2018 ANNUAL 

SURVEILLANCE 

REPORT OF 

DRUG-RELATED 

RISKS AND 

OUTCOMES 

UNITED STATES

Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention

National Center for Injury

Prevention and Control
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2018

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This Surveillance Report was prepared by staff from the National 

Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC), Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Department of Health and Human 

Services, Atlanta, Georgia.

Contributors to this report included: Brooke E. Hoots, PhD, MSPH1, 

Likang Xu, MD, MS2, Mbabazi Kariisa, PhD3, Nana Otoo Wilson, PhD, 

MPH, MSc1, Rose A. Rudd, MSPH1, Lawrence Scholl, PhD, MPH1,4, Lyna 

Schieber, MD, DPhil1, and Puja Seth, PhD1

1

Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention (DUIP), National Center for 

Injury Prevention and Control, CDC

2

Division of Analysis, Research, and Practice Integration (DARPI), 

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC

3

Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN

4

Epidemic Intelligence Service, CDC

Corresponding authors: Brooke E. Hoots, vie2@cdc.gov; Puja Seth, 

pseth@cdc.gov.

The authors would also like to acknowledge Julie O’Donnell, PhD, 

MPH, Yuri Springer, PhD, and Emilia Pasalic, MPH in DUIP, NCIPC, CDC.

This report is based on data collected from multiple sources and is 

updated annually. Data on opioid prescribing were obtained from 

IQVIATM Transactional Data Warehouse (TDW) and the Total Patient 

Tracker (TPT). Data on drug use, misuse, substance use disorder, and 

treatment were obtained from the Substance Abuse and Mental 

Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) 2016 National Survey 

on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Data on nonfatal overdose 

hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits were obtained 

from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project’s (HCUP) National 

Inpatient Sample (NIS) and Nationwide Emergency Department 

Sample (NEDS) 2015 surveys, which are sponsored by the Agency for 

Healthcare Research and Quality. Data on mortality were obtained 

from the National Vital Statistics System’s (NVSS) 2016 mortality files 

through CDC WONDER (Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiology 

Research). The report is accessible online at: https://www.cdc.gov/

drugoverdose/pdf/pubs/2018-cdc-drug-surveillance-report.pdf 

Disclaimer

The findings and conclusions in 

this report are those of the authors 

and do not necessarily represent 

the views of the Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention. This 

research was supported in part by 

an appointment to the Research 

Participation Program at the Centers 

for Disease Control and Prevention 

administered by the Oak Ridge 

Institute for Science and Education 

through an interagency agreement 

between the U.S. Department of 

Energy and CDC.

All material in this report is in the 

public domain and may be used 

and copied without permission but 

requires citation.

Suggested Citation

Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention. 2018 Annual Surveillance 

Report of Drug-Related Risks 

and Outcomes — United States. 

Surveillance Special Report. Centers 

for Disease Control and Prevention, 

U.S. Department of Health and 

Human Services. Published 

August 31, 2018. Accessed [date] 

from https://www.cdc.gov/

drugoverdose/pdf/pubs/2018-

cdc-drug-surveillance-report.pdf 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

NOTABLE REPORT CHANGES FROM 2017 TO 2018

RESULTS OF THE 2018 SURVEILLANCE REPORT

Opioid Prescribing 

Drug Use, Misuse, Substance Use Disorder, and Treatment

Nonfatal Overdose Hospitalizations and Emergency 

Department Visits

Drug Overdose Mortality

Limitations

CDC’s Opioid Overdose Surveillance and Prevention Efforts

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TECHNICAL NOTES

REFERENCES

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TABLE 1A National estimates of total number and percent of persons who had at least 

one prescription filled for an opioid by age and gender — United States, 2017

TABLE 1B Total number and rate of opioid prescriptions (Rx) and morphine milligram 

equivalents (MME) dispensed per 100 persons annually — United States, 2017

TABLE 1C Rates of opioid prescriptions dispensed per 100 persons by dosage, type, and 

state — United States, 2017

TABLE 1D Trend analyses of opioid prescribing — United States, 2006–2017

TABLES
FIGURE 1A Annual prescribing rates overall and for high-dosage prescriptions (≥ 90 

MME/day) — United States, 2006–2017

FIGURE 1B Annual prescribing rates by days of supply per prescription — United States, 

2006–2017

FIGURE 1C Average daily morphine milligram equivalents (MME) per prescription — 

United States, 2006–2017

FIGURE 1D Average days of supply per prescription — United States, 2006–2017

FIGURE 2A Age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths and drug overdose deaths 

involving any opioid for all intents and for unintentional intent by year — 

United States, 1999–2016

FIGURE 2B Age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths by drug or drug class and year — 

United States, 1999–2016

FIGURE 2C Rates of drug overdose deaths by drug or drug class and age category — 

United States, 2016

FIGURE 2D Age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths by state — United States, 2016

FIGURES

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TABLE 2A Self-reported prevalence of illicit drug use and prescription drug misuse in

the past month, persons 12+ years old, numbers in thousands — United 

States, 2016

TABLE 2B Self-reported prevalence of illicit drug use and prescription drug misuse in the 

past year, persons 12+ years old, numbers in thousands — United States, 2016

TABLE 2C Self-reported prevalence of any prescription drug use (including misuse) in 

the past year, persons 12+ years old, by drug type, numbers in thousands — 

United States, 2016

TABLE 2D Self-reported prevalence of past year initiation of illicit drug use and 

prescription drug misuse, persons 12+ years old, by drug type, numbers in 

thousands — United States, 2016

TABLE 2E Self-reported prevalence of substance use disorder in the past year, persons 

12+ years old, by drug type, numbers in thousands — United States, 2016

TABLE 2F Self-reported prevalence of illicit and prescription drug treatment in the past 

year, persons 12+ years old, by demographic characteristics, numbers in 

thousands — United States, 2016

TABLE 3A Estimated numbers and age-adjusted rates per 100,000 of drug poisoningrelated hospitalizations by selected substances — United States, 2015

TABLE 3B Estimated numbers and age-adjusted rates per 100,000 of drug poisoningrelated emergency department visits by selected substances — United 

States, 2015

TABLE 3C Estimated number and percent of drug poisoning-related hospitalizations 

and emergency department visits by primary payer — United States, 2015

TABLE 4 Number and age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths involving selected 

drugs by sex, age group, race/ethnicity, census region, urbanization, and 

intent — United States, 2016
SUPPLEMENTAL TABLE 1

Opioid prescribing — United States, 2006–2017

SUPPLEMENTAL TABLE 2A

Estimated numbers and rates (not age-adjusted) per 100,000 population of 

drug poisoning-related hospitalizations by selected substances — United 

States, 2016

SUPPLEMENTAL TABLE 2B

Estimated numbers and rates (not age-adjusted) per 100,000 population

of drug poisoning-related emergency department visits by selected

substances — United States, 2016

SUPPLEMENTAL TABLE 2C 

Estimated numbers and age-adjusted rates per 100,000 population of drug 

poisoning-related hospitalizations by selected substances — United States, 

January 1–September 30, 2016

SUPPLEMENTAL TABLE 2D

Estimated numbers and age-adjusted rates per 100,000 population of drug 

poisoning-related emergency department visits by selected substances — 

United States, January 1–September 30, 2016

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA SUPPORTING FIGURE 2A 

Age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths and drug overdose deaths 

involving any opioid for all intents and for unintentional intent by year — 

United States, 1999–2016

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA SUPPORTING FIGURE 2B 

Age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths by drug or drug class and year — 

United States, 1999–2016

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA SUPPORTING FIGURE 2C 

Rates of drug overdose deaths by drug or drug class and age category — 

United States, 2016

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA SUPPORTING FIGURE 2D

Age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths by state — United States, 2016

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78 APPENDIX
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Current Drug Overdose Epidemic in the United States

Between 1999 and 2016, more than 630,000 people died from a drug overdose in the United States. The 

current epidemic of drug overdoses began in the 1990s with overdose deaths involving prescription opioids, 

driven by dramatic increases in prescribing of opioids for chronic pain. In 2010, rapid increases in overdose 

deaths involving heroin marked the second wave of opioid overdose deaths. The third wave began in 

2013, when overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids, particularly those involving illicitly manufactured 

fentanyl, began to increase significantly. In addition to deaths, nonfatal overdoses from both prescription 

and illicit drugs are responsible for increasing emergency department visits and hospital admissions.

This is the second annual surveillance report summarizing the latest information at the 

national level for prescribing patterns, drug use, and nonfatal and fatal overdose related to 

the current drug overdose epidemic in the United States. This report is intended to serve as 

a resource for persons charged with addressing this ongoing national crisis.

This report presents information on four types of outcomes from four different data sources:

1 Opioid prescribing, 2006–2017, from IQVIATM

2 Drug use, misuse, substance use disorder, and treatment, 2016, from the National Survey on Drug Use 

and Health (NSDUH), a product of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

3 Nonfatal overdose hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits, 2015, from the Healthcare 

Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP), a product of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s 

(AHRQ) Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes

4 Drug overdose mortality, 1999–2016, from the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) Mortality 

Component, maintained by the National Center for Health Statistics, CDC

Opioid Prescribing

Healthcare providers wrote 72.4 opioid prescriptions per 100 persons in 2006. This rate increased annually 

by 3.0% from 2006 to 2010, decreased 1.6% annually from 2010 to 2014, and continued to decrease annually 

by 8.2% until 2017, reaching a rate of 58.5 prescriptions per 100 persons. This represents an overall relative 

reduction of 19.2% from 2006 to 2017. In 2017, 17.4% of the U.S. population received one or more opioid 

prescriptions, with the average person receiving 3.4 prescriptions.

Between 2006 and 2017, the annual prescribing rate for high dosage opioid prescriptions (≥ 90 morphine 

milligram equivalents [MME]/day) decreased from 11.5 to 5.0 prescriptions per 100 persons, an overall 

relative reduction of 56.5%. The proportion of opioid prescriptions that were high dosage declined from 

15.9% in 2006 to 8.5% in 2017.
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Drug Use, Misuse, and Substance Use Disorder, and Treatment

In 2016, an estimated 48.5 million persons in the U.S., or 18.0% of persons aged 12 years and older, reported 

use of illicit drugs or misuse of prescription drugs in the past year. This estimate includes use of marijuana, 

cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, and methamphetamines, and the misuse of 

prescription drugs. Reported prevalence of illicit drug use in the past year by drug type was: 13.9% for 

marijuana, 0.4% for heroin, 1.9% for cocaine, and 0.5% for methamphetamine. Reported prevalence of 

prescription drug misuse by drug type was: 4.3% for prescription pain relievers, 2.1% for prescription 

stimulants, 2.2% for prescription tranquilizers, and 0.6% for prescription sedatives. Reported prevalence of 

opioid misuse (heroin use or prescription pain reliever misuse) in the past year was 4.4%.

An estimated 2.2 million persons in the U.S. in 2016 reported that they had received any treatment in the 

past year to reduce or stop illicit drug use, including prescription drug misuse, or for medical problems 

associated with illicit drug use.

Nonfatal Overdose Hospitalizations and Emergency Department (ED) Visits

An estimated 316,900 hospitalizations for nonfatal drug poisonings occurred in 2015, with an age-adjusted 

rate of 96.2 hospitalizations per 100,000. Age-adjusted rates of hospitalizations per 100,000 by drug type 

were: 23.2 for all opioids, 5.3 for heroin, 1.7 for methadone, 16.7 for other opioids, 5.8 for cocaine, and 4.7 for 

methamphetamines. 

An estimated 547,543 ED visits occurred for all drug-related poisonings in the U.S. in 2015, with an age 

adjusted rate of 174.6 visits per 100,000. Age-adjusted rates of ED visits per 100,000 by drug type were: 

44.0 for all opioids, 25.9 for heroin, 1.1 for methadone, 17.3 for other opioids, 3.0 for cocaine, and 5.2 for 

methamphetamines.

Drug Overdose Mortality

A record number of drug overdose deaths occurred in 2016: 63,632, a rate of 19.8 per 100,000 persons. 

Although deaths might have involved more than one drug, prescription and/or illicit opioids were 

involved in 66.4% (42,249) of these drug overdose fatalities. Among opioid-involved deaths, the most 

commonly involved drugs were synthetic opioids other than methadone (a category that is primarily illicitly 

manufactured fentanyl, based on epidemiologic evidence) (19,413 deaths), followed by prescription opioids 

(17,087 deaths), and heroin (15,469 deaths). Prescription opioids included deaths involving natural and semisynthetic opioids (14,487 deaths) and methadone (3,373 deaths). Cocaine was involved in 10,375 deaths.

The rapid increase in deaths involving heroin that began in 2010 continued through 2016. Rates for drug 

overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone also continued to increase through 

2016, with the rates increasing by 87% annually from 2013 to 2016. Mortality rates from cocaine and 

psychostimulants with abuse potential (e.g., methamphetamine) also increased; from 2014 to 2016, rates 

increased on average 37% per year for cocaine and 26% per year for psychostimulants from 2008 to 2016. 

Limitations

This report has some limitations. Because four distinct data sources were used, terminology and definitions 

are not always standardized throughout the report. Further, the most recent year of available data varied 

across the data sources. Collectively, these factors limit comparability of information across data sources. In 

addition, this report does not address polysubstance use (i.e., the consumption of more than one drug over 

a defined period, simultaneously or at different times, for either therapeutic or recreational purposes). For a 

detailed description of the data sources, definitions, and caveats, please refer to the technical notes. 
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The data from these four sources suggest the following conclusions: 

• Opioid prescribing and high-dose prescribing continued to decrease through 2017. Overall, data 

suggest that some prescribing practices continued to improve in 2017, and sustained efforts are 

needed to help providers adopt and maintain safe prescribing behaviors.

• A low percentage of those needing treatment for substance abuse are able to access it. In addition to 

expanding treatment options and access, additional measures are needed to prevent illicit drug use 

and prescription drug misuse in a dynamic drug landscape.

• Drug overdose deaths in 2016 reached a new record high.

• Heroin, synthetic opioids other than methadone (mostly illicitly manufactured fentanyl), cocaine, and 

psychostimulants with abuse potential were driving increases in overdose deaths in 2016.

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Conclusions
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Opioid Prescribing

No significant changes.

Drug Use, Misuse, Substance Use Disorder, and Treatment

A category for opioids (heroin or prescription pain relievers) was added to tables when available. Data on 

marijuana use also were added to tables on illicit drug use and past year initiation of illicit drug use. Despite 

being legalized in the states of some respondents, marijuana was classified as an illicit substance in NSDUH 

because it remains an illegal substance (Schedule I drug) under federal law. Additional race/ethnicity groups 

for American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and Asian were added to race/

ethnicity categories. Data presented for small metropolitan county type were stratified based on population 

size in the 2017 surveillance report (i.e., 250,000 – 1 million population and <250,000 population), but this 

stratification was not available in the 2016 NSDUH report and is not included in this report. 

In addition, data among persons aged 12 years and older on self-reported prevalence of illicit drug treatment 

in the past year at any location and at specialty facilities have been added to the report.

Nonfatal Overdose Hospitalizations and Emergency Departments (ED) Visits

As with the 2017 surveillance report, information on medically attended, nonfatal overdose hospitalization 

and ED visit rates were obtained from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP). However, 

HCUP data sources transitioned from using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical 

Modification (ICD-9-CM) diagnosis codes to International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical 

Modification/Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-CM/PCS) on October 1, 2015 (the beginning of fiscal year 

2016). ICD-9-CM injury diagnosis codes were used to classify drug-related poisonings (i.e., overdoses) for the 

first three quarters of 2015 (January 1–September 30, 2015), and ICD-10-CM/PCS codes were used for the 

fourth quarter of 2015 (October 1–December 31, 2015). To minimize the impact of the transition on the data, 

all intents, diagnoses (not just principal), and all encounters (initial and subsequent) were included in our 

drug-related poisoning definitions. These definitions differ from last year’s report, and therefore, numbers 

and rates should not be compared between the two reports. 

Drug Overdose Mortality

Additional race/ethnicity groups for non-Hispanic American Indian/Alaska Natives and non-Hispanic Asian/

Pacific Islanders were added to the race/ethnicity categories.

The figure presenting age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths by drug or drug class and age category 

(Figure 2c) previously had age group on the x-axis and drugs coded by color. Drug or drug class in this report 

is represented on the x-axis, and age group is represented by color. Prescription opioids is now included 

as a category in Figures 2b and 2c, while the category for natural and semi-synthetic opioids is no longer 

included.

NOTABLE REPORT CHANGES 

FROM 2017 TO 2018
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Data on opioid prescribing estimates from IQVIATM are presented for the following outcomes:

• National estimates of total number and percent of persons who had at least one prescription filled for an 

opioid by age and gender — United States, 2017 (Table 1a)

• Total number and rate of opioid prescriptions (Rx) and morphine milligram equivalents (MME) dispensed 

per 100 persons annually — United States, 2017 (Table 1b)

• Rates of opioid prescriptions dispensed per 100 persons by dosage, type, and state — United States, 

2017 (Table 1c)

• Trend analyses of opioid prescribing — United States, 2006–2017 (Table 1d)

• Annual prescribing rates overall and for high-dosage prescriptions (≥ 90 MME/day) — United States, 

2006–2017 (Figure 1a)

• Annual prescribing rates by days of supply per prescription — United States, 2006–2017 (Figure 1b)

• Average daily morphine milligram equivalents (MME) per prescription — United States, 2006–2017 

(Figure 1c)

• Average days of supply per prescription — United States, 2006–2017 (Figure 1d)

All prescribing rates are presented per 100 persons. For more detailed information, including definitions, 

please refer to the table footnotes and technical notes.

Annual estimates of prescribing rates for all opioids, high-dosage opioids (≥ 90 MME), and days of supply per 

prescription in the United States during 2006–2017 are reported in the Appendix (Supplemental Table 1). 

Person-Level Opioid Prescribing, United States, 2017 (Table 1a)

• A total of 56,935,332 persons, or 17.4% of the population, filled at least one prescription for an opioid. 

• 14.8% of males filled at least one prescription for an opioid in 2017, and 19.9% of females filled at least 

one prescription for an opioid.

• Person-level prescribing was highest among older age groups, with 26.8% of persons aged ≥ 65 years, 

26.3% of persons aged 55–64, and 23.1% of persons aged 45–54 having filled at least one prescription 

for an opioid.

Opioid Prescribing Rates and Dosages, United States, 2017 (Table 1b)

• A total of 191,146,822 opioid prescriptions were dispensed by retail pharmacies; the total opioid 

prescribing rate was 58.5 prescriptions per 100 persons.

• The long-acting or extended-release (LA/ER) opioid (i.e., slower-acting medications with a longer 

duration of pain-relieving action) prescribing rate was 5.3 per 100 persons.

• The prescribing rate for < 30 days of supply per prescription was 33.9; for ≥ 30 days of supply, the rate 

was 24.6 in 2017.

Opioid Prescribing

RESULTS OF THE 2018 

SURVEILLANCE REPORT
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• The average number of opioid prescriptions per person was 3.4, and the average number of days of 

supply per prescription was 18.3.

• A total of 166,941,732,435 MME (i.e., the total dosage or amount of opioids prescribed accounting for 

differences in drug type and strength) were prescribed in 2017.

• The average dosage per prescription was 873.4 MME, and the average daily dosage per prescription 

was 45.3 MME. 

Opioid Prescribing Rates and Dosages by State, 2017 (Table 1c)

• Opioid prescribing rates ranged from 28.5 prescriptions per 100 persons in the District of Columbia to 

107.2 in Alabama.

– States with the highest opioid prescribing rates were Alabama (107.2), Arkansas (105.4), Tennessee 

(94.4), Mississippi (92.9), and Louisiana (89.5).

– States with the lowest opioid prescribing rates were the District of Columbia (28.5), Hawaii (37.0), New 

York (37.8), California (39.5), and Massachusetts (40.1).

• LA/ER opioid prescribing rates ranged from 1.9 prescriptions per 100 persons in the District of Columbia 

to 11.0 in Delaware.

– States with the highest LA/ER opioid prescribing rates were Delaware (11.0), Oklahoma (9.0), Tennessee 

(8.7), Vermont (8.3), Alabama (8.2), and New Hampshire (8.2). 

– States with the lowest LA/ER opioid prescribing rates were the District of Columbia (1.9), Texas (3.3), 

California (3.5), Illinois (3.5), and Minnesota (4.0).

• High-dosage opioid prescribing rates (≥ 90 MME/day) ranged from 1.4 prescriptions per 100 persons in 

the District of Columbia to 9.8 in Delaware. 

– States with the highest high-dosage opioid prescribing rates were Delaware (9.8), Utah (8.4), Alaska 

(8.3), Vermont (8.1), and New Hampshire (8.0).

– States with the lowest high-dosage opioid prescribing rates were the District of Columbia (1.4), Texas 

(2.6), Illinois (2.8), North Dakota (2.8), and Minnesota (2.9).

Trends in Opioid Prescribing Rates and Dosages, 2006–2017

All opioids

Between 2006 and 2017, the annual prescribing rate per 100 persons decreased from 72.4 to 58.5 for all 

opioids, an overall relative reduction of 19.2% (Supplemental Table 1). The rate for all opioids initially 

increased annually by 3.0% (95% confidence limits [CL]: 2.4, 3.6) from 2006 to 2010, decreased 1.6% (95% CL: 

-2.6, -0.7) annually from 2010 to 2014, and continued to decrease annually by 8.2% (95% CL: -9.1, -7.3) from 

2014 to 2017 (Table 1d and Figure 1a).

High-dosage opioids (≥ 90 MME/day)

Between 2006 and 2017, the annual prescribing rate per 100 persons decreased from 11.5 to 5.0 for highdosage opioids, an overall relative reduction of 56.5% (Supplemental Table 1). The rate was stable between 

2006 and 2009 (annual percent change [APC]: 0.0, 95% CL: -2.8, 2.8) and then decreased annually by 9.5% 

(95% CL: -10.0, -8.9) from 2009 to 2017 (Table 1d and Figure 1a).

Annual prescribing rates per 100 persons by days of supply per opioid prescription (≥ 30 days and < 30 days)

≥ 30 days of supply

Between 2006 and 2017, the annual prescribing rate per 100 persons increased from 17.6 to 24.6 for 

prescriptions with ≥ 30 days of supply, an overall relative increase of 39.8% (Supplemental Table 1). 
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The rate increased annually by 10.3% (95% CL: 9.8, 10.9) from 2006 to 2010 and by 1.7% (95% CL: 1.2, 2.2) 

from 2010 to 2015, and then decreased annually by 7.3% (95% CL: -8.8, -5.8) from 2015 to 2017 (Table 1d

and Figure 1b).

< 30 days of supply

Between 2006 and 2017, the annual prescribing rate per 100 persons decreased from 54.7 to 33.9 for 

prescriptions with < 30 days of supply, an overall relative reduction of 38.0% (Supplemental Table 1). The 

rate remained stable between 2006 and 2010 (APC: 0.4, 95% CL: -0.2, 1.0), decreased annually by 3.9% (95% 

CL: -4.8, -2.9) from 2010 to 2014, and further decreased 10.5% (95% CL: -11.4, -9.8) per year from 2014 to 2017 

(Table 1d and Figure 1b).

Average daily dosage (MME/day) per prescription

Between 2006 and 2017, the average daily MME per prescription decreased from 59.7 to 45.3 for all opioids, 

an overall relative reduction of 24.1% (Supplemental Table 1). The rate decreased annually by 1.0% (95% 

CL: -1.2, -0.8) from 2006 to 2010, by 4.5% (95% CL: -5.1, -3.9) from 2010 to 2013, and by 2.2% (95% CL: -2.4, 

-2.0) from 2013 to 2017 (Table 1d and Figure 1c).

Average days of supply per prescription

Between 2006 and 2016, average days of supply per prescription increased from 13.3 to 18.3 days, an 

overall relative increase of 37.6%. The rate increased annually by 4.1% (95% CL: 3.9, 4.4) from 2006 to 2009, 

by 2.9% (95% CL: 2.7, 3.2) from 2009 to 2013, and by 2.1% (95% CL: 2.0, 2.3) from 2013 to 2017 (Table 1d

and Figure 1d). 
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Self-reported data for persons in the United States aged 12 years and older are presented from the 2016 

National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH):

• Self-reported prevalence of illicit drug use and prescription drug misuse in the past month, persons 12+ 

years old, numbers in thousands — United States, 2016 (Table 2a)

• Self-reported prevalence of illicit drug use and prescription drug misuse in the past year, persons 12+ 

years old, numbers in thousands — United States, 2016 (Table 2b)

• Self-reported prevalence of any prescription drug use (including misuse) in the past year, persons 12+ 

years old, by drug type, numbers in thousands — United States, 2016 (Table 2c)

• Self-reported prevalence of past year initiation of illicit drug use and prescription drug misuse, persons 

12+ years old, by drug type, numbers in thousands — United States, 2016 (Table 2d)

• Self-reported prevalence of substance use disorder in the past year, persons 12+ years old, by drug type, 

numbers in thousands — United States, 2016 (Table 2e)

• Self-reported prevalence of illicit and prescription drug treatment in the past year, persons 12+ years old, 

by demographic characteristics, numbers in thousands — United States, 2016 (Table 2f)

For more detailed information, please refer to the table footnotes and the technical notes.

Illicit Drug Use and Prescription Drug Misuse

Estimated prevalence of use of illicit drugs includes use of marijuana, cocaine (including crack), heroin, 

hallucinogens, inhalants, or methamphetamine. Prescription drug misuse includes misuse of prescription 

psychotherapeutics (i.e., prescription pain relievers, stimulants, sedatives, and tranquilizers). 

• During 2016, an estimated 48,501,000 persons, or 18.0% of persons aged 12 and older, reported use of 

illicit drugs or misuse of prescription drugs in the past year (Table 2b).

– By gender, the prevalence was 20.7% among males and 15.5% among females.

– By age, prevalence was highest among persons aged 18–25 (37.7%) and persons aged 26–34 (28.0%).

– By race/ethnicity, prevalence ranged from 9.2% among Asians to 23.6% among American Indians or 

Alaska Natives.

• By U.S. census region of residence, prevalence ranged from 17.0% in the Midwest to 21.6% in

the West (Table 2b).

• By county type and urbanization, prevalence ranged from 12.3% of persons in non-metropolitan, 

completely rural counties to 19.4% of persons in large metropolitan counties (Table 2b).

Opioids

For the 2016 NSDUH, a more comprehensive drug category was added for opioids; opioids include heroin 

and prescription pain relievers (e.g., oxycodone, hydrocodone). Estimates are provided for the prevalence of 

past year opioid misuse (includes heroin use and prescription pain reliever misuse) and opioid use disorder. 

Estimates are provided for the prevalence of past year use and misuse, initiation, and substance use disorder 

for heroin and prescription pain relievers as well. The numbers for heroin use and prescription pain reliever 

misuse do not add to those for opioid misuse due to poly-drug use.

Drug Use, Misuse, Substance Use Disorder, 

and Treatment
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• In 2016, an estimated 11,824,000, or 4.4% of persons aged 12 and older, reported opioid misuse in the 

past year (Table 2b). 

– By gender, reported opioid misuse was 4.9% among males and 3.9% among females.

– By age, reported opioid misuse was highest among persons aged 18–25 (7.3%) and persons aged 

26–34 (7.2%).

– By race/ethnicity, reported opioid misuse ranged from 1.8% among Asians to 4.6% among whites.

• By U.S. census region of residence, reported opioid misuse ranged from 3.9% in the Northeast to 5.1% in 

the West (Table 2b).

• By county type and urbanization, reported opioid misuse ranged from 3.9% in both non-metropolitan, 

urbanized and non-metropolitan, completely rural counties to 4.5% in large metropolitan counties 

(Table 2b). 

• In 2016, an estimated 2,144,000, or 0.8% of persons aged 12 and older, reported an opioid use disorder 

in the past year (Table 2e).

Heroin

• In 2016, an estimated 948,000, or 0.4% of persons aged 12 and older, reported heroin use in the past year 

(Table 2b).

– By gender, reported heroin use was 0.5% among males and 0.3% among females.

– By age, reported heroin use was highest among persons aged 18–25 (0.7%) and persons aged 26–34 

(0.9%).

– By race/ethnicity, reported heroin use ranged from 0.1% among Asians to 0.4% among whites.

• By U.S. census region of residence, reported heroin use ranged from 0.3% in the Midwest, South, and 

West to 0.5% in the Northeast (Table 2b).

• By county type and urbanization, reported heroin use ranged from 0.2% in non-metropolitan, urbanized 

counties to 0.4% in both large metropolitan and non-metropolitan, completely rural counties (Table 2b).

• In 2016, an estimated 170,000 persons, or 0.1% of persons aged 12 and older, reported initiation of 

heroin in the past year (Table 2d). 

• In 2016, an estimated 626,000 persons, or 0.2% of persons aged 12 and older, reported a substance use 

disorder in the past year involving heroin (Table 2e)

Prescription Pain Relievers (e.g., oxycodone, hydrocodone, etc.)

• In 2016, an estimated 11,517,000, or 4.3% of persons aged 12 and older, reported misuse of prescription 

pain relievers in the past year (Table 2b).

– By gender, reported misuse of prescription pain relievers was 4.8% among males and 3.8% among 

females.

– By age, reported misuse of prescription pain relievers was highest among persons aged 18–25 (7.1%) 

and persons aged 26–34 (6.9%).

– By race/ethnicity, reported misuse of prescription pain relievers ranged from 1.8% among Asians to 

4.5% among whites.

• By U.S. census region of residence, reported misuse of prescription pain relievers ranged from 3.8% in the 

Northeast to 5.0% in the West (Table 2b).

• By county type and urbanization, reported misuse of prescription pain relievers ranged from 3.6% in 

non-metropolitan, completely rural counties to 4.4% in large metropolitan counties (Table 2b).

• In 2016, an estimated 2,139,000, or 0.8% of persons aged 12 and older, reported initiation of prescription 

pain reliever misuse in the past year (Table 2d).

• In 2016, an estimated 1,753,000, or 0.7% of persons aged 12 and older, reported a substance use disorder 

in the past year involving misuse of prescription pain relievers (Table 2e).
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Stimulants

Estimated prevalence for stimulants includes use of cocaine and methamphetamine and misuse of 

prescription stimulants. Estimates are provided for the prevalence of past year use and misuse, initiation, 

and substance use disorder for these three types of stimulants.

Cocaine

• In 2016, an estimated 5,071,000, or 1.9% of persons aged 12 and older, reported cocaine use in the past 

year (Table 2b).

– By gender, reported cocaine use was 2.5% among males and 1.3% among females.

– By age, reported cocaine use was highest among persons aged 18–25 (5.6%) and persons aged 

26–34 (3.8%). 

– By race/ethnicity, reported cocaine use ranged from 0.7% among Asians to 2.0% among both whites 

and American Indians or Alaskan Natives.

• By U.S. census region of residence, reported cocaine use ranged from 1.4% in the Midwest to 2.6% in 

the Northeast.

• By county type and urbanization, reported cocaine use ranged from 0.5% in non-metropolitan, 

completely rural counties to 2.1% in large metropolitan counties (Table 2b).

• In 2016, an estimated 1,085,000, or 0.4% of persons aged 12 and older, reported initiation of cocaine use 

in the past year (Table 2d).

• In 2016, an estimated 867,000, or 0.3% of persons aged 12 and older, reported a substance use disorder 

in the past year involving cocaine (Table 2e).

Methamphetamine

• In 2016, an estimated 1,391,000, or 0.5% of persons aged 12 and older, reported methamphetamine use 

in the past year (Table 2b).

– By gender, reported methamphetamine use was 0.6% among males and 0.4% among females.

– By age, reported methamphetamine use was highest among persons aged 18–25, 35–39, and 40–44 

(0.8% in all), and persons aged 26–34 (0.9%). 

– By race/ethnicity, reported methamphetamine use ranged from 0.1% among Asians to 1.0% among 

American Indians or Alaskan Natives.

• By U.S. census region of residence, reported methamphetamine use ranged from 0.2% in the Northeast 

to 0.8% in the West (Table 2b).

• By county type and urbanization, reported methamphetamine use ranged from 0.4% in both large 

metropolitan and non-metropolitan, urbanized counties to 1.1% in non-metropolitan, completely rural 

counties (Table 2b).

• In 2016, an estimated 192,000, or 0.1% of persons aged 12 and older, reported initiation of 

methamphetamine use in the past year (Table 2d).

• In 2016, an estimated 684,000, or 0.3% of persons aged 12 and older, reported a substance use disorder 

in the past year involving methamphetamines (Table 2e). 

Prescription Stimulants

• In 2016, an estimated 5,647,000, or 2.1% of persons aged 12 and older, reported misuse of prescription 

stimulants in the past year (Table 2b).

– By gender, reported misuse of prescription stimulants was 2.3% among males and 1.9% among females.

– By age, reported misuse of prescription stimulants was highest among persons aged 18–25 (7.5%) and 

persons aged 26–34 (3.9%).

– By race/ethnicity, reported misuse of prescription stimulants ranged from 0.8% among both blacks 

and American Indians or Alaska Natives to 2.5% among whites. 

• By U.S. census region of residence, reported misuse of prescription stimulants ranged from 1.8% in the 

West to 2.4% in both the Northeast and Midwest (Table 2b).
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• By county type and urbanization, reported misuse of prescription stimulants ranged from 1.0% in both 

non-metropolitan, completely rural counties and non-metropolitan, less urbanized counties to 2.3% in 

large metropolitan counties (Table 2b).

• In 2016, an estimated 1,374,000, or 0.5% of persons aged 12 and older, reported initiation of prescription 

stimulant misuse in the past year (Table 2d).

• In 2016, an estimated 540,000, or 0.2% of persons aged 12 and older, reported a substance use disorder 

in the past year involving prescription stimulants (Table 2e).

Other Drugs

Estimated prevalence for other drugs includes misuse of prescription tranquilizers and prescription 

sedatives. Estimates are provided for the prevalence of past year misuse, initiation, and substance use 

disorder for these two types of drug classes. 

Prescription Tranquilizers

• In 2016, an estimated 6,060,000, or 2.2% of persons aged 12 and older, reported misuse of prescription 

tranquilizers in the past year (Table 2b).

– By gender, reported misuse of prescription tranquilizers was 2.2% among males and 2.3% among females.

– By age, reported misuse of prescription tranquilizers was highest among persons aged 18–25 (5.3%) 

and persons aged 26–34 (3.3%).

– By race/ethnicity, reported misuse of prescription tranquilizers ranged from 0.7% among Asians to 

2.6% among whites. 

• By U.S. census region of residence, reported misuse of prescription tranquilizers ranged from 2.1% in the 

West to 2.5% in the Northeast (Table 2b).

• By county type and urbanization, reported misuse of prescription tranquilizers ranged from 1.2% in 

completely rural, non-metropolitan counties to 2.4% in small metropolitan counties (Table 2b). 

• In 2016, an estimated 1,374,000, or 0.5% of persons aged 12 and older, reported initiation of prescription 

tranquilizer misuse in the past year (Table 2d).

• In 2016, an estimated 618,000, or 0.2% of persons aged 12 and older, reported a substance use disorder 

in the past year involving prescription tranquilizers (Table 2e).

Prescription Sedatives

• In 2016, an estimated 1,531,000, or 0.6% of persons aged 12 and older, reported misuse of prescription 

sedatives in the past year (Table 2b).

– By gender, reported misuse of prescription sedatives was 0.5% among males and 0.6% among females.

– By age, reported misuse of prescription sedatives was highest among persons aged 18–25 (0.7%) and 

persons aged 26–34 (0.9%).

– By race/ethnicity, reported misuse of prescription sedatives ranged from 0.2% among Asians to 0.7% 

among whites.

• By U.S. census region of residence, reported misuse of prescription sedatives ranged from 0.3% in the 

Midwest to 0.8% in the West (Table 2b).

• By county type and urbanization, reported misuse of prescription sedatives ranged from 0.4% in both 

less urbanized, non-metropolitan and non-metropolitan counties overall to 0.6% in large metropolitan 

counties (Table 2b).

• In 2016, an estimated 294,000, or 0.1% of persons aged 12 and older, reported initiation of prescription 

sedative misuse in the past year (Table 2d).

• In 2016, an estimated 205,000, or 0.1% of persons aged 12 and older, reported a substance use disorder 

in the past year involving prescription sedatives (Table 2e).
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Illicit and Prescription Drug Treatment (Table 2f)

Illicit and prescription drug treatment refers to treatment received to reduce or stop illicit drug use or 

prescription drug misuse, or for medical problems associated with illicit drug use or prescription drug misuse.

Any location

• In 2016, 2,181,000 persons, or 0.8% of persons aged 12 and older, reported that they had received 

illicit or prescription drug treatment in the past year at any location, such as a hospital (inpatient), 

rehabilitation facility (inpatient or outpatient), mental health center, emergency room, private doctor’s 

office, self-help group, or a prison or jail. 

– By gender, 1.1% of males and 0.6% of females reported illicit or prescription drug treatment in the 

past year.

– By age, 1.2% of persons aged 18–25 reported illicit or prescription drug treatment in the past year.

Specialty facility

• In 2016, 1,406,000 persons, or 0.5% of persons aged 12 and older, reported that they had received illicit 

or prescription drug treatment in the past year at a specialty facility, which includes a hospital (inpatient 

only), rehabilitation facility (inpatient or outpatient), or mental health center.

– By gender, 0.7% of males and 0.4% of females reported illicit or prescription drug treatment at a 

specialty facility in the past year.

– By age, 0.7% of persons aged 18–25 reported illicit or prescription drug treatment at a specialty facility 

in the past year.
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Data on nonfatal, drug-related poisonings (overdoses) regardless of intent for all persons in the U.S. are 

presented from 2015 survey data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP):

• Estimated numbers and age-adjusted rates per 100,000 of drug poisoning-related hospitalizations by 

selected substances — United States, 2015 (Table 3a)

• Estimated numbers and age-adjusted rates per 100,000 of drug poisoning-related emergency 

department visits by selected substances — United States, 2015 (Table 3b)

• Estimated number and percent of drug poisoning-related hospitalizations and emergency department 

visits by primary payer — United States, 2015 (Table 3c)

As poisoning-related hospitalizations and ED visits may involve more than one type of drug, and all diagnosis 

codes (i.e., not just the primary diagnosis code) were searched for drug-related poisonings, the categories of 

drugs and drug classes in the tables are not mutually exclusive. All rates are per 100,000 persons and are ageadjusted, except the rates by age group. For more detailed information, including definitions, please refer to 

the table footnotes and the technical notes. 

Rates of hospitalizations (Supplemental Table 2a) and emergency department visits (Supplemental 

Table 2b) due to nonfatal, drug-related overdoses regardless of intent for 2015 that are not age-adjusted are 

presented in the Appendix.

All Drugs

Hospitalizations

• In 2015, an estimated 316,900 hospitalizations occurred for all drug-related poisonings in the U.S.; the 

age-adjusted rate was 96.2 hospitalizations per 100,000 (Table 3a).

– By gender, the rate was 86.5 among males and 105.7 among females.

– By age, rates were highest among persons aged 45–54 (136.9) and persons aged 55–64 (127.5).

• By region, hospitalization rates for all drug-related poisonings ranged from 77.0 in the West to 109.5 in 

the Midwest (Table 3a).

• By urbanization, hospitalization rates for all drug-related poisonings ranged from 87.8 in large fringe 

metropolitan counties to 108.7 in medium metropolitan counties (Table 3a).

Emergency Department (ED) Visits

• In 2015, an estimated 547,543 ED visits occurred for all drug-related poisonings in the U.S.; the ageadjusted rate was 174.6 visits per 100,000 (Table 3b).

– By gender, the rate was 167.2 among males and 182.1 among females.

– By age, rates were highest among persons aged 15–19 (307.7) and persons aged 20–24 (281.1).

• By region, ED visit rates for all drug-related poisonings ranged from 155.6 in the West to 202.5 in

the Northeast (Table 3b).

• By urbanization, ED visit rates for all drug-related poisonings ranged from 149.5 in large central 

metropolitan counties to 211.8 in micropolitan counties (Table 3b). 

Nonfatal Overdose Hospitalizations and 

Emergency Department (ED) Visits
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Opioids 

All Opioids

Hospitalizations

• In 2015, an estimated 78,840 hospitalizations occurred for opioid-related poisonings in the U.S.; the ageadjusted rate was 23.2 hospitalizations per 100,000 (Table 3a).

– By gender, the rate was 22.8 among males and 23.4 among females.

– By age, rates were highest among persons aged 45–54 (36.3) and persons aged 55–64 (42.4).

• By region, hospitalization rates for opioid-related poisonings ranged from 18.9 in the West to 26.1 in the 

Midwest (Table 3a).

• By urbanization, hospitalization rates for opioid-related poisonings ranged from 21.1 in noncore counties 

to 26.4 in medium metropolitan counties (Table 3a).

Emergency Department (ED) Visits

• In 2015, an estimated 140,077 ED visits occurred for opioid-related poisonings in the U.S.; the ageadjusted rate was 44.0 visits per 100,000 (Table 3b).

– By gender, the rate was 54.0 among males and 34.0 among females.

– By age, rates were highest among persons aged 20–24 (99.7) and persons aged 25–34 (111.4).

• By region, ED visit rates for opioid-related poisonings ranged from 27.6 in the West to 77.9 in the 

Northeast (Table 3b).

• By urbanization, ED visit rates for opioid-related poisonings ranged from 33.6 in noncore counties to 54.8 

in large fringe metropolitan counties (Table 3b).

Heroin

Hospitalizations

• In 2015, an estimated 16,770 hospitalizations occurred for heroin-related poisonings in the U.S.; the ageadjusted rate was 5.3 hospitalizations per 100,000 (Table 3a).

– By gender, the rate was 7.2 among males and 3.3 among females.

– By age, rates were highest among persons aged 20–24 (12.3) and persons aged 25–34 (13.2).

• By region, hospitalization rates for heroin-related poisonings ranged from 3.1 in the West to 8.4 in the 

Northeast (Table 3a).

• By urbanization, hospitalization rates for heroin-related poisonings ranged from 2.1 in noncore counties 

to 6.6 in large fringe metropolitan counties (Table 3a).

Emergency Department (ED) Visits

• In 2015, an estimated 81,326 ED visits occurred for heroin-related poisonings in the U.S.; the ageadjusted rate was 25.9 visits per 100,000 (Table 3b).

– By gender, the rate was 35.7 among males and 16.1 among females.

– By age, rates were highest among persons aged 20–24 (73.2) and persons aged 25–34 (81.8).

• By region, ED visit rates for heroin-related poisonings ranged from 10.2 in the West to 58.1 in the 

Northeast (Table 3b).

• By urbanization, ED visit rates for heroin-related poisonings ranged from 10.8 in noncore counties to 38.2 

in large fringe metropolitan counties (Table 3b).

Methadone

Hospitalizations

• In 2015, an estimated 5,590 hospitalizations occurred for methadone-related poisonings in the U.S.; the 

age-adjusted rate was 1.7 hospitalizations per 100,000 (Table 3a).
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– By gender, the rate was 1.7 among males and 1.6 among females.

– By age, rates were highest among persons aged 45–54 (2.8) and persons aged 55–64 (3.3).

• By region, hospitalization rates for methadone-related poisonings ranged from 1.5 in the South to 1.9 in 

the Northeast (Table 3a).

• By urbanization, hospitalization rates for methadone-related poisonings ranged from 1.4 in large fringe 

metropolitan counties to 2.0 in small metropolitan counties (Table 3a).

Emergency Department (ED) Visits

• In 2015, an estimated 3,709 ED visits occurred for methadone-related poisonings in the U.S.; the ageadjusted rate was 1.1 visits per 100,000 (Table 3b).

– By gender, the rate was 1.3 among males and 1.0 among females.

– By age, rates were highest among persons aged 25–34 (2.3) and persons aged 35–44 (1.9).

• By region, ED visit rates for methadone-related poisonings ranged from 0.9 in the South to 1.6 in

the Northeast (Table 3b).

• By urbanization, ED visit rates for methadone-related poisonings ranged from 0.9 in large fringe 

metropolitan counties to 1.3 in small metropolitan and noncore counties (Table 3b).

Other Opioids (e.g., Unspecified Opioids, Opium)

Hospitalizations

• In 2015, an estimated 58,090 hospitalizations occurred for poisonings by other opioids in the U.S.; the 

age-adjusted rate was 16.7 hospitalizations per 100,000 (Table 3a).

– By gender, the rate was 14.5 among males and 18.8 among females.

– By age, rates were highest among persons aged 45–54 (28.2) and persons aged 55–64 (35.7).

• By region, hospitalization rates for poisonings by other opioids ranged from 14.5 in both the Northeast 

and West to 18.7 in the South (Table 3a).

• By urbanization, hospitalization rates for poisonings by other opioids ranged from 14.8 in large central 

metropolitan counties to 19.7 in medium metropolitan counties (Table 3a).

Emergency Department (ED) Visits

• In 2015, an estimated 56,233 ED visits occurred for poisonings by other opioids in the U.S.; the ageadjusted rate was 17.3 visits per 100,000 (Table 3b).

– By gender, the rate was 17.5 among males and 17.1 among females.

– By age, rates were highest among persons aged 20–24 (26.0) and persons aged 25–34 (28.6).

• By region, ED visit rates for poisonings by other opioids ranged from 16.4 in the West to 18.8 in the 

Northeast (Table 3b).

• By urbanization, ED visit rates for poisonings by other opioids ranged from 14.0 in large central 

metropolitan counties to 21.7 in noncore counties (Table 3b).

Stimulants

Cocaine

Hospitalizations

• In 2015, an estimated 18,885 hospitalizations occurred for cocaine-related poisonings in the U.S.; the 

age-adjusted rate was 5.8 hospitalizations per 100,000 (Table 3a).

– By gender, the rate was 7.7 among males and 3.9 among females.

– By age, rates were highest among persons aged 35–44 (9.2) and persons aged 45–54 (13.2).
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• By region, hospitalization rates for cocaine-related poisonings ranged from 2.1 in the West to 9.5 in

the Northeast (Table 3a).

• By urbanization, hospitalization rates for cocaine-related poisonings ranged from 2.5 in noncore counties 

to 8.6 in large central metropolitan counties (Table 3a).

Emergency Department (ED) Visits

• In 2015, an estimated 9,401 ED visits occurred for cocaine-related poisonings in the U.S.; the ageadjusted rate was 3.0 visits per 100,000 (Table 3b).

– By gender, the rate was 3.9 among males and 2.2 among females.

– By age, rates were highest among persons aged 20–24 (5.1) and persons aged 25–34 (6.4).

• By region, ED visit rates for cocaine-related poisonings ranged from 1.5 in the West to 3.7 in the 

Northeast (Table 3b).

• By urbanization, ED visit rates for cocaine-related poisonings ranged from 2.4 in both large fringe 

metropolitan and small metropolitan counties to 3.6 in large central metropolitan counties (Table 3b).

Methamphetamine

Hospitalizations

• In 2015, an estimated 14,845 hospitalizations occurred for methamphetamine-related poisonings in the 

U.S.; the rate was 4.7 hospitalizations per 100,000 (Table 3a).

– By gender, the rate was 5.9 among males and 3.6 among females.

– By age, rates were highest among persons aged 20–24 (8.0) and persons aged 25–34 (9.8).

• By region, hospitalization rates for methamphetamine-related poisonings ranged from 1.7 in the 

Northeast to 7.7 in the West (Table 3a).

• By urbanization, hospitalization rates for methamphetamine-related poisonings ranged from 3.6 in large 

fringe metropolitan counties to 6.3 in micropolitan counties (Table 3a).

Emergency Department (ED) Visits

• In 2015, an estimated 15,808 ED visits occurred for methamphetamine-related poisonings in the U.S.; the 

age-adjusted rate was 5.2 visits per 100,000 (Table 3b).

– By gender, the rate was 6.2 among males and 4.2 among females.

– By age, rates were highest among persons aged 20–24 (11.8) and persons aged 25–34 (10.3).

• By region, ED visit rates for methamphetamine-related poisonings ranged from 2.3 in the Northeast to 

6.8 in the West (Table 3b).

• By urbanization, ED visit rates for methamphetamine-related poisonings ranged from 3.4 in large fringe 

metropolitan counties to 8.5 in noncore counties (Table 3b).

Primary Source of Payment for Medically Attended, Nonfatal Drug Overdose, 2015(Table 3c)

• 31.6% of hospitalizations listed Medicaid as the primary source for payment, 30.5% listed Medicare, 

23.9% listed private insurance, and 10.4% involved uninsured persons.

• 36.7% of ED visits listed Medicaid as the primary source for payment, 28.5% listed private insurance, 

15.2% listed Medicare, and 14.9% involved uninsured persons.
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Data on drug overdose deaths for all persons in the U.S. are presented from the National Vital Statistics System:

• Number and age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths involving selected drugs by sex, age group, 

race/ethnicity, census region, urbanization, and intent — United States, 2016 (Table 4)

• Age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths and drug overdose deaths involving any opioid for all 

intents and for unintentional intent by year — United States, 1999–2016 (Figure 2a)

• Age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths by drug or drug class and year — United States, 1999–

2016 (Figure 2b)

• Rates of drug overdose deaths by drug or drug class and age category — United States, 2016 (Figure 2c)

• Age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths by state — United States, 2016 (Figure 2d)

Rates are calculated per 100,000 persons age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using the 

vintage year population of the data year (excluding those for age group, which are not adjusted and are per 

100,000 persons). For more detailed information, including definitions, please refer to table footnotes and 

the technical notes. 

Data supporting Figures 2a–2d are presented in Supplemental Tables in the Appendix.

All Drug Overdose Deaths 

• In 2016, a total of 63,632 persons in the United States died from drug overdoses; the age-adjusted rate 

was 19.8 deaths per 100,000 persons. 

– By sex, the rate was 26.2 among males and 13.4 among females. 

– By age, rates were highest among persons aged 25–34 (34.6), persons aged 35–44 (35.0), and persons 

aged 45–54 (34.5). 

– By race/ethnicity, rates ranged from 3.1 among non-Hispanic Asians/Pacific Islanders to 25.3 among 

non-Hispanic whites. 

– By region, age-adjusted death rates from drug overdose ranged from 14.1 in the West to 26.6 in 

the Northeast. 

– By urbanization, age-adjusted death rates from drug overdose ranged from 17.5 in noncore areas to 

21.6 in large fringe metropolitan areas. 

• In 2016, a total of 54,793 persons in the U.S. died from unintentional drug overdoses; the age-adjusted 

rate was 17.1. A total of 3,643 persons died of drug overdoses of undetermined intent; the age-adjusted 

rate was 1.1. 

Opioid Overdose Deaths

• In 2016, a total of 42,249 persons in the United States died from drug overdoses involving opioids; the 

age-adjusted rate was 13.3 per 100,000. 

– By sex, the rate was 18.1 among males and 8.5 among females. 

– By age, rates were highest among persons aged 25–34 (25.9) and persons aged 35–44 (24.1). 

– By race/ethnicity, rates ranged from 1.5 among non-Hispanic Asians/Pacific Islanders to 17.5 among 

non-Hispanic whites.

– By region, age-adjusted death rates for drug overdoses involving opioids ranged from 7.6 in the West 

to 19.3 in the Northeast. 

– By urbanization, age-adjusted death rates for drug overdoses involving opioids ranged from 10.5 in 

noncore areas to 15.4 in large fringe metropolitan areas. 

Drug Overdose Mortality
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• In 2016, a total of 37,814 persons in the U.S. died from unintentional drug overdoses involving opioids; 

the age-adjusted rate was 11.9. A total of 2,544 persons died of drug overdoses of undetermined intent 

involving opioids; the age-adjusted rate was 0.8. 

Prescription Opioid Overdose Deaths 

• In 2016, a total of 17,087 persons in the United States died from drug overdoses involving prescription 

opioids (natural and semi-synthetic opioids [e.g., oxycodone and hydrocodone] and methadone); the 

age-adjusted rate was 5.2 per 100,000. 

– By sex, the rate was 6.2 among males and 4.3 among females. 

– By age, rates were highest among persons aged 45–54 (10.1) and persons aged 35–44 (9.2). 

– By race/ethnicity, rates ranged from 0.7 among non-Hispanic Asians/Pacific Islanders to 7.0 among 

non-Hispanic whites.

– By region, age-adjusted death rates for drug overdoses involving prescription opioids ranged from 4.3 

in the West to 5.8 in the South. 

– By urbanization, age-adjusted death rates for drug overdoses involving prescription opioids ranged 

from 4.7 in large central metropolitan areas to 6.0 in medium metropolitan areas. 

• In 2016, a total of 14,432 persons in the U.S. died from unintentional drug overdoses involving 

prescription opioids; the age-adjusted rate was 4.5. A total of 1,232 persons died of drug overdoses of 

undetermined intent involving prescription opioids; the age-adjusted rate was 0.4. 

Natural and Semi-synthetic Opioid Overdose Deaths 

• In 2016, a total of 14,487 persons in the United States died from drug overdoses involving natural 

and semi-synthetic opioids (e.g., oxycodone, hydrocodone, or morphine); the age-adjusted rate was 

4.4 per 100,000. 

– By sex, the rate was 5.2 among males and 3.6 among females. 

– By age, rates were highest among persons aged 45–54 (8.7) and persons aged 35–44 (7.7). 

– By race/ethnicity, rates ranged from 0.6 among non-Hispanic Asians/Pacific Islanders to 6.0 among 

non-Hispanic whites.

– By region, age-adjusted death rates for drug overdoses involving natural and semi-synthetic 

opioids ranged from 3.5 in the West to 5.0 in the South. 

– By urbanization, age-adjusted death rates for drug overdoses involving natural and semi-synthetic 

opioids ranged from 3.9 in large central metropolitan areas to 5.1 in medium metropolitan areas. 

• In 2016, a total of 12,101 persons in the U.S. died from unintentional drug overdoses involving 

natural and semi-synthetic opioids; the age-adjusted rate was 3.7. A total of 1,046 persons died 

of drug overdoses of undetermined intent involving natural and semi-synthetic opioids; the ageadjusted rate was 0.3. 

Methadone Overdose Deaths 

• In 2016, a total of 3,373 persons in the United States died from drug overdoses involving 

methadone; the age-adjusted rate was 1.0 per 100,000. 

– By sex, the rate was 1.3 among males and 0.8 among females. 

– By age, rates were highest among persons aged 35–44 (2.0) and persons aged 45–54 (1.8). 

– By race/ethnicity, rates ranged from 0.1 among non-Hispanic Asian/Pacific Islanders to 1.4 among 

both non-Hispanic whites and non-Hispanic American Indians/Alaskan Natives.

– By region, age-adjusted death rates for drug overdoses involving methadone ranged from 0.9 in 

the Midwest to 1.3 in the Northeast. 

– By urbanization, age-adjusted death rates for drug overdoses involving methadone ranged from 

1.0 in large fringe metropolitan areas, small metropolitan areas, and in micropolitan and noncore 

areas to 1.1 in both medium metropolitan areas and in large central metropolitan areas. 
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• In 2016, a total of 2,996 persons in the U.S. died from unintentional drug overdoses involving 

methadone; the age-adjusted rate was 0.9. A total of 258 persons died of drug overdoses of 

undetermined intent involving methadone; the age-adjusted rate was 0.1. 

Synthetic Opioids Other than Methadone Overdose Deaths 

• In 2016, a total of 19,413 persons in the United States died from drug overdoses involving synthetic 

opioids other than methadone (e.g., prescription and illicit fentanyl, tramadol); the age-adjusted rate was 

6.2 per 100,000. 

– By sex, the rate was 8.9 among males and 3.5 among females. 

– By age, rates were highest among persons aged 25–34 (13.6) and persons aged 35–44 (11.9). 

– By race/ethnicity, rates ranged from 0.6 among non-Hispanic Asians/Pacific Islanders to 8.2 among 

non-Hispanic whites.

– By region, age-adjusted death rates for drug overdoses involving synthetic opioids other than 

methadone ranged from 1.2 in the West to 12.0 in the Northeast. 

– By urbanization, age-adjusted death rates for drug overdoses involving synthetic opioids other than 

methadone ranged from 4.1 in noncore areas to 8.2 in large fringe metropolitan areas. 

• In 2016, a total of 17,696 persons in the U.S. died from unintentional drug overdoses involving synthetic 

opioids other than methadone; the age-adjusted rate was 5.7. A total of 1,259 persons died of drug 

overdoses of undetermined intent involving synthetic opioids other than methadone; the age-adjusted 

rate was 0.4. 

Heroin Overdose Deaths 

• In 2016, a total of 15,469 persons in the United States died from drug overdoses involving heroin; the 

age-adjusted rate was 4.9 per 100,000. 

– By sex, the rate was 7.5 among males and 2.4 among females. 

– By age, rates were highest among persons aged 25–34 (11.3) and persons aged 35–44 (9.0). 

– By race/ ethnicity, rates ranged from 0.5 among non-Hispanic Asians/Pacific Islanders to 6.3 among 

non-Hispanic whites.

– By region, age-adjusted death rates for drug overdoses involving heroin ranged from 2.7 in the West to 

7.9 in the Northeast. 

– By urbanization, age-adjusted death rates for drug overdoses involving heroin ranged from 2.6 in 

noncore areas to 6.1 in large fringe metropolitan areas. 

• In 2016, a total of 14,606 persons in the U.S. died from unintentional drug overdoses involving heroin; 

the age-adjusted rate was 4.6. A total of 745 persons died of drug overdoses of undetermined intent 

involving heroin; the age-adjusted rate was 0.2. 

Selected Stimulant Overdose Deaths 

Cocaine Overdose Deaths

• In 2016, a total of 10,375 persons in the United States died from drug overdoses involving cocaine; the 

age-adjusted rate was 3.2 per 100,000. 

– By sex, the rate was 4.7 among males and 1.8 among females. 

– By age, rates were highest among persons aged 45–54 (6.1) and persons aged 35–44 (6.0). 

– By race/ethnicity, rates ranged from 0.4 among non-Hispanic Asians/Pacific Islanders to 6.1 among 

non-Hispanic blacks. 

– By region, age-adjusted death rates for drug overdoses involving cocaine ranged from 1.1 in the West 

to 5.3 in the Northeast. 

– By urbanization, age-adjusted death rates for drug overdoses involving cocaine ranged from 1.3 in 

noncore areas to 4.2 in large central metropolitan areas. 
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• In 2016, a total of 9,899 persons in the U.S. died from unintentional drug overdoses involving cocaine; 

the age-adjusted rate was 3.1. A total of 378 persons died of drug overdoses of undetermined intent 

involving cocaine; the age-adjusted rate was 0.1. 

Psychostimulants with Abuse Potential Overdose Deaths

• In 2016, a total of 7,542 persons in the United States died from drug overdoses involving 

psychostimulants with abuse potential (e.g., methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine [MDMA, Ecstasy]); the age-adjusted rate was 2.4 per 100,000. 

– By sex, the rate was 3.4 among males and 1.4 among females. 

– By age, rates were highest among persons aged 45–54 and those aged 35–44 (4.5 in both). 

– By race/ethnicity, rates ranged from 0.8 among non-Hispanic Asians/Pacific Islanders to 6.9 among 

non-Hispanic American Indians/Alaska Natives.

– By region, age-adjusted death rates for drug overdoses involving psychostimulants with abuse 

potential ranged from 0.8 in the Northeast to 4.4 in the West. 

– By urbanization, age-adjusted death rates for drug overdoses involving psychostimulants with abuse 

potential ranged from 1.6 in large fringe metropolitan areas to 3.0 in micropolitan areas. 

• In 2016, a total of 7,120 persons in the U.S. died from unintentional drug overdoses involving 

psychostimulants with abuse potential; the age-adjusted rate was 2.2. A total of 246 persons died of 

drug overdoses of undetermined intent involving psychostimulants with abuse potential; the ageadjusted rate was 0.1. 

Mortality Trends

Age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths and drug overdose deaths involving any opioid for all 

intents and for unintentional intent by year — United States, 1999–2016 (Figure 2a)

• The age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths of all intents increased from 6.1 per 100,000 in 1999 to 

19.8 in 2016 (p<0.05). Unintentional drug overdose death rates increased from 4.0 per 100,000 in 1999 

to 17.1 in 2016 (p<0.05). 

• The rate of drug overdose deaths involving any opioid of all intents increased from 2.9 per 100,000 in 

1999 to 13.3 in 2016 (p<0.05). Unintentional drug overdose death rates involving any opioid increased 

from 2.1 per 100,000 in 1999 to 11.9 per 100,000 in 2016 (p<0.05).

• During 1999 to 2016, rate increases for drug overdose deaths of all intents and unintentional drug 

overdose deaths were the largest from 2014 to 2016. Rate increases for drug overdose deaths 

involving any opioid of all intents and unintentional drug overdoses involving any opioid were the 

largest from 2013 to 2016. 

– The rate increased on average by 18% per year for drug overdose deaths of all intents (p<0.05), and 

20% per year for unintentional drug overdose deaths (p<0.05) between 2014 and 2016. The rate 

increased on average by 19% per year for drug overdose deaths involving any opioid of all intents 

(p<0.05), and 20% for unintentional drug overdoses involving any opioid (p<0.05) between 2013 

and 2016. 

Age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths by drug or drug class and year — 

United States,1999–2016 (Figure 2b)

• The age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths involving prescription opioids increased from 1.2 per 

100,000 persons in 1999 to 5.2 in 2016.

– Rates of drug overdose deaths involving prescription opioids increased from 3.9 per 100,000 in 2006 to 

5.2 in 2016, an average increase of 2% per year (p<0.05).
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• For drug overdoses involving synthetic opioids other than methadone, the rate increased from 0.3 per 

100,000 in 1999 to 6.2 in 2016. 

– Rates for drug overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone increased on average 

18% per year from 1999 to 2006 (p<0.05), and remained stable from 2006 to 2013 (p=0.47). Increases 

were largest from 2013 to 2016 (p<0.05), with the rates increasing on average by 87% per year. 

• The age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths involving heroin increased from 0.7 per 100,000 in 1999 

to 4.9 in 2016. 

– Rates for drug overdose deaths involving heroin remained stable from 1999 to 2004 (p=0.99) and 

increased on average 9% per year from 2004 to 2010 (p<0.05). Heroin rates increased on average 33% 

per year from 2010 to 2014 (p<0.05), and 19% per year from 2014 to 2016 (p<0.05).

• The age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths involving cocaine increased from 1.4 per 100,000 in 1999 

to 3.2 in 2016. 

– Rates for drug overdose deaths involving cocaine increased on average 10% per year from 1999 to 

2006 (p<0.05), decreased on average 14% per year from 2006 to 2010, (p<0.05), were stable from 2010 

to 2014 (p=0.26), and then increased on average 37% per year from 2014 to 2016 (p<0.05).

• The age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths involving psychostimulants with abuse potential 

increased from 0.2 per 100,000 in 1999 to 2.4 in 2016.

– Rates for drug overdose deaths involving psychostimulants with abuse potential increased on average 

20% per year from 1999 to 2005 (p<0.05), remained stable from 2005 to 2008 (p=0.47), and increased 

an average of 26% per year from 2008 to 2016. (p<0.05).

Rates of drug overdose deaths by drug or drug class and age category — United States, 2016 (Figure 2c)

• Among persons aged 15 to 24, the rate of drug overdose deaths involving heroin was 4.0 per 100,000; 

the rate involving synthetic opioids other than methadone was 4.5, and the rate involving prescription 

opioids was 2.6. 

• Among persons aged 25 to 34, the rate of drug overdose deaths involving heroin was 11.3 per 100,000; 

the rate involving synthetic opioids other than methadone was 13.6, and the rate involving prescription 

opioids was 7.7. 

• Among persons aged 35 to 44, the rate of drug overdose deaths involving heroin was 9.0 per 100,000; 

the rate involving prescription opioids was 9.2, and the rate involving synthetic opioids other than 

methadone was 11.9. 

• Among persons aged 45 to 54, the rate of drug overdose deaths involving prescription opioids was 

10.1 per 100,000; the rate involving heroin was 7.0, and the rate involving synthetic opioids other than 

methadone was 9.0. 

• Among persons aged 55 to 64, the rate of drug overdose deaths involving prescription opioids was 

8.4 per 100,000; the rate involving heroin was 4.3, and the rate involving synthetic opioids other than 

methadone was 5.4. 

• Rates of drug overdose deaths involving cocaine were 6.1 per 100,000 among persons aged 45 to 54, 6.0 

among persons aged 35 to 44, 5.7 among persons aged 25 to 34, 4.2 among persons aged 55 to 64, 1.7 

among persons aged 15 to 24, and 0.6 among persons aged 65 and older. 

• Rates of deaths involving psychostimulants with abuse potential were 4.5 per 100,000 among persons 

aged 45 to 54, 4.5 among persons aged 35 to 44, 3.9 among persons aged 25 to 34, 3.0 among persons 

aged 55 to 64, 1.3 among persons aged 15 to 24, and 0.4 among persons aged 65 and older. 

Age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths by state — United States, 2016 (Figure 2d)

• Rates of drug overdose deaths ranged from 6.4 per 100,000 in Nebraska to 52.0 in West Virginia in 2016.

– States with the highest drug overdose death rates were West Virginia (52.0 per 100,000), Ohio (39.1), 

New Hampshire (39.0), Pennsylvania (37.9), and Kentucky (33.5). The District of Columbia had a drug 

overdose death rate of 38.8 per 100,000. 

– States with the lowest drug overdose death rates were Nebraska (6.4 per 100,000), South Dakota (8.4), 

Texas (10.1), Iowa (10.6), and North Dakota (10.6).
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Limitations

This report has some notable limitations. To describe drug use and outcomes in the U.S. comprehensively, 

four distinct data sources were used. Although attempted when possible, terminology and definitions 

were not standardized throughout the entire report. Further, the most recent year of available data varied. 

Collectively, these factors limit comparability of information across sections. Consumers of the report should 

carefully review the technical notes and footnotes to ensure correct interpretation of results, especially 

when comparing information across sections. 

In the mortality section, it should be noted that in approximately 20% of drug overdose deaths from 1999 

to 2016, the involved drugs were not specified. Although this lack of specificity varies over time and across 

states, the drug specificity has improved over time. However, in 2016, 15% of drug overdose deaths still 

lacked information about which drugs were involved. Finally, the report does not address polysubstance

use (i.e., the consumption of more than one drug over a defined period, simultaneously or at different times, 

for either therapeutic or recreational purposes). Although this topic is important, it is beyond the scope of 

this report. 

27
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CDC’s mission in addressing the opioid epidemic is to prevent opioid-related harms and overdose deaths by:

1 Conducting surveillance and research to improve data quality and track trends;

2 Building state, local, and tribal capacity by scaling up effective public health interventions;

3 Supporting providers, health systems, and payers with tools, recommendations, and guidance to 

improve patient safety; 

4 Partnering with public safety to respond quicker and more effectively; and 

5 Empowering consumers to make safe choices.

Conducting surveillance and research, and building state, local, and tribal capacity 

CDC plays a vital role in strengthening public health surveillance of opioids at the state and federal levels 

to inform and enhance prevention activities. Through its Overdose Prevention in States (OPIS) effort, CDC 

maximizes its expertise and use of scientific data to inform response efforts. CDC funds multiple programs 

whose activities align with the integration of public health strategies to address the epidemic. Programs 

include the following: 

1 Enhanced State Opioid Overdose Surveillance (ESOOS) – funds 32 states and Washington, D.C. to:

a Increase the timeliness of nonfatal opioid overdose reporting to serve as an early warning system 

to detect sharp increases (i.e., potential outbreaks) or decreases (i.e., rapidly identify successful 

intervention efforts)

b Increase the timeliness of fatal opioid overdose and associated risk factor reporting

c Disseminate surveillance findings to key stakeholders working to prevent or respond to

opioid overdoses

2 Prevention for States (PfS) – funds 29 states to:

a Enhance and maximize prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) 

b Implement community or insurer mechanism or health systems interventions

c Evaluate the impact of prescription opioid-related state policies

d Implement quick, flexible projects to respond to changing circumstances on the ground

3 Data-Driven Prevention Initiative (DDPI) – funds 13 states and Washington, D.C. to:

a Improve data collection and analysis around opioid misuse, abuse, and overdose

b Develop strategies that impact behavior driving prescription opioid abuse

c Work with communities to develop more comprehensive opioid overdose prevention programs

Supporting providers, health systems, and payers 

CDC’s Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain,1 which was released in March 2016, serves as a useful 

resource to providers treating chronic pain for adult patients in primary care settings outside of end-of-life, 

palliative, and active cancer care. Its 12 recommendations allow patients and clinicians to determine risks 

and benefits of opioid therapy and to determine optimal ways to manage pain. These recommendations 

include consideration of nonopioid options that may be more effective at treating chronic pain, such 

as physical therapy. Tools and resources, such as the Opioid Guideline App, which contains a morphine 

milligram equivalent calculator, help disseminate information contained in the guideline and make it easier 

for physicians to make better informed decisions about prescribing. More information can be found at: 

https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/prescribing/resources.html. 

CDC’s Opioid Overdose Surveillance, Prevention, 

and Research Efforts
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To encourage uptake of the guideline, CDC developed a comprehensive implementation plan. Since health 

care systems have the potential to improve pain management, including safer use of opioids through 

guideline-concordant care on a broad scale, CDC developed quality improvement (QI) measures based on 

the guideline, with stakeholder engagement. These are voluntary QI measures intended to support practice 

improvement for primary care practices by tracking opioid prescribing and providing feedback to clinicians 

through a data dashboard. Six large health care systems are part of a 12-month Opioid QI Collaborative to 

pilot implementation of the QI measures and track their progress. In addition, CDC has developed clinical 

decision support tools also based on the guideline that health care systems can incorporate into clinical 

workflow in their electronic health records.

CDC also funds cutting-edge research on ways to prevent opioid use disorder and overdose. For example, 

research priorities include identifying factors that increase risk for morbidity and mortality, evaluating the 

impact of state policies and strategies on prescribing behavior and health outcomes, and understanding 

best practices for dissemination and implementation of evidence-based guidelines and recommendations 

in practice.

Partnering with public safety 

CDC believes this epidemic requires a partnership across sectors. In addition to the critical partnership 

with states and other federal agencies, CDC has been working side by side with law enforcement agencies, 

such as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas 

(HIDTAs). Working quickly and collaboratively, public health and public safety can help equip first responders 

and community partners with naloxone to prevent deaths from overdoses in these areas and link people 

with treatment and recovery services.

As a part of this work with public safety, CDC is leading the public health component of the Heroin Response 

Strategy, a collaboration with the Office of the National Drug Control Policy and 10 HIDTAs. The goals of this 

partnership are three-fold: to coordinate data sharing across public health and law enforcement, to develop 

and support the implementation of evidence-based practices, and to strengthen the engagement of local 

communities. As a part of the Heroin Response Strategy, CDC is supporting 13 community-level projects 

that will implement and evaluate innovative strategies to build evidence around programs that work. These 

projects tackle complex issues, such as linking people to treatment with recovery coaches and increasing 

access to medication-assisted treatment. Our hope is that communities can leverage these strategies to 

create local, targeted responses.

Empowering consumers 

CDC raises awareness about the risks of opioid misuse and abuse in order to empower people to make 

safe choices. CDC created the Rx Awareness campaign to educate everyone about the dangers and risks 

of prescription opioids. The Rx Awareness campaign tells the real stories of people whose lives were torn 

apart by misuse of prescription opioids through videos, radio spots, social media, signs and billboards, and 

online ads. State and local health departments and community organizations can use the tested campaign 

materials and resources to launch campaigns, support local prevention activities, and raise awareness about 

the risks of prescription opioids. More information can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/rxawareness/

index.html.

Urgent work remains to end the opioid overdose epidemic in the United States. Additional measures 

are needed to address a diverse and evolving array of drug types. Improving drug overdose surveillance, 

empowering and equipping states with the resources and information they need, improving ways that 

opioids are prescribed through clinical practice guidelines, and forming critical partnerships are at the heart 

of the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control’s work to combat the overdose epidemic.
TECHNICAL 

NOTES

Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention

National Center for Injury

Prevention and Control
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This report uses the most recently available data from four sources. Information on opioid prescribing 

practices were obtained from the IQVIATM Transactional Data Warehouse (TDW) and Total Patient Tracker 

(TPT). Estimated prescribing rates focus on information from 2017, but data are presented on prescribing 

trends from 2006 to 2017. Substance use and misuse data were obtained from the Substance Abuse and 

Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). 

Information on medically attended non-fatal drug-related poisonings were obtained from the Healthcare 

Cost and Utilization Project’s (HCUP) National Inpatient Sample (NIS) and Nationwide Emergency 

Department Sample (NEDS) 2015 surveys. Mortality rates were obtained from the National Vital Statistics 

System’s (NVSS) 2016 mortality file, and trends were presented from 1999-2016. Variables for demographic 

characteristics (age, gender/sex, race and ethnicity, and geographic region) were standardized across data 

sources to the extent possible.

Opioid Prescribing

Data Source

Data on opioid prescribing were derived from the IQVIATM Transactional Data Warehouse (TDW) and Total 

Patient Tracker (TPT). TDW provided estimates of the number of opioid prescriptions dispensed in the United 

States via retail. TPT provided national estimates of the total number of unique persons who had at least 

one opioid prescription dispensed during the year examined in the retail outpatient setting from United 

States retail pharmacies. Prescription coverage is 92% in both data sources. A prescription is an initial or refill 

dispensed pharmaceutical paid for by commercial third party, Medicaid, Medicare Part D, or cash. 

Opioid prescriptions, including codeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, methadone, morphine, 

oxycodone, oxymorphone, propoxyphene, tapentadol, tramadol, Butrans® and Belbuca® (buprenorphine), 

were identified using the National Drug Code. Cough and cold formulations containing opioids were not 

included. Formulations of buprenorphine, an opioid primarily used for treatment of opioid use disorder, 

were not included, with the exception of Butrans®, a transdermal buprenorphine formulation, and Belbuca®, 

an oral buprenorphine formulation, both used for pain management. In addition, methadone dispensed 

through methadone maintenance treatment programs was not included in IQVIATM TDW data.

TECHNICAL NOTES

Data Sources, Definitions, and Analysis
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Definitions

• Days of supply: Number of days the supply of a dispensed medication will last.

• Long-acting (LA) or extended-release (ER) opioids: slower-acting opioids with a longer duration of 

pain-relieving action, including the following branded and generic drug products:

– Extended-release, oral dosage forms containing:

· Hydromorphone

· Morphine

· Oxycodone

· Oxymorphone

· Tapentadol

– Extended-release, transdermal delivery systems containing:

· Fentanyl

· Buprenorphine

– Long-acting tablets and solutions used as analgesics containing:

· Methadone

• Morphine milligram equivalents (MME): For a comparison of opioid doses, a methodology was 

developed to equate the many different opioids into one standard value. This standard value is based on 

morphine and its potency, referred to as morphine milligram equivalents (MME). MME helps determine 

the potency of persons’ opioid doses and is useful if converting from one opioid to another. This measure 

provides the amount of opioids dispensed (i.e., dosage).

• Morphine milligram equivalent per day (MME/day): 

– MME/day = strength per unit x (number of units/ days of supply) x MME conversion factor

– “Number of units” and “days of supply” come from the prescription. “Strength per unit” and “MME 

conversion factor” can be determined from the National Drug Code.

– Data files of select controlled substances including opioids with oral MME conversions factors (2017 

version) can be found at: https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/resources/data.html. 

– For combination drugs, “strength” refers to the strength of the controlled substance component of the 

drug per unit specified in unit of measure.

– Examples:

· 10 mg oxycodone tables x (120 tablets/ 30 days) x 1.5 = 60 MME/day

· 25 μg/hr fentanyl patch x (10 patches/ 30 days) x 7.2 = 60 MME/day

• High-dose prescription: prescriptions with a dose greater than or equal to 90 MME/day. 

– Examples:

· 90 mg of hydrocodone (9 tablets of hydrocodone 10 mg+acetaminophen 325 mg)

· 60 mg of oxycodone (2 tablets of oxycodone extended-release 30 mg)

· ~20 mg of methadone (4 tablets of methadone 5 mg)

Statistical Analysis

The percent of persons who had at least one prescription filled for an opioid is derived using unique counts 

from TPT and census population numbers. Annual resident population denominator estimates were 

obtained from the Population Estimates Program, U.S. Census Bureau. For population data, 2000–2010 

Intercensal Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties and States were used for 2006–2010 

rate calculations; 2010–2017 Postcensal Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties and 

National were used for 2011–2017. For data stratified by age groups, the patient counts by age group for 

each gender do not sum to the total for each gender because the totals were calculated separately from TPT 

to avoid potential double-counting of persons. 
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Annual opioid prescribing rates were calculated by dividing the total number of opioid prescriptions 

dispensed in a given year, or state, as appropriate, by the census population. All rates are per 100 persons 

of all ages. 

Temporal trends of national opioid prescribing rates and amounts of opioids prescribed from 2006 to 2017 

were evaluated by applying joinpoint regression methodology.2 This modeling approach simultaneously 

identified statistically significant trends as well as shifts in trends that occurred within a time series. A 

maximum of two joinpoints was allowed, and the permutation method was used for model selection. 

The most parsimonious models were selected to report the estimated annual percent change (APC) for 

each time segment detected and the average annual percent change (AAPC) for the full study period. 

The terms “increasing” or “decreasing” were used to describe the trend when APC for each time segment 

was statistically significantly different from 0 (p<0.05); otherwise, the trend was described as “stable.” Year 

categories presented in Table 1d represented year groupings as determined by joinpoint regression. 

Drug Use, Misuse, Substance Use Disorder, and Treatment

Data Source

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) is an annual face-to-face household survey 

administered by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.3 NSDUH includes 

questions about substance use behavior, substance use initiation, substance use disorders, substance use 

treatment, and mental health. NSDUH collects data from civilian, noninstitutionalized persons aged 12 

years and older residing in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Noninstitutionalized persons include 

residents living in some group settings (e.g., shelters, boarding houses, college dormitories). NSDUH 

excludes persons with no fixed address (e.g., homeless and/or transient people not in shelters), active-duty 

military personnel, and residents of institutional group quarters, such as correctional facilities, nursing 

homes, mental institutions, and long-term care hospitals.

Sampling and Data Collection

NSDUH collects data using a state-based, multistage area probability sample.3 Each state is stratified into 

sampling regions of approximately equal population sizes. Census tracts are selected within sampling 

regions, census block groups are selected within census tracts, area segments are selected within census 

block groups, and dwelling units are selected within area segments. A maximum of two residents per 

dwelling unit, 12 years of age or older, are selected to participate in the interview. Because NSDUH collects 

information from self-reports of substance use behavior, these data might be subject to social desirability 

bias, leading to over- or underreporting of certain behaviors. NSDUH employs various methods to 

minimize these potential biases, such as assuring confidentiality of responses and using computer-assisted 

self-interviewing to maintain privacy. NSDUH data reflect prevalence estimates for the entire U.S. noninstitutionalized population aged 12 and older, accounting for the survey’s complex sample design.

Although substantial modifications were made to the prescription drug questions in the 2015 NSDUH,4

making it incomparable to previous years, no significant changes to questions producing the variables 

included in this report were made in the 2016 NSDUH. Therefore the 2016 data should be comparable to the 

2015 data. The 2016 NSDUH results did include a new drug category of opioids (heroin use or prescription 

pain reliever misuse) that was not in previous results, resulting in a new column in some of the NSDUH tables 

in this report.
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Definitions

In specific tables in this report, estimates are provided for the combination of illicit drug use and 

prescription drug misuse. NSDUH defines a broad category of “illicit drug use” as use of illicit drugs: 

including marijuana, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens (including PCP, LSD, Ecstasy, ketamine, 

DMT, AMT, or Foxy, and Salvia divinorum), inhalants, methamphetamine, or prescription psychotherapeutics 

that were misused, which include pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants, and sedatives.

We avoid using the term “illicit drug use” to mean use of illicit drugs and misuse of prescription drugs 

collectively in this report and prefer to keep misuse of prescription drugs distinct from the use of illicit 

drugs to maintain consistency with other data sources included.

This report provides NSDUH prevalence estimates of misuse and overall use (including use as directed 

by a doctor and misuse) for the following prescription drug categories, together referred to by NSDUH as 

“prescription psychotherapeutics”:

• Prescription pain relievers included opioids and covered the following drug subcategories: 

hydrocodone products, oxycodone products, tramadol products, codeine products, morphine 

products, fentanyl products, buprenorphine products, oxymorphone products, hydromorphone 

products, methadone, or any other prescription pain reliever; 

• Prescription tranquilizers included drugs intended to reduce anxiety, specifically benzodiazepines 

(e.g., alprazolam; lorazepam, clonazepam, or diazepam); or to quell muscle spasms, specifically muscle 

relaxants (e.g., cyclobenzaprine); 

• Prescription stimulants included drugs prescribed for treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity 

disorder (e.g., dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate) or obesity (e.g., benzphetamine, phentermine);

• Prescription sedatives included drugs that are intended to manage sleep disorders, such as zolpidem, 

eszopicione, zaleplon, benzodiazepine sedatives (e.g., temazepam, triazolam), and barbiturates (e.g., 

butabarbital, secobarbital).

This report also provides NSDUH prevalence estimates of use for the following illicit substances:

• Marijuana was classified as an illicit substance in NSDUH despite being legalized in the states of some 

respondents since it remains an illegal substance (Schedule I drug) under federal law

• Opioids is a new category in this year’s report and is a combination of heroin use and prescription pain 

reliever misuse

• Heroin

• Cocaine included powder, crack, free base, and coca paste

• Methamphetamine

Census regions were defined by the following jurisdictions:

• Northeast: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, 

Rhode Island, and Vermont

• Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, 

South Dakota, and Wisconsin

• South: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, 

Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia

• West: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, 

Utah, Washington, and Wyoming 
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35

Patient residence was determined according to categories of 2013 National Center for Health Statistics 

Urban-Rural Classification Scheme for Counties.5Metropolitan and nonmetropolitan categories were 

subdivided into the following categories.

• Large metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) had a total population of 1 million or more. 

• Small metropolitan areas had a total population of fewer than 1 million.

• Nonmetropolitan counties were classified according to the aggregate size of their urban population. 

Nonmetropolitan areas include counties in micropolitan statistical areas and counties outside of both 

metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas and are classified as follows:

– “urbanized” 

– “less urbanized” 

– “completely rural” 

The OMB defined nonmetropolitan counties according to (a) the size of the population in urbanized 

areas within the county (i.e., a population of 20,000 or more in urbanized areas, a population of at least 

2,500 but fewer than 20,000 in urbanized areas, or a population of fewer than 2,500 in urbanized areas); 

and (b) whether these counties were adjacent or not adjacent to a metropolitan area. For NSDUH, the 

terms “urbanized,” “less urbanized,” and “completely rural” for counties were not based on the relative 

proportion of the county population in urbanized areas, but rather on the absolute size of the population 

in urbanized areas. For example, some counties classified as “less urbanized” had over 50 percent of 

the county population residing in urbanized areas, but this percentage represented fewer than 20,000 

persons in the county.

Substance use disorder and treatment were defined in the following manner:

• Substance use disorder was defined as meeting criteria for illicit or prescription drug dependence or 

abuse based on definitions found in the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental 

Disorders (DSM-IV).6 

• Substance use treatment refers to treatment received in order to reduce or stop illicit or prescription 

drug use, or for medical problems associated with illicit or prescription drug use. It includes treatment 

at any of the following locations: a hospital overnight as an inpatient, a residential drug rehabilitation 

facility where they stayed overnight, a drug rehabilitation facility as an outpatient, a mental health 

facility as an outpatient, an emergency room, a private doctor’s office, a prison or jail, a self-help group, 

or some other place. Of these locations, emergency rooms, private doctors’ offices, prisons or jails, and 

self-help groups were considered nonspecialty substance use treatment facilities. Reports of treatment 

in some other place were considered to be treatment in specialty substance use treatment facilities 

only if respondents specified a location that corresponded to drug rehabilitation facilities (inpatient or 

outpatient), hospitals (inpatient only), or mental health centers.

Statistical Analysis

No statistical analyses were conducted; instead, estimates were obtained from NSDUH’s 2016 published 

report.7 Data on heroin use stratified by age, race/ethnicity, U.S. census region, county type, and 

urbanization were provided by SAMHSA.
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36

Nonfatal Overdose Hospitalizations and Emergency Department (ED) Visits

Data Sources

Information on medically attended, nonfatal overdose rates were obtained from the Healthcare Cost and 

Utilization Project (HCUP). Drug-related inpatient hospitalizations were obtained from HCUP’s 2015 National 

Inpatient Sample (NIS). The NIS uses a stratified systematic random sampling design to produce nationally 

representative estimates of hospital discharges in the United States. It is the largest publicly available allpayer database in the U.S and was conducted in 46 states plus the District of Columbia in 2015. The sample 

included approximately 20% of discharges from U.S. community hospitals, excluding rehabilitation and 

long-term acute care facilities. The sample was stratified by the following hospital characteristics: U.S. census 

division, urban or rural location, teaching status, ownership, and bed size. 

Discharge data for emergency department (ED) visits were obtained from the Nationwide Emergency 

Department Sample (NEDS), which is a stratified sample of billing records designed to produce national 

representative estimates of hospital-based ED visits in the United States. In 2015, data were obtained 

from 953 hospitals located in 34 states and the District of Columbia, approximating a 20-percent stratified 

sample of U.S. hospital-based EDs. The sample was drawn from non-Federal, short-term, general, and other 

specialty hospitals and stratified by the following hospital characteristics: geographic region, trauma center 

designation, urban or rural location, teaching status, and hospital ownership. 

NIS and NEDS transitioned from using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical 

Modification (ICD-9-CM) diagnosis codes to International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical 

Modification/Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-CM/PCS) on October 1, 2015 (the beginning of fiscal year 2016).

Definitions

ICD-9-CM diagnosis injury codes were used to classify drug-related poisonings for the first three quarters of 

2015 (January 1–September 30, 2015), and ICD-10-CM/PCS codes were used for the fourth quarter of 2015 

(October 1–December 31, 2015). All intents, diagnoses (not just principal), and all encounters (initial and 

subsequent) were included. These definitions differ from last year’s report and therefore numbers and rates 

should not be compared between the two reports. 

• All drug poisoning included the following codes:

– ICD-9-CM: Diagnosis code of 960-979 or external cause of injury E850-E858

– ICD-10-CM/PCS: Contributing cause T36.0X1x–T36.0X4x, T36.1X1x–T36.1X4x, T36.2X1x–T36.2X4x, 

T36.3X1x–T36.3X4x, T36.4X1x–T36.4X4x, T36.5X1x–T36.5X4x, T36.6X1x–T36.6X4x, T36.7X1x–T36.7X4x, 

T36.8X1x–T36.8X4x, T36.91Xx–T36.94Xx, T37.0X1x–T37.0X4x, T37.1X1x–T37.1X4x, T37.2X1x–T37.2X4x, 

T37.3X1x–T37.3X4x, T37.4X1x–T37.4X4x, T37.5X1x–T37.5X4x, T37.8X1x–T37.8X4x, T37.91Xx–T37.94Xx, 

T38.0X1x–T38.0X4x, T38.1X1x–T38.1X4x, T38.2X1x–T38.2X4x, T38.3X1x–T38.3X4x, T38.4X1x–T38.4X4x, 

T38.5X1x–T38.5X4x, T38.6X1x–T38.6X4x, T38.7X1x–T38.7X4x, T38.801x–T38.804x, T38.811x–T38.814x, 

T38.891x–T38.894x, T38.901x–T38.904x, T38.991x–T38.994x, T39.011x–T39.014x, T39.091x–T39.094x, 

T39.1X1x–T39.1X4x, T39.2X1x–T39.2X4x, T39.311x–T39.314x, T39.391x–T39.394x, T39.4X1x–T39.4X4x, 

T39.8X1x–T39.8X4x, T39.91Xx–T39.94Xx, T40.0X1x–T40.0X4x, T40.1X1x–T40.1X4x, T40.2X1x–T40.2X4x, 

T40.3X1x–T40.3X4x, T40.4X1x–T40.4X4x, T40.5X1x–T40.5X4x, T40.601x–T40.604x, T40.691x–T40.694x, 

T40.7X1x–T40.7X4x, T40.8X1x–T40.8X4x, T40.901x–T40.904x, T40.991x–T40.994x, T41.0X1x–T41.0X4x, 

T41.1X1x–T41.1X4x, T41.201x–T41.204x, T41.291x–T41.294x, T41.3X1x–T41.3X4x, T41.41Xx–T41.44Xx, 

T41.5X1x–T41.5X4x, T42.0X1x–T42.0X4x, T42.1X1x–T42.1X4x, T42.2X1x–T42.2X4x, T42.3X1x–T42.3X4x, 

T42.4X1x–T42.4X4x, T42.5X1x–T42.5X4x, T42.6X1x–T42.6X4x, T42.7X1x–T42.7X4x, T42.4X8x–T42.8X4x, 

T43.011x–T43.014x, T43.021x–T43.024x, T43.1X1x–T43.1X4x, T43.201x–T43.204x, T43.211x–T43.214x, 

T43.221x–T43.224x, T43.291x–T43.294x, T43.3X1x–T43.3X4x, T43.4X1x–T43.4X4x, T43.501x–T43.504x, 
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T43.591x–T43.594x, T43.601x–T43.604x, T43.611x–T43.614x, T43.621x–T43.624x, T43.631x– T43.634x, 

T43.691x–T43.694x, T43.8X1x–T43.8X4x, T43.91Xx–T43.94Xx, T44.0X1x–T44.0X4x, T44.1X1x–T44.1X4x, 

T44.2X1x–T44.2X4x, T44.3X1x–T44.3X4x, T44.4X1x– T44.4X4x, T44.5X1x–T44.5X4x, T44.6X1x–T44.6X4x, 

T44.7X1x–T44.7X4x, T44.8X1x– T44.8X4x, T44.901x–T44.904x, T44.991x–T44.994x, T45.0X1x–T45.0X4x, 

T45.1X1x– T45.1X4x, T45.2X1x–T45.2X4x, T45.3X1x–T45.3X4x, T45.4X1x–T45.4X4x, T45.511x– T45.514x, 

T45.521x–T45.524x, T45.601x–T45.604x, T45.611x–T45.614x, T45.621x– T45.624x, T45.691x–T45.694x, 

T45.7X1x–T45.7X4x, T46.8X1x–T46.8X4x, T46.901x– T46.904x, T46.991x–T46.994x, T47.0X1x–T47.0X4x, 

T47.1X1x–T47.1X4x, T47.2X1x– T47.2X4x, T47.3X1x–T47.3X4x, T47.4X1x–T47.4X4x, T47.5X1x–T47.5X4x, 

T48.6X1x– T48.6X4x, T48.901x–T48.904x, T49.0X1x–T49.0X4x, T49.1X1x–T49.1X4x, T49.2X1x– T49.2X4x, 

T49.3X1x–T49.3X4x, T49.4X1x–T49.4X4x, T49.5X1x–T49.5X4x, T49.6X1x– T49.6X4x, T49.7X1x–T49.7X4x, 

T49.8X1x–T49.8X4x, T49.91Xx–T49.94Xx, T50.0X1x– T50.0X4x, T50.1X1x–T50.1X4x, T50.2X1x–T50.2X4x, 

T50.3X1x–T50.3X4x, T50.4X1x– T50.4X4x, T50.5X1x–T50.5X4x, T50.6X1x–T50.6X4x, T50.7X1x–T50.7X4x, 

T50.8X1x– T50.8X4x, T50.A11x–T50.A14x, T50.A21x–T50.A24x, T50.A91x–T50.A94x, T50.B91x– T50.B94x, 

T50.Z11x–T50.Z14x, T50.Z91x–T50.Z94x, T50.901x–T50.904x, T50.991x–T50.994x

• Opioid drug poisoning included:

– ICD-9-CM: Diagnosis code of 965.00, 965.01, 965.02, 965.09 or external cause of injury E850.0, E850.1, 

E850.2

– ICD-10-CM/PCS: Contributing cause T40.0X1x–0X4x, T40.1X1x–1X4x, T40.2X1x–2X4x, T40.3X1x–3X4x, 

T40.4X1x–T40.4X4x, T40.601x–604x, T40.691x–T40.694x

• Heroin poisoning included:

– ICD-9-CM: Diagnosis code of 965.01 or external cause of injury E850.0

– ICD-10-CM/PCS: Contributing cause T40.1X1x–1X4x

• Methadone poisoning included:

– ICD-9-CM: Diagnosis code of 965.02 or external cause of injury E850.1

– ICD-10-CM/PCS: Contributing cause T40.3X1x–3X4x

• Poisoning by other opioids included:

– ICD-9-CM: Diagnosis code of 965.09, 965.00 or external cause of injury E850.2

– ICD-10-CM/PCS: Contributing cause T40.0X1x–0X4x, T40.2X1x–2X4x, T40.4X1x–T40.4X4x, T40.601x–

604x

• Cocaine poisoning included:

– ICD-9-CM: Diagnosis code of 970.81 or external cause of injury E854.3 or E855.2

– ICD-10-CM/PCS: Contributing cause T40.5X1x–T40.5X4x

• Methamphetamine poisoning included:

– ICD-9-CM: Diagnosis code of 969.72 or external cause of injury E854.2

– ICD-10-CM/PCS: Contributing cause T43.621x–T43.621x

 *where x = A, D, or S

To explore the effect of the ICD-10-CM transition on the data, we conducted sensitivity analyses where we 

analyzed the rates of poisoning-related hospitalizations and ED visits for the first three quarters of 2015 only 

when ICD-9-CM codes were being used. Populations for rate calculations were multiplied by 3⁄4 since only 

3⁄4 of the year were included in the numerator. We compared these rates to those in the tables presented in 

the report and found the rates to be comparable. The tables with the rates calculated from the first three 

quarters are presented in the Appendix (Supplemental Tables 2c and 2d). 
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As poisoning-related hospitalizations and ED visits may involve more than one type of drug, poisonings 

presented are not mutually exclusive. 

Information about persons’ race and ethnicity was not available for ED visits so it was not included in any 

HCUP analyses.

Census regions are defined under the section on “Drug Use, Misuse, Substance Use Disorder, and Treatment.”

Urbanization of patient residence is based on the 2013 National Center for Health Statistics Urban-Rural 

Classification Scheme for Counties.5 The categories are defined as follows:

• Large central metro: counties in metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) of 1 million or more population that:

– Contain the entire population of the largest principal city of the MSA, or

– Have their entire population contained in the largest principal city of the MSA, or

– Contain at least 250,000 inhabitants of any principal city of the MSA.

• Large fringe metro: counties in MSAs of 1 million or more population that did not qualify as large 

central metro counties.

• Medium metro: counties in MSAs of populations of 250,000 to 999,999.

• Small metro: counties in MSAs of populations less than 250,000.

• Micropolitan: nonmetropolitan counties in micropolitan statistical areas.

• Noncore: nonmetropolitan counties that did not qualify as micropolitan.

Statistical Analysis

Data were weighted to provide national estimates of annual numbers and rates per 100,000 population. 

Rates were based on U.S. population estimates according to sex, age, U.S. census region, and 2013 

urbanization status.5,8 Age-adjusted rates were standardized to the U.S. census population estimates for 2000 

by the direct method. Estimates were considered unreliable and not reported if the relative standard error 

was >30% or the standard error = 0. All statistical analyses accounted for the complex sampling design and 

were performed using SAS Version 9.4 (SAS Institute, Cary, North Carolina).

To minimize the possibility of duplicate counting within this section or across other sections of this report, 

we excluded some records. Hospital transfers and hospital admissions that occurred directly from the ED 

were excluded because each would be included in the hospitalization data. In-hospital deaths were excluded 

from the ED visits and hospitalization estimates because these would be included in the mortality section.

Mortality Rates

Data Source

Mortality data were obtained from the Mortality Component of the National Vital Statistics System. Drug 

overdose deaths were analyzed using the multiple cause of death query system from CDC WONDER.9 Data 

are based on information about underlying and multiple causes of death from death certificates filed in the 

50 states and the District of Columbia.10 
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Definitions

Drug overdose deaths were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD10) , based on the ICD-10 underlying cause-of-death codes X40–44 (unintentional), X60–64 (suicide), X85 

(homicide), or Y10–Y14 (undetermined intent). 

Among deaths with drug overdose as the underlying cause, the type of drugs involved in the deaths were 

indicated by the following ICD-10 multiple cause-of-death codes (i.e., T-codes): 

• Heroin (T40.1)

• Natural/semisynthetic opioids (T40.2), which includes drugs such as hydrocodone and oxycodone

• Methadone (T40.3)

• Synthetic opioids other than methadone (T40.4), which includes drugs such as fentanyl and tramadol

• Deaths involving any opioid (T40.0 (opium), T40.1, T40.2, T40.3, T40.4 and T40.6 (other and unspecified 

narcotics)), which includes drugs such as those listed above, as well as opioids where the type of opioid 

was not specified

• Deaths involving a prescription opioid (T40.2) natural and semi-synthetic opioids and (T40.3) 

methadone

• Cocaine (T40.5)

• Psychostimulants with abuse potential (T43.6), which includes such drugs as methamphetamine, and 

3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA)

As drug overdose deaths may involve more than one type of drug, some deaths are included in the rates 

in more than one subcategory. Therefore, categories of drug overdose deaths presented are not mutually 

exclusive. Additionally, in 2016, approximately 15% of drug overdose deaths do not specify which drugs 

were involved.

While gender is presented in other tables in this report, sex is presented for these data as they are from 

death certificates. 

Census regions are defined under the section on “Drug Use, Misuse, Substance Use Disorder, and Treatment.”

Death rates are calculated by decedent’s place of residence, not place of occurrence of the death. Decedent’s 

residence was determined according to categories of the 2013 National Center for Health Statistics UrbanRural Classification Scheme for Counties.5 These are defined above in the section for “Nonfatal Overdose 

Hospitalizations and Emergency Department (ED) Visits.”

All records with Hispanic origin not stated were not included in estimates by Hispanic origin, but were 

included in the overall estimates. Data for Hispanic origin should be interpreted with caution; studies 

comparing Hispanic origin on death certificates and on census surveys have shown inconsistent reporting 

on Hispanic ethnicity.11 
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Statistical Analysis 

Rates were calculated per 100,000 resident population, age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population 

using the vintage year population of the data year. Crude rates were presented for age groups. Significance 

testing for trends over time was performed with Joinpoint software from the National Cancer Institute.2

Significance tests used a Monte Carlo Permutation method.12 The most parsimonious models were selected 

to report the estimated annual percent change (APC) for each time segment detected that was statistically 

significantly different from 0 (p<0.05); otherwise, the terms” level” or “stable” were used.
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1 Dowell D, Haegerich TM, Chou R. CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain - United 

States, 2016. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2016;65(1):1-49.

2 Joinpoint Regression Program, Version 4.5.0.0 [computer program]. May 2017. Statistical Methodology 

and Applications Branch, Surveillance Research Program, National Cancer Institute. 

3 Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: 

Methodological summary and definitions. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 

Administration; 2017.

4 Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: 

Summary of the Effects of the 2015 NSDUH Questionnaire Redesign: Implications for Data Users. 

Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; 2016.

5 Ingram D, Franco S. 2013 NCHS urban–rural classification scheme for counties. National Center for Health 

Statistics; 2014.

6 American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition 

1994.

7 Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: 

Detailed Tables. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; 2017.

8 Barrett M, Hickey K, Coffey R, K. L. Population Denominator Data for Use with the HCUP Databases 

(Updated with 2015 Population Data). U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2016.

9 CDC WONDER. US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2016. https://wonder.cdc.gov/. 

Accessed May 2018.

10 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About the National Vital Statistics System. Atlanta, GA: US 

Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2016.

11 Arias E, Heron M, Hakes J. The Validity of Race and Hispanic-origin Reporting on Death Certificates in the 

United States: An Update. Vital Health Stat 2. Aug 01 2016(172):1-21.

12 Kim HJ, Fay, M. P., Feuer, E. J., Midthune, D. N. Permutation tests for joinpoint regression with applications 

to cancer rates. Stat Med. Feb 15 2000;19(3):335-351.

REFERENCES
Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention

National Center for Injury

Prevention and Control

TABLES
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TABLE 1A National estimates of total number and percent of persons who had at least one 

prescription filled for an opioid by age and gender — United States, 2017

Age group (years) Gender Number Percenta

0–14

Total 1,030,315 1.7

Male 543,052 1.7

Female 487,263 1.6

15–19

Total 2,195,874 10.4

Male 975,802 9.0

Female 1,220,072 11.8

20–24

Total 2,896,334 13.0

Male 1,092,400 9.6

Female 1,803,934 16.7

25–34

Total 7,859,235 17.3

Male 2,919,459 12.6

Female 4,939,776 22.1

35–44

Total 8,379,430 20.5

Male 3,428,239 16.8

Female 4,951,191 24.2

45–54

Total 9,797,523 23.1

Male 4,239,999 20.2

Female 5,557,524 25.9

55–64

Total 11,073,327 26.3

Male 5,011,588 24.6

Female 6,061,739 27.8

 ≥ 65

Total 13,703,295 26.8

Male 5,695,755 25.1

Female 8,007,540 28.2

All ages

Total 56,778,428 17.4

Maleb 23,846,253 14.8

Femaleb 32,932,175 19.9

Source: IQVIATM Total Patient Tracker (TPT), 2017 Enhanced.

a

Percent of persons is derived using unique patient counts from TPT and census population numbers.

b

Patient numbers by age group for each gender do not sum to the total number for each gender because the total 

number for each gender was calculated separately from TPT to avoid potential double-counting of persons. 
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TABLE 1B Total number and rate of opioid prescriptions (Rx) and morphine milligram equivalents (MME) 

dispensed per 100 persons annually — United States, 2017

Source: IQVIATM Transactional Data Warehouse.

Abbreviations: MME, morphine milligram equivalents; Rx, prescriptions.

a Rate per 100 persons.

b LA/ER represents opioids that are long acting (LA) or extended release (ER).

Opioids prescribed Number Ratea

Prescriptions (Rx)

 All opioids 191,146,822 58.5

 LA/ER opioidsb 17,442,895 5.3

 Days of supply per Rx

 < 30 days 110,759,830 33.9

 ≥ 30 days 80,386,991 24.6

 Average opioid Rx per patient 3.4 

 Average days of supply per Rx 18.3

MME

 Total MME 166,941,732,435 

 MME per capita 511.1

 Average MME per Rx 873.4

 Average daily MME per Rx 45.3

 Daily dosage per Rx

 < 50 MME 142,842,185 43.7

 ≥ 50 but < 90 MME 32,079,439 9.8

 ≥ 90 MME (high dose) 16,225,198 5.0
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TABLE 1C Ratesa

 of opioid prescriptions dispensed per 100 persons by dosage, type, and state — 

United States, 2017

Source: IQVIATM Transactional Data Warehouse.

a

 Rate per 100 persons.

b

 MME = morphine milligram equivalents.

c

 LA/ER represents opioids that are long acting (LA) or extended release (ER).

State

Opioid Type Daily Dosage Per Rx (MMEb/Day) Opioid Type Daily Dosage Per Rx (MMEb/Day)

All LA/ERc < 50 ≥ 50 but < 90 ≥ 90 All LA/ER < 50 ≥ 50 but < 90 ≥ 90 

Alabama 107.2 8.2 87.6 12.9 6.8 Montana 61.1 6.5 43.6 11.9 5.6

Alaska 52.0 7.3 30.9 12.8 8.3 Nebraska 56.5 5.4 43.0 9.5 4.0

Arizona 61.2 7.0 41.4 12.2 7.5 Nevada 72.9 7.4 48.9 16.5 7.5

Arkansas 105.4 7.2 83.7 14.7 6.9 New Hampshire 52.7 8.2 33.0 11.7 8.0

California 39.5 3.5 30.1 6.2 3.3 New Jersey 44.2 5.3 29.2 8.8 6.3

Colorado 52.8 5.4 37.3 11.1 4.4 New Mexico 56.4 4.4 41.8 10.2 4.4

Connecticut 48.0 5.4 31.8 10.4 5.8 New York 37.8 4.2 27.3 6.1 4.4

Delaware 68.3 11.0 46.1 12.4 9.8 North Carolina 71.9 7.1 51.2 14.7 6.0

District of Columbia 28.5 1.9 24.1 3.0 1.4 North Dakota 41.5 4.7 31.9 6.8 2.8

Florida 60.9 6.3 43.0 11.5 6.4 Ohio 63.5 5.0 49.6 9.8 4.1

Georgia 70.9 5.3 54.7 10.8 5.4 Oklahoma 88.0 9.0 62.0 18.1 7.9

Hawaii 37.0 4.1 25.9 6.4 4.6 Oregon 66.1 6.8 46.0 14.2 5.9

Idaho 70.3 7.6 47.1 16.3 6.9 Pennsylvania 57.7 6.6 41.3 9.7 6.7

Illinois 51.1 3.5 41.5 6.8 2.8 Rhode Island 51.2 4.7 40.4 6.1 4.6

Indiana 74.2 6.0 57.9 10.9 5.4 South Carolina 79.2 6.3 59.0 14.1 6.2

Iowa 56.4 5.0 44.3 8.2 3.8 South Dakota 49.0 4.9 37.5 7.8 3.7

Kansas 69.7 6.6 48.2 14.7 6.8 Tennessee 94.4 8.7 65.9 20.9 7.6

Kentucky 86.8 5.5 67.6 13.8 5.4 Texas 53.0 3.3 44.5 6.0 2.6

Louisiana 89.5 5.0 71.7 12.8 5.0 Utah 63.8 6.9 41.5 14.0 8.4

Maine 55.7 7.7 39.3 10.7 5.7 Vermont 50.5 8.3 33.8 8.6 8.1

Maryland 51.7 6.8 34.4 11.1 6.3 Virginia 52.9 4.9 39.3 8.7 4.9

Massachusetts 40.1 4.4 29.0 7.3 3.8 Washington 57.2 5.9 39.2 12.9 5.1

Michigan 74.2 6.6 60.7 8.1 5.4 West Virginia 81.2 6.2 65.3 10.0 6.0

Minnesota 41.0 4.0 29.6 8.4 2.9 Wisconsin 52.6 5.9 37.6 10.4 4.6

Mississippi 92.9 5.9 77.2 10.7 4.9 Wyoming 64.8 7.1 44.7 13.4 6.7

Missouri 71.8 6.1 52.9 12.8 6.2
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2018

46

TABLE 1D Trend analyses of opioid prescribing — United States, 2006–2017

Source: IQVIATM Transactional Data Warehouse.

Abbreviations: APC, annual percent change; CL, confidence limits; MME, morphine milligram equivalent; Rx, prescription.

a

 Rate per 100 persons

b

 Year category presented in each trend represents year groupings as determined by joinpoint regression.

c

 Indicates that the annual percent change was significantly different from 0 (p<0.05).

d

 High-dose prescriptions were defined as opioid prescriptions resulting in a daily dosage of ≥ 90 MME.

Opioid prescribing 

2006 2017

Average APC 

(95% CL)

Trend 1 Trend 2 Trend 3

Prescribing ratea Yearsb APC (95% CL) Years APC (95% CL) Years APC (95% CL)

All opioid Rx 72.4 58.5 -1.6 (-2.1, -1.1) 2006–2010 3.0 (2.4, 3.6)c 2010–2014 -1.6 (-2.6, -0.7)c 2014–2017 -8.2 (-9.1, -7.3)c

High-dosage Rxd 11.5 5.0 -7.6 (-8.1, -7.2) 2006–2009 0.0 (-2.8, 2.8) 2009–2017 -9.5 ( -10.0, -8.9)c

Days of supply ≥ 30 17.6 24.6 3.3 (2.7, 3.9) 2006–2010 10.3 (9.8, 10.9)c 2010–2015 1.7 (1.2, 2.2)c 2015–2017 -7.3 (-8.8, -5.8)c

Days of supply < 30 54.7 33.9 -4.0 (-4.4, -3.5) 2006–2010 0.4 (-0.2, 1.0) 2010–2014 -3.9 (-4.8, -2.9)c 2014–2017 -10.5 (-11.4, -9.8)c

Number

Average daily MME 

per Rx 59.7 45.3 -2.7 (-2.8, -2.6) 2006–2010 -1.0 (-1.2, -0.8)c 2010–2013 -4.5 ( -5.1, -3.9)c 2013–2017 -2.2 (-2.4, -2.0)c

Average days of 

supply per Rx 13.3 18.3 2.9 (2.8, 3.0) 2006–2009 4.1 (3.9, 4.4)c 2009–2013 2.9 (2.7, 3.2)c 2013–2017 2.1 (2.0, 2.3)c
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2018

47

TABLE 2A Self-reported prevalence of illicit drug usea

 and prescription drug misuseb in the past month, 

persons 12+ years old, numbers in thousands — United States, 2016

Socio-demographic 

characteristic

All illicit drug usea

 and 

prescription drug misuseb

Prescription pain 

relievers

Prescription 

tranquilizers Prescription stimulants Prescription sedatives

Numberc %d SE Number % SE Number % SE Number % SE Number % SE

All 28,564 10.6 0.18 3,350 1.2 0.06 1,953 0.7 0.04 1,735 0.6 0.04 497 0.2 0.03

Gender

 Male 16,779 12.8 0.27 1,692 1.3 0.09 1,002 0.8 0.07 881 0.7 0.05 214 0.2 0.04

 Female 11,786 8.5 0.22 1,658 1.2 0.08 951 0.7 0.05 854 0.6 0.05 283 0.2 0.04

Age (years)

 12–17 1,959 7.9 0.26 239 1.0 0.09 121 0.5 0.07 92 0.4 0.06 23 0.1 0.03

 18–25 8,012 23.2 0.43 631 1.8 0.13 536 1.5 0.12 767 2.2 0.17 50 0.1 0.03

 ≥ 26 18,593 8.9 0.21 2,480 1.2 0.07 1,296 0.6 0.05 876 0.4 0.04 425 0.2 0.03

 26–34 6,520 16.8 0.50 729 1.9 0.16 428 1.1 0.12 468 1.2 0.13 84 0.2 0.05

 ≥ 35 12,073 7.1 0.21 1,752 1.0 0.08 868 0.5 0.06 409 0.2 0.04 341 0.2 0.04

 35–39 2,393 11.6 0.56 339 1.6 0.23 171 0.8 0.15 120 0.6 0.12 23 0.1 0.05

 40–44 1,636 8.4 0.54 271 1.4 0.22 122 0.6 0.14 66 0.3 0.09 75 0.4 0.13

 45–49 1,869 9.2 0.52 247 1.2 0.19 127 0.6 0.14 73 0.4 0.14 15 0.1 0.04

 50–54 1,701 7.8 0.71 345 1.6 0.31 169 0.8 0.21 63 0.3 0.14 59 0.3 0.18

 55–59 2,039 9.3 0.81 229 1.0 0.26 152 0.7 0.20 78 0.4 0.15 48 0.2 0.10

 60–64 1,029 5.4 0.62 145 0.8 0.23 16 0.1 0.07 f f f 33 0.2 0.13

 ≥ 65 1,405 2.9 0.31 176 0.4 0.11 111 0.2 0.11 8 0.0 0.02 88 0.2 0.08

Race/ethnicityg

 White 18,488 10.8 0.23 2,357 1.4 0.08 1,468 0.9 0.06 1,361 0.8 0.06 382 0.2 0.04

 Black 4,040 12.5 0.48 367 1.1 0.14 199 0.6 0.10 80 0.2 0.06 23 0.1 0.04

 Hispanic 4,100 9.2 0.44 503 1.1 0.14 205 0.5 0.08 197 0.4 0.07 40 0.1 0.03

American Indian or 

Alaska Native 240 15.7 1.89 18 1.2 0.46 6 0.4 0.29 3 0.2 0.11 3 0.2 0.16

Native Hawaiian or 

other Pacific Islander 117 9.8 2.69 10 0.8 0.43 8 0.7 0.48 2 0.1 0.13 f f f

 Asian 601 4.1 0.45 11 0.1 0.04 17 0.1 0.07 27 0.2 0.07 16 0.1 0.07

Source: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental Health 

Services Administration, Rockville, MD.

Abbreviation: SE, standard error.

a

 Illicit drug use includes the use of marijuana, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or methamphetamine.

b

 Misuse of prescription drugs is defined as use in any way not directed by a doctor, including use without a prescription of one’s own medication; 

use in greater amounts, more often, or longer than told to take a drug; or use in any other way not directed by a doctor. Prescription drugs do not 

include over-the-counter drugs.

c Numbers in thousands for individuals using or misusing substances rounded to the nearest thousand.

d Percents are rounded to the nearest tenth. Because of the rounding, some percents equal to 0.0 are displayed. These prevalence estimates are 

rounded down from < 0.05 percent and do not represent an absence of persons displaying a particular characteristic.

e

 This category includes heroin use, prescription pain reliever misuse, or both; therefore the numbers for heroin use and prescription pain reliever 

misuse do not add to those for opioid misuse because of poly-drug use. This category includes misuse of prescription fentanyl but excludes use of 

illicit fentanyl.

f Low precision, no estimate reported.

g All race/ethnicity categories other than “Hispanic” are non-Hispanic. Data on two or more races are not included. 

h 2013 Rural-Urban Continuum Codes were used for the creation of the county type variables.
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2018

48

Socio-demographic 

characteristic

All illicit drug usea

 and 

prescription drug misuseb

Prescription pain 

relievers

Prescription 

tranquilizers Prescription stimulants Prescription sedatives

Numberc %d SE Number % SE Number % SE Number % SE Number % SE

U.S. census region of 

residence

 Northeast 5,451 11.4 0.42 556 1.2 0.15 410 0.9 0.13 364 0.8 0.09 86 0.2 0.05

 Midwest 5,494 9.7 0.31 654 1.2 0.11 408 0.7 0.08 390 0.7 0.08 36 0.1 0.02

 South 8,950 8.8 0.27 1,223 1.2 0.09 753 0.7 0.07 604 0.6 0.06 234 0.2 0.05

 West 8,670 13.6 0.49 917 1.4 0.15 382 0.6 0.08 377 0.6 0.08 140 0.2 0.07

County typeh

Large metropolitan 16,932 11.3 0.26 1,737 1.2 0.08 1,106 0.7 0.06 1,033 0.7 0.06 337 0.2 0.05

Small metropolitan 8,407 10.4 0.33 1,164 1.4 0.11 639 0.8 0.08 564 0.7 0.07 139 0.2 0.03

Non-metropolitan 3,225 8.4 0.36 448 1.2 0.12 208 0.5 0.08 138 0.4 0.06 21 0.1 0.02

Urbanized 1,372 8.9 0.60 184 1.2 0.19 85 0.6 0.13 63 0.4 0.09 3 0.0 0.02

Less Urbanized 1,600 8.3 0.49 235 1.2 0.17 111 0.6 0.13 59 0.3 0.09 11 0.1 0.03

Completely Rural 252 6.8 0.97 28 0.8 0.20 12 0.3 0.18 17 0.4 0.27 7 0.2 0.17

CONTINUED

Source: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental Health 

Services Administration, Rockville, MD.

Abbreviation: SE, standard error.

a

 Illicit drug use includes the use of marijuana, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or methamphetamine.

b

 Misuse of prescription drugs is defined as use in any way not directed by a doctor, including use without a prescription of one’s own medication; 

use in greater amounts, more often, or longer than told to take a drug; or use in any other way not directed by a doctor. Prescription drugs do not 

include over-the-counter drugs.

c Numbers in thousands for individuals using or misusing substances rounded to the nearest thousand.

d Percents are rounded to the nearest tenth. Because of the rounding, some percents equal to 0.0 are displayed. These prevalence estimates are 

rounded down from < 0.05 percent and do not represent an absence of persons displaying a particular characteristic.

e

 This category includes heroin use, prescription pain reliever misuse, or both; therefore the numbers for heroin use and prescription pain reliever 

misuse do not add to those for opioid misuse because of poly-drug use. This category includes misuse of prescription fentanyl but excludes use of 

illicit fentanyl.

f Low precision, no estimate reported.

g All race/ethnicity categories other than “Hispanic” are non-Hispanic. Data on two or more races are not included. 

h 2013 Rural-Urban Continuum Codes were used for the creation of the county type variables.
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2018

49

TABLE 2A Self-reported prevalence of illicit drug usea

 and prescription drug misuseb in the past month, 

persons 12+ years old, numbers in thousands — United States, 2016

Source: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental Health 

Services Administration, Rockville, MD.

Abbreviation: SE, standard error.

a

 Illicit drug use includes the use of marijuana, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or methamphetamine.

b

 Misuse of prescription drugs is defined as use in any way not directed by a doctor, including use without a prescription of one’s own medication; 

use in greater amounts, more often, or longer than told to take a drug; or use in any other way not directed by a doctor. Prescription drugs do not 

include over-the-counter drugs.

c

 Numbers in thousands for individuals using or misusing substances rounded to the nearest thousand.

d

 Percents are rounded to the nearest tenth. Because of the rounding, some percents equal to 0.0 are displayed. These prevalence estimates are 

rounded down from < 0.05 percent and do not represent an absence of persons displaying a particular characteristic.

e

 This category includes heroin use, prescription pain reliever misuse, or both; therefore the numbers for heroin use and prescription pain reliever 

misuse do not add to those for opioid misuse because of poly-drug use. This category includes misuse of prescription fentanyl but excludes use of 

illicit fentanyl.

f

 Low precision, no estimate reported.

g

 All race/ethnicity categories other than “Hispanic” are non-Hispanic. Data on two or more races are not included. 

h

 2013 Rural-Urban Continuum Codes were used for the creation of the county type variables.

CONTINUED

Socio-demographic 

characteristic

Marijuana Heroin

Opioidse (heroin or 

prescription pain 

relievers)

Cocaine Methamphetamine

Number % SE Number % SE Number % SE Number % SE Number % SE

All 23,981 8.9 0.16 475 0.2 0.02 3,649 1.4 0.06 1,874 0.7 0.04 667 0.2 0.03

Gender

 Male 14,696 11.3 0.25 295 0.2 0.04 1,883 1.4 0.09 1,257 1.0 0.08 387 0.3 0.05

 Female 9,285 6.7 0.19 179 0.1 0.03 1,766 1.3 0.08 617 0.4 0.05 280 0.2 0.03

Age (years)

 12–17 1,609 6.5 0.24 3 0.0 0.01 241 1.0 0.09 28 0.1 0.03 9 0.0 0.01

 18–25 7,184 20.8 0.42 88 0.3 0.05 688 2.0 0.14 552 1.6 0.13 65 0.2 0.04

 ≥ 26 15,188 7.2 0.19 383 0.2 0.03 2,720 1.3 0.08 1,295 0.6 0.05 594 0.3 0.03

 26–34 5,629 14.5 0.46 151 0.4 0.08 828 2.1 0.17 507 1.3 0.15 139 0.4 0.07

 ≥ 35 9,560 5.6 0.19 231 0.1 0.03 1,892 1.1 0.08 788 0.5 0.05 454 0.3 0.04

 35–39 1,994 9.7 0.52 59 0.3 0.09 367 1.8 0.25 116 0.6 0.13 101 0.5 0.11

 40–44 1,245 6.4 0.47 47 0.2 0.13 299 1.5 0.25 129 0.7 0.19 78 0.4 0.13

 45–49 1,548 7.7 0.48 25 0.1 0.06 264 1.3 0.19 151 0.7 0.17 60 0.3 0.08

 50–54 1,267 5.8 0.63 30 0.1 0.08 353 1.6 0.31 104 0.5 0.20 113 0.5 0.20

 55–59 1,570 7.2 0.75 70 0.3 0.16 287 1.3 0.30 181 0.8 0.21 86 0.4 0.15

 60–64 838 4.4 0.56 f f f 146 0.8 0.23 70 0.4 0.14 f f f

 ≥ 65 1,097 2.3 0.27 f f f 176 0.4 0.11 38 0.1 0.05 17 0.0 0.03

Race/ethnicityg

 White 15,358 9.0 0.20 322 0.2 0.03 2,542 1.5 0.09 1,076 0.6 0.05 536 0.3 0.04

 Black 3,577 11.1 0.44 79 0.2 0.09 419 1.3 0.16 315 1.0 0.17 11 0.0 0.02

 Hispanic 3,394 7.7 0.40 67 0.2 0.05 561 1.3 0.15 316 0.7 0.11 95 0.2 0.06

 American Indian or 

Alaska Native 209 13.6 1.76 4 0.2 0.18 22 1.4 0.49 20 1.3 0.69 3 0.2 0.17

Native Hawaiian or other 

Pacific Islander 103 8.6 2.67 2 0.1 0.13 10 0.8 0.43 16 1.3 0.68 3 0.3 0.18

Asian 486 3.3 0.40 f f f 11 0.1 0.04 51 0.4 0.13 f f f
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2018

50

Source: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental Health 

Services Administration, Rockville, MD.

Abbreviation: SE, standard error.

a

 Illicit drug use includes the use of marijuana, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or methamphetamine.

b

 Misuse of prescription drugs is defined as use in any way not directed by a doctor, including use without a prescription of one’s own medication; 

use in greater amounts, more often, or longer than told to take a drug; or use in any other way not directed by a doctor. Prescription drugs do not 

include over-the-counter drugs.

c

 Numbers in thousands for individuals using or misusing substances rounded to the nearest thousand.

d

 Percents are rounded to the nearest tenth. Because of the rounding, some percents equal to 0.0 are displayed. These prevalence estimates are 

rounded down from < 0.05 percent and do not represent an absence of persons displaying a particular characteristic.

e

 This category includes heroin use, prescription pain reliever misuse, or both; therefore the numbers for heroin use and prescription pain reliever 

misuse do not add to those for opioid misuse because of poly-drug use. This category includes misuse of prescription fentanyl but excludes use of 

illicit fentanyl.

f

 Low precision, no estimate reported.

g

 All race/ethnicity categories other than “Hispanic” are non-Hispanic. Data on two or more races are not included. 

h

 2013 Rural-Urban Continuum Codes were used for the creation of the county type variables.

CONTINUED

Socio-demographic 

characteristic

Marijuana Heroin

Opioidse

 (heroin or 

prescription pain 

relievers)

Cocaine Methamphetamine

Number % SE Number % SE Number % SE Number % SE Number % SE

U.S. census region of 

residence

 Northeast 4,580 9.6 0.37 108 0.2 0.06 636 1.3 0.15 417 0.9 0.11 56 0.1 0.05

 Midwest 4,668 8.2 0.28 105 0.2 0.04 707 1.2 0.12 237 0.4 0.06 112 0.2 0.05

 South 7,263 7.2 0.23 150 0.1 0.03 1,309 1.3 0.09 551 0.5 0.06 222 0.2 0.04

 West 7,471 11.7 0.45 112 0.2 0.06 997 1.6 0.16 669 1.1 0.12 277 0.4 0.08

County typeh

Large metropolitan 14,258 9.5 0.24 302 0.2 0.04 1,941 1.3 0.09 1,144 0.8 0.06 262 0.2 0.04

Small metropolitan 6,926 8.6 0.29 132 0.2 0.03 1,239 1.5 0.11 584 0.7 0.08 268 0.3 0.06

Non-metropolitan 2,797 7.3 0.34 40 0.1 0.03 469 1.2 0.12 147 0.4 0.08 137 0.4 0.07

Urbanized 1,193 7.8 0.58 12 0.1 0.03 189 1.2 0.19 87 0.6 0.16 30 0.2 0.07

Less Urbanized 1,400 7.2 0.47 24 0.1 0.05 249 1.3 0.17 48 0.2 0.09 105 0.5 0.13

Completely Rural 203 5.5 0.80 4 0.1 0.09 32 0.9 0.22 11 0.3 0.15 1 0.0 0.02
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2018

51

TABLE 2B Self-reported prevalence of illicit drug usea

 and prescription drug misuseb in the past year, 

persons 12+ years old, numbers in thousands — United States, 2016

Source: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental Health 

Services Administration, Rockville, MD.

Abbreviation: SE, standard error.

a

 Illicit drug use includes the use of marijuana, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or methamphetamine.

b

 Misuse of prescription drugs is defined as use in any way not directed by a doctor, including use without a prescription of one’s own medication; 

use in greater amounts, more often, or longer than told to take a drug; or use in any other way not directed by a doctor. Prescription drugs do not 

include over-the-counter drugs.

c

 Numbers in thousands for individuals using or misusing substances rounded to the nearest thousand.

d

 Percents are rounded to the nearest tenth. Because of the rounding, some percents equal to 0.0 are displayed. These prevalence estimates are 

rounded down from < 0.05 percent and do not represent an absence of persons displaying a particular characteristic.

e

 This category includes heroin use, prescription pain reliever misuse, or both; therefore the numbers for heroin use and prescription pain reliever 

misuse do not add to those for opioid misuse because of poly-drug use. This category includes misuse of prescription fentanyl but excludes use of 

illicit fentanyl.

f

 Low precision, no estimate reported.

g

 All race/ethnicity categories other than “Hispanic” are non-Hispanic. Data on two or more races are not included. 

h

 2013 Rural-Urban Continuum Codes were used for the creation of the county type variables.

Socio-demographic 

characteristic

All illicit drug usea

 and 

prescription drug misuseb

Prescription pain 

relievers

Prescription 

tranquilizers Prescription stimulants Prescription sedatives

Numberc %d SE Number % SE Number % SE Number % SE Number % SE

All 48,501 18.0 0.23 11,517 4.3 0.11 6,060 2.2 0.08 5,647 2.1 0.07 1,531 0.6 0.04

Gender

 Male 27,032 20.7 0.33 6,226 4.8 0.16 2,870 2.2 0.11 2,985 2.3 0.10 691 0.5 0.06

 Female 21,469 15.5 0.29 5,291 3.8 0.14 3,190 2.3 0.10 2,662 1.9 0.09 840 0.6 0.06

Age (years)

 12–17 3,941 15.8 0.35 881 3.5 0.17 434 1.7 0.13 427 1.7 0.14 100 0.4 0.06

 18–25 13,034 37.7 0.53 2,454 7.1 0.27 1,844 5.3 0.23 2,578 7.5 0.30 256 0.7 0.09

 ≥ 26 31,525 15.0 0.26 8,181 3.9 0.13 3,781 1.8 0.09 2,643 1.3 0.07 1,176 0.6 0.05

 26–34 10,885 28.0 0.62 2,671 6.9 0.32 1,289 3.3 0.22 1,495 3.9 0.26 337 0.9 0.12

 ≥ 35 20,640 12.1 0.27 5,510 3.2 0.14 2,493 1.5 0.10 1,148 0.7 0.06 839 0.5 0.06

 35–39 3,905 19.0 0.71 1,100 5.3 0.38 443 2.2 0.24 346 1.7 0.22 92 0.4 0.11

 40–44 2,904 14.9 0.68 842 4.3 0.37 353 1.8 0.23 222 1.1 0.18 152 0.8 0.16

 45–49 3,025 15.0 0.67 756 3.7 0.35 351 1.7 0.23 171 0.8 0.19 66 0.3 0.09

 50–54 3,073 14.1 0.94 967 4.4 0.56 505 2.3 0.42 170 0.8 0.23 128 0.6 0.22

 55–59 3,291 15.0 0.97 841 3.8 0.49 353 1.6 0.31 110 0.5 0.17 102 0.5 0.16

 60–64 1,922 10.0 0.78 427 2.2 0.41 145 0.8 0.22 45 0.2 0.13 95 0.5 0.19

 ≥ 65 2,521 5.3 0.43 577 1.2 0.20 343 0.7 0.16 83 0.2 0.07 203 0.4 0.12

Race/ethnicityg

 White 31,580 18.5 0.28 7,698 4.5 0.13 4,445 2.6 0.10 4,306 2.5 0.10 1,130 0.7 0.06

 Black 6,466 20.1 0.58 1,257 3.9 0.29 495 1.5 0.15 245 0.8 0.10 102 0.3 0.09

 Hispanic 7,107 16.0 0.55 1,867 4.2 0.28 779 1.8 0.16 694 1.6 0.13 204 0.5 0.08

American Indian or 

Alaska Native 362 23.6 2.40 60 3.9 0.81 22 1.5 0.48 12 0.8 0.29 5 0.3 0.21

Native Hawaiian or 

other Pacific Islander 191 16.0 3.06 50 4.2 1.37 9 0.8 0.49 21 1.8 0.82 f f f

Asian 1,340 9.2 0.78 269 1.8 0.43 102 0.7 0.16 170 1.2 0.21 25 0.2 0.08
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2018

52

Source: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental Health 

Services Administration, Rockville, MD.

Abbreviation: SE, standard error.

a

 Illicit drug use includes the use of marijuana, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or methamphetamine.

b

 Misuse of prescription drugs is defined as use in any way not directed by a doctor, including use without a prescription of one’s own medication; 

use in greater amounts, more often, or longer than told to take a drug; or use in any other way not directed by a doctor. Prescription drugs do not 

include over-the-counter drugs.

c

 Numbers in thousands for individuals using or misusing substances rounded to the nearest thousand.

d

 Percents are rounded to the nearest tenth. Because of the rounding, some percents equal to 0.0 are displayed. These prevalence estimates are 

rounded down from < 0.05 percent and do not represent an absence of persons displaying a particular characteristic.

e

 This category includes heroin use, prescription pain reliever misuse, or both; therefore the numbers for heroin use and prescription pain reliever 

misuse do not add to those for opioid misuse because of poly-drug use. This category includes misuse of prescription fentanyl but excludes use of 

illicit fentanyl.

f

 Low precision, no estimate reported.

g

 All race/ethnicity categories other than “Hispanic” are non-Hispanic. Data on two or more races are not included. 

h

 2013 Rural-Urban Continuum Codes were used for the creation of the county type variables.

CONTINUED

Socio-demographic 

characteristic

All illicit drug usea

 and 

prescription drug misuseb

Prescription pain 

relievers

Prescription 

tranquilizers Prescription stimulants Prescription sedatives

Numberc %d SE Number % SE Number % SE Number % SE Number % SE

U.S. census region of 

residence

 Northeast 9,171 19.2 0.56 1,797 3.8 0.24 1,206 2.5 0.20 1,168 2.4 0.18 267 0.6 0.09

 Midwest 9,665 17.0 0.40 2,342 4.1 0.20 1,242 2.2 0.14 1,381 2.4 0.16 196 0.3 0.06

 South 15,932 15.7 0.34 4,193 4.1 0.17 2,268 2.2 0.12 1,944 1.9 0.11 583 0.6 0.08

 West 13,733 21.6 0.58 3,185 5.0 0.26 1,344 2.1 0.16 1,155 1.8 0.14 486 0.8 0.11

County typeh

Large metropolitan 29,084 19.4 0.34 6,567 4.4 0.16 3,481 2.3 0.11 3,403 2.3 0.10 931 0.6 0.07

Small metropolitan 13,962 17.3 0.40 3,459 4.3 0.18 1,942 2.4 0.14 1,734 2.1 0.12 443 0.5 0.07

Non-metropolitan 5,454 14.2 0.47 1,491 3.9 0.22 637 1.7 0.15 509 1.3 0.13 157 0.4 0.08

Urbanized 2,363 15.4 0.83 601 3.9 0.32 278 1.8 0.25 281 1.8 0.23 70 0.5 0.12

Less Urbanized 2,637 13.6 0.61 756 3.9 0.33 314 1.6 0.21 192 1.0 0.15 69 0.4 0.11

Completely Rural 455 12.3 1.30 134 3.6 0.64 45 1.2 0.33 37 1.0 0.32 19 0.5 0.25
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2018

53

TABLE 2B Self-reported prevalence of illicit drug usea

 and prescription drug misuseb in the past year, 

persons 12+ years old, numbers in thousands — United States, 2016

Source: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental Health 

Services Administration, Rockville, MD.

Abbreviation: SE, standard error.

a

 Illicit drug use includes the use of marijuana, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or methamphetamine.

b

 Misuse of prescription drugs is defined as use in any way not directed by a doctor, including use without a prescription of one’s own medication; 

use in greater amounts, more often, or longer than told to take a drug; or use in any other way not directed by a doctor. Prescription drugs do not 

include over-the-counter drugs.

c

 Numbers in thousands for individuals using or misusing substances rounded to the nearest thousand.

d

 Percents are rounded to the nearest tenth. Because of the rounding, some percents equal to 0.0 are displayed. These prevalence estimates are 

rounded down from < 0.05 percent and do not represent an absence of persons displaying a particular characteristic.

e

 This category includes heroin use, prescription pain reliever misuse, or both; therefore the numbers for heroin use and prescription pain reliever 

misuse do not add to those for opioid misuse because of poly-drug use. This category includes misuse of prescription fentanyl but excludes use of 

illicit fentanyl.

f

 Low precision, no estimate reported.

g

 All race/ethnicity categories other than “Hispanic” are non-Hispanic. Data on two or more races are not included. 

h

 2013 Rural-Urban Continuum Codes were used for the creation of the county type variables.

CONTINUED

Socio-demographic 

characteristic

Marijuana Heroin

Opioidse

 (heroin or 

prescription pain 

relievers) Cocaine Methamphetamine

Number % SE Number % SE Number % SE Number % SE Number % SE

All 37,570 13.9 0.2 948 0.4 0.03 11,824 4.4 0.11 5,071 1.9 0.07 1,391 0.5 0.04

Gender

 Male 21,839 16.7 0.30 596 0.5 0.05 6,420 4.9 0.16 3,238 2.5 0.11 782 0.6 0.06

 Female 15,731 11.3 0.24 352 0.3 0.03 5,403 3.9 0.14 1,833 1.3 0.08 609 0.4 0.04

Age (years)

 12–17 2,982 12.0 0.31 13 0.1 0.02 891 3.6 0.17 136 0.5 0.07 32 0.1 0.03

 18–25 11,401 33.0 0.51 227 0.7 0.08 2,516 7.3 0.27 1,919 5.6 0.26 265 0.8 0.08

 ≥ 26 23,187 11.0 0.23 708 0.3 0.04 8,417 4.0 0.13 3,017 1.4 0.07 1,095 0.5 0.05

 26–34 8,671 22.3 0.53 331 0.9 0.11 2,779 7.2 0.33 1,457 3.8 0.24 361 0.9 0.11

 ≥ 35 14,515 8.5 0.24 377 0.2 0.04 5,637 3.3 0.14 1,560 0.9 0.07 734 0.4 0.05

 35–39 3,031 14.7 0.66 106 0.5 0.12 1,132 5.5 0.39 318 1.5 0.21 160 0.8 0.14

 40–44 2,007 10.3 0.58 73 0.4 0.14 865 4.4 0.38 241 1.2 0.23 148 0.8 0.16

 45–49 2,252 11.1 0.58 35 0.2 0.07 769 3.8 0.35 275 1.4 0.22 86 0.4 0.09

 50–54 1,980 9.1 0.82 35 0.2 0.08 975 4.5 0.56 198 0.9 0.26 156 0.7 0.23

 55–59 2,307 10.5 0.89 109 0.5 0.20 880 4.0 0.5 305 1.4 0.29 152 0.7 0.22

 60–64 1,351 7.1 0.71 19 0.1 0.07 437 2.3 0.41 130 0.7 0.22 15 0.1 0.06

 ≥ 65 1,587 3.3 0.32 f f f 577 1.2 0.2 92 0.2 0.07 17 0.0 0.03

Race/ethnicityg

 White 24,298 14.2 0.25 726 0.4 0.04 7,915 4.6 0.14 3,362 2.0 0.08 1,063 0.6 0.05

 Black 5,341 16.6 0.53 96 0.3 0.09 1,295 4.0 0.29 612 1.9 0.23 50 0.2 0.06

 Hispanic 5,267 11.9 0.46 99 0.2 0.06 1,915 4.3 0.28 768 1.7 0.16 187 0.4 0.07

American Indian or 

Alaska Native 298 19.4 2.25 5 0.3 0.18 63 4.1 0.83 31 2.0 0.73 16 1.0 0.38
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2018

54

Source: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental Health 

Services Administration, Rockville, MD.

Abbreviation: SE, standard error.

a

 Illicit drug use includes the use of marijuana, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or methamphetamine.

b

 Misuse of prescription drugs is defined as use in any way not directed by a doctor, including use without a prescription of one’s own medication; 

use in greater amounts, more often, or longer than told to take a drug; or use in any other way not directed by a doctor. Prescription drugs do not 

include over-the-counter drugs.

c

 Numbers in thousands for individuals using or misusing substances rounded to the nearest thousand.

d

 Percents are rounded to the nearest tenth. Because of the rounding, some percents equal to 0.0 are displayed. These prevalence estimates are 

rounded down from < 0.05 percent and do not represent an absence of persons displaying a particular characteristic.

e

 This category includes heroin use, prescription pain reliever misuse, or both; therefore the numbers for heroin use and prescription pain reliever 

misuse do not add to those for opioid misuse because of poly-drug use. This category includes misuse of prescription fentanyl but excludes use of 

illicit fentanyl.

f

 Low precision, no estimate reported.

g

 All race/ethnicity categories other than “Hispanic” are non-Hispanic. Data on two or more races are not included. 

h

 2013 Rural-Urban Continuum Codes were used for the creation of the county type variables.

CONTINUED

Socio-demographic 

characteristic

Marijuana Heroin

Opioidse

 (heroin or 

prescription pain 

relievers) Cocaine Methamphetamine

Number % SE Number % SE Number % SE Number % SE Number % SE

Native Hawaiian or other 

Pacific Islander 153 12.8 2.94 2 0.1 0.13 50 4.2 1.37 18 1.5 0.70 7 0.6 0.27

 Asian 1,009 6.9 0.69 f f f 269 1.8 0.43 101 0.7 0.17 9 0.1 0.04

U.S. census region of 

residence

 Northeast 7,238 15.1 0.49 246 0.5 0.09 1,883 3.9 0.25 1,251 2.6 0.20 103 0.2 0.06

 Midwest 7,412 13.1 0.35 160 0.3 0.05 2,399 4.2 0.20 779 1.4 0.11 245 0.4 0.07

 South 11,858 11.7 0.30 328 0.3 0.05 4,294 4.2 0.17 1,488 1.5 0.10 508 0.5 0.06

 West 11,062 17.4 0.53 214 0.3 0.08 3,248 5.1 0.27 1,553 2.4 0.17 536 0.8 0.10

County typeh

Large metropolitan 22,587 15.0 0.30 566 0.4 0.05 6,781 4.5 0.16 3,218 2.1 0.10 609 0.4 0.05

Small metropolitan 10,693 13.2 0.36 271 0.3 0.05 3,516 4.4 0.18 1,430 1.8 0.12 509 0.6 0.08

Non-metropolitan 4,290 11.2 0.43 111 0.3 0.06 1,527 4.0 0.21 423 1.1 0.11 273 0.7 0.09

Urbanized 1,838 12.0 0.72 31 0.2 0.05 603 3.9 0.32 217 1.4 0.22 69 0.4 0.11

Less Urbanized 2,126 11.0 0.59 67 0.3 0.09 780 4.0 0.33 187 1.0 0.14 164 0.8 0.14

Completely Rural 326 8.8 1.05 14 0.4 0.25 143 3.9 0.68 19 0.5 0.17 41 1.1 0.37
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2018

55

TABLE 2C Self-reported prevalence of any prescription drug use (including misusea

) in the past year, 

persons 12+ years old, by drug type, numbers in thousands — United States, 2016

Source: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental Health 

Services Administration, Rockville, MD.

Abbreviation: SE, standard error.

a

 Misuse of prescription drugs is defined as use in any way not directed by a doctor, including use without a prescription of one’s own medication; 

use in greater amounts, more often, or longer than told to take a drug; or use in any other way not directed by a doctor. Prescription drugs do not 

include over-the-counter drugs.

b

 Numbers in thousands for individuals using or misusing substances rounded to the nearest thousand.

c

 Percents are rounded to the nearest tenth. Because of the rounding, some percents equal to 0.0 are displayed. These prevalence estimates are 

rounded down from < 0.05 percent and do not represent an absence of persons displaying a particular characteristic.

d

 All race/ethnicity categories other than “Hispanic” are non-Hispanic. Data on two or more races are not included. 

e

 2013 Rural-Urban Continuum Codes were used for the creation of the county type variables.

Socio-demographic 

characteristic

Prescription pain relievers Prescription tranquilizers Prescription stimulants Prescription sedatives

Numberb %c SE Number % SE Number % SE Number % SE

All 91,846 34.1 0.29 38,756 14.4 0.22 18,420 6.8 0.14 18,629 6.9 0.17

Gender

 Male 41,422 31.7 0.41 14,329 11.0 0.26 8,626 6.6 0.18 7,023 5.4 0.20

 Female 50,424 36.3 0.40 24,427 17.6 0.34 9,795 7.1 0.18 11,607 8.4 0.27

Age (in years)

 12-17 4,732 19.0 0.39 1,108 4.4 0.21 1,799 7.2 0.25 563 2.3 0.14

 18-25 10,407 30.1 0.44 3,901 11.3 0.32 4,998 14.5 0.40 1,278 3.7 0.19

 ≥ 26 76,706 36.5 0.35 33,747 16.1 0.27 11,623 5.5 0.16 16,789 8.0 0.22

Race/ethnicityd

 White 62,347 36.5 0.36 29,782 17.4 0.29 13,931 8.2 0.19 14,435 8.5 0.23

 Black 11,142 34.6 0.80 3,026 9.4 0.51 1,265 3.9 0.28 1,411 4.4 0.36

 Hispanic 12,257 27.6 0.68 4,003 9.0 0.47 2,171 4.9 0.26 1,946 4.4 0.41

American Indian or Alaska 

Native 600 39.1 3.56 227 14.8 2.39 67 4.4 1.20 107 7.0 1.73

Native Hawaiian or other Pacific 

Islander 491 41.1 4.88 84 7.0 2.29 58 4.9 1.48 17 1.5 0.69

 Asian 3,055 21.0 1.33 875 6.0 0.73 448 3.1 0.39 367 2.5 0.50

U.S. census region of residence

 Northeast 14,204 29.7 0.69 7,322 15.3 0.48 3,206 6.7 0.32 3,203 6.7 0.36

 Midwest 19,590 34.5 0.63 7,833 13.8 0.43 4,143 7.3 0.26 3,436 6.1 0.30

 South 36,839 36.4 0.44 15,622 15.4 0.36 7,586 7.5 0.24 7,556 7.5 0.30

 West 21,213 33.3 0.64 7,979 12.5 0.50 3,485 5.5 0.25 4,434 7.0 0.42

County typee

 Large metropolitan 49,208 32.7 0.41 20,794 13.8 0.29 10,343 6.9 0.20 9,785 6.5 0.24

 Small metropolitan 28,717 35.6 0.52 12,301 15.2 0.40 5,829 7.2 0.24 6,087 7.5 0.34

 Non-metropolitan 13,921 36.3 0.71 5,662 14.8 0.53 2,248 5.9 0.29 2,757 7.2 0.38

Urbanized 5,506 35.9 1.04 2,130 13.9 0.74 920 6.0 0.44 1,051 6.8 0.53

Less Urbanized 7,115 36.8 1.01 2,977 15.4 0.81 1,166 6.0 0.45 1,505 7.8 0.62

Completely Rural 1,301 35.3 2.28 555 15.0 1.83 162 4.4 0.74 201 5.4 0.94
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Cent

56

Sociodemographic characteristic

Prescription pain relievers

Prescription tranquilizers

Prescription stimulants Prescription sedatives Marijuana Heroin Coca

No.b %c SE No. % SE No. % SE No. % SE No. % SE No. % SE No. 

All 2,139 0.8 0.04 1,374 0.5 0.03 1,374 0.5 0.03 294 0.1 0.02 2,582 1.0 0.04 170 0.1 0.01 1,085 

Age (years)

 12–17 423 1.7 0.12 228 0.9 0.09 244 1.0 0.11 55 0.2 0.05 1,197 4.8 0.20 8 0.0 0.01 107 

 18–25 585 1.7 0.15 617 1.8 0.13 617 1.8 0.14 75 0.2 0.05 1,013 2.9 0.17 82 0.2 0.06 766 

 ≥ 26 1,130 0.5 0.05 530 0.3 0.03 513 0.2 0.03 164 0.1 0.02 372 0.2 0.03 80 0.0 0.01 213 

TABLE 2D Self-reported prevalence of past year initiation of illicit drug use and prescription drug misusea, persons 12+ years old, by drug type, numbers in thousands — United States, 2016

Source: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. 2017 National Survey on Drug Use 

and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Rockville, MD.

Abbreviations: No., number; SE, standard error.a Misuse of prescription drugs is defined as use in any way not directed by a doctor, including 

use without a prescription of one’s own medication; use in greater amounts, more often, or longer than told to take a drug; or use in any other way not directed by a doctor. Prescription drugs do not include over-the-counter drugs.

b Numbers in thousands for individuals using or misusing substan

thousand.

c Percents are rounded to the nearest tenth. Because of the round

to 0.0 are displayed. These prevalence estimates are rounded doand do not represent an absence of persons displaying a particu
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2018

57

TABLE 2E Self-reported prevalence of substance use disordera

 in the past year, persons 

12+ years old, by drug type, numbers in thousands — United States, 2016

Socio-demographic 

characteristic

All illicit drug useb

Prescription pain 

relievers Prescription tranquilizers Prescription stimulants Prescription sedatives

Numberc %d SE Number % SE Number % SE Number % SE Number % SE

All 7,381 2.7 0.08 1,753 0.7 0.04 618 0.2 0.02 540 0.2 0.02 205 0.1 0.02

Age (years)

 12–17 789 3.2 0.18 152 0.6 0.08 86 0.3 0.06 56 0.2 0.04 32 0.1 0.04

 18–25 2,428 7.0 0.27 291 0.8 0.09 188 0.5 0.07 170 0.5 0.07 30 0.1 0.03

 ≥ 26 4,164 2.0 0.09 1,310 0.6 0.05 343 0.2 0.02 315 0.1 0.02 143 0.1 0.02

Socio-demographic 

characteristic

Marijuana Heroin

Opioidse (heroin or 

prescription pain relievers) Cocaine Methamphetamine

Number % SE Number % SE Number % SE Number % SE Number % SE

All 3,992 1.5 0.10 626 0.2 0.02 2,144 0.8 0.05 867 0.3 0.03 684 0.3 0.02

Age (in years)

 12–17 584 2.3 0.20 1 0.0 0.00 153 0.6 0.08 29 0.1 0.03 10 0.0 0.02

 18–25 1,743 5.0 0.20 152 0.4 0.06 392 1.1 0.10 215 0.6 0.08 135 0.4 0.06

 ≥ 26 1,665 0.8 0.10 473 0.2 0.03 1,599 0.8 0.06 623 0.3 0.04 539 0.3 0.03

Source: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental Health 

Services Administration, Rockville, MD.

Abbreviation: SE, standard error.

a

 Substance use disorder is defined as meeting criteria for illicit drug dependence or abuse. Dependence or abuse is based on definitions found in 

the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).

b

 Illicit drug use includes the misuse of prescription psychotherapeutics or the use of marijuana, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, 

inhalants, or methamphetamine. 

c

 Numbers in thousands for individuals using or misusing substances rounded to the nearest thousand.

d

 Percents are rounded to the nearest tenth. Because of the rounding, some percents equal to 0.0 are displayed. These prevalence estimates are 

rounded down from < 0.05 percent and do not represent an absence of persons displaying a particular characteristic.

e

 This category includes prescription fentanyl but excludes illicit fentanyl.
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2018

58

TABLE 2F Self-reported prevalence of illicit and prescription drug treatmenta

 in the past year, persons 12+ years 

old, by demographic characteristics, numbers in thousands — United States, 2016

Socio-demographic characteristic

Any location Specialty facilityb

Numberc %d SE Number % SE

All 2,181 0.8 0.05 1,406 0.5 0.04

Gender

 Male 1,391 1.1 0.08 860 0.7 0.06

 Female 791 0.6 0.05 546 0.4 0.04

Age (years)

 12–17 121 0.5 0.06 64 0.3 0.05

 18–25 418 1.2 0.11 259 0.7 0.08

 ≥ 26 1,643 0.8 0.06 1,084 0.5 0.05

Race/ethnicitye

 White 1,382 0.8 0.05 948 0.6 0.04

 Black 318 1.0 0.15 179 0.6 0.12

 Hispanic 365 0.8 0.16 229 0.5 0.13

 American Indian or Alaska Native 16 1.0 0.31 14 0.9 0.30

 Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander 3 0.3 0.19 3 0.3 0.19

 Asian 27 0.2 0.08 10 0.1 0.04

U.S. census region of residence

 Northeast 417 0.9 0.10 320 0.7 0.09

 Midwest 500 0.9 0.09 343 0.6 0.08

 South 796 0.8 0.07 486 0.5 0.06

 West 468 0.7 0.12 258 0.4 0.09

County typef

 Large metropolitan 1,222 0.8 0.07 837 0.6 0.06

 Small metropolitan 604 0.7 0.08 340 0.4 0.05

 Non-metropolitan 355 0.9 0.11 230 0.6 0.08

 Urbanized 139 0.9 0.16 96 0.6 0.13

 Less Urbanized 194 1.0 0.16 120 0.6 0.13

 Completely Rural 22 0.6 0.22 14 0.4 0.16

Source: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental Health 

Services Administration, Rockville, MD.

Abbreviation: SE, standard error.

a

 Received illicit or prescription drug treatment refers to treatment received in order to reduce or stop illicit drug use or prescription drug use, or 

for medical problems associated with illicit drug use or prescription drug use. It includes treatment received at any location, such as a hospital 

(inpatient), rehabilitation facility (inpatient or outpatient), mental health center, emergency room, private doctor’s office, self-help group, or prison/

jail. Illicit drug use includes the use of marijuana, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or methamphetamine.

b

 A specialty facility includes a hospital (inpatient only), rehabilitation facility (inpatient or outpatient), or mental health center.

c

 Numbers in thousands for individuals using or misusing substances rounded to the nearest thousand.

d

 Percents are rounded to the nearest tenth. Because of the rounding, some percents equal to 0.0 are displayed. These prevalence estimates are 

rounded down from < 0.05 percent and do not represent an absence of persons displaying a particular characteristic.

e

 All race/ethnicity categories other than “Hispanic” are non-Hispanic. Data on two or more races are not included.

f

 2013 Rural-Urban Continuum Codes were used for the creation of the county type variables.
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Cent

59

TABLE 3A Estimated numbersa,b and age-adjusted rates per 100,000 of drug poisoning-related hospitalizations by selected substances — U

Abbreviations: No., number; SE, standard error.a Weighted national estimates from HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), 2015, Agency 

for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Data are from 2015, when HCUP transitioned from using ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM/PCM diagnosis codes and should not be compared with other years. Results may have been affected by the transition; please see the technical notes for a discussion of transition.

b In-hospital deaths and patients who transferred from another hospital were excluded. Visits 

with missing age and gender were excluded. Numbers subject to rounding error.

c For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes of 960-979 or 

external cause of injury E850-E858; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM/PCS contributing causes T36-T50. See technical notes for additional information.

d For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.00, 

965.01, 965.02, 965.09 or external cause of injury E850.0, E850.1, E850.2; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM/PCS contributing causes T40.0, T40.1, T40.2, T40.3, 

T40.6, T40.69. 

e For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.01 

or external cause of injury E850.0; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM/PCS 

contributing cause T40.1.

Socio-demographic characteristics

All drug poisoningsc All opioid poisoningsd Heroin poisoningse

Methadone poisoningsf

Poisonings by other opioidsg Cocaine poi

No. Ratej SE No. Rate SE No. Rate SE No. Rate SE No. Rate SE No. R

All Visits 316,900 96.2 0.66 78,840 23.2 0.23 16,770 5.3 0.11 5,590 1.7 0.05 58,090 16.7 0.18 18,885 5Gender Male 139,955 86.5 0.73 37,695 22.8 0.31 11,510 7.2 0.17 2,770 1.7 0.07 24,360 14.5 0.23 12,500 7 Female 176,945 105.7 0.85 41,145 23.4 0.29 5,260 3.3 0.11 2,820 1.6 0.07 33,730 18.8 0.26 6,385 3Age Groups 0–14 9,410 15.4 0.83 510 0.8 0.10 k k k 65 0.1 0.03 430 0.7 0.09 105 0

 15–19 21,820 103.5 3.16 1,925 9.1 0.51 495 2.3 0.24 85 0.4 0.10 1,395 6.6 0.43 330 1 20–24 26,385 116.3 2.33 5,485 24.2 0.81 2,785 12.3 0.54 285 1.3 0.17 2,600 11.5 0.53 1,150 5 25–34 50,435 114.6 2.00 12,975 29.5 0.73 5,815 13.2 0.47 990 2.2 0.17 6,615 15.0 0.47 3,395 7 35–44 48,310 119.4 2.06 11,325 28.0 0.72 3,165 7.8 0.36 935 2.3 0.18 7,535 18.6 0.53 3,715 9 45–54 59,010 136.9 2.35 15,630 36.3 0.85 2,545 5.9 0.36 1,210 2.8 0.20 12,135 28.2 0.68 5,680 13 55–64 52,025 127.5 2.04 17,305 42.4 0.93 1,645 4.0 0.28 1,330 3.3 0.21 14,565 35.7 0.82 3,695 9 ≥ 65 49,505 103.7 1.49 13,685 28.7 0.68 295 0.6 0.10 690 1.4 0.12 12,815 26.8 0.65 815 1

f For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

or external cause of injury E850.1; for the fourth quarter of 2015, contributing cause T40.3.

g For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

965.09 or external cause of injury E850.2; for the fourth quarter oCM/PCS contributing causes T40.0, T40.2, T40.4, T40.6, T40.69.

h For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

external cause of injury E854.3 or E855.2; for the fourth quarter oCM/PCS contributing cause T40.5.

i For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

or external cause of injury E854.2; for the fourth quarter of 2015, contributing cause T43.6.

j Rates calculated per 100,000 population. Age-adjusted to the 200

using the vintage year population of the data. Rates for age grou

k Because the relative standard error was > 30% or the standard er

estimate was considered unreliable and was not reported.

l Rates cannot be calculated based on the available data.
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Cent

60

TABLE 3A Estimated numberab and age-adjusted rate per 100,000 population of drug-poisoning related hospitalizations by selected substa

Socio-demographic characteristics

All drug poisoningsc All opioid poisoningsd Heroin poisoningse

Methadone poisoningsf

Poisonings by other opioidsg Cocaine poi

No. Ratej SE No. Rate SE No. Rate SE No. Rate SE No. Rate SE No. R

U.S. census region of residence

 Northeast 56,380 96.7 1.56 14,475 24.4 0.59 4,625 8.4 0.33 1,140 1.9 0.14 8,990 14.5 0.40 5,485 9 Midwest 75,060 109.5 1.69 18,450 26.1 0.57 4,930 7.4 0.31 1,150 1.6 0.13 12,730 17.6 0.42 3,725 5 South 125,375 100.8 1.09 30,605 23.8 0.38 4,800 4.0 0.16 1,860 1.5 0.08 24,525 18.7 0.32 8,045 6 West 60,085 77.0 1.11 15,310 18.9 0.40 2,415 3.1 0.15 1,440 1.8 0.11 11,845 14.5 0.34 1,630 2

2013 urbanization category

Large central metropolitan 92,465 90.6 1.42 22,655 21.5 0.45 5,785 5.5 0.21 1,800 1.7 0.10 15,575 14.8 0.34 8,945 8

Large fringe metropolitan 71,590 87.8 1.42 18,900 22.6 0.51 4,965 6.6 0.26 1,195 1.4 0.10 13,145 15.1 0.38 3,760 4

Medium metropolitan 73,790 108.7 2.23 18,490 26.4 0.67 3,575 5.5 0.27 1,235 1.8 0.13 14,080 19.7 0.52 3,600 5

Small metropolitan 32,130 108.6 2.88 7,440 24.2 0.87 985 3.6 0.30 585 2.0 0.19 5,995 19.1 0.75 1,035 3

Micropolitan 27,810 101.7 1.96 6,500 22.8 0.74 840 3.4 0.28 430 1.6 0.19 5,355 18.3 0.66 885 3

Noncore 17,080 89.8 2.05 4,335 21.1 0.83 335 2.1 0.26 305 1.6 0.21 3,720 17.6 0.74 435 2

Unknown 2,035 l  l  520 l  l  285 l l  k k k 220 l  l  225 l 

CONTINUED

Abbreviations: No., number; SE, standard error.a Weighted national estimates from HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), 2015, Agency 

for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Data are from 2015, when HCUP transitioned from using ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM/PCM diagnosis codes and should not be compared with other years. Results may have been affected by the transition; please see the technical notes for a discussion of transition.

b In-hospital deaths and patients who transferred from another hospital were excluded. Visits 

with missing age and gender were excluded. Numbers subject to rounding error.

c For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes of 960-979 or 

external cause of injury E850-E858; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM/PCS contributing causes T36-T50. See technical notes for additional information.

d For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.00, 

965.01, 965.02, 965.09 or external cause of injury E850.0, E850.1, E850.2; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM/PCS contributing causes T40.0, T40.1, T40.2, T40.3, 

T40.6, T40.69. 

e For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.01 

or external cause of injury E850.0; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM/PCS 

contributing cause T40.1.

f For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

or external cause of injury E850.1; for the fourth quarter of 2015, contributing cause T40.3.

g For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

965.09 or external cause of injury E850.2; for the fourth quarter oCM/PCS contributing causes T40.0, T40.2, T40.4, T40.6, T40.69.

h For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

external cause of injury E854.3 or E855.2; for the fourth quarter oCM/PCS contributing cause T40.5.

i For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

or external cause of injury E854.2; for the fourth quarter of 2015, contributing cause T43.6.

j Rates calculated per 100,000 population. Age-adjusted to the 200

using the vintage year population of the data. Rates for age grou

k Because the relative standard error was > 30% or the standard er

estimate was considered unreliable and was not reported.

l Rates cannot be calculated based on the available data.
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TABLE 3B Estimated numbersa,b and age-adjusted rates per 100,000 of drug poisoning-related emergency department visits by selected substances — United States, 2015

Abbreviations: No., number; SE, standard error.a Weighted national estimates from HCUP Nationwide Emergency Department Sample 

(NEDS), 2015, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Data are from 2015, when HCUP transitioned from using ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM/PCM diagnosis codes and should not be compared with other years. Results may have been affected by the transition; please see the technical notes for a discussion of transition.

b Persons who were hospitalized, died, or transferred to another facility were excluded. Visits 

with missing age and gender were excluded. Numbers subject to rounding error.

c For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes of 960-979 or 

external cause of injury E850-E858; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM/PCS contributing causes T36-T50. See technical notes for additional information.

d For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.00, 

965.01, 965.02, 965.09 or external cause of injury E850.0, E850.1, E850.2; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM/PCS contributing causes T40.0, T40.1, T40.2, T40.3, 

T40.6, T40.69. 

e For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.01 

or external cause of injury E850.0; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM/PCS 

contributing cause T40.1.

Socio-demographic characteristics

All drug poisoningsc All opioid poisoningsd Heroin poisoningse Methadone poisoningsf Poisonings by other opioidsg Cocaine No. Ratej SE No. Rate SE No. Rate SE No. Rate SE No. Rate SE No. 

All Visits 547,543 174.6 2.6 140,077 44.0 1.50 81,326 25.9 1.26 3,709 1.1 0.06 56,233 17.3 0.33 9,401 Gender Male 262,277 167.2 3.03 85,596 54.0 2.00 56,341 35.7 1.71 1,994 1.3 0.08 28,067 17.5 0.41 6,049  Female 285,266 182.1 2.45 54,480 34.0 1.06 24,985 16.1 0.85 1,716 1.0 0.07 28,166 17.1 0.34 3,352 Age Groups 0–14 82,064 134.5 5.78 2,458 4.0 0.25 k k k 66 0.1 0.03 2,381 3.9 0.24 450 

 15–19 64,873 307.7 9.71 5,590 26.5 1.45 2,355 11.2 1.01 62 0.3 0.09 3,202 15.2 0.81 425  20–24 63,787 281.1 11.71 22,617 99.7 7.21 16,616 73.2 6.29 238 1.1 0.16 5,904 26.0 1.37 1,148  25–34 114,732 260.6 12.51 49,047 111.4 8.71 35,990 81.8 7.45 1,001 2.3 0.27 12,586 28.6 1.55 2,809  35–44 73,133 180.7 7.26 24,091 59.5 4.25 14,521 35.9 3.46 776 1.9 0.19 8,989 22.2 1.04 1,921  45–54 62,829 145.8 5.14 17,934 41.6 2.52 7,977 18.5 1.84 657 1.5 0.17 9,484 22.0 0.93 1,634  55–64 43,698 107.1 3.33 11,615 28.5 1.44 3,359 8.2 0.79 685 1.7 0.24 7,679 18.8 0.81 810  ≥ 65 42,427 88.9 2.37 6,725 14.1 0.58 496 1.0 0.15 223 0.5 0.08 6,007 12.6 0.54 203 

f For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

or external cause of injury E850.1; for the fourth quarter of 2015, contributing cause T40.3.

g For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

965.09 or external cause of injury E850.2; for the fourth quarter oCM/PCS contributing causes T40.0, T40.2, T40.4, T40.6, T40.69.

h For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

or external cause of injury E854.3 or E855.2; for the fourth quarte10-CM/PCS contributing cause T40.5.

i For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

or external cause of injury E854.2; for the fourth quarter of 2015, contributing cause T43.6.

j Rates calculated per 100,000 population. Age-adjusted to the 200

population using the vintage year population of the data. Rates frates.

k Because the relative standard error was > 30% or the standard er

estimate was considered unreliable and was not reported.

l Rates cannot be calculated based on the available data.
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TABLE 3B Estimated numberab and age-adjusted rate per 100,000 population of drug-poisoning related emergency department visits by se

— United States, 2014

Socio-demographic characteristics

All drug poisoningsc All opioid poisoningsd Heroin poisoningse Methadone poisoningsf Poisonings by other opioidsg Cocaine No. Ratej SE No. Rate SE No. Rate SE No. Rate SE No. Rate SE No. 

U.S. census region of residence Northeast 109,982 202.5 8.9 42,626 77.9 6.16 31,527 58.1 5.27 909 1.6 0.20 10,534 18.8 1.04 1,998  Midwest 130,795 200.3 6.31 36,585 56.0 3.7 23,710 36.8 3.06 710 1.1 0.12 12,452 18.6 0.81 2,312  South 189,484 160.3 3.82 39,287 32.8 1.84 18,155 15.4 1.54 1,068 0.9 0.07 20,441 16.7 0.50 3,955  West 117,282 155.6 3.36 21,578 27.6 1.09 7,933 10.2 0.74 1,023 1.3 0.14 12,806 16.4 0.51 1,137 2013 urbanization category

Large central metropolitan 148,440 149.5 4.77 36,213 34.9 2.25 20,888 20.0 1.82 1,306 1.2 0.10 14,327 14.0 0.57 3,651 Large fringe metropolitan 123,674 161.8 5.86 41,657 54.8 3.76 28,492 38.2 3.28 728 0.9 0.10 12,777 16.1 0.66 1,760 Medium metropolitan 127,119 195.4 6.31 32,220 49.4 3.01 18,565 28.9 2.44 707 1.1 0.10 13,235 19.8 0.79 1,926 Small metropolitan 53,540 188.8 8.41 11,408 39.8 3.78 5,528 19.7 2.91 368 1.3 0.19 5,622 19.3 1.16 667 

Micropolitan 54,629 211.8 4.59 10,668 41.1 2.09 4,824 19.5 1.62 249 1.0 0.14 5,676 21.0 0.88 755 Noncore 35,338 202.4 4.25 5,856 33.6 1.41 1,674 10.8 0.89 215 1.3 0.22 4,002 21.7 0.95 471 Unknown 4,803 l  l  2,056 l l 1,355 l l k k k 593 l l  k 

CONTINUED

Abbreviations: No., number; SE, standard error.a Weighted national estimates from HCUP Nationwide Emergency Department Sample 

(NEDS), 2015, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Data are from 2015, when HCUP transitioned from using ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM/PCM diagnosis codes and should not be compared with other years. Results may have been affected by the transition; please see the technical notes for a discussion of transition.

b Persons who were hospitalized, died, or transferred to another facility were excluded. Visits 

with missing age and gender were excluded. Numbers subject to rounding error.

c For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes of 960-979 or 

external cause of injury E850-E858; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM/PCS contributing causes T36-T50. See technical notes for additional information.

d For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.00, 

965.01, 965.02, 965.09 or external cause of injury E850.0, E850.1, E850.2; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM/PCS contributing causes T40.0, T40.1, T40.2, T40.3, 

T40.6, T40.69. 

e For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.01 

or external cause of injury E850.0; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM/PCS 

contributing cause T40.1.

f For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

or external cause of injury E850.1; for the fourth quarter of 2015, contributing cause T40.3.

g For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

965.09 or external cause of injury E850.2; for the fourth quarter oCM/PCS contributing causes T40.0, T40.2, T40.4, T40.6, T40.69.

h For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

external cause of injury E854.3 or E855.2; for the fourth quarter oCM/PCS contributing cause T40.5.

i For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

or external cause of injury E854.2; for the fourth quarter of 2015, contributing cause T43.6.

j Rates calculated per 100,000 population. Age-adjusted to the 200

using the vintage year population of the data. Rates for age grou

k Because the relative standard error was > 30% or the standard er

estimate was considered unreliable and was not reported.

l Rates cannot be calculated based on the available data.
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TABLE 3C Estimated numbera,b and percent of drug poisoning-related hospitalization and emergency department visits by primary payer — 

All drug poisoningc All opioid poisoningsd Heroin poisoningse Me

Hospitalizations ED visits Hospitalizations ED visits Hospitalizations ED visits Ho

Total 316,900 547,543 78,840 140,077 16,770 81,326 5,5

No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No

Payer

Medicare 96,690 30.5 83,242 15.2 28,490 36.1 17,817 12.7 1,800 10.7 4,584 5.6 1,8

Medicaid 100,225 31.6 200,689 36.7 24,030 30.5 55,676 39.7 7,825 46.7 36,714 45.1 2,1

Private 75,590 23.9 155,963 28.5 16,030 20.3 29,781 21.3 3,425 20.4 15,181 18.7 89

Uninsured 33,010 10.4 81,856 14.9 7,750 9.8 29,005 20.7 3,075 18.3 19,801 24.3 46

Other/unknown 11,385 3.6 25,793 4.7 2,540 3.2 7,798 5.6 645 3.8 5,046 6.2 22

Abbreviation: No., number.a Weighted national estimates from HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), 2015, Agency for Healthcare 

Research and Quality (AHRQ). Data are from 2015, when HCUP transitioned from using ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM/PCM diagnosis codes and should not be compared with other years. Results may have been affected by the transition; please see the technical notes for a discussion of transition.

b In-hospital deaths and patients who transferred from another hospital were excluded from hospitalizations. 

Persons who were hospitalized, died, or transferred to another facility were excluded from ED visits. Hospitalizations and ED visits with missing age and gender were excluded. Numbers subject to rounding 

error.

c For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes of 960-979 or external cause of 

injury E850-E858; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM/PCS contributing causes T36-T50. See technical notes for additional information.

d For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.00, 965.01, 965.02, 

965.09 or external cause of injury E850.0, E850.1, E850.2; for the fPCS contributing causes T40.0, T40.1, T40.2, T40.3, T40.6, T40.69. 

e For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

injury E850.0; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM

f For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

injury E850.1; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM

g For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

cause of injury E850.2; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICT40.2, T40.4, T40.6, T40.69.

h For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

injury E854.3 or E855.2; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes IC

I For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

injury E854.2; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM
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TABLE 3C Estimated numbera,b and percent of drug poisoning-related hospitalizations and emergency department visits by primary payer 

Abbreviation: No., number.a Weighted national estimates from HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), 2015, Agency for Healthcare 

Research and Quality (AHRQ). Data are from 2015, when HCUP transitioned from using ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM/PCM diagnosis codes and should not be compared with other years. Results may have been affected by the transition; please see the technical notes for a discussion of transition.

b In-hospital deaths and patients who transferred from another hospital were excluded from hospitalizations. 

Persons who were hospitalized, died, or transferred to another facility were excluded from ED visits. Hospitalizations and ED visits with missing age and gender were excluded. Numbers subject to rounding 

error.

c For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes of 960-979 or external cause of 

injury E850-E858; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM/PCS contributing causes T36-T50. See technical notes for additional information.

d For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.00, 965.01, 965.02, 

Poisoning by other opioidsg Cocaine poisoningsh Methamphetamine poisoningsi

Hospitalizations ED visits Hospitalizations ED visits Hospitalizations ED visits

Total 58,090 56,233 18,885 9,401 14,845 15,808

No. % No. % No. % No. % No. % No. 

Payer

Medicare 25,175 43.3 12,607 22.4 3,505 18.6 907 9.6 2,210 14.9 907 

Medicaid 14,750 25.4 17,724 31.5 8,475 44.9 3,637 38.7 6,185 41.7 5,729 

Private 11,975 20.6 14,281 25.4 2,535 13.4 1,875 19.9 2,645 17.8 4,380 

Uninsured 4,475 7.7 8,946 15.9 3,725 19.7 2,413 25.7 3,160 21.3 3,816 

Other/unknown 1,715 3.0 2,675 4.8 645 3.4 569 6.1 645 4.3 976 

965.09 or external cause of injury E850.0, E850.1, E850.2; for the fPCS contributing causes T40.0, T40.1, T40.2, T40.3, T40.6, T40.69. 

e For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

injury E850.0; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM

f For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

injury E850.1; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM

g For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

cause of injury E850.2; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICT40.2, T40.4, T40.6, T40.69.

h For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

injury E854.3 or E855.2; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes IC

I For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

injury E854.2; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM

CONTINUED
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Socio-demographic characteristic

Drug overdose deaths involving:

Drug overdose deaths, overall Any opioidc

Natural and semi-synthetic opioidsd Methadonee

Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE 

All 63,632 19.8 0.080 42,249 13.3 0.066 14,487 4.4 0.038 3,373 1.0 0.0

Sex

Male 41,558 26.2 0.131 28,498 18.1 0.109 8,417 5.2 0.058 2,011 1.3 0.0Female 22,074 13.4 0.093 13,751 8.5 0.074 6,070 3.6 0.048 1,362 0.8 0.0

Age group (years)

0–14 142 0.2 0.020 83 0.1 0.015 44 0.1 0.011 18 k 15–19 873 4.1 0.140 586 2.8 0.115 184 0.9 0.064 42 0.2 0.020–24 4,503 20.1 0.300 3,441 15.4 0.262 814 3.6 0.127 142 0.6 0.025–34 15,443 34.6 0.278 11,552 25.9 0.241 2,826 6.3 0.119 752 1.7 0.035–44 14,183 35.0 0.294 9,747 24.1 0.244 3,102 7.7 0.138 806 2.0 0.045–54 14,771 34.5 0.284 9,074 21.2 0.223 3,713 8.7 0.142 780 1.8 0.055–64 10,632 25.6 0.249 6,321 15.2 0.192 2,969 7.2 0.131 717 1.7 0.0≥ 65 3,075 6.2 0.113 1,441 2.9 0.077 834 1.7 0.059 116 0.2 0.0

Race/ethnicityl

White, non-Hispanic 49,457 25.3 0.117 33,450 17.5 0.098 12,079 6.0 0.056 2,706 1.4 0.0Black, non-Hispanic 7,220 17.1 0.204 4,374 10.3 0.159 1,163 2.8 0.082 301 0.7 0.0

TABLE 4 Number and age-adjusted ratesa of drug overdose deathsb involving selected drugs by sex, age group, race/ethnicity, census region, urbanization, and intent — United States, 2016

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality FileAbbreviation: SE, standard error.a Rate per 100,000 population age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using the vintage year 

population of the data year. Rates are suppressed when based on <20 deaths. Rates for age groups are crude rates (deaths per 100,000 population).

b Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). Drug 

overdose deaths are identified using underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 (suicide), X85 (homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined). Because deaths might involve more than one drug, some deaths are included in more than one category. On death certificates, the specificity of drugs involved with deaths varies over time. In 2016, approximately 15% of drug overdose deaths did not include information on the specific type of drug(s) involved.

c Drug overdose deaths, as defined using ICD-10 codes, that involve opium (T40.0), heroin (T40.1), natural and 

semi-synthetic opioids (T40.2), methadone (T40.3), synthetic opioids other than methadone (T40.4) and other and unspecified narcotics (T40.6).

d Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve natural and semi-synthetic opioids (T40.2).e Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve methadone (T40.3).f Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve synthetic opioids other than methadone (T40.4).

g Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve natural and semi-

(T40.3).

h Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve heroin (T40.1).i Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve cocaine (T40.5).j Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve psychostimulants k Cells with nine or fewer deaths are not reported. Rates based on 

not reported.

l Data for Hispanic origin should be interpreted with caution; stud

certificates and on census surveys have shown inconsistent repo

m Census regions are defined by the following jurisdictions: Region 

Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, PennsylvIllinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Neand Wisconsin; Region 3: Alabama, Arkansas, District of ColumbiMaryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South CarolinaVirginia; Region 4: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, IdOregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

n Categories of 2013 NCHS Urban-Rural Classification Scheme for C
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Socio-demographic characteristic

Drug overdose deaths involving:

Drug overdose deaths, overall Any opioidc

Natural and semi-synthetic opioidsd Methadonee

Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE 

Asian/Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic 644 3.1 0.123 323 1.5 0.086 119 0.6 0.055 21 0.1 0.0American Indian/Alaska Native, nonHispanic 638 24.2 0.979 369 13.9 0.739 145 5.5 0.466 37 1.4 0.2

Hispanic 5,230 9.5 0.133 3,440 6.1 0.106 917 1.7 0.056 275 0.5 0.0

U.S. Census region of residencem

Northeast 14,804 26.6 0.223 10,616 19.3 0.191 2,658 4.7 0.093 761 1.3 0.0Midwest 14,623 22.3 0.188 10,761 16.5 0.163 2,879 4.3 0.082 614 0.9 0.0South 23,039 19.0 0.128 14,929 12.4 0.104 6,136 5.0 0.065 1,231 1.0 0.0West 11,166 14.1 0.136 5,943 7.6 0.100 2,814 3.5 0.068 767 1.0 0.0

2013 Urbanizationn

Large central metropolitan 19,172 18.5 0.135 12,903 12.5 0.111 4,059 3.9 0.062 1,133 1.1 0.0Large fringe metropolitan 17,039 21.6 0.168 11,993 15.4 0.143 3,851 4.4 0.075 793 1.0 0.0Medium metropolitan 14,066 21.5 0.185 9,264 14.3 0.152 3,412 5.1 0.090 751 1.1 0.0Small metropolitan 5,319 19.1 0.269 3,224 11.7 0.212 1,258 4.5 0.130 275 1.0 0.0Micropolitan 4,986 19.5 0.284 3,068 12.1 0.226 1,285 4.9 0.141 244 1.0 0.0Noncore 3,050 17.5 0.328 1,797 10.5 0.257 892 5.0 0.173 177 1.0 0.0

Intent

Unintentional 54,793 17.1 0.075 37,814 11.9 0.062 12,101 3.7 0.035 2,996 0.9 0.0Undetermined 3,643 1.1 0.019 2,544 0.8 0.016 1,046 0.3 0.010 258 0.1 0.0Suicide 5,086 1.5 0.021 1,819 0.5 0.012 1,325 0.4 0.011 111 0.04 0.0

CONTINUED

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality FileAbbreviation: SE, standard error.a Rate per 100,000 population age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using the vintage year 

population of the data year. Rates are suppressed when based on <20 deaths. Rates for age groups are crude rates (deaths per 100,000 population).

b Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). Drug 

overdose deaths are identified using underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 (suicide), X85 (homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined). Because deaths might involve more than one drug, some deaths are included in more than one category. On death certificates, the specificity of drugs involved with deaths varies over time. In 2016, approximately 15% of drug overdose deaths did not include information on the specific type of drug(s) involved.

c Drug overdose deaths, as defined using ICD-10 codes, that involve opium (T40.0), heroin (T40.1), natural and 

semi-synthetic opioids (T40.2), methadone (T40.3), synthetic opioids other than methadone (T40.4) and other and unspecified narcotics (T40.6).

d Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve natural and semi-synthetic opioids (T40.2).e Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve methadone (T40.3).f Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve synthetic opioids other than methadone (T40.4).

g Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve natural and semi-

(T40.3).

h Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve heroin (T40.1).i Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve cocaine (T40.5).j Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve psychostimulants k Cells with nine or fewer deaths are not reported. Rates based on 

not reported.

l Data for Hispanic origin should be interpreted with caution; stud

certificates and on census surveys have shown inconsistent repo

m Census regions are defined by the following jurisdictions: Region 

Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, PennsylvIllinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Neand Wisconsin; Region 3: Alabama, Arkansas, District of ColumbiMaryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South CarolinaVirginia; Region 4: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, IdOregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

n Categories of 2013 NCHS Urban-Rural Classification Scheme for C
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Prescription opioidsg Heroinh Cocainei Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE 

All 17,087 5.2 0.041 15,469 4.9 0.040 10,375 3.2 0.032 

Sex Male 9,978 6.2 0.063 11,752 7.5 0.070 7,493 4.7 0.055  Female 7,109 4.3 0.052 3,717 2.4 0.039 2,882 1.8 0.034 

Age group (years) 0–14 60 0.1 0.013 k k k k 

 15–19 216 1.0 0.070 212 1.0 0.069 87 0.4 0.044 

 20–24 930 4.2 0.136 1,516 6.8 0.174 670 3.0 0.116  25–34 3,442 7.7 0.131 5,051 11.3 0.159 2,525 5.7 0.112  35–44 3,727 9.2 0.151 3,625 9.0 0.149 2,431 6.0 0.122  45–54 4,307 10.1 0.153 3,009 7.0 0.128 2,629 6.1 0.120  55–64 3,489 8.4 0.142 1,777 4.3 0.102 1,721 4.2 0.100  ≥ 65 915 1.9 0.061 275 0.6 0.034 303 0.6 0.035 Race/ethnicityl

 White, non-Hispanic 14,167 7.0 0.061 11,631 6.3 0.060 6,443 3.4 0.044  Black, non-Hispanic 1,392 3.3 0.089 1,899 4.5 0.104 2,599 6.1 0.122 

Number and age-adjusted ratesa of drug overdose deathsb involving selected drugs by sex, age group, 

race/ethnicity, census region, urbanization, and intent — United States, 2016

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality FileAbbreviation: SE, standard error.a Rate per 100,000 population age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using the vintage year 

population of the data year. Rates are suppressed when based on <20 deaths. Rates for age groups are crude rates (deaths per 100,000 population).

b Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). Drug 

overdose deaths are identified using underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 (suicide), X85 (homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined). Because deaths might involve more than one drug, some deaths are included in more than one category. On death certificates, the specificity of drugs involved with deaths varies over time. In 2016, approximately 15% of drug overdose deaths did not include information on the specific type of drug(s) involved.

c Drug overdose deaths, as defined using ICD-10 codes, that involve opium (T40.0), heroin (T40.1), natural and 

semi-synthetic opioids (T40.2), methadone (T40.3), synthetic opioids other than methadone (T40.4) and other and unspecified narcotics (T40.6).

d Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve natural and semi-synthetic opioids (T40.2).e Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve methadone (T40.3).f Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve synthetic opioids other than methadone (T40.4).

g Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve natural and semi-

(T40.3).

h Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve heroin (T40.1).i Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve cocaine (T40.5).j Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve psychostimulants k Cells with nine or fewer deaths are not reported. Rates based on 

not reported.

l Data for Hispanic origin should be interpreted with caution; stud

certificates and on census surveys have shown inconsistent repo

m Census regions are defined by the following jurisdictions: Region 

Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, PennsylvIllinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Neand Wisconsin; Region 3: Alabama, Arkansas, District of ColumbiMaryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South CarolinaVirginia; Region 4: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, IdOregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

n Categories of 2013 NCHS Urban-Rural Classification Scheme for C

CONTINUED

TABLE 4
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Cent

68

Prescription opioidsg Heroinh Cocainei Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE 

Asian/Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic 131 0.7 0.058 102 0.5 0.049 85 0.4 0.044 American Indian/Alaska Native, nonHispanic 173 6.5 0.507 131 5.0 0.446 56 2.1 0.280 

 Hispanic 1,133 2.1 0.063 1,555 2.8 0.071 1,097 2.0 0.060 

U.S. Census region of residencem

 Northeast 3,252 5.7 0.103 4,322 7.9 0.122 2,957 5.3 0.100 

 Midwest 3,390 5.1 0.089 4,565 7.1 0.107 2,575 3.9 0.079  South 7,044 5.8 0.070 4,542 3.8 0.058 4,005 3.3 0.053  West 3,401 4.3 0.075 2,040 2.7 0.060 838 1.1 0.037 

2013 Urbanizationn Large central metropolitan 4,930 4.7 0.068 5,507 5.3 0.073 4,301 4.2 0.064  Large fringe metropolitan 4,209 5.2 0.082 4,623 6.1 0.090 2,734 3.5 0.068  Medium metropolitan 3,988 6.0 0.098 3,077 4.9 0.089 2,082 3.2 0.072  Small metropolitan 1,471 5.2 0.140 990 3.7 0.121 569 2.1 0.089  Micropolitan 1,475 5.7 0.153 860 3.6 0.124 474 1.9 0.090 

 Noncore 1,014 5.7 0.186 412 2.6 0.130 215 1.3 0.091 

Intent

 Unintentional 14,432 4.5 0.038 14,606 4.6 0.039 9,899 3.1 0.032  Undetermined 1,232 0.4 0.011 745 0.2 0.009 378 0.1 0.007 

 Suicide 1,401 0.4 0.011 82 0.03 0.004 88 0.03 0.004 

CONTINUED

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality FileAbbreviation: SE, standard error.a Rate per 100,000 population age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using the vintage year 

population of the data year. Rates are suppressed when based on <20 deaths. Rates for age groups are crude rates (deaths per 100,000 population).

b Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). Drug 

overdose deaths are identified using underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 (suicide), X85 (homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined). Because deaths might involve more than one drug, some deaths are included in more than one category. On death certificates, the specificity of drugs involved with deaths varies over time. In 2016, approximately 15% of drug overdose deaths did not include information on the specific type of drug(s) involved.

c Drug overdose deaths, as defined using ICD-10 codes, that involve opium (T40.0), heroin (T40.1), natural and 

semi-synthetic opioids (T40.2), methadone (T40.3), synthetic opioids other than methadone (T40.4) and other and unspecified narcotics (T40.6).

d Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve natural and semi-synthetic opioids (T40.2).e Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve methadone (T40.3).f Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve synthetic opioids other than methadone (T40.4).

g Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve natural and semi-

(T40.3).

h Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve heroin (T40.1).i Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve cocaine (T40.5).j Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve psychostimulants k Cells with nine or fewer deaths are not reported. Rates based on 

not reported.

l Data for Hispanic origin should be interpreted with caution; stud

certificates and on census surveys have shown inconsistent repo

m Census regions are defined by the following jurisdictions: Region 

Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, PennsylvIllinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Neand Wisconsin; Region 3: Alabama, Arkansas, District of ColumbiMaryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South CarolinaVirginia; Region 4: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, IdOregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

n Categories of 2013 NCHS Urban-Rural Classification Scheme for C
Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention

National Center for Injury

Prevention and Control

FIGURES
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2018

70

Source: IQVIATM Transactional Data Warehouse.

a High-dosage prescriptions were defined as opioid prescriptions resulting in a daily dosage of ≥ 90 morphine milligram equivalents.

b Temporal trends from 2006 to 2017 were evaluated by applying joinpoint regression methodology. This modeling approach 

simultaneously identified statistically significant trends as well as shifts in trends that occurred within a time series. A maximum of 

two joinpoints was allowed, and the permutation method was used for model selection. Different line dashes correspond to year 

groupings as determined by joinpoint regression. 

Temporal trendsb

Overall

2006–2010

2010–2014

2014–2017

High Dosage

2006–2009

2009–2017

FIGURE 1A Annual opioid prescribing rates overall and for high-dosage prescriptionsa

 (≥ 90 MME/day)b — 

United States, 2006–2017 

Trends in Opioid Prescribing

Trends in opioid prescribing

Figure 1a. Annual opioid prescribing rates overall and for high-dosage prescriptionsa (≥ 90 MME/day)b —

United States, 2006–2017

Source: IQVIATM Transactional Data Warehouse.

a High-dosage prescriptions were defined as opioid prescriptions resulting in a daily dosage of ≥ 90 morphine 

milligram equivalents.

b Temporal trends from 2006 to 2017 were evaluated by applying joinpoint regression methodology. This modeling 

approach simultaneously identified statistically significant trends as well as shifts in trends that occurred within a 

time series. A maximum of two joinpoints was allowed, and the permutation method was used for model 

selection. Different line dashes correspond to year groupings as determined by joinpoint regression.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Prescribing rate per 100 persons

Year

High Dosage

Overall

Temporal trendsb

Overall

2006–2010

2010–2014

2014–2017

High Dosage

2006–2009

2009–2017

Figure 1c. Average daily morphine milligram equivalents (MME) per opioid prescriptiona — United 

States, 2006–2017

Source: IQVIATM Transactional Data Warehouse.

Abbreviation: MME, morphine milligram equivalents.

a Temporal trends from 2006 to 2017 were evaluated by applying joinpoint regression methodology. This modeling 

approach simultaneously identified statistically significant trends as well as shifts in trends that occurred within a 

time series. A maximum of two joinpoints was allowed, and the permutation method was used for model 

selection. Different line dashes correspond to year groupings as determined by joinpoint regression.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Average MME per Day

Year

Temporal trendsa

2006–2010

2010–2013

2013–2017
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2018

71

Annual opioid prescribing rates by days of supply per prescriptiona — 

United States, 2006–2017 FIGURE 1B

Source: IQVIATM Transactional Data Warehouse.

a Temporal trends from 2006 to 2017 were evaluated by applying joinpoint regression methodology. 

This modeling approach simultaneously identified statistically significant trends as well as shifts 

in trends that occurred within a time series. A maximum of two joinpoints was allowed, and the 

permutation method was used for model selection. Different line dashes correspond to year 

groupings as determined by joinpoint regression. 

Temporal trendsa

< 30 days

2006–2010

2010–2014

2014–2017

≥ 30 days

2006–2010

2010–2015

2015–2017

Figure 1b. Annual opioid prescribing rates by days of supply per prescriptiona — United States, 2006–

2017

Source: IQVIATM Transactional Data Warehouse.

a Temporal trends from 2006 to 2017 were evaluated by applying joinpoint regression methodology. This modeling 

approach simultaneously identified statistically significant trends as well as shifts in trends that occurred within a 

time series. A maximum of two joinpoints was allowed, and the permutation method was used for model 

selection. Different line dashes correspond to year groupings as determined by joinpoint regression.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Prescribing rate per 100 persons

Year

< 30 days

≥ 30 days

Temporal trendsa

< 30 days

2006–2010

2010–2014

2014–2107

≥ 30 days

2006–2010

2010–2015

2015–2017

Figure 1c. Average daily morphine milligram equivalents (MME) per opioid prescriptiona — United 

States, 2006–2017

Source: IQVIATM Transactional Data Warehouse.

Abbreviation: MME, morphine milligram equivalents.

a Temporal trends from 2006 to 2017 were evaluated by applying joinpoint regression methodology. This modeling 

approach simultaneously identified statistically significant trends as well as shifts in trends that occurred within a 

time series. A maximum of two joinpoints was allowed, and the permutation method was used for model 

selection. Different line dashes correspond to year groupings as determined by joinpoint regression.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Average MME per Day

Year

Temporal trendsa

2006–2010

2010–2013

2013–2017
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2018

72

Average daily morphine milligram equivalents (MME) per opioid prescriptiona — 

United States, 2006–2017 FIGURE 1C

Source: IQVIATM Transactional Data Warehouse.

Abbreviation: MME, morphine milligram equivalents.

a

 Temporal trends from 2006 to 2017 were evaluated by applying joinpoint regression methodology. 

This modeling approach simultaneously identified statistically significant trends as well as shifts 

in trends that occurred within a time series. A maximum of two joinpoints was allowed, and the 

permutation method was used for model selection. Different line dashes correspond to year 

groupings as determined by joinpoint regression. 

Temporal trendsa

2006–2010

2010–2013

2013–2017

Figure 1c. Average daily morphine milligram equivalents (MME) per opioid prescriptiona — United 

States, 2006–2017

Source: IQVIATM Transactional Data Warehouse.

Abbreviation: MME, morphine milligram equivalents.

a Temporal trends from 2006 to 2017 were evaluated by applying joinpoint regression methodology. This modeling 

approach simultaneously identified statistically significant trends as well as shifts in trends that occurred within a 

time series. A maximum of two joinpoints was allowed, and the permutation method was used for model 

selection. Different line dashes correspond to year groupings as determined by joinpoint regression.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Average MME per Day

Year

Temporal trendsa

2006–2010

2010–2013

2013–2017

Figure 1c. Average daily morphine milligram equivalents (MME) per opioid prescriptiona — United 

States, 2006–2017

Source: IQVIATM Transactional Data Warehouse.

Abbreviation: MME, morphine milligram equivalents.

a Temporal trends from 2006 to 2017 were evaluated by applying joinpoint regression methodology. This modeling 

approach simultaneously identified statistically significant trends as well as shifts in trends that occurred within a 

time series. A maximum of two joinpoints was allowed, and the permutation method was used for model 

selection. Different line dashes correspond to year groupings as determined by joinpoint regression.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Average MME per Day

Year

Temporal trendsa

2006–2010

2010–2013

2013–2017
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2018

73

Average days of supply per opioid prescriptiona FIGURE 1D — United States, 2006–2017

Source: IQVIATM Transactional Data Warehouse.

a

 Temporal trends from 2006 to 2017 were evaluated by applying joinpoint regression methodology. 

This modeling approach simultaneously identified statistically significant trends as well as shifts 

in trends that occurred within a time series. A maximum of two joinpoints was allowed, and the 

permutation method was used for model selection. Different line dashes correspond to year 

groupings as determined by joinpoint regression. 

Temporal trendsa

2006–2010

2009–2013

2013–2017

Figure 1d. Average days of supply per opioid prescriptiona — United States, 2006–2017

Source: IQVIATM Transactional Data Warehouse.

a Temporal trends from 2006 to 2017 were evaluated by applying joinpoint regression methodology. This modeling 

approach simultaneously identified statistically significant trends as well as shifts in trends that occurred within a 

time series. A maximum of two joinpoints was allowed, and the permutation method was used for model 

selection. Different line dashes correspond to year groupings as determined by joinpoint regression.

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Average days of supply

Year

Temporal trendsa

2006–2009

2009–2013

2013–2017

Figure 1c. Average daily morphine milligram equivalents (MME) per opioid prescriptiona — United 

States, 2006–2017

Source: IQVIATM Transactional Data Warehouse.

Abbreviation: MME, morphine milligram equivalents.

a Temporal trends from 2006 to 2017 were evaluated by applying joinpoint regression methodology. This modeling 

approach simultaneously identified statistically significant trends as well as shifts in trends that occurred within a 

time series. A maximum of two joinpoints was allowed, and the permutation method was used for model 

selection. Different line dashes correspond to year groupings as determined by joinpoint regression.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Average MME per Day

Year

Temporal trendsa

2006–2010

2010–2013

2013–2017
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2018

74

Age-adjusted ratesa of drug overdose deathsb and drug overdose deaths involving any opioidc

for all intents and for unintentional intent by year — United States, 1999–2016 FIGURE 2A

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality File, CDC WONDER.

a

 Rate per 100,000 population age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using the vintage year population of the data year.

b

 Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). All drug overdose deaths are identified using 

underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 (suicide), X85 (homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined). Unintentional drug 

overdose deaths are identified using underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44. Note that overall drug overdose deaths and opioid overdose deaths 

include deaths of any intent. In 2016, 5.7% of drug overdose deaths had undetermined intent; this is a decrease from 14.7% of drug overdose deaths 

that had an undetermined intent in 1999. Some of these deaths may be unintentional drug overdose deaths. c

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve opium (T40.0), heroin (T40.1), natural and semi-synthetic opioids (T40.2), methadone (T40.3), other 

synthetic opioids excluding methadone (T40.4), and other and unspecified narcotics (T40.6). Specification on death certificates of drugs involved 

with deaths varies over time. In 2016, approximately 15% of drug overdose deaths did not include information on the specific type of drug(s) 

involved. Some of these deaths may have involved opioids.

Trends in drug overdose deaths

Figure 2a. Age-adjusted ratesa of drug overdose deathsb and drug overdose deaths involving any opioidc

for all intents and for unintentional intent by year — United States, 1999–2016

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality File, CDC WONDER.

a Rate per 100,000 population age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using the vintage year population 

of the data year.

b Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). All drug overdose 

deaths are identified using underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 (suicide), X85 

(homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined). Unintentional drug overdose deaths are identified using underlying 

cause-of-death codes X40–X44. Note that overall drug overdose deaths and opioid overdose deaths include deaths 

of any intent. In 2016, 5.7% of drug overdose deaths had undetermined intent; this is a decrease from 14.7% of 

drug overdose deaths that had an undetermined intent in 1999. Some of these deaths may be unintentional drug 

overdose deaths. 

c Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve opium (T40.0), heroin (T40.1), natural and semi-synthetic opioids 

(T40.2), methadone (T40.3), other synthetic opioids excluding methadone (T40.4), and other and unspecified 

narcotics (T40.6). Specification on death certificates of drugs involved with deaths varies over time. In 2016, 

approximately 15% of drug overdose deaths did not include information on the specific type of drug(s) involved. 

Some of these deaths may have involved opioids.

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

Rate per 100,000 population

Year

Drug overdose deaths (of all 

intents)

Unintentional drug overdose 

deaths

Drug overdose deaths involving 

any opioid (of all intents)

Unintentional drug overdose 

deaths involving any opioid

Trends in drug overdose deaths

Figure 2a. Age-adjusted ratesa of drug overdose deathsb and drug overdose deaths involving any opioidc

for all intents and for unintentional intent by year — United States, 1999–2016

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality File, CDC WONDER.

a Rate per 100,000 population age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using the vintage year population 

of the data year.

b Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). All drug overdose 

deaths are identified using underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 (suicide), X85 

(homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined). Unintentional drug overdose deaths are identified using underlying 

cause-of-death codes X40–X44. Note that overall drug overdose deaths and opioid overdose deaths include deaths 

of any intent. In 2016, 5.7% of drug overdose deaths had undetermined intent; this is a decrease from 14.7% of 

drug overdose deaths that had an undetermined intent in 1999. Some of these deaths may be unintentional drug 

overdose deaths. 

c Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve opium (T40.0), heroin (T40.1), natural and semi-synthetic opioids 

(T40.2), methadone (T40.3), other synthetic opioids excluding methadone (T40.4), and other and unspecified 

narcotics (T40.6). Specification on death certificates of drugs involved with deaths varies over time. In 2016, 

approximately 15% of drug overdose deaths did not include information on the specific type of drug(s) involved. 

Some of these deaths may have involved opioids.

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

Rate per 100,000 population

Year

Drug overdose deaths (of all 

intents)

Unintentional drug overdose 

deaths

Drug overdose deaths involving 

any opioid (of all intents)

Unintentional drug overdose 

deaths involving any opioid

Trends in drug overdose deaths

Figure 2a. Age-adjusted ratesa of drug overdose deathsb and drug overdose deaths involving any opioidc

for all intents and for unintentional intent by year — United States, 1999–2016

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality File, CDC WONDER.

a Rate per 100,000 population age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using the vintage year population 

of the data year.

b Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). All drug overdose 

deaths are identified using underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 (suicide), X85 

(homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined). Unintentional drug overdose deaths are identified using underlying 

cause-of-death codes X40–X44. Note that overall drug overdose deaths and opioid overdose deaths include deaths 

of any intent. In 2016, 5.7% of drug overdose deaths had undetermined intent; this is a decrease from 14.7% of 

drug overdose deaths that had an undetermined intent in 1999. Some of these deaths may be unintentional drug 

overdose deaths. 

c Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve opium (T40.0), heroin (T40.1), natural and semi-synthetic opioids 

(T40.2), methadone (T40.3), other synthetic opioids excluding methadone (T40.4), and other and unspecified 

narcotics (T40.6). Specification on death certificates of drugs involved with deaths varies over time. In 2016, 

approximately 15% of drug overdose deaths did not include information on the specific type of drug(s) involved. 

Some of these deaths may have involved opioids.

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

Rate per 100,000 population

Year

Drug overdose deaths (of all 

intents)

Unintentional drug overdose 

deaths

Drug overdose deaths involving 

any opioid (of all intents)

Unintentional drug overdose 

deaths involving any opioid

Trends in drug overdose deaths

Figure 2a. Age-adjusted ratesa of drug overdose deathsb and drug overdose deaths involving any opioidc

for all intents and for unintentional intent by year — United States, 1999–2016

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality File, CDC WONDER.

a Rate per 100,000 population age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using the vintage year population 

of the data year.

b Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). All drug overdose 

deaths are identified using underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 (suicide), X85 

(homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined). Unintentional drug overdose deaths are identified using underlying 

cause-of-death codes X40–X44. Note that overall drug overdose deaths and opioid overdose deaths include deaths 

of any intent. In 2016, 5.7% of drug overdose deaths had undetermined intent; this is a decrease from 14.7% of 

drug overdose deaths that had an undetermined intent in 1999. Some of these deaths may be unintentional drug 

overdose deaths. 

c Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve opium (T40.0), heroin (T40.1), natural and semi-synthetic opioids 

(T40.2), methadone (T40.3), other synthetic opioids excluding methadone (T40.4), and other and unspecified 

narcotics (T40.6). Specification on death certificates of drugs involved with deaths varies over time. In 2016, 

approximately 15% of drug overdose deaths did not include information on the specific type of drug(s) involved. 

Some of these deaths may have involved opioids.

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

Rate per 100,000 population

Year

Drug overdose deaths (of all 

intents)

Unintentional drug overdose 

deaths

Drug overdose deaths involving 

any opioid (of all intents)

Unintentional drug overdose 

deaths involving any opioid

Trends in drug overdose deaths

Figure 2a. Age-adjusted ratesa of drug overdose deathsb and drug overdose deaths involving any opioidc

for all intents and for unintentional intent by year — United States, 1999–2016

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality File, CDC WONDER.

a Rate per 100,000 population age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using the vintage year population 

of the data year.

b Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). All drug overdose 

deaths are identified using underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 (suicide), X85 

(homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined). Unintentional drug overdose deaths are identified using underlying 

cause-of-death codes X40–X44. Note that overall drug overdose deaths and opioid overdose deaths include deaths 

of any intent. In 2016, 5.7% of drug overdose deaths had undetermined intent; this is a decrease from 14.7% of 

drug overdose deaths that had an undetermined intent in 1999. Some of these deaths may be unintentional drug 

overdose deaths. 

c Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve opium (T40.0), heroin (T40.1), natural and semi-synthetic opioids 

(T40.2), methadone (T40.3), other synthetic opioids excluding methadone (T40.4), and other and unspecified 

narcotics (T40.6). Specification on death certificates of drugs involved with deaths varies over time. In 2016, 

approximately 15% of drug overdose deaths did not include information on the specific type of drug(s) involved. 

Some of these deaths may have involved opioids.

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

Rate per 100,000 population

Year

Drug overdose deaths (of all 

intents)

Unintentional drug overdose 

deaths

Drug overdose deaths involving 

any opioid (of all intents)

Unintentional drug overdose 

deaths involving any opioid

Trends in drug overdose deaths

Figure 2a. Age-adjusted ratesa of drug overdose deathsb and drug overdose deaths involving any opioidc

for all intents and for unintentional intent by year — United States, 1999–2016

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality File, CDC WONDER.

a Rate per 100,000 population age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using the vintage year population 

of the data year.

b Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). All drug overdose 

deaths are identified using underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 (suicide), X85 

(homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined). Unintentional drug overdose deaths are identified using underlying 

cause-of-death codes X40–X44. Note that overall drug overdose deaths and opioid overdose deaths include deaths 

of any intent. In 2016, 5.7% of drug overdose deaths had undetermined intent; this is a decrease from 14.7% of 

drug overdose deaths that had an undetermined intent in 1999. Some of these deaths may be unintentional drug 

overdose deaths. 

c Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve opium (T40.0), heroin (T40.1), natural and semi-synthetic opioids 

(T40.2), methadone (T40.3), other synthetic opioids excluding methadone (T40.4), and other and unspecified 

narcotics (T40.6). Specification on death certificates of drugs involved with deaths varies over time. In 2016, 

approximately 15% of drug overdose deaths did not include information on the specific type of drug(s) involved. 

Some of these deaths may have involved opioids.

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

Rate per 100,000 population

Year

Drug overdose deaths (of all 

intents)

Unintentional drug overdose 

deaths

Drug overdose deaths involving 

any opioid (of all intents)

Unintentional drug overdose 

deaths involving any opioid

Trends in drug overdose deaths

Figure 2a. Age-adjusted ratesa of drug overdose deathsb and drug overdose deaths involving any opioidc

for all intents and for unintentional intent by year — United States, 1999–2016

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality File, CDC WONDER.

a Rate per 100,000 population age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using the vintage year population 

of the data year.

b Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). All drug overdose 

deaths are identified using underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 (suicide), X85 

(homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined). Unintentional drug overdose deaths are identified using underlying 

cause-of-death codes X40–X44. Note that overall drug overdose deaths and opioid overdose deaths include deaths 

of any intent. In 2016, 5.7% of drug overdose deaths had undetermined intent; this is a decrease from 14.7% of 

drug overdose deaths that had an undetermined intent in 1999. Some of these deaths may be unintentional drug 

overdose deaths. 

c Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve opium (T40.0), heroin (T40.1), natural and semi-synthetic opioids 

(T40.2), methadone (T40.3), other synthetic opioids excluding methadone (T40.4), and other and unspecified 

narcotics (T40.6). Specification on death certificates of drugs involved with deaths varies over time. In 2016, 

approximately 15% of drug overdose deaths did not include information on the specific type of drug(s) involved. 

Some of these deaths may have involved opioids.

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

Rate per 100,000 population

Year

Drug overdose deaths (of all 

intents)

Unintentional drug overdose 

deaths

Drug overdose deaths involving 

any opioid (of all intents)

Unintentional drug overdose 

deaths involving any opioid

Trends in drug overdose deaths

Figure 2a. Age-adjusted ratesa of drug overdose deathsb and drug overdose deaths involving any opioidc

for all intents and for unintentional intent by year — United States, 1999–2016

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality File, CDC WONDER.

a Rate per 100,000 population age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using the vintage year population 

of the data year.

b Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). All drug overdose 

deaths are identified using underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 (suicide), X85 

(homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined). Unintentional drug overdose deaths are identified using underlying 

cause-of-death codes X40–X44. Note that overall drug overdose deaths and opioid overdose deaths include deaths 

of any intent. In 2016, 5.7% of drug overdose deaths had undetermined intent; this is a decrease from 14.7% of 

drug overdose deaths that had an undetermined intent in 1999. Some of these deaths may be unintentional drug 

overdose deaths. 

c Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve opium (T40.0), heroin (T40.1), natural and semi-synthetic opioids 

(T40.2), methadone (T40.3), other synthetic opioids excluding methadone (T40.4), and other and unspecified 

narcotics (T40.6). Specification on death certificates of drugs involved with deaths varies over time. In 2016, 

approximately 15% of drug overdose deaths did not include information on the specific type of drug(s) involved. 

Some of these deaths may have involved opioids.

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

Rate per 100,000 population

Year

Drug overdose deaths (of all 

intents)

Unintentional drug overdose 

deaths

Drug overdose deaths involving 

any opioid (of all intents)

Unintentional drug overdose 

deaths involving any opioid

Trends in drug overdose deaths

Figure 2a. Age-adjusted ratesa of drug overdose deathsb and drug overdose deaths involving any opioidc

for all intents and for unintentional intent by year — United States, 1999–2016

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality File, CDC WONDER.

a Rate per 100,000 population age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using the vintage year population 

of the data year.

b Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). All drug overdose 

deaths are identified using underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 (suicide), X85 

(homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined). Unintentional drug overdose deaths are identified using underlying 

cause-of-death codes X40–X44. Note that overall drug overdose deaths and opioid overdose deaths include deaths 

of any intent. In 2016, 5.7% of drug overdose deaths had undetermined intent; this is a decrease from 14.7% of 

drug overdose deaths that had an undetermined intent in 1999. Some of these deaths may be unintentional drug 

overdose deaths. 

c Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve opium (T40.0), heroin (T40.1), natural and semi-synthetic opioids 

(T40.2), methadone (T40.3), other synthetic opioids excluding methadone (T40.4), and other and unspecified 

narcotics (T40.6). Specification on death certificates of drugs involved with deaths varies over time. In 2016, 

approximately 15% of drug overdose deaths did not include information on the specific type of drug(s) involved. 

Some of these deaths may have involved opioids.

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

Rate per 100,000 population

Year

Drug overdose deaths (of all 

intents)

Unintentional drug overdose 

deaths

Drug overdose deaths involving 

any opioid (of all intents)

Unintentional drug overdose 

deaths involving any opioid

Trends in drug overdose deaths

Figure 2a. Age-adjusted ratesa of drug overdose deathsb and drug overdose deaths involving any opioidc

for all intents and for unintentional intent by year — United States, 1999–2016

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality File, CDC WONDER.

a Rate per 100,000 population age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using the vintage year population 

of the data year.

b Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). All drug overdose 

deaths are identified using underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 (suicide), X85 

(homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined). Unintentional drug overdose deaths are identified using underlying 

cause-of-death codes X40–X44. Note that overall drug overdose deaths and opioid overdose deaths include deaths 

of any intent. In 2016, 5.7% of drug overdose deaths had undetermined intent; this is a decrease from 14.7% of 

drug overdose deaths that had an undetermined intent in 1999. Some of these deaths may be unintentional drug 

overdose deaths. 

c Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve opium (T40.0), heroin (T40.1), natural and semi-synthetic opioids 

(T40.2), methadone (T40.3), other synthetic opioids excluding methadone (T40.4), and other and unspecified 

narcotics (T40.6). Specification on death certificates of drugs involved with deaths varies over time. In 2016, 

approximately 15% of drug overdose deaths did not include information on the specific type of drug(s) involved. 

Some of these deaths may have involved opioids.

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

Rate per 100,000 population

Year

Drug overdose deaths (of all 

intents)

Unintentional drug overdose 

deaths

Drug overdose deaths involving 

any opioid (of all intents)

Unintentional drug overdose 

deaths involving any opioid

Trends in drug overdose deaths

Figure 2a. Age-adjusted ratesa of drug overdose deathsb and drug overdose deaths involving any opioidc

for all intents and for unintentional intent by year — United States, 1999–2016

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality File, CDC WONDER.

a Rate per 100,000 population age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using the vintage year population 

of the data year.

b Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). All drug overdose 

deaths are identified using underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 (suicide), X85 

(homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined). Unintentional drug overdose deaths are identified using underlying 

cause-of-death codes X40–X44. Note that overall drug overdose deaths and opioid overdose deaths include deaths 

of any intent. In 2016, 5.7% of drug overdose deaths had undetermined intent; this is a decrease from 14.7% of 

drug overdose deaths that had an undetermined intent in 1999. Some of these deaths may be unintentional drug 

overdose deaths. 

c Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve opium (T40.0), heroin (T40.1), natural and semi-synthetic opioids 

(T40.2), methadone (T40.3), other synthetic opioids excluding methadone (T40.4), and other and unspecified 

narcotics (T40.6). Specification on death certificates of drugs involved with deaths varies over time. In 2016, 

approximately 15% of drug overdose deaths did not include information on the specific type of drug(s) involved. 

Some of these deaths may have involved opioids.

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

Rate per 100,000 population

Year

Drug overdose deaths (of all 

intents)

Unintentional drug overdose 

deaths

Drug overdose deaths involving 

any opioid (of all intents)

Unintentional drug overdose 

deaths involving any opioid

Trends in drug overdose deaths

Figure 2a. Age-adjusted ratesa of drug overdose deathsb and drug overdose deaths involving any opioidc

for all intents and for unintentional intent by year — United States, 1999–2016

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality File, CDC WONDER.

a Rate per 100,000 population age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using the vintage year population 

of the data year.

b Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). All drug overdose 

deaths are identified using underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 (suicide), X85 

(homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined). Unintentional drug overdose deaths are identified using underlying 

cause-of-death codes X40–X44. Note that overall drug overdose deaths and opioid overdose deaths include deaths 

of any intent. In 2016, 5.7% of drug overdose deaths had undetermined intent; this is a decrease from 14.7% of 

drug overdose deaths that had an undetermined intent in 1999. Some of these deaths may be unintentional drug 

overdose deaths. 

c Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve opium (T40.0), heroin (T40.1), natural and semi-synthetic opioids 

(T40.2), methadone (T40.3), other synthetic opioids excluding methadone (T40.4), and other and unspecified 

narcotics (T40.6). Specification on death certificates of drugs involved with deaths varies over time. In 2016, 

approximately 15% of drug overdose deaths did not include information on the specific type of drug(s) involved. 

Some of these deaths may have involved opioids.

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

Rate per 100,000 population

Year

Drug overdose deaths (of all 

intents)

Unintentional drug overdose 

deaths

Drug overdose deaths involving 

any opioid (of all intents)

Unintentional drug overdose 

deaths involving any opioid

Trends in drug overdose deaths

Figure 2a. Age-adjusted ratesa of drug overdose deathsb and drug overdose deaths involving any opioidc

for all intents and for unintentional intent by year — United States, 1999–2016

-

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality File, CDC WONDER. a Rate per 100,000 population age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using the vintage year population 

of the data year.

b Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). All drug overdose 

deaths are identified using underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 (suicide), X85 

(homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined). Unintentional drug overdose deaths are identified using underlying 

cause-of-death codes X40–X44. Note that overall drug overdose deaths and opioid overdose deaths include deaths 

of any intent. In 2016, 5.7% of drug overdose deaths had undetermined intent; this is a decrease from 14.7% of 

drug overdose deaths that had an undetermined intent in 1999. Some of these deaths may be unintentional drug 

overdose deaths. 

c Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve opium (T40.0), heroin (T40.1), natural and semi-synthetic opioids 

(T40.2), methadone (T40.3), other synthetic opioids excluding methadone (T40.4), and other and unspecified 

narcotics (T40.6). Specification on death certificates of drugs involved with deaths varies over time. In 2016, 

approximately 15% of drug overdose deaths did not include information on the specific type of drug(s) involved. 

Some of these deaths may have involved opioids.

0.0

5.0

10.0

15.0

20.0

25.0

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Rate per 100,000 population

Year

Figure 1c. Average daily morphine milligram equivalents (MME) per opioid prescriptiona — United 

States, 2006–2017

Source: IQVIATM Transactional Data Warehouse.

Abbreviation: MME, morphine milligram equivalents.

a Temporal trends from 2006 to 2017 were evaluated by applying joinpoint regression methodology. This modeling 

approach simultaneously identified statistically significant trends as well as shifts in trends that occurred within a 

time series. A maximum of two joinpoints was allowed, and the permutation method was used for model 

selection. Different line dashes correspond to year groupings as determined by joinpoint regression.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Average MME per Day

Year

Temporal trendsa

2006–2010

2010–2013

2013–2017

Trends in Drug Overdose Deaths
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2018

75

Age-adjusted ratesa of drug overdose deathsb by drug or drug class and year — 

United States, 1999–2016 FIGURE 2B

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality File, CDC WONDER.

a

 Rate per 100,000 population age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using the vintage year population of the data year. Because deaths 

might involve more than one drug, some deaths are included in more than one category. Specification on death certificates of drugs involved with 

deaths varies over time. In 2016, 15% of drug overdose deaths did not include information on the specific type of drug(s) involved. Some of these 

deaths may have involved opioids or stimulants. b

 Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). Drug overdose deaths are identified using underlying 

cause-of-death codes X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 (suicide), X85 (homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined).

c

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve synthetic opioids other than methadone (T40.4). d

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve natural and semi-synthetic opioids (T40.2) or methadone (T40.3).

e

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve heroin (T40.1).

f

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve cocaine (T40.5).

g

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve psychostimulants with abuse potential (T43.6).

Figure 2b. Age-adjusted ratesa of drug overdose deathsb by drug or drug class and year — United States, 

1999–2016

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality File, CDC WONDER.

a Rate per 100,000 population age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using the vintage year population 

of the data year. Because deaths might involve more than one drug, some deaths are included in more than one 

category. Specification on death certificates of drugs involved with deaths varies over time. In 2016, 15% of drug 

overdose deaths did not include information on the specific type of drug(s) involved. Some of these deaths may 

have involved opioids or stimulants.

b Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). Drug overdose 

deaths are identified using underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 (suicide), X85 

(homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined). c Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve synthetic opioids other than methadone (T40.4).

d Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve natural and semi-synthetic opioids (T40.2) or methadone (T40.3). e Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve heroin (T40.1).

f Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve cocaine (T40.5).

g Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve psychostimulants with abuse potential (T43.6).

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

Rate per 100,000 population

Year

Figure 1c. Average daily morphine milligram equivalents (MME) per opioid prescriptiona — United 

States, 2006–2017

Source: IQVIATM Transactional Data Warehouse.

Abbreviation: MME, morphine milligram equivalents.

a Temporal trends from 2006 to 2017 were evaluated by applying joinpoint regression methodology. This modeling 

approach simultaneously identified statistically significant trends as well as shifts in trends that occurred within a 

time series. A maximum of two joinpoints was allowed, and the permutation method was used for model 

selection. Different line dashes correspond to year groupings as determined by joinpoint regression.

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Average MME per Day

Year

Temporal trendsa

2006–2010

2010–2013

2013–2017

Figure 2b. Age-adjusted ratesa of drug overdose deathsb by drug or drug class and year — United States, 

1999–2016

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality File, CDC WONDER.

a Rate per 100,000 population age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using the vintage year population 

of the data year. Because deaths might involve more than one drug, some deaths are included in more than one 

category. Specification on death certificates of drugs involved with deaths varies over time. In 2016, 15% of drug 

overdose deaths did not include information on the specific type of drug(s) involved. Some of these deaths may 

have involved opioids or stimulants.

b Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). Drug overdose 

deaths are identified using underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 (suicide), X85 

(homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined). c Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve synthetic opioids other than methadone (T40.4).

d Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve natural and semi-synthetic opioids (T40.2) or methadone (T40.3). e Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve heroin (T40.1).

f Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve cocaine (T40.5).

g Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve psychostimulants with abuse potential (T43.6).

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

Rate per 100,000 population

Year

Synthetic opioids other 

than methadonec

Prescription opioidsd

Heroine

Cocainef

Psychostimulants with 

abuse potentialɡ

Figure 2b. Age-adjusted ratesa of drug overdose deathsb by drug or drug class and year — United States, 

1999–2016

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality File, CDC WONDER.

a Rate per 100,000 population age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using the vintage year population 

of the data year. Because deaths might involve more than one drug, some deaths are included in more than one 

category. Specification on death certificates of drugs involved with deaths varies over time. In 2016, 15% of drug 

overdose deaths did not include information on the specific type of drug(s) involved. Some of these deaths may 

have involved opioids or stimulants.

b Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). Drug overdose 

deaths are identified using underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 (suicide), X85 

(homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined). c Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve synthetic opioids other than methadone (T40.4).

d Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve natural and semi-synthetic opioids (T40.2) or methadone (T40.3). e Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve heroin (T40.1).

f Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve cocaine (T40.5).

g Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve psychostimulants with abuse potential (T43.6).

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

Rate per 100,000 population

Year

Synthetic opioids other 

than methadonec

Prescription opioidsd

Heroine

Cocainef

Psychostimulants with 

abuse potentialɡ

Figure 2b. Age-adjusted ratesa of drug overdose deathsb by drug or drug class and year — United States, 

1999–2016

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality File, CDC WONDER.

a Rate per 100,000 population age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using the vintage year population 

of the data year. Because deaths might involve more than one drug, some deaths are included in more than one 

category. Specification on death certificates of drugs involved with deaths varies over time. In 2016, 15% of drug 

overdose deaths did not include information on the specific type of drug(s) involved. Some of these deaths may 

have involved opioids or stimulants.

b Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). Drug overdose 

deaths are identified using underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 (suicide), X85 

(homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined). c Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve synthetic opioids other than methadone (T40.4).

d Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve natural and semi-synthetic opioids (T40.2) or methadone (T40.3). e Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve heroin (T40.1).

f Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve cocaine (T40.5).

g Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve psychostimulants with abuse potential (T43.6).

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

Rate per 100,000 population

Year

Synthetic opioids other 

than methadonec

Prescription opioidsd

Heroine

Cocainef

Psychostimulants with 

abuse potentialɡ

Figure 2b. Age-adjusted ratesa of drug overdose deathsb by drug or drug class and year — United States, 

1999–2016

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality File, CDC WONDER.

a Rate per 100,000 population age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using the vintage year population 

of the data year. Because deaths might involve more than one drug, some deaths are included in more than one 

category. Specification on death certificates of drugs involved with deaths varies over time. In 2016, 15% of drug 

overdose deaths did not include information on the specific type of drug(s) involved. Some of these deaths may 

have involved opioids or stimulants.

b Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). Drug overdose 

deaths are identified using underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 (suicide), X85 

(homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined). c Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve synthetic opioids other than methadone (T40.4).

d Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve natural and semi-synthetic opioids (T40.2) or methadone (T40.3). e Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve heroin (T40.1).

f Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve cocaine (T40.5).

g Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve psychostimulants with abuse potential (T43.6).

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

7.0

Rate per 100,000 population

Year

Synthetic opioids other 

than methadonec

Prescription opioidsd

Heroine

Cocainef

Psychostimulants with 

abuse potentialɡ
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2018

76

Ratesa of drug overdose deathsb FIGURE 2C by drug or drug class and age category — United States, 2016

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality File, CDC WONDER.

a

 Rate per 100,000 population using the vintage year population of the data year. Because deaths might involve more than one drug, some deaths are 

included in more than one category. Specification on death certificates of drugs involved with deaths varies over time. In 2016, approximately 15% 

of drug overdose deaths did not include information on the specific type of drug(s) involved. Some of these deaths may have involved opioids or 

stimulants.

b

 Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). Drug overdose deaths are identified using underlying 

cause-of-death codes X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 (suicide), X85 (homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined).

c

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve natural and semi-synthetic opioids (T40.2) or methadone (T40.3).

d

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve synthetic opioids other than methadone (T40.4). e

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve heroin (T40.1).

f

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve cocaine (T40.5).

g

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve psychostimulants with abuse potential (T43.6).

Figure 2c. Ratesa of drug overdose deathsb by drug or drug class and age category — United States, 2016

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality File, CDC WONDER.

a Rate per 100,000 population using the vintage year population of the data year. Because deaths might involve 

more than one drug, some deaths are included in more than one category. Specification on death certificates of 

drugs involved with deaths varies over time. In 2016, approximately 15% of drug overdose deaths did not include 

information on the specific type of drug(s) involved. Some of these deaths may have involved opioids or 

stimulants.

b Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). Drug overdose 

deaths are identified using underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 (suicide), X85 

(homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined). c Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve natural and semi-synthetic opioids (T40.2) or methadone (T40.3). d Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve synthetic opioids other than methadone (T40.4).

e Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve heroin (T40.1). f Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve cocaine (T40.5).

g Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve psychostimulants with abuse potential (T43.6).

0.0

2.0

4.0

6.0

8.0

10.0

12.0

14.0

16.0

Prescription 

opioidsc

Synthetic opioids 

other than 

methadoned

Heroine Cocainef Psychostimulants 

with abuse 

potentialɡ

Rate per 100,000 population

Age Group (in years)

15–24 25–34 35–44 45–54 55–64 ≥65
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2018

77

FIGURE 2D Age-adjusted ratesa

 of drug overdose deathsb by state — United States, 2016

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality File, CDC WONDER. 

a

 Rate per 100,000 population age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using the vintage 

year population of the data year. 

b

 Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). Drug 

overdose deaths are identified using underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44 (unintentional), 

X60–X64 (suicide), X85 (homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined). 

Age-adjusted rate

6.4 to 11.0

11.1 to 13.5

13.6 to 16.0

16.1 to 18.5

18.6 to 21.1

21.1 to 52.0

CT

NJ

DE

VT

DC

RI

MD

NH
Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention

National Center for Injury

Prevention and Control

APPENDIX
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2018

79

Opioid prescribing — United States, 2006-2017 SUPPLEMENTAL 

TABLE 1

Opioid prescribing 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

% change from 

2006 to 2017

Prescribing ratea

 All opioids 72.4 75.9 78.2 79.5 81.2 80.9 81.2 78.1 75.6 70.7 66.5 58.5 -19.1

 High-dosageb 11.5 11.7 11.8 11.5 11.4 8.8 8.3 7.6 7.1 6.7 6.1 5.0 -56.5

 Days of supply per Rx 

 ≥ 30 days 17.6 20.1 22.1 23.9 25.9 27.1 28.0 28.3 28.4 28.2 27.3 24.6 39.8

 < 30 days 54.7 55.8 56.1 55.6 55.3 53.8 53.2 49.8 47.2 42.5 39.2 33.9 -38.0

Dosage (MME)

Average daily MME per Rx 59.7 59.1 58.7 58.1 58.0 53.9 51.8 50.2 48.9 48.1 47.1 45.3 -24.1

 Average MME per Rx 828.2 861.9 894.1 922.6 963.8 946.7 911.5 901.7 895.9 907.5 901.2 873.4 5.5

 MME per capita 599.3 653.9 699.4 733.0 782.3 765.9 740.6 704.1 896.0 641.4 599.3 511.1 -14.7

Average days supply per Rx 13.3 13.9 14.5 15.0 15.5 16.0 16.4 16.9 17.2 17.7 18.1 18.3 37.4

Source: IQVIATM Transactional Data Warehouse.

Abbreviations: MME, morphine milligram equivalents; Rx, prescription.

a Rate per 100 persons adjusted to the U.S. census population.

b

 High-dosage prescriptions were defined as opioid prescriptions resulting in a daily dosage of ≥ 90 MME.
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Cent

80

Estimated numbersa,b and rates (not age-adjusted) per 100,000 population of drug poisoning-related 

hospitalizations by selected substances — United States, 2016

SUPPLEMENTAL TABLE 2A

Abbreviations: No., number; SE, standard error.a Weighted national estimates from HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), 2015, Agency for Healthcare 

Research and Quality (AHRQ). Data are from 2015, when HCUP transitioned from using ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM/PCM diagnosis codes and should not be compared with other years. Results may have been affected by the transition; please see the technical notes for a discussion of transition.

b In-hospital deaths and patients who transferred from another hospital were excluded. Visits with missing age 

and gender were excluded. Numbers subject to rounding error.

c For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes of 960-979 or external cause of 

injury E850-E858; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM/PCS contributing causes T36-T50. See technical notes for additional information.

d For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.00, 965.01, 965.02, 

965.09 or external cause of injury E850.0, E850.1, E850.2; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM/PCS contributing causes T40.0, T40.1, T40.2, T40.3, T40.6, T40.69. 

e For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.01 or external cause of 

Socio-demographic characteristic

All drug poisoningsc All opioid poisoningsd Heroin poisoningse

Methadone poisoningsf

Poisonings by other opioidsg Cocaine 

No. Ratej SE No. Rate SE No. Rate SE No. Rate SE No. Rate SE No. 

All Visits 316,900 98.8 1.24 78,840 24.6 0.38 16,770 5.2 0.15 5,590 1.7 0.07 58,090 18.1 0.29 18,885 

Gender

 Male 139,955 88.6 1.24 37,695 23.9 0.44 11,510 7.3 0.23 2,770 1.8 0.08 24,360 15.4 0.31 12,500 

 Female 176,945 108.6 1.43 41,145 25.3 0.43 5,260 3.2 0.12 2,820 1.7 0.09 33,730 20.7 0.36 6,385 

Age Groups

 0–14 9,410 15.4 0.83 510 0.8 0.10 k k k 65 0.1 0.03 430 0.7 0.09 105 

 15–19 21,820 103.5 3.16 1,925 9.1 0.51 495 2.3 0.24 85 0.4 0.10 1,395 6.6 0.43 330 

 20–24 26,385 116.3 2.33 5,485 24.2 0.81 2,785 12.3 0.54 285 1.3 0.17 2,600 11.5 0.53 1,150 

 25–34 50,435 114.6 2.00 12,975 29.5 0.73 5,815 13.2 0.47 990 2.2 0.17 6,615 15.0 0.47 3,395 

 35–44 48,310 119.4 2.06 11,325 28.0 0.72 3,165 7.8 0.36 935 2.3 0.18 7,535 18.6 0.53 3,715 

 45–54 59,010 136.9 2.35 15,630 36.3 0.85 2,545 5.9 0.36 1,210 2.8 0.20 12,135 28.2 0.68 5,680 

 55–64 52,025 127.5 2.04 17,305 42.4 0.93 1,645 4.0 0.28 1,330 3.3 0.21 14,565 35.7 0.82 3,695 

 ≥ 65 49,505 103.7 1.49 13,685 28.7 0.68 295 0.6 0.10 690 1.4 0.12 12,815 26.8 0.65 815 

U.S. census region of residence

 Northeast 56,380 100.3 3.02 14,475 25.8 0.92 4,625 8.2 0.43 1,140 2.0 0.16 8,990 16.0 0.61 5,485 

 Midwest 75,060 110.6 3.09 18,450 27.2 0.95 4,930 7.3 0.43 1,150 1.7 0.17 12,730 18.8 0.66 3,725 

 South 125,375 103.6 2.09 30,605 25.3 0.61 4,800 4.0 0.21 1,860 1.5 0.10 24,525 20.3 0.51 8,045 

 West 60,085 79.2 1.96 15,310 20.2 0.65 2,415 3.2 0.22 1,440 1.9 0.13 11,845 15.6 0.52 1,630 

injury E850.0; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM

f For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

injury E850.1; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM

g For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

cause of injury E850.2; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICT40.2, T40.4, T40.6, T40.69.

h For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

injury E854.3 or E855.2; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes IC

I For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

injury E854.2; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM

j Rates calculated per 100,000 population.k The relative standard error was > 30% or the standard error = 0, t

unreliable and was not reported.

l Rates cannot be calculated based on the available data.
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81

Estimated numberab and rate per 100,000 population of drug poisoning-related hospitalizations by selected substa

SUPPLEMENTAL TABLE 2A

Socio-demographic characteristic

All drug poisoningsc All opioid poisoningsd Heroin poisoningse

Methadone poisoningsf

Poisonings by other opioidsg Cocaine 

No. Ratej SE No. Rate SE No. Rate SE No. Rate SE No. Rate SE No. 

2013 urbanization category

Large central metropolitan 92,465 93.6 3.18 22,655 22.9 0.89 5,785 5.9 0.33 1,800 1.8 0.13 15,575 15.8 0.62 8,945 Large fringe metropolitan 71,590 89.8 3.21 18,900 23.7 0.94 4,965 6.2 0.34 1,195 1.5 0.12 13,145 16.5 0.68 3,760 Medium metropolitan 73,790 110.2 5.22 18,490 27.6 1.36 3,575 5.3 0.38 1,235 1.8 0.16 14,080 21.0 1.04 3,600 Small metropolitan 32,130 109.7 6.36 7,440 25.4 1.58 985 3.4 0.33 585 2.0 0.23 5,995 20.5 1.32 1,035 

 Micropolitan 27,810 102.2 3.42 6,500 23.9 1.03 840 3.1 0.29 430 1.6 0.18 5,355 19.7 0.91 885 

 Noncore 17,080 90.5 3.18 4,335 23.0 1.12 335 1.8 0.23 305 1.6 0.21 3,720 19.7 1.01 435 

 Unknown 2,035 l  l   520 l   l   285 l   l   k l   l   220 l   l   225 

CONTINUED

Abbreviations: No., number; SE, standard error.a Weighted national estimates from HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), 2015, Agency for Healthcare 

Research and Quality (AHRQ). Data are from 2015, when HCUP transitioned from using ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM/PCM diagnosis codes and should not be compared with other years. Results may have been affected by the transition; please see the technical notes for a discussion of transition.

b In-hospital deaths and patients who transferred from another hospital were excluded. Visits with missing age 

and gender were excluded. Numbers subject to rounding error.

c For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes of 960-979 or external cause of 

injury E850-E858; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM/PCS contributing causes T36-T50. See technical notes for additional information.

d For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.00, 965.01, 965.02, 

965.09 or external cause of injury E850.0, E850.1, E850.2; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM/PCS contributing causes T40.0, T40.1, T40.2, T40.3, T40.6, T40.69. 

e For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.01 or external cause of 

injury E850.0; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM

f For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

injury E850.1; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM

g For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

cause of injury E850.2; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICT40.2, T40.4, T40.6, T40.69.

h For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

injury E854.3 or E855.2; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes IC

I For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

injury E854.2; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM

j Rates calculated per 100,000 population.k The relative standard error was > 30% or the standard error = 0, t

unreliable and was not reported.

l Rates cannot be calculated based on the available data.
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Cent

82

Estimated numbersa,b and rates (not age-adjusted) per 100,000 population of drug poisoning-related 

emergency department visits by selected substances — United States, 2016

SUPPLEMENTAL TABLE 2B

Abbreviations: No., number; SE, standard error.a Weighted national estimates from HCUP Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS), 2015, Agency 

for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Data are from 2015, when HCUP transitioned from using ICD9-CM to ICD-10-CM/PCM diagnosis codes and should not be compared with other years. Results may have been affected by the transition; please see the technical notes for a discussion of transition.

b Persons who were hospitalized, died, or transferred to another facility were excluded. Visits with missing age 

and gender were excluded. Numbers subject to rounding error.

c For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes of 960-979 or external cause of 

injury E850-E858; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM/PCS contributing causes T36-T50. See technical notes for additional information.

d For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.00, 965.01, 965.02, 

965.09 or external cause of injury E850.0, E850.1, E850.2; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM/PCS contributing causes T40.0, T40.1, T40.2, T40.3, T40.6, T40.69. 

e For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.01 or external cause of 

Socio-demographic characteristics

All drug poisoningsc All opioid poisoningsd Heroin poisoningse

Methadone poisoningsf

Poisonings by other opioidsg Cocain

No. Ratej SE No. Rate SE No. Rate SE No. Rate SE No. Rate SE No. 

All Visits 547,543 170.6 5.16 140,077 43.7 2.71 81,326 25.3 2.21 3,709 1.2 0.09 56,233 17.5 0.64 9,401 

Gender

 Male 262,277 166.0 5.79 85,596 54.2 3.62 56,341 35.7 3.04 1,994 1.3 0.10 28,067 17.8 0.73 6,049 

 Female 285,266 175.1 4.89 54,480 33.4 1.88 24,985 15.3 1.43 1,716 1.1 0.10 28,166 17.3 0.61 3,352 

Age Groups

 0–14 82,064 134.5 5.78 2,458 4.0 0.25 k k k 66 0.1 0.03 2,381 3.9 0.24 450 

 15–19 64,873 307.7 9.71 5,590 26.5 1.45 2,355 11.2 1.01 62 0.3 0.09 3,202 15.2 0.81 425 

 20–24 63,787 281.1 11.71 22,617 99.7 7.21 16,616 73.2 6.29 238 1.1 0.16 5,904 26.0 1.37 1,148 

 25–34 114,732 260.6 12.51 49,047 111.4 8.71 35,990 81.8 7.45 1,001 2.3 0.27 12,586 28.6 1.55 2,809 

 35–44 73,133 180.7 7.26 24,091 59.5 4.25 14,521 35.9 3.46 776 1.9 0.19 8,989 22.2 1.04 1,921 

 45–54 62,829 145.8 5.14 17,934 41.6 2.52 7,977 18.5 1.84 657 1.5 0.17 9,484 22.0 0.93 1,634 

 55–64 43,698 107.1 3.33 11,615 28.5 1.44 3,359 8.2 0.79 685 1.7 0.24 7,679 18.8 0.81 810 

 ≥ 65 42,427 88.9 2.37 6,725 14.1 0.58 496 1.0 0.15 223 0.5 0.08 6,007 12.6 0.54 203 

U.S. census region of residence 

 Northeast 109,982 195.8 17.01 42,626 75.9 10.89 31,527 56.1 9.13 909 1.6 0.26 10,534 18.7 1.94 1,998 

 Midwest 130,795 192.8 12.25 36,585 53.9 6.37 23,710 35.0 5.15 710 1.0 0.14 12,452 18.4 1.44 2,312 

 South 189,484 156.5 7.43 39,287 32.5 3.37 18,155 15.0 2.7 1,068 0.9 0.10 20,441 16.9 1.00 3,955 

 West 117,282 154.7 7.54 21,578 28.5 2.32 7,933 10.5 1.36 1,023 1.3 0.28 12,806 16.9 1.05 1,137 

injury E850.0; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM

f For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

injury E850.1; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM

g For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

cause of injury E850.2; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICT40.2, T40.4, T40.6, T40.69.

h For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

injury E854.3 or E855.2; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes IC

I For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

injury E854.2; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM

j Rates calculated per 100,000 population. k The relative standard error was > 30% or the standard error = 0, t

unreliable and was not reported.

l Rates cannot be calculated based on the available data.
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83

SUPPLEMENTAL TABLE 2B

Socio-demographic characteristics

All drug poisoningsc All opioid poisoningsd Heroin poisoningse

Methadone poisoningsf

Poisonings by other opioidsg Cocain

No. Ratej SE No. Rate SE No. Rate SE No. Rate SE No. Rate SE No. 

2013 urbanization category

Large central metropolitan 148,440 150.2 10.68 36,213 36.6 4.61 20,888 21.1 3.57 1,306 1.3 0.18 14,327 14.5 1.27 3,651 Large fringe metropolitan 123,674 155.1 11.61 41,657 52.2 6.58 28,492 35.7 5.57 728 0.9 0.13 12,777 16.0 1.26 1,760 Medium metropolitan 127,119 189.9 14.63 32,220 48.1 5.45 18,565 27.7 4.19 707 1.1 0.12 13,235 19.8 1.62 1,926 Small metropolitan 53,540 182.7 20.35 11,408 38.9 6.86 5,528 18.9 4.89 368 1.3 0.22 5,622 19.2 2.37 667 

Micropolitan 54,629 200.7 9.20 10,668 39.2 3.22 4,824 17.7 2.38 249 0.9 0.15 5,676 20.9 1.25 755 

Noncore 35,338 187.2 8.54 5,856 31.0 1.94 1,674 8.9 1.12 215 1.1 0.19 4,002 21.2 1.30 471 

Unknown 4,803  l l  2,056 l  l  1,355 l  l  k l  l  593 l  l  k 

CONTINUED

Abbreviations: No., number; SE, standard error.a Weighted national estimates from HCUP Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS), 2015, Agency 

for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). Data are from 2015, when HCUP transitioned from using ICD9-CM to ICD-10-CM/PCM diagnosis codes and should not be compared with other years. Results may have been affected by the transition; please see the technical notes for a discussion of transition.

b Persons who were hospitalized, died, or transferred to another facility were excluded. Visits with missing age 

and gender were excluded. Numbers subject to rounding error.

c For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes of 960-979 or external cause of 

injury E850-E858; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM/PCS contributing causes T36-T50. See technical notes for additional information.

d For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.00, 965.01, 965.02, 

965.09 or external cause of injury E850.0, E850.1, E850.2; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM/PCS contributing causes T40.0, T40.1, T40.2, T40.3, T40.6, T40.69. 

e For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.01 or external cause of 

injury E850.0; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM

f For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

injury E850.1; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM

g For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

cause of injury E850.2; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICT40.2, T40.4, T40.6, T40.69.

h For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

injury E854.3 or E855.2; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes IC

I For the first three quarters of 2015, includes ICD-9-CM principal d

injury E854.2; for the fourth quarter of 2015, includes ICD-10-CM

j Rates calculated per 100,000 population. k The relative standard error was > 30% or the standard error = 0, t

unreliable and was not reported.

l Rates cannot be calculated based on the available data.

Estimated numbersa,b and rates (not age-adjusted) per 100,000 population of drug poisoning-related 

emergency department visits by selected substances — United States, 2016
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Cent

84

Estimated numbersa,b and age-adjusted rates per 100,000 population of drug poisoning-related

hospitalizations by selected substances — United States, January 1–September 30, 2016

SUPPLEMENTAL TABLE 2C

Abbreviation: SE, standard error.a Weighted national estimates from HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), 2015, Agency for Healthcare 

Research and Quality (AHRQ).

b In-hospital deaths and patients who transferred from another hospital were excluded. Visits with missing 

age and sex were excluded. Numbers subject to rounding error.

c Includes ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes of 960-979 or external cause of injury E850-E858.d Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.00, 965.01, 965.02, 965.09 or external cause of injury 

E850.0, E850.1, E850.2. 

e Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.01 or external cause of injury E850.0.f Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.02 or external cause of injury E850.1.

Socio-demographic characteristics

All drug poisoningsc All opioid poisoningsd Heroin poisoningse

Methadone poisoningsf

Poisonings by other opioidsg Coca

Ratej SE Rate SE Rate SE Rate SE Rate SE Rate 

All Visits 94.9 0.69 22.2 0.25 5.0 0.12 1.7 0.06 16.1 0.20 5.9 

Sex

 Male 84.8 0.77 21.9 0.34 6.8 0.19 1.7 0.08 14.0 0.25 7.8 

 Female 104.8 0.90 22.4 0.33 3.2 0.12 1.7 0.09 18.0 0.28 4.0 

Age Groups

 0–14 15.5 0.85 0.8 0.11 k k k k 0.7 0.09 0.2 

 15–19 102.6 3.23 9.4 0.58 2.4 0.28 0.4 0.11 6.7 0.49 1.7 

 20–24 113.5 2.50 22.7 0.89 11.3 0.59 1.4 0.21 10.9 0.59 4.7 

 25–34 114.1 2.09 28.3 0.77 12.4 0.51 2.2 0.19 14.7 0.51 7.4 

 35–44 119.9 2.15 27.3 0.78 7.5 0.40 2.4 0.21 18.2 0.58 9.4 

 45–54 137.0 2.40 35.3 0.92 5.6 0.39 2.8 0.23 27.6 0.75 13.6 

 55–64 124.8 2.16 39.9 0.99 3.8 0.30 3.4 0.25 33.4 0.88 9.4 

 ≥ 65 97.2 1.52 26.7 0.71 0.5 0.09 1.4 0.14 25.0 0.68 1.7 

U.S. census region of residence 

 Northeast 96.8 1.65 23.6 0.64 8.0 0.36 2.0 0.16 14.2 0.44 9.9 

 Midwest 108.8 1.77 25.6 0.61 7.2 0.33 1.7 0.15 17.2 0.46 5.5 

 South 98.4 1.11 22.6 0.41 3.7 0.17 1.4 0.09 17.9 0.35 6.5 

 West 76.2 1.17 17.8 0.43 2.9 0.17 1.8 0.12 13.7 0.37 2.1 

g Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.00, 965.09 or h Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 970.81 or externaI Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 969.72 or external j Rates calculated per 100,000 population. Populations for rate calc

3⁄4 of the year were included in the numerator. Age-adjusted to thvintage year population of the data. Rates for age groups are cru

k The relative standard error was > 30% or the standard error = 0, t

unreliable and was not reported.

l Rates cannot be calculated based on the available data.
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85

Estimated numbersa,b and age-adjusted rates per 100,000 population of drug poisoning-related 

hospitalizations by selected substances — United States, January 1–September 30, 2016

SUPPLEMENTAL TABLE 2C

Socio-demographic characteristics

All drug poisoningsc All opioid poisoningsd Heroin poisoningse

Methadone poisoningsf

Poisonings by other opioidsg Coca

Ratej SE Rate SE Rate SE Rate SE Rate SE Rate 

2013 urbanization category Large central metropolitan 89.7 1.46 20.7 0.48 5.3 0.23 1.7 0.11 14.2 0.36 8.9  Large fringe metropolitan 86.3 1.47 21.7 0.54 6.2 0.28 1.5 0.12 14.5 0.40 4.9  Medium metropolitan 107.7 2.30 25.2 0.70 5.0 0.27 1.8 0.14 19.0 0.56 5.3  Small metropolitan 107.1 2.96 23.0 0.92 3.4 0.33 1.7 0.20 18.5 0.80 3.6  Micropolitan 100.3 2.11 22.2 0.83 3.4 0.32 1.6 0.22 17.8 0.73 3.7 

 Noncore 88.1 2.19 20.0 0.93 2.0 0.29 1.5 0.24 16.7 0.83 2.4 

 Unknown l  l  l  l  l  l  k k l  l  l  

CONTINUED

Abbreviation: SE, standard error.a Weighted national estimates from HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), 2015, Agency for Healthcare 

Research and Quality (AHRQ).

b In-hospital deaths and patients who transferred from another hospital were excluded. Visits with missing 

age and sex were excluded. Numbers subject to rounding error.

c Includes ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes of 960-979 or external cause of injury E850-E858.d Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.00, 965.01, 965.02, 965.09 or external cause of injury 

E850.0, E850.1, E850.2. 

e Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.01 or external cause of injury E850.0.f Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.02 or external cause of injury E850.1.

g Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.00, 965.09 or h Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 970.81 or externaI Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 969.72 or external j Rates calculated per 100,000 population. Populations for rate calc

3⁄4 of the year were included in the numerator. Age-adjusted to thvintage year population of the data. Rates for age groups are cru

k The relative standard error was > 30% or the standard error = 0, t

unreliable and was not reported.

l Rates cannot be calculated based on the available data.
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86

Estimated numbersa,b and age-adjusted rates per 100,000 population of drug poisoning-related emergency 

department visits by selected substances — United States, January 1–September 30, 2016

SUPPLEMENTAL TABLE 2D

Abbreviation: SE, standard error.a Weighted national estimates from HCUP Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS), 2015, Agency 

for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

b Persons who were hospitalized, died, or transferred to another facility were excluded. Visits with missing age 

and sex were excluded. Numbers subject to rounding error.

c Includes ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes of 960-979 or external cause of injury E850-E858.d Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.00, 965.01, 965.02, 965.09 or external cause of injury 

E850.0, E850.1, E850.2. 

e Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.01 or external cause of injury E850.0.f Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.02 or external cause of injury E850.1.

Socio-demographic characteristics

All drug poisoningsc All opioid poisoningsd Heroin poisoningse

Methadone poisoningsf

Poisonings by other opioidsg Cocai

Ratej SE Rate SE Rate SE Rate SE Rate SE Rate 

All Visits 174.4 2.66 41.9 1.51 25.0 1.27 1.2 0.07 16.1 0.34 3.2 Sex Male 166.0 3.10 51.6 2.02 34.7 1.74 1.3 0.08 16.1 0.42 4.1  Female 182.8 2.52 32.1 1.07 15.2 0.85 1.1 0.08 16.1 0.36 2.3 Age Groups 0–14 136.2 5.89 3.9 0.27 k k k k 3.8 0.26 1.0 

 15–19 311.0 9.85 25.9 1.49 11.1 1.05 k k 14.8 0.83 2.2  20–24 279.5 12.13 96.7 7.44 71.9 6.50 1.1 0.20 24.4 1.42 5.1 

 25–34 259.0 12.86 107.3 8.90 79.5 7.64 2.3 0.31 26.6 1.56 6.5 

 35–44 179.7 7.23 55.9 4.12 33.8 3.33 2.0 0.21 20.7 1.04 4.9 

 45–54 145.4 5.22 38.8 2.46 17.6 1.79 1.6 0.19 20.1 0.92 4.0 

 55–64 106.0 3.36 26.0 1.37 7.4 0.74 1.6 0.23 17.3 0.80 2.1  ≥ 65 87.7 2.44 13.0 0.60 1.0 0.15 0.5 0.09 11.6 0.56 0.5 

U.S. census region of residence 

 Northeast 205.0 9.26 76.3 6.41 57.6 5.49 1.7 0.22 17.7 1.07 4.0 

 Midwest 198.0 6.42 52.6 3.68 35.1 3.05 1.0 0.13 17.0 0.81 3.7 

 South 159.6 3.83 30.6 1.77 14.6 1.48 0.9 0.08 15.5 0.49 3.5 

 West 155.8 3.36 26.1 1.06 9.5 0.70 1.4 0.15 15.5 0.52 1.5 

g Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.00, 965.09 or h Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 970.81 or externaI Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 969.72 or external j Rates calculated per 100,000 population. Populations for rate calc

3⁄4 of the year were included in the numerator. Age-adjusted to thvintage year population of the data. Rates for age groups are cru

k The relative standard error was > 30% or the standard error = 0, t

unreliable and was not reported.

l Rates cannot be calculated based on the available data.
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87

Socio-demographic characteristics

All drug poisoningsc All opioid poisoningsd Heroin poisoningse

Methadone poisoningsf

Poisonings by other opioidsg Cocai

Ratej SE Rate SE Rate SE Rate SE Rate SE Rate 

2013 urbanization category Large central metropolitan 150.9 4.95 33.8 2.35 19.7 1.91 1.3 0.12 13.2 0.57 3.7  Large fringe metropolitan 161.0 5.96 52.5 3.78 37.1 3.32 0.9 0.11 15.0 0.67 2.5  Medium metropolitan 194.0 6.24 46.2 2.82 27.0 2.27 1.1 0.12 18.5 0.78 3.1  Small metropolitan 189.5 8.53 38.4 3.89 19.6 3.06 1.2 0.20 18.1 1.16 2.7  Micropolitan 211.5 4.69 37.9 2.01 18.4 1.58 1.0 0.18 18.9 0.91 3.1 

 Noncore 201.4 4.43 31.4 1.49 10.1 0.92 1.4 0.27 20.1 1.04 3.2 

 Unknown l  l  l  l  l  l  k k l  l  k 

CONTINUED

Estimated numbersa,b and age-adjusted rates per 100,000 population of drug poisoning-related emergency 

department visits by selected substances — United States, January 1–September 30, 2016

SUPPLEMENTAL TABLE 2D

Abbreviation: SE, standard error.a Weighted national estimates from HCUP Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS), 2015, Agency 

for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).

b Persons who were hospitalized, died, or transferred to another facility were excluded. Visits with missing age 

and sex were excluded. Numbers subject to rounding error.

c Includes ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes of 960-979 or external cause of injury E850-E858.d Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.00, 965.01, 965.02, 965.09 or external cause of injury 

E850.0, E850.1, E850.2. 

e Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.01 or external cause of injury E850.0.f Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.02 or external cause of injury E850.1.

g Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.00, 965.09 or h Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 970.81 or externaI Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 969.72 or external j Rates calculated per 100,000 population. Populations for rate calc

3⁄4 of the year were included in the numerator. Age-adjusted to thvintage year population of the data. Rates for age groups are cru

k The relative standard error was > 30% or the standard error = 0, t

unreliable and was not reported.

l Rates cannot be calculated based on the available data.
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2018

88

Age-adjusted ratesa of drug overdose deathsb and drug overdose deaths involving any 

opioidc for all intents and for unintentional intent by year — United States, 1999–2016

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA 

SUPPORTING MORTALITY 

FIGURE 2A

Drug overdose deaths 

(of all intents)

Unintentional drug 

overdose deaths

Drug overdose deaths 

involving any opioid 

(of all intents)

Unintentional drug 

overdose deaths involving 

any opioid

Year Rate SE Rate SE Rate SE Rate SE

1999 6.1 0.047 4.0 0.038 2.9 0.032 2.1 0.028

2000 6.2 0.047 4.1 0.038 3.0 0.033 2.2 0.028

2001 6.8 0.049 4.6 0.040 3.3 0.034 2.4 0.029

2002 8.2 0.053 5.7 0.045 4.1 0.038 3.1 0.033

2003 8.9 0.055 6.3 0.047 4.5 0.039 3.4 0.034

2004 9.4 0.057 6.8 0.048 4.7 0.040 3.6 0.035

2005 10.1 0.059 7.6 0.051 5.1 0.042 4.0 0.037

2006 11.5 0.062 8.8 0.055 5.9 0.045 4.8 0.040

2007 11.9 0.063 9.1 0.055 6.1 0.045 5.0 0.041

2008 11.9 0.063 9.2 0.055 6.4 0.046 5.3 0.042

2009 11.9 0.063 9.4 0.056 6.6 0.047 5.5 0.043

2010 12.3 0.064 9.7 0.057 6.8 0.047 5.7 0.044

2011 13.2 0.066 10.6 0.059 7.3 0.049 6.3 0.045

2012 13.1 0.065 10.6 0.059 7.4 0.049 6.4 0.046

2013 13.8 0.067 11.3 0.061 7.9 0.051 6.9 0.048

2014 14.7 0.069 12.1 0.063 9.0 0.054 7.9 0.051

2015 16.3 0.072 13.8 0.067 10.4 0.058 9.3 0.055

2016 19.8 0.080 17.1 0.075 13.3 0.066 11.9 0.062

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality File, CDC WONDER.

Abbreviation: SE, standard error.

a

 Rate per 100,000 population age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using the vintage year population of the data year.

b

 Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). All drug overdose deaths are identified using 

underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 (suicide), X85 (homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined). Unintentional 

drug overdose deaths are identified using underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44. Note that 5.7% of drug overdose deaths in 2016 had 

undetermined intent; this is a decrease from 14.7% of drug overdose deaths that had undetermined intent in 1999. Some of these deaths may be 

unintentional drug overdose deaths. 

c

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve opium (T40.0), heroin (T40.1), natural and semi-synthetic opioids (T40.2), methadone (T40.3), other 

synthetic opioids excluding methadone (T40.4), and other and unspecified narcotics (T40.6).
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2018

89

Age-adjusted ratesa of drug overdose deathsb by drug or drug class 

and year — United States, 1999–2016

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA 

SUPPORTING MORTALITY 

FIGURE 2B

Year

Prescription opioidsc

Synthetic opioids 

other than 

methadoned Heroine Cocainef

Psychostimulants 

with abuse potentialg

Rate SE Rate SE Rate SE Rate SE Rate SE

1999 1.2 0.021 0.3 0.009 0.7 0.016 1.4 0.022 0.2 0.009 

2000 1.3 0.022 0.3 0.010 0.7 0.015 1.3 0.021 0.2 0.009 

2001 1.7 0.024 0.3 0.011 0.6 0.015 1.3 0.022 0.2 0.009 

2002 2.3 0.028 0.4 0.012 0.7 0.016 1.6 0.023 0.3 0.011 

2003 2.6 0.030 0.5 0.013 0.7 0.016 1.8 0.025 0.4 0.012 

2004 2.9 0.032 0.6 0.014 0.6 0.015 1.9 0.025 0.4 0.012 

2005 3.2 0.033 0.6 0.014 0.7 0.015 2.1 0.027 0.5 0.013 

2006 3.9 0.036 0.9 0.017 0.7 0.016 2.5 0.029 0.5 0.013 

2007 4.2 0.038 0.7 0.015 0.8 0.016 2.2 0.027 0.4 0.012 

2008 4.3 0.038 0.8 0.016 1.0 0.018 1.7 0.024 0.4 0.012 

2009 4.4 0.038 1.0 0.018 1.1 0.019 1.4 0.022 0.5 0.013 

2010 4.7 0.039 1.0 0.018 1.0 0.018 1.3 0.021 0.6 0.014 

2011 4.9 0.040 0.8 0.017 1.4 0.022 1.5 0.022 0.7 0.016 

2012 4.5 0.038 0.8 0.017 1.9 0.025 1.4 0.022 0.8 0.017 

2013 4.4 0.038 1.0 0.018 2.7 0.030 1.6 0.023 1.2 0.020 

2014 4.6 0.038 1.8 0.024 3.4 0.034 1.7 0.024 1.4 0.021 

2015 4.7 0.039 3.1 0.032 4.1 0.037 2.1 0.026 1.8 0.024 

2016 5.2 0.041 6.2 0.045 4.9 0.040 3.2 0.032 2.4 0.028 

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality File, CDC WONDER.

Abbreviation: SE, standard error.

a

 Rate per 100,000 population age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using the vintage year population of the data year. Because deaths 

might involve more than one drug, some deaths are included in more than one category.

b

 Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). Drug overdose deaths are identified using underlying 

cause-of-death codes X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 (suicide), X85 (homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined).

c Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve natural and semi-synthetic opioids (T40.2) or methadone. d

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve synthetic opioids other than methadone (T40.4). e

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve heroin (T40.1). f

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve cocaine (T40.5). g

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve psychostimulants with abuse potential (T43.6).
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2018

90

Ratesa of drug overdose deathsb by drug or drug class and age category 

— United States, 2016

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA 

SUPPORTING MORTALITY 

FIGURE 2C

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality File, CDC WONDER.

Abbreviation: SE, standard error. a

 Rate per 100,000 population using the vintage year population of the data year. Because deaths might involve more than one drug, some deaths 

are included in more than one category. b

 Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). Drug overdose deaths are identified using 

underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 (suicide), X85 (homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined).

c

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve natural and semi-synthetic opioids (T40.2) or methadone (T40.3).

d

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve synthetic opioids other than methadone (T40.4). e

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve heroin (T40.1). f

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve cocaine (T40.5). g

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve psychostimulants with abuse potential (T43.6). h

 Rates are suppressed when based on <20 deaths.

Year

Prescription 

opioidsc

Synthetic opioids 

other than 

methadoned Heroine Cocainef

Psychostimulants with 

abuse potentialg

Rate SE Rate SE Rate SE Rate SE Rate SE

Age group (years)

0–14 0.1 0.013 h h h h h h h h

15–24 2.6 0.078 4.5 0.102 4.0 0.096 1.7 0.063 1.3 0.055 

25–34 7.7 0.131 13.6 0.175 11.3 0.159 5.7 0.112 3.9 0.094 

35–44 9.2 0.151 11.9 0.172 9.0 0.149 6.0 0.122 4.5 0.106 

45–54 10.1 0.153 9.0 0.145 7.0 0.128 6.1 0.120 4.5 0.102 

55–64 8.4 0.142 5.4 0.114 4.3 0.102 4.2 0.100 3.0 0.085 

≥65 1.9 0.061 0.8 0.041 0.6 0.034 0.6 0.035 0.4 0.029 
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2018

91

Age-adjusted ratesa of drug overdose deathsb by state — United States, 2016

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA 

SUPPORTING MORTALITY 

FIGURE 2D

State of residence Age-adjusted rate SE State of residence Age-adjusted rate SE

Alabama 16.2 0.602 Montana 11.7 1.111

Alaska 16.8 1.522 Nebraska 6.4 0.602

Arizona 20.3 0.557 Nevada 21.7 0.857

Arkansas 14.0 0.714 New Hampshire 39.0 1.827

California 11.2 0.167 New Jersey 23.2 0.520

Colorado 16.6 0.549 New Mexico 25.2 1.158

Connecticut 27.4 0.906 New York 18.0 0.305

Delaware 30.8 1.879 North Carolina 19.7 0.453

District of Columbia 38.8 2.407 North Dakota 10.6 1.245

Florida 23.7 0.355 Ohio 39.1 0.609

Georgia 13.3 0.362 Oklahoma 21.5 0.772

Hawaii 12.8 0.952 Oregon 11.9 0.544

Idaho 15.2 0.997 Pennsylvania 37.9 0.571

Illinois 18.9 0.391 Rhode Island 30.8 1.752

Indiana 24.0 0.624 South Carolina 18.1 0.626

Iowa 10.6 0.614 South Dakota 8.4 1.042

Kansas 11.1 0.642 Tennessee 24.5 0.620

Kentucky 33.5 0.909 Texas 10.1 0.193

Louisiana 21.8 0.706 Utah 22.4 0.899

Maine 28.7 1.581 Vermont 22.2 2.048

Maryland 33.2 0.750 Virginia 16.7 0.454

Massachusetts 33.0 0.716 Washington 14.5 0.447

Michigan 24.4 0.518 West Virginia 52.0 1.792

Minnesota 12.5 0.491 Wisconsin 19.3 0.604

Mississippi 12.1 0.661 Wyoming 17.6 1.819

Missouri 23.6 0.653

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality File, CDC WONDER.

Abbreviation: SE, standard error.

a

 Rate per 100,000 population age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population using the vintage year population of the data year.

b

 Deaths are classified using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD–10). Drug overdose deaths are identified using 

underlying cause-of-death codes X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 (suicide), X85 (homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined).