugs (Ketamine, PCP, etc.)
Hallucinogens
Anabolic steroids
Inhalants
Signs of an Overdose
There are many signs of a drug overdose, and the symptoms may depend on the specific drug. Opioid-related overdoses may result in the individual being unconscious, having labored breathing, or they may stop breathing. Fingertips may be blue because of a lack of oxygen. Pupils may appear like tiny dots.
Signs of a Stimulant Overdose
Rapid breathing, a fast heart rate, paranoia, and aggression mark stimulant overdoses. The individual may hallucinate. A stimulant overdose also can lead to cardiac arrest.
When an overdose is suspected, dial 911 immediately. An overdose is always a medical emergency.
Keep Calm and Carry Narcan
As opioid overdoses dominate the drug-related fatality statistics, the overdose rescue medication Narcan has been made available over the counter.
Narcan is administered as a nasal spray. First responders use this drug to help reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. The drug helps block the effect of opiates and aids breathing.
Narcan at Walgreens
Consumers can purchase Narcan at Walgreens and many other retail pharmacies. Carrying Narcan in a handbag or a vehicle could save someone’s life in the event of a fatal overdose. Keep calm and carry Narcan.
Addiction Is Not A Scarlet Letter
For families who mourn the loss of a loved one because of a fatal overdose, honor them and grieve openly on August 31. Addiction and overdose deaths impact thousands of families across the country. You are not alone. International Drug Overdose Awareness Day serves to shed light on addiction, overdose deaths, and the humanity of addiction. Post a memorial tribute, share a story, and honor your loved one. Know that each story, each person, and each family matters.
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