Fentanyl Deaths Are Falling But a Crisis Remains
New statistics from across the nation suggest that fentanyl overdose deaths are in sharp decline, but there remains a lot of work to be done in resolving the ongoing opioid crisis. While there are many theories as to the cause of the reductions in the deaths, most appear to attribute this to better awareness and knowledge of the drug and of medications like Narcan that can reverse a fentanyl overdose
Overall, fentanyl misuse and addiction remains a serious issue across America, despite falling overdose deaths.
Fentanyl Overdose Deaths are Declining
A recent article on NPR discussed how data from various government institutions has found that fentanyl overdose deaths are declining across effectively every state. Not only are fentanyl overdoses dropping by over 30%, but overdose deaths from other illicit drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine are down by nearly a quarter.
The two main reasons attributed to the decline are fentanyl users adapting to the drug and the widespread use of Narcan.
When fentanyl first became widespread, many were taken off guard by its potency. Roughly 50 times more potent than heroin, fentanyl can quickly overwhelm an individual and lead to a potentially fatal overdose. Data suggests that fentanyl users have begun to adapt to the drug by exploring less potent ways of using it (such as smoking or snorting) or by taking smaller doses.
The use of Narcan also appears to be playing a major role in the reduction of fentanyl overdose deaths. Narcan (also known as Naloxone) is a fast-acting medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. In March of 2023, the FDA approved naloxone nasal spray to be sold over the counter, drastically increasing access to the potentially life-saving medication. It has been theorized that Narcan’s accessibility and usage is helping to reduce fentanyl overdose deaths.
Regardless of the reason, while declining fentanyl overdose deaths is a significant victory, many problems remain with fentanyl misuse and addiction.
Fentanyl Misuse and Addiction Remains a Challenge
While overdose deaths falling is a positive, there remains many challenges around fentanyl misuse.
One example would be that another suggested reason for the decline in fentanyl overdose deaths is that a lot of new fentanyl is being mixed with animal tranquilizers like xylazine and medetomidine. While these substances are less likely to cause a fatal overdose, they carry new risks. Xylazine is a sedative that, in addition to potentially causing depressed breathing or withdrawal symptoms, can also cause skin wounds that could become infected. Meditomidine use isn’t well studied in humans, but similar drugs have been shown to produce a wide range of adverse effects and highly uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
There’s also nothing in the reduction of fatal overdoses to suggest that fentanyl usage is falling. While data for 2024 is not yet fully released, the National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) showed a consistent rate of opioid misuse from 2021 to 2023. Complicating matters is that the NSDUH suggests that illegally made fentanyl may be present in other drugs like heroin. This would not only cause people to use fentanyl unknowingly, but also can skew the measurements of people actively using fentanyl in a given year.
Ultimately, while fentanyl deaths may be declining, there’s nothing to suggest that fentanyl misuse or addiction is dropping.
Addiction Treatment Can Help
While fentanyl addiction can be a significant challenge, there is help available. Evidence-based addiction treatment for opioid use disorder can lead to positive health outcomes. Oftentimes fentanyl addiction treatment is considered a type of opioid use disorder (opioid addiction) treatment, and will likely involve a combination of behavioral therapies, counseling, and medications.
Las Vegas treatment facilities like Desert Hope offer several levels of care to help patients achieve recovery from fentanyl addiction. These levels of care include:
If you or a loved one is struggling with fentanyl misuse or addiction, there is help available. Our staff is ready to help you explore your payment options and help you to verify your insurance benefits. Don’t delay, call Desert Hope at to get started.