Opioid Overdose Deaths and Prescription Rates by State

How Many People Die From Opioid Overdoses Each Year?

According to the CDC, more than 70,000 people died from drug overdoses in the United States in 2017. Sixty-eight percent of those deaths involved a prescription or illegal opioid. On average, 130 Americans die every day from an opioid overdose. More than 399,000 people died from opioid overdoses between 1999 and 2017. This indicates that there is a major opioid epidemic in the United States that continues to grow exponentially. Opioid overdose statistics paint a somber picture; annual opioid overdose deaths have increased sixfold since 1999.

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What Is an Opioid?

Opioids are a class of drugs that include prescription opioids such as hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (OxyContin), morphine, codeine, and fentanyl. It also includes heroin and other narcotics. Part of what makes opioids addictive is that they bind to and activate opioid receptors in many areas of the brain and spinal cord, especially those involved with pain and pleasure. This blocks pain signals and releases large amounts of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that creates the same feel-good sensations we get from sex and food. Lethal opioid overdoses can occur from both prescription opioids and illegal opioids.

What Are the 10 States With the Highest Fatal Opioid Overdose Rates?

As of 2017, the states with the highest rates of fatal opioid overdose were:

1. West Virginia: 49.6 opioid overdose deaths per 100,000 people
2. Pennsylvania: 44.3 opioid overdose deaths per 100,000 people
3. Ohio: 39.2 opioid overdose deaths per 100,000 people
4. Delaware: 37 opioid overdose deaths per 100,000 people
5. New Hampshire: 34 opioid overdose deaths per 100,000 people
6. Maryland: 2 opioid overdose deaths per 100,000 people
7. New Jersey: 30 opioid overdose deaths per 100,000 people
8. Maine: 29.9 opioid overdose deaths per 100,000 people
9. Indiana: 29.4 opioid overdose deaths per 100,000 people
10. Massachusetts: 28.2 opioid overdose deaths per 100,000 people

The opioid crisis is partially fueled by the high rates of opioid prescriptions. Opioids are a key component in managing chronic and acute pain, but it is important that they are used appropriately and prescribed prudently. Providers should thoroughly discuss the risks of opioids with patients before prescribing them. While opioid prescriptions have been gradually declining over the years, the rate is still alarming. These opioid prescription statistics shed light on the current opioid crisis:

• In 2017, there were almost 58 opioid prescriptions written for every 100 Americans.
• The average number of days per prescription continues to increase. In 2017, it was 18 days.
• Per prescription, the average daily amount was over 45.3 MME (morphine milligram equivalents). Doses of more than 50 MME per day double the risk of overdose.
• In 16% of U.S. counties, enough opioid prescriptions were given for every person to have one.
• Some U.S. counties have opioid prescription rates seven times greater than the U.S. average.

What Are the Top 10 States With the Most Opioid Prescriptions?

The states with the most opioid prescriptions as of 2017 were:

1. Alabama: 107.2 opioid prescriptions per 100 people
2. Arkansas: 105.4 opioid prescriptions per 100 people
3. Tennessee: 94.4 opioid prescriptions per 100 people
4. Mississippi: 92.9 opioid prescriptions per 100 people
5. Louisiana: 89.5 opioid prescriptions per 100 people
6. Oklahoma: 88.1 opioid prescriptions per 100 people
7. Kentucky: 86.6 opioid prescriptions per 100 people
8. West Virginia: 81.3 opioid prescriptions per 100 people
9. South Carolina: 79.3 opioid prescriptions per 100 people
10. Indiana: 74.2 opioid prescriptions per 100 people

If you or a loved one is struggling with opioid addiction, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) provides a wealth of resources and hotlines to offer assistance.