ANNUAL 

SURVEILLANCE 

REPORT OF 

DRUG-RELATED 

RISKS AND 

OUTCOMES 

UNITED STATES, 2017 

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 | 2017

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
 

This Surveillance Report was prepared by staff and contractors 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: Christine L. Mattson, PhD1, Lyna 

Schieber, MD, DPhil1, Lawrence Scholl, PhD, MPH1,2, Rose A. Rudd, MSPH1, 

Puja Seth, PhD1, Likang Xu, MD, MS3, Nana Otoo Wilson, PhD, MPH, MSc4, 

and Leonard Paulozzi, MD, MPH4 

1

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

Injury Prevention and Control, CDC 

2

Epidemic Intelligence Service, CDC 

3

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

Center for Injury Prevention and Control, CDC 

4

Certified Technical Experts, Inc., Kennesaw, Georgia 

Corresponding authors: Christine L. Mattson, ggi8@cdc.gov, 404-639­

8572; Puja Seth, pseth@cdc.gov, 404-639-6334. 

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

NCIPC, CDC. 

This report is based on data collected from multiple sources. Information 

on opioid prescribing was obtained from QuintilesIMS Health® 

Transactional Data Warehouse (TDW) and the Total Patient Tracker (TPT). 

Information on substance use and misuse were obtained from the 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) 

2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Information on 

nonfatal overdose hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits 

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

National Inpatient Sample (NIS) and Nationwide Emergency Department 

Sample (NEDS) 2014 surveys, which are sponsored by the Agency for 

Healthcare Research and Quality. Information on mortality was obtained 

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

CDC WONDER (Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiology Research). 

All material in this report is 

in the public domain and 

may be used and copied 

without permission, and 

with citation. 

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 (CDC). 

Suggested Citation 

Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention. Annual Surveillance 

Report of Drug-Related Risks 

and Outcomes — United States, 

2017. Surveillance Special 

Report 1. Centers for Disease 

Control and Prevention, U.S. 

Department of Health and Human 

Services. Published August 31, 

2017. Accessed [date] from 

https://www.cdc.gov/ 

drugoverdose/pdf/pubs/2017­

cdc-drug-surveillance-report.pdf 

On the Web: https://www.cdc.gov/ 

drugoverdose/pdf/pubs/2017­

cdc-drug-surveillance-report.pdf 

2 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 

6 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

9 RESULTS OF THE 2017 SURVEILLANCE REPORT 

9 Opioid Prescribing 

12 Drug Use, Misuse, and Substance Use Disorder 

16 Nonfatal Overdose Hospitalizations and Emergency

Department Visits 

20 Drug Overdose Mortality 

26 CDC’s Opioid Overdose Surveillance and Prevention Efforts 

28 TECHNICAL NOTES 

Data Sources, Definitions and Analysis 

37 REFERENCES 
 

38 TABLES 

39 TABLE 1A Annual national estimates of total number and rate for patients who had at least one 

prescription filled for opioids by age and gender — United States, 2014 – 2016 

40 TABLE 1B National total number and rate of opioid prescriptions (Rx) and morphine milligram 

equivalent (MME) dispensed per 100 persons annually — United States, 2014 – 2016 

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

— United States, 2014 - 2016 

43 TABLE 1D Trend analysis of opioid prescribing — United States, 2006-2016 

44 TABLE 2A Self-reported prevalence of illicit drug use in past month, persons 12+ years old, heroin 

and cocaine: Numbers in Thousands — United States, 2014 

45 TABLE 2B Self-reported prevalence of illicit drug use and prescription drug misuse in past month, 

persons 12+ years old: Numbers in Thousands — United States, 2015 

47 TABLE 2C Self-reported prevalence of illicit drug use in past year, persons 12+ years old, heroin 

and cocaine: Numbers in Thousands — United States, 2014 

48 TABLE 2D Self-reported prevalence of illicit drug use and prescription drug misuse in past year, 

persons 12+ years old: Numbers in Thousands — United States, 2015 

50 TABLE 2E Self-reported prevalence of prescription drug use (including misuse) in past year, 

persons 12+ years old, by drug type: Numbers in Thousands, United States, 2015 

51 TABLE 2F Self-reported prevalence of past year initiation of illicit drug use, persons 12+ years old, 

heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine: Numbers in Thousands — United States, 2014 

and 2015 

52 TABLE 2G Self-reported prevalence of past year initiation of prescription drug misuse, persons 12+ 

years old, by prescription drug type: Numbers in Thousands — United States, 2015 

53 TABLE 2H Self-reported prevalence of substance use disorder in past year, persons 12+ years old, 

heroin and cocaine: Numbers in Thousands — United States, 2014 

54 TABLE 2I Self-reported prevalence of substance use disorder in past year persons 12+ years old, 

by drug type: Numbers in Thousands — United States, 2015 

55 TABLE 3A Estimated number and age-adjusted rate per 100,000 population of drug poisoningrelated hospitalizations by selected substances — United States, 2014 

57 TABLE 3B Estimated number and age-adjusted rate per 100,000 population of drug-poisoning 

related emergency department visits by selected substances — United States, 2014 

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

emergency department visits by primary payer — United States, 2014 

60 TABLE 4A Number and age-adjusted rates of all drug overdose deaths and selected drugs by sex, 

race and Hispanic origin, Census region, urbanization, and intent — United States, 2015 

62 TABLE 4B Number and age-adjusted rates of all drug overdose deaths and selected drugs by sex, 

race and Hispanic origin, Census region, urbanization, and intent — United States, 2014 
64 FIGURES 

65 

69 

70 

71 

72 

73 

FIGURE 1A-1D 

FIGURE 2A 

FIGURE 2B 

FIGURE 2C 

FIGURE 2D 

FIGURE 2E 

Trends in opioid prescribing — United States, 2006-2016 

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, 1999–2015 

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

United States, 1999–2015 

Age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths, by drug or drug class and age 

category — United States, 2015 

Age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths, by state — United States, 2014 

Age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths, by state — United States, 2015 

74 APPENDIX 

75 SUPPLEMENTAL TABLE 1 

Opioid prescribing, United States, 2006-2016 

76 SUPPLEMENTAL TABLE 2A 

Estimated number and rate per 100,000 population of drug poisoning-related 

hospitalizations by selected substances — United States, 2014 

78 SUPPLEMENTAL TABLE 2B 

Estimated number and rate per 100,000 population of drug poisoning related 

emergency department visits by selected substances — United States, 2014 

80 SUPPLEMENTAL DATA SUPPORTING MORTALITY 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, 1999–2015 

81 SUPPLEMENTAL DATA SUPPORTING MORTALITY FIGURE 2B 

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

States, 1999–2015 

82 SUPPLEMENTAL DATA SUPPORTING MORTALITY FIGURE 2C 

Age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths, by drug or drug class and age category, 

United States, 2015 

83 SUPPLEMENTAL DATA SUPPORTING MORTALITY FIGURE 2D 

Age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths, by state, 2015 
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
 

The Current Drug Overdose Epidemic in the United States
 

Drug overdose deaths in the United States more than tripled from 1999 to 2015. The current epidemic of 

drug overdoses began in the 1990s, driven by increasing deaths from prescription opioids that paralleled a 

dramatic increase in the prescribing of such drugs for chronic pain. In 2008, the number of deaths involving 

prescription opioids exceeded the number of deaths from heroin and cocaine combined. Since 2010, 

however, the U.S. has also seen sharp increases in deaths from heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, 

cocaine, and methamphetamine. In addition to deaths, overdoses from drugs both prescription and illicit are 

responsible for parallel increasing trends in nonfatal emergency department and hospital admissions. 

Morbidity and mortality statistics, however, fail to capture the full extent of the problem with substance use 

disorders in the United States. Survey data indicate that tens of millions of Americans misuse prescription 

opioids, sedatives, tranquilizers, and stimulants. Others use illicit drugs such as heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, and 

methamphetamine. Most persons using heroin have had a history of misusing prescription opioids first. 

The problem with misuse of prescription drugs of various kinds is related to high levels of prescribing of such 

medications. For example, in 2016 prescribers wrote 66.5 opioid and 25.2 sedative prescriptions for every 100 

Americans. 

The purpose of this first annual surveillance report is to summarize the latest information 

available on the national level for various health outcomes, health behaviors, and 

prescribing patterns related to the drug problem in the United States. The most recent year 

of information available is different for different outcomes. The emphasis is on national 

information, but some state information is also presented. This document is intended to 

serve as a resource for persons charged with addressing this ongoing national problem. It 

will be updated annually. 

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

1	 Opioid prescribing, 2006-2016, from QuintilesIMS Health® 

2	 Drug use, misuse, and substance use disorder, 2014-2015, 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, 2014, from the Healthcare 

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

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Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

4	 Drug overdose mortality, 1999-2015, from the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) Mortality 

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

Opioid Prescribing 

Doctors wrote 72.4 opioid prescriptions per 100 persons in 2006. This rate increased 4.1% annually from 2006 

to 2008 and 1.1% annually from 2008 to 2012. It then decreased 4.9% annually from 2012 through 2016, 

reaching a rate of 66.5 per 100 persons in 2016. That year, 19.1 per 100 persons received one or more opioid 

prescriptions, with the average patient receiving 3.5 prescriptions. 

Between 2006 and 2016, the annual prescribing rate per 100 persons for high-dosage opioid prescriptions 

(>90 morphine milligram equivalents (MME)/day) decreased from 11.5 to 6.1, an overall 46.8% reduction and 

an average annual percentage change of 6.6%. The rate leveled off between 2006 and 2009, then decreased 

9.3% annually from 2009 to 2016. 

Drug Use, Misuse, and Substance Use Disorder 

During 2015, an estimated 47.7 million persons in the United States aged 12 years or older used illicit drugs 

or misused prescription drugs, a rate of 17.8 per 100 persons. This estimate includes use of marijuana, 

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

prescription drugs. Estimated rates of use of illicit drugs in the past year by drug type were: 0.3 per 100 

persons for heroin, 1.8 for cocaine, and 0.6 for methamphetamine. Estimated rates for prescription drug 

misuse by drug type were: 4.7 per 100 persons for prescription pain relievers, 2.3 for tranquilizers, 2.0 for 

stimulants, and 0.6 for sedatives. 

Nonfatal Overdose Hospitalizations and Emergency Department (ED) Visits 

An estimated 259,665 hospitalizations for nonfatal, unintentional drug poisoning occurred in 2014. Opioid 

poisoning accounted for 20.4% (53,000) of these hospitalizations. Heroin was specified as the involved 

opioid for 21.7% (11,475) of opioid hospitalizations. Cocaine accounted for 13,265, and methamphetamines 

for 8,290 hospitalizations. 

An estimated 418,313 emergency department (ED) visits for nonfatal, unintentional drug poisoning occurred 

in 2014. Opioids accounted for 22.1% (92,262) of these ED visits. Heroin was specified as the involved opioid 

for 58.5% (53,930) of opioid ED visits. Cocaine accounted for 6,424 and methamphetamines for 11,012 visits. 

Drug Overdose Mortality 

A record number of drug overdose deaths occurred in 2015: 52,404. While a death may involve more than 

one drug, prescription or illicit opioids were involved in 63.1% of these deaths. Among opioid-involved 

deaths, the most common category was heroin (12,989 deaths), followed by prescription opioids that were 

natural or semi-synthetic (12,727 deaths), synthetic opioids other than methadone (a category that includes 

primarily prescription or illicit fentanyl) (9,580 deaths), and methadone (3,301 deaths). Cocaine was involved 

in 6,784 deaths. Overall, 84.2% of drug overdose deaths were unintentional. 

The steady increase in mortality rates for natural or semi-synthetic opioids (e.g., hydrocodone, oxycodone) 

seen from 1999 to 2010 has now started to level off. The rapid increase in heroin deaths that began in 2011 

continued through 2015. The rapid increase in synthetic opioids other than methadone (the category 

containing fentanyl), first noted in 2014, continued through 2015. Death rates involving cocaine have seen 

increasing trends from 2010 to 2015. 

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Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

Limitations 

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

are not completely 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 sections. 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. 

Conclusions
 

The data from these four sources suggest the following conclusions: 

1	 Through 2015, drug overdose remained a large and growing public health crisis in the United States; 

2	 Prescription opioid pain relievers were formerly driving the crisis, but by 2015 they shared equal measure 

with heroin, synthetic opioids other than methadone (mostly illicit fentanyl), and—increasingly— 

cocaine and methamphetamines; 

3	 The leveling off and declines in opioid prescribing rates since 2012 and high-dose prescribing rates 

since 2009 suggest that healthcare providers have responded, becoming more cautious in their opioid 

prescribing practices; and 

4	 Additional measures are now urgently needed to address a diverse and evolving array of drug types. 

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Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

RESULTS OF THE 2017 

SURVEILLANCE REPORT 

Opioid Prescribing
 

Data on opioid prescribing estimates from QuintilesIMS Health® were presented for the following outcomes: 

•	 Annual national estimates of total number and rate for patients who had at least one prescription filled 

for opioids by age and gender, United States, 2014-2016 (Table 1a). 

•	 National total number and rate of opioid prescriptions and morphine milligram equivalents (MME) 

dosage dispensed per 100 persons annually, United States, 2014-2016 (Table 1b). 

•	 Rates of opioid prescriptions dispensed per 100 persons by dosage, type, and state, United States, 2014­

2016 (Table 1c). 

•	 Trend analysis of opioid prescribing rate and dosage, United States, 2006-2016 (Table 1d). 

•	 Trends in opioid prescribing rate and dosage, United States, 2006-2016 (Figure 1a-1d). 

All rates presented are per 100 population. 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 2006-2016 are reported in the Appendix (Supplemental Table 1). In 

addition, average daily MME per prescription, total MME per prescription, MME per capita, and average days’ 

supply per prescription are also presented. 

Patient-Level Opioid Prescribing Rates, United States, 2014-2016 (Table 1a) 

•	 A total of 61,862,364 patients had at least one prescription for opioids filled or refilled in 2016. The total 

rate was 19.1 patients per 100 persons. 

•	 Among males, the rate was 16.4; among females, it was 21.8 in 2016. 

•	 Rates per 100 persons by age group were 28.9 for persons aged ≥ 65 years, 25.3 for persons aged 45-54 

years, 15.1 for persons aged 20-24 years, and 11.6 for persons aged 15-19 years in 2016. 

Opioid Prescribing Rates and Amount of Opioids Prescribed, United States, 2014-2016 

Prescribing Rates (Table 1b) 

•	 A total of 214,881,622 opioid prescriptions were dispensed by retail pharmacies in 2016. The total opioid 

prescribing rate was 66.5 per 100 persons. 

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

pain-relieving action) opioid prescribing rate was 6.3 per 100 persons in 2016. 

•	 Annual prescribing rates of ≥30 days’ supply was 27.3 per 100 persons in 2016; annual prescribing rates 

of <30 days’ supply was 39.2 in 2016. 

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Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

•	 Average number of opioid prescriptions was 3.5 per patient in 2016. 

•	 Average days’ supply per prescription was 18.1 days in 2016. 

Prescribing Dosages (Table 1b) 

•	 193,655,422,929 morphine milligram equivalents (MME) (i.e., a calculation of the total amount of opioids 

prescribed accounting for differences in drug type and strength) were prescribed in 2016. 

•	 The amount of opioids prescribed was 599.3 MME per person in 2016. 

•	 Average MME per prescription was 901.2 in 2016. 

•	 Average daily MME per prescription was 47.1 in 2016. 

•	 Daily dosage per prescription in 2016: 

– Low-dosage (< 50 MME/day) prescribing rate was 48.9 per 100 persons. 

– High-dosage (≥ 90 MME/day) prescribing rate was 6.1 per 100 persons. 

Opioid Prescribing Rates and Amount of Opioids Prescribed by 50 States and the District of Columbia, 

2014 -2016 (Table 1c) 

•	 Opioid prescribing rates ranged from 32.5 in the District of Columbia to 121.0 per 100 persons in 

Alabama in 2016. 

– States with the highest opioid prescribing rates were Alabama (121.0), Arkansas, (114.6), Tennessee 

(107.5), Mississippi (105.6), and Louisiana (98.1). 

– States with the lowest opioid prescribing rates were Minnesota (46.9), California (44.8), New York (42.7), 

Hawaii (41.9), and District of Columbia (32.5). 

•	 LA/ER opioid prescribing rates ranged from 2.2 in the District of Columbia to 12.7 per 100 persons in 

Delaware in 2016. 

– States with the highest LA/ER opioid prescribing rates were Delaware (12.7), Tennessee (11.0),
 

Oklahoma (10.4), Maine (10.3), and Alabama (9.9).
 

– States with the lowest LA/ER opioid prescribing rates were Hawaii (4.7), California (4.1), Illinois (4.1), 

Texas (3.8), and District of Columbia (2.2). 

•	 High-dosage opioid prescribing rates (≥ 90 MME/day) ranged from 1.7 in the District of Columbia to 12.0 

per 100 persons in Delaware in 2016. 

– States with the highest high-dosage opioid prescribing rates (≥ 90 MME/day) were Delaware (12.0), 

Utah (10.1), Nevada (10.0), Maine (9.9), and Tennessee (9.8). 

– States with the lowest high-dosage opioid prescribing rates (≥ 90 MME/day) were North Dakota (3.6), 

Minnesota (3.6), Illinois (3.3), Texas (3.0), and District of Columbia (1.7). 

Trends in Opioid Prescribing Rates and Amount of Opioids Prescribed, 2006-2016 

Annual prescribing rates by dosage 

All opioids 

•	 Between 2006 and 2016, the annual prescribing rate per 100 persons decreased from 72.4 to 66.5 for all 

opioids, an overall 8.1% reduction (Supplemental Table 1). The rate initially increased annually by 4.1% 

from 2006 to 2008 (p<0.05), increased another 1.1% from 2008 to 2012 (p<0.05), and then decreased 

annually by 4.9% from 2012 through 2016 (p<0.05) (Table 1d and Figure 1a). 

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Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

High-dosage opioids (≥ 90 MME/day) 

•	 Between 2006 and 2016, the annual prescribing rate per 100 persons decreased from 11.5 to 6.1 

for high-dosage opioid prescriptions, an overall 46.8% reduction (Supplemental Table 1). The rate 

leveled off between 2006 and 2009, then annually decreased by 9.3% from 2009 to 2016 (p<0.05) 

(Table 1d and Figure 1a). 

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

≥ 30 days’ supply 

•	 From 2006 through 2016, the annual prescribing rate per 100 persons increased from 17.6 to 27.3 for 

prescriptions with ≥ 30 days of supply, an overall 55.1% increase (Supplemental Table 1). The rate 

increased annually by 9.9% from 2006 through 2010 (p<0.05) and by 2.9% from 2010 through 2013 

(p<0.05), and then annually decreased by 1.3% between 2013 and 2016 (p<0.05) (Table 1d and Figure 1b). 

< 30 days’ supply 

•	 During 2006-2016, the annual prescribing rate per 100 persons decreased from 54.7 to 39.2 for 

prescriptions with < 30 days’ supply, an overall 28.4% reduction (Supplemental Table 1). The rate leveled 

off from 2006 through 2008, then decreased annually by 1.2% between 2008 and 2012 (p<0.05), and 

further decreased annually by 7.3% from 2012 to 2016 (p<0.05) (Table 1d and Figure 1b). 

Average daily dosage (MME/day) per prescription 

•	 Between 2006 and 2016, average daily MME per prescription decreased from 59.7 to 47.1 for all opioids, an 

overall 21.0% reduction (Supplemental Table 1). The rate decreased annually by 1.0% from 2006 to 2010 

(p<0.05), 4.7% from 2010 to 2013 (p<0.05), and 1.7% from 2013 to 2016 (p<0.05) (Table 1d and Figure 1c). 

Average days of supply per prescription 

•	 Between 2006 and 2016, average days of supply increased from 13.3 to 18.1 days per prescription, an 

overall 35.7% increase (Supplemental Table 1). The rate increased annually by 4.4% from 2006 to 2008 

(p<0.05), 3.4 % from 2008 to 2011 (p<0.05), and 2.5% from 2011 to 2016 (p<0.05) (Table 1d and Figure 1d). 

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Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

Drug Use, Misuse, and Substance Use Disorder
 

Self-reported data for persons in the United States aged 12 years or older are presented from the 2015 

National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH): 

•	 Self-reported prevalence of illicit drug use in past month, persons 12+ years old, heroin and cocaine: 

Numbers in Thousands, United States, 2014 (Table 2a) 

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

years old: Numbers in Thousands, United States, 2015 (Table 2b) 

•	 Self-reported prevalence of illicit drug use in past year, persons 12+ years old, heroin and cocaine: 

Numbers in Thousands, United States, 2014 (Table 2c) 

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

old: Numbers in Thousands, United States, 2015 (Table 2d) 

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

by drug type: Numbers in Thousands, United States, 2015 (Table 2e) 

•	 Self-reported prevalence of past year initiation of illicit drug use, persons 12+ years old, heroin, cocaine, 

and methamphetamine: Numbers in Thousands, United States, 2014 and 2015 (Table 2f) 

•	 Self-reported prevalence of past year initiation of prescription drug misuse, persons 12+ years old, by 

prescription drug type: Numbers in Thousands, United States, 2015 (Table 2g) 

•	 Self-reported prevalence of substance use disorder in past year, persons 12+ years old, heroin and 

cocaine: Numbers in Thousands, United States, 2014 (Table 2h) 

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

Numbers in Thousands, United States, 2015 (Table 2i) 

All rates are per 100 population and the results of the 2015 analysis are highlighted in this report. For more 

detailed information, including definitions, please refer to the table footnotes and the technical notes. 

All Illicit Drug Use and Prescription Drug Misuse 

Estimated prevalence for using 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 2015, an estimated 47,730,000 persons in the U.S. aged 12 years or older used illicit drugs or 

misused prescription drugs in the past year, with an estimated rate of 17.8 per 100 persons (Table 2d). 

– Among males, the estimated rate was 20.5; among females, it was 15.3. 

– The estimated rate was 37.5 in persons aged 18-25 years and 26.5 in persons aged 26-34 years. 

– By race and ethnicity, the estimated rates were 20.7 for non-Hispanic blacks, 17.9 for non-Hispanic 

whites, and 17.2 for Hispanics. 

•	 By U.S. Census region, the estimated rates of illicit drug use/prescription drug misuse in 2015 were 20.9 

per 100 persons in the West, 18.6 in the Northeast, 16.8 in the Midwest, and 16.1 in the South (Table 2d). 

•	 By county type and urbanization, the estimated rate of illicit drug use/prescription drug misuse in 

2015 was 19.0 per 100 persons in large metropolitan counties; the estimated rate was 10.8 in nonmetropolitan, completely rural counties (Table 2d). 

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Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

Opioids 

Estimated prevalence for opioids includes use of heroin and misuse of prescription pain relievers (e.g., 

oxycodone, hydrocodone). Estimates are provided for the prevalence of past year initiation of drug use and 

misuse and the prevalence of past year substance use disorder, for heroin and prescription pain relievers. 

Heroin 

•	 During 2015, an estimated 828,000 persons in the U.S. aged 12 years or older used heroin in the past 

year, with an estimated rate of 0.3 per 100 persons (Table 2d). 

– Among males, the estimated rate was 0.4; among females, it was 0.2. 

– The estimated rate was 0.8 in persons aged 26-34 years and 0.6 in persons aged 18-25 years. 

– By race and ethnicity, the estimated rates were 0.4 for non-Hispanic blacks, and 0.3 for non-Hispanic 

whites and for Hispanics. 

•	 By U.S. Census region, the estimated rates of heroin use in 2015 were 0.5 per 100 persons in the 

Northeast, 0.4 in the West, 0.3 in the Midwest, and 0.2 in the South (Table 2d). 

•	 By county type and urbanization, the estimated rate of heroin use in 2015 was 0.4 per 100 persons 

both in small metropolitan counties with a population of less than 250,000 and non-metropolitan, 

urbanized counties; the estimated rate was 0.1 per 100 persons in non-metropolitan, completely rural 

counties (Table 2d). 

•	 An estimated 135,000 persons in the U.S. aged 12 years or older initiated use of heroin during 2015, with 

an estimated rate of 0.1 per 100 persons (Table 2f). 

•	 During 2015, an estimated 591,000 persons in the U.S. aged 12 years or older had a substance use 

disorder involving heroin, with an estimated rate of 0.2 per 100 persons (Table 2i). 

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

•	 During 2015, an estimated 12,462,000 persons aged 12 years or older in the U.S. misused prescription 

pain relievers in the past year, with an estimated rate of 4.7 per 100 persons (Table 2d). 

– Among males, the estimated rate was 5.3; among females, it was 4.0. 

– The estimated rate was 8.5 in persons aged 18-25 years and 7.4 in persons aged 26-34 years. 

– By race and ethnicity, the estimated rates were 5.0 for Hispanics, 4.8 for non-Hispanic whites, and 4.4 

for non-Hispanic blacks. 

•	 By U.S. Census region, the estimated rates of prescription pain relievers misuse in 2015 were 5.3 per 100 

persons in the West, 4.6 in the South, 4.4 in the Midwest, and 4.2 in the Northeast (Table 2d). 

•	 By county type and urbanization, the estimated rate of prescription pain relievers misuse in 2015 was 

4.9 per 100 persons both in small metropolitan counties with a population of less than 250,000 and 

non-metropolitan, urbanized counties; the estimated rate was 3.2 per 100 persons in non-metropolitan, 

completely rural counties (Table 2d). 

•	 An estimated 2,126,000 persons in the U.S. aged 12 years or older initiated misuse of prescription pain 

relievers during 2015, with an estimated rate of 0.8 per 100 persons (Table 2g). 

•	 During 2015, an estimated 2,038,000 persons in the U.S. aged 12 years or older had a substance use 

disorder involving prescription pain relievers, with an estimated rate of 0.8 per 100 persons (Table 2i). 

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 initiation of drug use and 

misuse and the prevalence of past year substance use disorder, for cocaine, methamphetamine, and 

prescription stimulants. 

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Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

Cocaine 

•	 During 2015, an estimated 4,828,000 persons in the U.S. aged 12 years or older used cocaine in the past 

year, with an estimated rate of 1.8 per 100 persons (Table 2d). 

– Among males, the estimated rate was 2.4; among females, it was 1.3. 

– The estimated rate was 5.4 in persons aged 18-25 years and 3.2 in persons aged 26-34 years. 

– By race and ethnicity, the estimated rates were 2.4 for non-Hispanic blacks, 1.8 for non-Hispanic whites, 

and 1.7 for Hispanics. 

•	 By U.S. Census region, the estimated rates of cocaine use in 2015 were 2.2 per 100 persons in the 

Northeast, 2.1 in the West, 1.7 in the South, and 1.4 in the Midwest (Table 2d). 

•	 By county type and urbanization, the estimated rate of cocaine use in 2015 was 2.0 per 100 persons in 

large metropolitan counties; the estimated rate was 0.8 per 100 persons in non-metropolitan, completely 

rural counties (Table 2d). 

•	 An estimated 968,000 persons in the U.S. aged 12 years or older initiated use of cocaine during 2015, 

with an estimated rate of 0.4 per 100 persons (Table 2f). 

•	 During 2015, an estimated 896,000 persons in the U.S. aged 12 years or older had a substance use 

disorder involving cocaine, with an estimated rate of 0.3 per 100 persons (Table 2i). 

Methamphetamine 

•	 During 2015, an estimated 1,713,000 persons in the U.S. aged 12 years or older used methamphetamine 

in the past year, with an estimated rate of 0.6 per 100 persons (Table 2d). 

– Among males, the estimated rate was 0.9; among females, it was 0.4. 

– The estimated rate was 1.1 in persons aged 26-34 years and in persons 35-39 years, and 1.0 in persons 

aged 45-49 years. 

– By race and ethnicity, the estimated rates were 0.7 for non-Hispanic whites, 0.6 for Hispanics, and 0.4 

for non-Hispanic blacks. 

•	 By U.S. Census region, the estimated rates of methamphetamine use in 2015 were 1.2 per 100 persons in 

the West, 0.6 in the South, 0.4 in the Midwest, and 0.2 in the Northeast (Table 2d). 

•	 By county type and urbanization, the estimated rate of methamphetamine use in 2015 was 1.3 per 100 

persons in non-metropolitan, less urbanized counties; the estimated rate was 0.5 per 100 persons in 

large metropolitan counties (Table 2d). 

•	 An estimated 225,000 persons in the U.S. aged 12 years or older initiated use of methamphetamine 

during 2015, with an estimated rate of 0.1 per 100 persons (Table 2f). 

•	 During 2015, an estimated 872,000 persons in the U.S. aged 12 years or older had a substance use 

disorder involving methamphetamine, with an estimated rate of 0.3 per 100 persons (Table 2i). 

Prescription Stimulants 

•	 During 2015, an estimated 5,251,000 persons in the U.S. aged 12 years or older misused prescription 

stimulants in the past year, with an estimated rate of 2.0 per 100 persons (Table 2d). 

– Among males, the estimated rate was 2.3; among females, it was 1.6. 

– The estimated rate was 7.3 in persons aged 18-25 years and 3.4 in persons aged 26-34 years. 

– By race and ethnicity, the estimated rates were 2.4 for non-Hispanic whites, 1.5 for Hispanics, and 0.7 

for non-Hispanic blacks. 

•	 By U.S. Census region, the estimated rates of prescription stimulant misuse in 2015 were 2.2 per 100 

persons in the Midwest, 2.1 in the Northeast, 2.0 in the South, and 1.6 in the West (Table 2d). 

•	 By county type and urbanization, the estimated rate of prescription stimulant misuse in 2015 was 2.3 per 

100 persons in non-metropolitan, urbanized counties; the estimated rate was 0.7 per 100 persons in nonmetropolitan, completely rural counties (Table 2d). 

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•	 An estimated 1,260,000 persons in the U.S. aged 12 years or older initiated misuse of prescription 

stimulants during 2015, with an estimated rate of 0.5 per 100 persons (Table 2g). 

•	 During 2015, an estimated 426,000 persons in the U.S. aged 12 years or older had a substance use 

disorder involving prescription stimulants, with an estimated rate of 0.2 per 100 persons (Table 2i). 

Other Drugs 

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

Estimates are provided for the prevalence of past year initiation of drug misuse and the prevalence of past 

year substance use disorder, for prescription sedatives and prescription tranquilizers. 

Prescription Sedatives 

•	 During 2015, an estimated 1,511,000 persons in the U.S. aged 12 years or older misused prescription 

sedatives in the past year, with an estimated rate of 0.6 per 100 persons (Table 2d). 

– Among females, the estimated rate was 0.7; among males, it was 0.5. 

– The estimated rate was 0.9 in persons aged 26-34 years and 0.8 both in persons 18-25 years and in 

persons 55-59 years. 

– By race and ethnicity, the estimated rates were 0.7 for non-Hispanic whites, 0.4 for Hispanics, and 0.2 

for non-Hispanic blacks. 

•	 By U.S. Census region, the estimated rates of prescription sedative misuse in 2015 were 0.6 per 100 persons 

in the Northeast, South, and West; the estimated rate was 0.4 per 100 persons in the Midwest (Table 2d). 

•	 By county type and urbanization, the estimated rate of prescription sedatives misuse in 2015 was 0.8 per 

100 persons in non-metropolitan, urbanized counties; the estimated rate was 0.1 per 100 persons in nonmetropolitan, completely rural counties (Table 2d). 

•	 An estimated 425,000 persons in the U.S. aged 12 years or older initiated misuse of prescription sedatives 

in 2015, with an estimated rate of 0.2 per 100 persons (Table 2g). 

•	 During 2015, an estimated 154,000 persons in the U.S. aged 12 years or older had a substance use 

disorder involving prescription sedatives, with an estimated rate of 0.1 per 100 persons (Table 2i). 

Prescription Tranquilizers 

•	 During 2015, an estimated 6,050,000 persons in the U.S. aged 12 years or older misused prescription 

tranquilizers in the past year, with an estimated rate of 2.3 per 100 persons (Table 2d). 

– Among males, the estimated rate was 2.4; among females, it was 2.1. 

– The estimated rate was 5.4 in persons aged 18-25 years and 3.5 in persons aged 26-34 years. 

– By race and ethnicity, the estimated rates were 2.6 for non-Hispanic whites, 2.0 for Hispanics, and 1.5 

for non-Hispanic blacks. 

•	 By U.S. Census region, the estimated rates of prescription tranquilizer misuse were 2.6 per 100 persons in 

the South, 2.3 in the Northeast, 2.1 in the West, and 1.9 in the Midwest (Table 2d). 

•	 By county type and urbanization, the estimated rate of prescription tranquilizer misuse in 2015 was 2.7 

per 100 persons in non-metropolitan, urbanized counties; the estimated rate was 1.2 per 100 persons in 

non-metropolitan, completely rural counties (Table 2d). 

•	 An estimated 1,437,000 persons in the U.S. aged 12 years or older initiated misuse of prescription 

tranquilizers during 2015, with an estimated rate of 0.5 per 100 persons (Table 2g). 

•	 During 2015, an estimated 688,000 persons in the U.S. aged 12 years or older had a substance use 

disorder involving prescription tranquilizers, with an estimated rate of 0.3 per 100 persons (Table 2i). 

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Nonfatal Overdose Hospitalizations and 

Emergency Department (ED) Visits 

Data on unintentional, nonfatal, drug-related poisonings for all persons in the U.S. are presented from 2014 

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

•	 Estimated number and age-adjusted rates of hospitalizations overall and by individual drugs by 

demographic characteristics (Table 3a) 

•	 Estimated number and age-adjusted rates of emergency department visits overall and by individual 

drugs by demographic characteristics (Table 3b) 

•	 Information on primary payer for drug-related poisoning hospitalizations and ED visits (Table 3c) 

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

cause of injury codes were used in addition to principal diagnosis codes, the categories of unintentional, 

drug-related poisoning are not mutually exclusive. All rates are per 100,000 population and age-adjusted, 

except the rates for age. 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 unintentional, nonfatal, drug-related overdoses for 2014 that are not age-adjusted are 

presented in the Appendix. 

All Drugs 

Hospitalizations 

•	 During 2014, an estimated 259,665 hospitalizations occurred for all unintentional, drug-related 

poisonings in the U.S., with an estimated age-adjusted rate of 79.2 per 100,000 (Table 3a). 

– Among females, the age-adjusted rate was 87.0; among males, it was 71.2. 

– The rate was 120.5 in persons aged 45-54 years and 105.0 in persons aged 55-64 years. 

•	 By region, age-adjusted hospitalization rates for all unintentional, drug-related poisonings were 84.7 in 

the Midwest, 82.3 in the South, 81.7 per 100,000 in the Northeast, and 68.0 in the West (Table 3a). 

•	 By urbanization, age-adjusted hospitalization rates for all unintentional, drug-related poisonings were 

87.9 in small metropolitan areas and 72.3 in large fringe metropolitan areas (Table 3a). 

Emergency Department (ED) Visits 

•	 During 2014, an estimated 418,313 ED visits occurred for all unintentional, drug-related poisonings in 

the U.S., with an estimated age-adjusted rate of 133.7 per 100,000 (Table 3b). 

– Among males, the age-adjusted rate was 127.9; among females, it was 139.5. 

– The rate was 221.8 in persons aged 15-19 years and 211.3 in persons aged 20-24 years. 

•	 By region, age-adjusted ED visit rates for all unintentional, drug-related poisonings were 154.0 per 

100,000 in the Northeast, 153.7 in the Midwest, 128.5 in the West, and 117.0 in the South. (Table 3b). 

•	 By urbanization, age-adjusted ED visit rates for all unintentional, drug-related poisonings were 161.4 

in micropolitan (i.e., town/city; nonmetro) areas and 106.5 per 100,000 in large central metropolitan 

areas (Table 3b). 

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Opioids 

All Opioids 

Hospitalizations 

•	 During 2014, an estimated 53,000 hospitalizations occurred for unintentional, opioid-related poisonings 

in the U.S., with an estimated age-adjusted rate of 15.6 per 100,000 (Table 3a). 

– Among males, the age-adjusted rate was 15.7; among females, it was 15.4. 

– The rate was 28.9 in persons aged 55-64 years and 25.0 in persons aged 45-54 years. 

•	 By region, age-adjusted hospitalization rates for unintentional, opioid-related poisonings were 17.8 per 

100,000 in the Northeast, 15.9 in the Midwest, 15.3 in the South, and 14.4 in the West (Table 3a). 

•	 By urbanization, age-adjusted hospitalization rates for unintentional, opioid-related poisonings were 17.3 

in medium metropolitan areas and 13.5 in noncore areas (not metropolitan or micropolitan) (Table 3a). 

Emergency Department (ED) Visits 

•	 During 2014, an estimated 92,262 ED visits occurred for unintentional, opioid-related poisonings in the 

U.S., with an estimated age-adjusted rate of 28.9 per 100,000 (Table 3b). 

– Among males, the age-adjusted rate was 36.3; among females, it was 21.6. 

– The rate was 71.1 in persons aged 20-24 years and 70.0 in persons aged 25-34 years. 

•	 By region, age-adjusted ED visit rates for unintentional, opioid-related poisonings were 49.9 per 100,000 

in the Northeast, 37.9 in the Midwest, 20.9 in the South, and 19.0 in the West (Table 3b). 

•	 By urbanization, age-adjusted ED visit rates for unintentional, opioid-related poisonings were 35.9 in 

large fringe metropolitan areas and 20.5 in noncore areas (not metropolitan or micropolitan areas) 

(Table 3b). 

Heroin 

Hospitalizations 

•	 During 2014, an estimated 11,475 hospitalizations occurred for unintentional, heroin-related poisonings 

in the U.S., with an estimated age-adjusted rate of 3.6 per 100,000 (Table 3a). 

– Among males, the age-adjusted rate was 5.0; among females, it was 2.1. 

– The rate was 9.8 in persons aged 25-34 years and 9.6 in persons aged 20-24 years. 

•	 By region, age-adjusted hospitalization rates for unintentional, heroin-related poisonings were 6.2 per 

100,000 in the Northeast, 5.1 in the Midwest, 2.4 in the South, and 2.2 in the West (Table 3a). 

•	 By urbanization, age-adjusted hospitalization rates for unintentional, heroin-related poisonings were 

4.7 in large fringe metropolitan areas and 1.6 in noncore areas (not metropolitan or micropolitan 

areas) (Table 3a). 

Emergency Department (ED) Visits 

•	 During 2014, an estimated 53,930 ED visits occurred for unintentional, heroin-related poisonings in the 

U.S., with an estimated age-adjusted rate of 17.1 per 100,000 (Table 3b). 

– Among males, the age-adjusted rate was 24.0; among females, it was 10.2. 

– The rate was 53.5 in persons aged 20-24 years and 51.5 in persons aged 25-34 years. 

•	 By region, age-adjusted ED visit rates for unintentional, heroin-related poisonings were 37.7 per 100,000 

in the Northeast, 24.8 in the Midwest, 9.9 in the South, and 7.0 in the West (Table 3b). 

•	 By urbanization, age-adjusted ED visit rates for unintentional, heroin-related poisonings were 25.5 in large 

fringe metropolitan areas and 6.1 in noncore areas (not metropolitan or micropolitan areas) (Table 3b). 

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Methadone
 

Hospitalizations 

•	 During 2014, an estimated 4,580 hospitalizations occurred for methadone-related poisonings in the U.S., 

with an estimated age-adjusted rate of 1.4 per 100,000 (Table 3a). 

– Among males, the age-adjusted rate was 1.5; among females, it was 1.2. 

– The rate was 2.9 in persons aged 55-64 years and 2.5 in persons aged 45-54 years. 

•	 By region, age-adjusted hospitalization rates for unintentional, methadone-related poisonings were 1.7 

per 100,000 in the Northeast, 1.4 in the West, 1.3 in the South, and 1.2 in the Midwest (Table 3a). 

•	 By urbanization, age-adjusted hospitalization rates for methadone-related poisonings were 1.5 per 

100,000 in large central and medium metropolitan areas and 1.1 large fringe metropolitan and in 

noncore areas (not metropolitan or micropolitan areas) (Table 3a). 

Emergency Department (ED) Visits 

•	 During 2014, an estimated 2,921 ED visits occurred for unintentional, methadone-related poisonings in 

the U.S., with an estimated age-adjusted rate of 0.9 per 100,000 (Table 3b). 

– Among males, the age-adjusted rate was 1.0; among females, it was 0.8. 

– The rate was 1.6 in persons aged 25-34 years and 1.4 in persons aged 35-44 years. 

•	 By region, age-adjusted ED visit rates for unintentional, methadone-related poisonings were 1.2 in the 

West, 1.0 per 100,000 in the Northeast, 0.8 in the South, and 0.7 in the Midwest (Table 3b). 

•	 By urbanization, age-adjusted ED visit rates for unintentional, methadone-related poisonings were 1.1 

per 100,000 in large central metropolitan areas and noncore areas (not metropolitan or micropolitan) 

and 0.6 in large fringe metropolitan areas (Table 3b). 

Other Opioids (e.g., unspecified opioids, opium) 

Hospitalizations 

•	 During 2014, an estimated 37,125 hospitalizations occurred for other unintentional, opioid-related 

poisonings in the U.S., with an estimated age-adjusted rate of 10.7 per 100,000 (Table 3a). 

– Among males, the age-adjusted rate was 9.2; among females, it was 12.1. 

– The rate was 23.7 in persons aged 55-64 years and 19.6 in persons aged 65 years or older. 

•	 By region, age-adjusted hospitalization rates for other opioid-related poisonings were 11.6 in the South, 

10.8 in the West, 10.0 per 100,000 in the Northeast, and 9.7 in the Midwest, (Table 3a). 

•	 By urbanization, age-adjusted hospitalization rates for other opioid-related poisonings were 12.3

 in micropolitan areas (i.e., town/city; nonmetro) and 9.6 per 100,000 in large fringe metropolitan

 areas (Table 3a). 

Emergency Department (ED) Visits 

•	 During 2014, an estimated 35,690 ED visits occurred for other unintentional, opioid-related poisonings in 

the U.S., with an estimated age-adjusted rate of 11.0 per 100,000 (Table 3b). 

– Among males, the age-adjusted rate was 11.4; among females, it was 10.6. 

– The rate was 17.2 in persons aged 25-34 years and 16.8 in persons aged 20-24 years. 

•	 By region, age-adjusted ED visit rates for other unintentional, opioid-related poisonings were 12.6 per 

100,000 in the Midwest, 11.3 in the Northeast, 10.9 in the West and 10.2 in the South (Table 3b). 

•	 By urbanization, age-adjusted ED rates for other unintentional, opioid-related poisonings were 14.1 in 

medium metropolitan areas and 8.5 in large central metropolitan areas (Table 3b). 

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Stimulants 

Cocaine 

Hospitalizations 

•	 During 2014, an estimated 13,265 hospitalizations occurred for unintentional, cocaine-related 

poisonings in the U.S., with an estimated age-adjusted rate of 4.0 per 100,000 (Table 3a). 

– Among males, the age-adjusted rate was 5.5; among females, it was 2.6. 

– The rate was 10.8 in persons aged 45-54 years and 7.2 in persons aged 55-64 years. 

•	 By region, age-adjusted hospitalization rates for cocaine-related poisonings were 7.5 per 100,000 in the 

Northeast, 4.3 in the South, 3.3 in the Midwest, and 1.5 in the West (Table 3a). 

•	 By urbanization, age-adjusted hospitalization rates for cocaine-related poisonings were 6.9 per 

100,000 in large central metropolitan areas and 1.4 in noncore areas (not metropolitan or micropolitan 

areas) (Table 3a). 

Emergency Department (ED) Visits 

•	 During 2014, an estimated 6,424 ED visits occurred for unintentional, cocaine-related poisonings in the 

U.S., with an estimated age-adjusted rate of 2.1 per 100,000 (Table 3b). 

– Among males, the age-adjusted rate was 2.9; among females, it was 1.3. 

– The rate was 3.8 in persons aged 25-34 years and 3.4 in persons aged 35-44 years. 

•	 By region, age-adjusted ED visit rates for unintentional, cocaine-related poisonings were 2.7 in the 

South, 2.1 per 100,000 in the Northeast, 1.8 in the Midwest, and 1.4 in the West (Table 3b). 

•	 By urbanization, age-adjusted ED visit rates for unintentional, cocaine-related poisonings were 2.6 

per 100,000 in large central metropolitan areas and 1.3 in micropolitan areas and noncore areas (not 

metropolitan or micropolitan areas) (Table 3b). 

Methamphetamine 

Hospitalizations 

•	 During 2014, an estimated 8,290 hospitalizations occurred for unintentional, methamphetaminerelated poisonings in the U.S., with an estimated age-adjusted rate of 2.7 per 100,000 (Table 3a). 

– Among males, the age-adjusted rate was 3.5; among females, it was 1.9. 

– The rate was 6.2 in persons aged 25-34 years and 4.5 in persons aged 20-24 years. 

•	 By region, age-adjusted hospitalization rates for unintentional, methamphetamine-related poisonings 

were 4.7 in the West, 2.5 in the South, 2.0 in the Midwest, and 1.1 per 100,000 in the Northeast (Table 3a). 

•	 By urbanization, age-adjusted hospitalization rates for unintentional, methamphetamine-related 

poisonings were 3.4 in small metropolitan areas and 2.0 per 100,000 in large fringe metropolitan

 areas (Table 3a). 

Emergency Department (ED) Visits 

•	 During 2014, an estimated 11,012 ED visits occurred for unintentional, methamphetamine-related 

poisonings in the U.S., with an estimated age-adjusted rate of 3.6 per 100,000 (Table 3b). 

– Among males, the age-adjusted rate was 4.4; among females, it was 2.8. 

– The rate was 8.2 in persons aged 20-24 years and 7.0 in persons aged 25-34 years. 

•	 By region, age-adjusted ED visit rates for unintentional, methamphetamine-related poisonings were 5.1 

in the West, 3.7 in the Midwest, 3.2 in the South, and 2.2 per 100,000 in the Northeast (Table 3b). 

•	 By urbanization, age-adjusted ED visit rates for unintentional, methamphetamine-related poisonings 

were 5.0 in noncore areas (not metropolitan or micropolitan areas) and 2.3 in per 100,000 in large fringe 

metropolitan areas (Table 3b). 

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Primary Source of Payment for Medically Attended, Nonfatal, Unintentional 

Drug Overdoses (Table 3c) 

•	 During 2014, 30.3% of hospitalizations for all unintentional drug-related poisonings listed Medicaid as 

the primary source of payment; 31.0% listed Medicare, and 23.0% listed private insurance. 

•	 During 2014, 35.5% of ED visits for all unintentional drug-related poisonings listed Medicaid as the 

primary source of payment; 16.0% listed Medicare, and 27.4% listed private insurance. 

Drug Overdose Mortality
 

Statistics on drug overdose deaths for all persons in the U.S. are presented from the National Vital Statistics 

System, mortality files: 

•	 Number and age-adjusted rates of all drug overdose deaths and by selected drugs by demographic 

characteristics and intent in 2015 (Table 4a) 

•	 Number and age-adjusted rates of all drug overdose deaths and by selected drugs by demographic 

characteristics and intent in 2014 (Table 4b) 

•	 Trends in age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths and drug overdose deaths involving any opioid, of 

all intents and of unintentional intent, by year, 1999–2015 (Figure 2a) 

•	 Trends in drug overdose deaths involving natural and semi-synthetic opioids, methadone and synthetic 

opioids other than methadone, heroin, and selected stimulants, 1999–2015 (Figure 2b) 

•	 Drug overdose deaths by age category and drug class, 2015 (Figure 2c) 

•	 Age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths, by state, 2014 (Figure 2d) 

•	 Age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths, by state, 2015 (Figure 2e) 

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

vintage year population of the data year. For more detailed information, including definitions, please refer to 

table footnotes and the technical notes. 

Data supporting Figures 2a-2c and 2e are presented in Supplemental Tables supporting Figure 2a, 2b, 2c, 

and 2d in the Appendix. 

All Drug Overdose Deaths 

•	 During 2015, a total of 52,404 persons in the United States died from drug overdoses; the age-adjusted 

rate was 16.3 (per 100,000). 

– Among males, the rate was 20.8; among females, it was 11.8. 

– The rate was 30.0 in persons aged 45-54 years and 28.3 in persons aged 35-44 years. 

– By race and ethnicity, the death rate was 21.1 in non-Hispanic whites, 12.2 in non-Hispanic blacks, and 

7.7 in Hispanics. 

•	 By region, age-adjusted death rates from drug overdoses were 19.8 per 100,000 in the Northeast, 17.8 in 

the Midwest, 15.5 in the South, and 13.9 in the West. 

•	 By urbanization, age-adjusted death rates from drug overdoses were 18.3 in medium metropolitan areas 

and 14.8 per 100,000 in large central metropolitan areas. 

•	 In 2015, a total of 44,126 persons in the U.S. died from unintentional drug overdoses; the age-adjusted 

rate was 13.8 per 100,000. A total of 2,979 persons died of drug overdoses of undetermined intent; the 

age-adjusted rate was 0.9. 

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Opioid Overdose Deaths 

•	 During 2015, a total of 33,091 persons in the United States died from drug overdoses involving opioids 

(e.g., oxycodone, hydrocodone, heroin); the age-adjusted rate was 10.4 (per 100,000). 

– Among males, the rate was 13.7; among females, it was 7.1. 

– The rate was 19.4 in persons aged 25-34 years and 18.4 in persons aged 35-44 years. 

– By race and ethnicity, the death rate was 13.9 in non-Hispanic whites, 6.6 in non-Hispanic blacks, and 

4.6 in Hispanics. 

•	 By region, age-adjusted death rates from drug overdoses involving opioids were 13.6 per 100,000 in the 

Northeast, 12.2 in the Midwest, 9.8 in the South, and 7.4 in the West. 

•	 By urbanization, age-adjusted death rates from drug overdoses involving opioids were 11.8 in medium 

metropolitan areas and 9.4 per 100,000 in large central metropolitan areas. 

•	 In 2015, a total of 29,382 persons in the U.S. died from unintentional drug overdoses involving 

opioids; the age-adjusted rate was 9.3 per 100,000. A total of 1,857 persons died of drug overdoses of 

undetermined intent involving opioids; the age-adjusted rate was 0.6. 

Prescription Opioid Overdose Deaths 

•	 During 2015, a total of 15,281 persons in the United States died from drug overdoses involving 

prescription opioids (e.g., oxycodone, hydrocodone); the age-adjusted rate was 4.7 (per 100,000). 

– Among males, the rate was 5.4; among females, it was 4.0. 

– The rate was 9.5 in persons aged 45-54 years and 8.4 in persons aged 35-44 years. 

– By race and ethnicity, the death rate was 6.4 in non-Hispanic whites, 2.6 in non-Hispanic blacks, and 1.8 

in Hispanics. 

•	 By region, age-adjusted death rates from drug overdoses involving prescription opioids were 5.2 in the 

South, 4.5 per 100,000 in the Northeast and West, and 4.2 in the Midwest. 

•	 By urbanization, age-adjusted death rates from drug overdoses involving prescription opioids were 5.9 

in noncore areas and 4.1 per 100,000 in large central metropolitan areas. 

•	 In 2015, a total of 12,923 persons in the U.S. died from unintentional drug overdoses involving 

prescription opioids; the age-adjusted rate was 4.0 per 100,000. A total of 985 persons died of drug 

overdoses of undetermined intent involving prescription opioids; the age-adjusted rate was 0.3. 

Natural and Semi-synthetic Opioid Overdose Deaths 

•	 During 2015, a total of 12,727 persons in the United States died from drug overdoses involving natural 

and semi-synthetic opioids (e.g., oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine); the age-adjusted rate was 3.9 

(per 100,000). 

– Among males, the rate was 4.4; among females, it was 3.4. 

– The rate was 8.1 in persons aged 45-54 years and 6.9 in persons aged 35-44 years. 

– By race and ethnicity, the death rate was 5.3 in non-Hispanic whites, 2.1 in non-Hispanic blacks, and 1.5 

in Hispanics. 

•	 By region, age-adjusted death rates from drug overdoses involving natural and semi-synthetic opioids 

were 4.4 per 100,000 in the South, 3.8 in the West, 3.6 in the Northeast, and 3.4 in the Midwest. 

•	 By urbanization, age-adjusted death rates from drug overdoses involving natural and semi-synthetic 

opioids were 5.1 per 100,000 in noncore areas and 3.3 in large central metropolitan areas. 

•	 In 2015, a total of 10,621 persons in the U.S. died from unintentional drug overdoses involving natural 

and semi-synthetic opioids; the age-adjusted rate was 3.3 per 100,000. A total of 807 persons died of 

drug overdoses of undetermined intent involving natural and semi-synthetic opioids; the age-adjusted 

rate was 0.3. 

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Methadone Overdose Deaths 

•	 During 2015, a total of 3,301 persons in the United States died from drug overdoses involving 

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

– Among males, the rate was 1.2; among females, it was 0.8. 

– The rate was 2.0 in persons aged 45-54 years and 1.8 in persons aged 35-44 years. 

– By race and ethnicity, the death rate was 1.4 in non-Hispanic whites, 0.6 in non-Hispanic blacks, and 0.5 

in Hispanics. 

•	 By region, age-adjusted death rates from drug overdoses involving methadone were 1.1 per 100,000 in 

the Northeast, and 1.0 in the Midwest, the South, and the West. 

•	 By urbanization, age-adjusted death rates from drug overdoses involving methadone were 1.2 per 

100,000 in medium metropolitan and noncore areas and 0.9 in large fringe metropolitan areas. 

•	 In 2015, a total of 2,955 persons in the U.S. died from unintentional drug overdoses involving 

methadone; the age-adjusted rate was 0.9 per 100,000. A total of 237 persons died of drug overdoses of 

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

Synthetic Opioids (other than Methadone) Overdose Deaths 

•	 During 2015, a total of 9,580 persons in the United States died from drug overdoses involving synthetic 

opioids other than methadone (e.g., fentanyl, tramadol); the age-adjusted rate was 3.1 (per 100,000). 

– Among males, the rate was 4.2; among females, it was 1.9. 

– The rate was 6.6 in persons aged 25-34 years and 5.6 in persons aged 35-44 years. 

– By race and ethnicity, the death rate was 4.2 in non-Hispanic whites, in non-Hispanic blacks, 2.1 and 

Hispanics, 0.9. 

•	 By region, age-adjusted death rates from drug overdoses involving synthetic opioids other than 

methadone were 5.6 per 100,000 in the Northeast, 3.9 in the Midwest, 2.8 in the South, and 0.9 in the West. 

•	 By urbanization, age-adjusted death rates from drug overdoses involving synthetic opioids other 

than methadone were 3.9 per 100,000 in large fringe metropolitan areas and 2.4 in large central 

metropolitan areas. 

•	 In 2015, a total of 8,609 persons in the U.S. died from unintentional drug overdoses involving synthetic 

opioids other than methadone; the age-adjusted rate was 2.8 per 100,000. A total of 544 persons died 

of drug overdoses of undetermined intent involving synthetic opioids other than methadone; the ageadjusted rate was 0.2. 

Heroin Overdose Deaths 

•	 During 2015, a total of 12,989 persons in the United States died from drug overdoses involving heroin; 

the age-adjusted rate was 4.1 (per 100,000). 

– Among males, the rate was 6.3; among females, it was 2.0. 

– The rate was 9.7 in persons aged 25-34 years and 7.4 in persons aged 35-44 years. 

– By race and ethnicity, the death rate was 5.4 in non-Hispanic whites, 3.1 in non-Hispanic blacks, and 2.3 

in Hispanics. 

•	 By region, age-adjusted death rates from drug overdoses involving heroin were 6.3 per 100,000 in the 

Northeast, 6.1 in the Midwest, 3.2 in the South, and 2.4 in the West. 

•	 By urbanization, age-adjusted death rates from drug overdoses involving heroin were 5.0 per 100,000 in 

large fringe metropolitan areas and 2.1 in noncore areas. 

•	 In 2015, a total of 12,284 persons in the U.S. died from unintentional drug overdoses involving 

heroin; the age-adjusted rate was 3.9 per 100,000. A total of 586 persons died of drug overdoses of 

undetermined intent involving heroin; the age-adjusted rate was 0.2. 

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Selected Stimulant Overdose Deaths 

Cocaine Overdose Deaths 

•	 During 2015, a total of 6,784 persons in the United States died from drug overdoses involving cocaine; 

the age-adjusted rate was 2.1 (per 100,000). 

– Among males, the rate was 3.1; among females, it was 1.2. 

– The rate from cocaine was 4.3 in persons aged 45-54 years and 3.8 in persons aged 35-44 years. 

– By race and ethnicity, the death rate was 4.0 in non-Hispanic blacks, 2.2 in non-Hispanic whites, and 1.3 

in Hispanics. 

•	 By region, age-adjusted death rates from drug overdoses involving cocaine were 3.3 per 100,000 in the 

Northeast, 2.5 in the Midwest, 2.2 in the South, and 0.9 in the West. 

•	 By urbanization, age-adjusted death rates from drug overdoses involving cocaine were 2.7 per 100,000 

in large central metropolitan areas and 0.9 in noncore areas. 

•	 In 2015, a total of 6,467 persons in the U.S. died from unintentional drug overdoses involving 

cocaine; the age-adjusted rate was 2.0 per 100,000. A total of 208 persons died of drug overdoses of 

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

Psychostimulants with Abuse Potential Overdose Deaths 

•	 In 2015, a total of 5,716 persons in the United States died from drug overdoses involving 

psychostimulants with abuse potential (i.e., methamphetamine, 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine 

(MDMA, Ecstasy)); the age-adjusted rate was 1.8 (per 100,000). 

– Among males, the rate was 2.5; among females, it was 1.1. 

– The death rate from psychostimulants with abuse potential was 3.5 in persons aged 45-54 years and 

3.3 in persons aged 35-44 years. 

– By race and ethnicity, the death rate was 2.2 in non-Hispanic whites, 0.8 in non-Hispanic blacks, and 1.4 

in Hispanics. 

•	 By region, age-adjusted death rates from drug overdoses involving psychostimulants with abuse 

potential were 3.9 per 100,000 in the West, 1.5 in the South, 1.1 in the Midwest, and 0.5 in the Northeast. 

•	 By urbanization, age-adjusted death rates from drug overdoses involving psychostimulants with abuse 

potential were 2.3 per 100,000 in noncore areas and 1.2 in large fringe metropolitan areas. 

•	 In 2015, a total of 5,307 persons in the U.S. died from unintentional drug overdoses involving 

psychostimulants with abuse potential; the age-adjusted rate was 1.7 per 100,000. A total of 174 persons 

died of drug overdoses of undetermined intent involving psychostimulants with abuse potential; the 

age-adjusted rate was 0.05. 

Mortality Trends 

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

intents and unintentional intent, by year, United States, 1999–2015 (Figure 2a) 

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

16.3 in 2015 (p<0.05). Unintentional drug overdose death rates increased from 4.0 per 100,000 in 1999 to 

13.8 in 2015 (p<0.05). 

•	 The rate of drug overdose deaths involving any type of opioid increased from 2.9 per 100,000 in 1999 to 

10.4 in 2015 (p<0.05). Unintentional drug overdose death rates involving any type of opioid increased 

from 2.1 per 100,000 in 1999 to 9.3 per 100,000 in 2015 (p<0.05) 

•	 During 1999 to 2015, rate increases for overall drug overdoses, unintentional drug overdoses, drug 

overdoses of all intents involving any opioid, and unintentional drug overdoses involving any opioid 

were largest from 2013 to 2015. 

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– The rate increased on average from 2013 to 2015 by 9% per year for overall drug overdose deaths 

(p<0.05), 11% per year for unintentional drug overdose deaths (p<0.05), 15% per year for drug 

overdose deaths involving any opioid (p<0.05), and 16% for unintentional drug overdoses involving 

any opioid (p<0.05). 

Drug overdose deaths involving natural and semi-synthetic opioids, methadone, and synthetic opioids 

other than methadone, United States, 1999–2015 (Figure 2b) 

•	 The age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths involving natural and semi-synthetic opioids increased 

from 1.0 per 100,000 population in 1999 to 3.9 in 2015. 

– Rates for drug overdose deaths involving natural and semi-synthetic opioids increased on average 

12% per year from 1999 to 2010 (p<0.05), then remained stable from 2010 to 2015 (p=0.34). 

•	 For drug overdoses involving methadone, the rate increased from 0.3 per 100,000 in 1999 to 1.8 in 2006 

(p<0.05), then declined to 1.0 in 2015. 

– Rates for drug overdose deaths involving methadone increased on average 50% per year from 1999 to 

2002 (p<0.05), 23% per year from 2002 to 2006 (p<0.05), then declined an average of 7% per year from 

2006 to 2015 (p<0.05). 

•	 For drug overdoses involving synthetic opioids other than methadone, the rate increased from 0.3 per 

100,000 in 1999 to 3.1 in 2015. 

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

average 18% per year from 1999 to 2006 (p<0.05), remained stable from 2006 to 2013 (p=0.25), then 

increased on average 81% per year from 2013 to 2015 (p<0.05). 

Drug overdose deaths involving heroin, United States, 1999–2015 (Figure 2b) 

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

to 4.1 in 2015. 

– Rates for drug overdose deaths involving heroin remained stable from 1999 to 2005 (p=0.91), 

increased on average 11% per year from 2005 to 2010 (p<0.05), and then increased on average 31% 

per year from 2010 to 2015 (p<0.05). 

Drug overdose deaths involving stimulants, United States, 1999–2015 (Figure 2b) 

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

to 2.1 in 2015. 

– Rates for drug overdose deaths involving cocaine increased on average 11% per year from 1999 to 

2006 (p<0.05), decreased on average 15% per year from 2006 to 2010 (p<0.05), then increased an 

average of 9% per year from 2010 to 2015 (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 1.8 in 2015. 

– 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=0.40), then increased 

an average of 23% per year from 2008 to 2015 (p<0.05). 

Drug overdose deaths by age category and drug class, United States, 2015 (Figure 2c) 

•	 Among persons ages 15 to 24 years, the rate of drug overdose deaths involving heroin was 3.8 per 

100,000; those involving synthetic opioids other than methadone was 2.3; those involving natural and 

semi-synthetic opioids was 1.6; and those involving methadone was 0.5. 

•	 Among persons ages 25 to 34 years, the rate of drug overdose deaths involving heroin was 9.7 per 

100,000; those involving synthetic opioids other than methadone was 6.6; those involving natural and 

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semi-synthetic opioids was 5.3; and those involving methadone was 1.7. 

•	 Among persons ages 35 to 44 years, the rate of drug overdose deaths involving heroin was 7.4 per 

100,000; those involving natural and semi-synthetic opioids was 6.9; those involving synthetic opioids 

other than methadone was 5.6; and those involving methadone was 1.8. 

•	 Among persons ages 45 to 54 years, the rate of drug overdose deaths involving natural and semisynthetic opioids was 8.1 per 100,000; those involving heroin was 5.6; those involving synthetic opioids 

other than methadone was 4.6; and those involving methadone was 2.0. 

•	 Among persons ages 55 to 64 years, the rate of drug overdose deaths involving natural and semisynthetic opioids was 6.4 per 100,000; those involving heroin was 3.4; those involving synthetic opioids 

other than methadone was 2.9; and those involving methadone was 1.6. 

•	 Rates of drug overdose deaths involving cocaine were 4.3 per 100,000 among 45 to 54 year olds, 3.8 

among 35 to 44 year olds, 3.6 per 100,000 among 25 to 34 year olds, 2.9 among 55 to 64 year olds, 1.0 

among 15 to 24 year olds, and 0.4 among persons 65 and older. 

•	 Rates of deaths involving psychostimulants with abuse potential were 3.5 per 100,000 among 45 to 54 

year olds, 3.3 among 35 to 44 year olds, 3.0 among 25 to 34 year olds, 2.3 among 55 to 64 year olds, 0.9 

among 15 to 24 year olds, and 0.3 among persons 65 years and older. 

Age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths, by state, 2015 (Figure 2e) 

•	 Rates of drug overdose deaths ranged from 6.9 per 100,000 in Nebraska to 41.5 in West Virginia in 2015. 

– States with the highest drug overdose death rates were West Virginia (41.5 per 100,000), New
 

Hampshire (34.3), Ohio (29.9), Kentucky (29.9), and Rhode Island (28.2).
 

– States with the lowest drug overdose death rates were Nebraska (6.9 per 100,000), South Dakota (8.4), 

North Dakota (8.6), Texas (9.4), and Iowa (10.3). 

This report has some notable limitations. In order to comprehensively describe drug use and outcomes in 

the U.S., four distinct data sources were used. While attempted when possible, terminology and definitions 

were not standardized throughout the entire the 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, the involved 

drugs were not specified. Although this lack of specificity varies over time and across states, in 2015, 17% of 

drug overdose deaths lacked information about which drugs were involved. Also, records with unknown age 

were not included in estimates by age group, but were included in overall estimates. 

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) nor does 

it explore the need for or receipt of substance use treatment. While these topics are important, they were 

beyond the scope of this report. 

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CDC’s Opioid Overdose Surveillance, Prevention, 

and Research Efforts 

Opioid-involved overdose deaths, including prescription opioids and illicit opioids, have more 

than quadrupled since 1999. The opioid overdose epidemic, which killed over 33,000 Americans 

in 2015, is comprised of three interrelated waves. The first wave began in 1999 and includes deaths 

involving prescription opioids. The second wave began in 2010, with rapid increases in heroin-involved 

deaths. Finally, the third wave began in 2013, with significant increases in synthetic opioid-involved 

deaths – particularly those involving illicitly-manufactured fentanyl (IMF) and fentanyl analogues. 

The IMF market continues to change, and IMF is now found in combination with heroin, counterfeit 

pills, and cocaine. 

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 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, DC 

a	 Increase the timelineness of nonfatal opioid overdose reporting in order 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 

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 

3	 Data-Driven Prevention Initiative (DDPI) – funds 13 states and Washington, DC 

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 

Additionally, CDC’s Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain1

, which was released in March 2016, 

serves as a useful resource to providers treating chronic pain for adult patients 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. 

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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. 

Finally, 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 together, these sectors can improve surveillance activities and data 

sharing, engage critical stakeholders, provide guidance on prevention and response activities, and evaluate 

the effectiveness of strategies. In particular, collaborations can lead to identification of hot spots to 

strengthen enforcement activities as well as life-saving public health interventions and treatments, such as 

increasing access to naloxone and linkage to treatment for substance use disorder. 

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

now 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 Injury Center’s work to combat the overdose epidemic. 

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TECHNICAL 

NOTES 

 

 

 

 
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TECHNICAL NOTES
 

Data Sources, Definitions and Analysis
 

This report uses the most recent available data from four sources. Information on opioid prescribing 

practices were obtained from QuintilesIMS Health® Transactional Data Warehouse (TDW) and the Total 

Patient Tracker (TPT). Estimated prescribing rates focus on information from 2016, but data are presented 

in tables from 2014-2016, and prescribing trends are also presented during 2006-2016. Substance use and 

misuse information was obtained from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s 

(SAMHSA) 2014 and 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Information on hospitalizations 

and emergency department visits for nonfatal, unintentional drug-related poisonings were obtained 

from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project’s (HCUP) National Inpatient Sample (NIS) and Nationwide 

Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) 2014 surveys. Mortality rates were obtained from the National Vital 

Statistics System’s (NVSS) 2014 and 2015 mortality file, and trends were presented from 1999-2015. 

Data on demographic characteristics (age, sex, race and ethnicity, and geographic region) were standardized 

across all data sources to the extent possible. 

Prescribing Rates 

Data Source 

Data on opioid prescribing was derived from the QuintilesIMS Health® Transactional Data Warehouse 

(TDW) and the Total Patient Tracker (TPT). TWD provided estimates of the number of opioid prescriptions 

dispensed in the United States, while TPT provided national estimates of the total number of unique patients 

who had at least one opioid prescription dispensed during the year examined. Each were obtained from 

approximately 59,400 retail (non-hospital) pharmacies, representing 90% of all retail prescriptions in the 

United States. A prescription was an initial or refill prescription dispensed at a retail pharmacy in the sample, 

and paid for by commercial insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, or cash or its equivalent. Prescription counts were 

total dispensed prescriptions (TRx), not adjusted for the number of days’ supply. 

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

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

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

Formulations of buprenorphine, an opioid partial agonist primarily used for treatment of opioid use disorder, 

were not included, with the exception of Butrans®, a transdermal buprenorphine formulation used for 

pain. In addition, methadone dispensed through methadone maintenance treatment programs were not 

included in QuintilesIMS TDW data. 

Definitions 

•	 Days’ supply: Number of days of supply for the prescription of a specific drug. 

•	 Long-acting (LA) or extended-release (ER) opioids are slower acting medications with a longer 

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

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– Extended release, oral dosage forms containing:
 

· Hydromorphone
 

· Morphine
 

· Oxycodone
 

· Oxymorphone
 

· Tapentadol
 

– Fentanyl and buprenorphine containing transdermal delivery systems 

– Methadone tablets and solutions that are indicated for use as analgesics 

•	 Morphine milligram equivalent (MME): For a comparison of opioids doses, a tool 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 equivalent (MME). MME helps determine the potency 

of patients’ 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’ Supply) X MME conversion factor 

– The “Number of Units” and “Days’ Supply” comes from the prescription. Strength per Unit and MME 

conversion factor is determined by the National Drug Code. 

– Examples:
 

· 10 mg oxycodone tablets 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 is defined as prescriptions with a dosage greater than or equal to 90 MME/day. 

– Examples of a dosage at 90 MME/day: 

– 90 mg of hydrocodone (9 tablets of hydrocodone/acetaminophen 10/325) 

– 60 mg of oxycodone (~2 tablets of oxycodone sustained-release 30 mg) 

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

•	 Strength per unit: For combination drugs, “strength” refers to the strength of the controlled substance 

component of the drug per unit specified in UOM (Unit of Measure). 

This report provides information on opioid prescribing rates, high-dose prescribing rates, prescribing rates 

by days of supply (≥30 days and <30 days), morphine milligram equivalents (MME) per person, average daily 

MME per prescription, and average days of supply per prescription. 

Statistical Analysis 

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 each year. All rates are per 100 

persons. 

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; 2010–2016 Postcensal Estimates of 

the Resident Population for Counties and National were used for 2011–2016. 

Temporal trends of national opioid prescribing rates and amounts of opioids prescribed from 2006 to 2016 

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

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

maximum of 2 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 

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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, level was used. Year categories presented in Table 1d 

represented year groupings as determined by joinpoint regression. 

Illicit Drug Use, Prescription Drug Misuse, and Substance Use Disorder 

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 non-institutionalized persons, aged 12 years and 

older. Non-institutionalized persons include residents living in some group settings (e.g., shelters, boarding 

houses, college dormitories). NSDUH excludes persons with no fixed address (e.g., active duty military 

personnel, persons in jails, persons living in nursing homes, homeless persons not living in shelters). 

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 underor over reporting biases. NSDUH employs various methods to minimize these potential biases, assuring 

confidentiality of responses and using computer-assisted self-interviewing to maintain privacy. NSDUH data 

reflect prevalence estimates for the entire U.S. non-institutionalized population, accounting for the survey’s 

complex sample design. 

Modifications to the Prescription Drug Questions in the 2015 NSDUH 

Distinct from prior years, the 2015 NSDUH changed the framing of specific questions from “nonmedical 

use” to “misuse” of prescription drugs.4 In addition, the phrasing of these questions was changed from “for 

the experience or feeling it caused” to “in any way that a doctor did not direct you to use them.”The time 

frame accounted for in questions about prescription drugs also was modified, including past year misuse 

instead of lifetime misuse. A new set of questions was included in the 2015 NSDUH to acquire self-reported 

data for any past year prescription drug use, in addition to misuse. Additionally, methamphetamine use was 

removed from the broader category of prescription stimulants, creating a distinct set of questions focused 

on methamphetamine. Although the aim of these changes was to improve measurement validity, data 

from prior years are not comparable with data gathered using the new and revised questions included in 

the 2015 NSDUH. 

Definitions 

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 include opioids (e.g., oxycodone, hydrocodone). 

• Prescription tranquilizers include drugs intended to reduce anxiety, specifically benzodiazepines (e.g., 

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alprazolam; lorazepam), or to quell muscle spasms, specifically muscle relaxants (e.g., carisoprodol). 

•	 Prescription stimulants include drugs prescribed for treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity 

disorder (e.g., dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate) or obesity (e.g., benzphetamine; phentermine). 

•	 Prescription sedatives include 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: 

•	 Heroin 

•	 Cocaine 

•	 Methamphetamine 

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” to include the misuse of 

prescription drugs and the use of marijuana, cocaine (including crack), heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, 

or methamphetamine. This report avoids defining use of illicit drugs and misuse of prescription drugs 

collectively with a label of “illicit drug use” to keep misuse of prescription drugs distinct from the use of 

illicit drugs and to maintain consistency with other data sources included. 

Census regions were defined by the following jurisdictions: 

•	 Northeast: Connecticut, Delaware, 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, 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 

Patient residence was determined according to categories of 2013 National Center for Health Statistics 

Urban-Rural Classification Scheme for Counties.5

 Metropolitan and nonmetropolitan categories were 

subdivided into the following categories. 

•	 Large metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) (large metropolitan) had a total population of 

 1 million or more. 

•	 Small metropolitan areas had a total population of: 

– 250,000 to fewer than 1 million. 

– Less than 250,000. 

•	 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. 

– These nonmetropolitan categories were categorized as
 

· “urbanized”
 

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· “less urbanized”
 

· “completely rural”
 

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 was defined as meeting criteria for illicit drug dependence or abuse based on 

definitions found in the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV).6 

The prevalence estimates included in this report include the numbers of persons engaging in specific 

behaviors (with numbers in the thousands), the rates of these behaviors per 100 persons, and standard 

errors of the estimated rates. Estimates are suppressed if they were determined to be unreliable due to 

small sample size. 

Statistical Analysis 

No statistical analysis were conducted; instead, estimates were obtained from NSDUH’s 2015 published 

report.7

 Information on heroin use and dependence stratified by age, race/ethnicity, U.S. census region, 

county type, and urbanization were provided by SAMHSA. 

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 2014 

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 all-payer database in the U.S. and was conducted in 44 states plus the District of Columbia in 

2014. 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 2014, data were obtained 

from 945 hospitals located in 33 States and the District of Columbia, approximating a 20% 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. 

Definitions 

The International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) diagnosis injury 

codes were used to classify drug-related poisonings. Principal diagnosis codes and first valid cause of 

external injury or e-codes were used to define the following unintentional drug poisonings: 

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Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

•	 All drug poisoning included the following codes: 960-979 (poisoning by drugs, medicinal, and 

biological substances) or first listed cause of injury E850-E858 (accidental poisoning by drugs, 

medicinal substances, and biologicals). 

•	 Opioid drug poisoning included: 965.00 (poisoning by opium), 965.01 (poisoning by heroin), 965.02 

(poisoning by methadone), 965.09 (poisoning by other opiates and related narcotics) or E850.0 

(accidental poisoning by heroin), E850.1 (accidental poisoning by methadone), or E850.2 (accidental 

poisoning by other opiates and related narcotics). 

•	 Heroin poisoning was defined by 965.01 (poisoning by heroin) or E850.0 (accidental poisoning by 

heroin). 

•	 Methadone poisoning was defined by 965.02 (poisoning by methadone) or E850.1 (accidental 

poisoning by methadone). 

•	 Other opioids was defined by 965.09 (poisoning by other opiates and related narcotics), 965.00 

(poisoning by opium) or E850.2 (accidental poisoning by other opiates and related narcotics). 

•	 Cocaine was defined by 970.81 or E854.3 (accidental poisoning by central nervous system stimulants) 

or E855.2 (accidental poisoning by local anesthetics convert). 

•	 Methamphetamine was defined by 969.72 or E854.2 (accidental poisoning by psychostimulants). 

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

cause of injury codes were used in addition to principal diagnosis codes, the categories of unintentional, 

drug-related poisoning presented are not mutually exclusive. 

Information about patients’ race and ethnicity was not available for ED visits so it was not included in any 

HCUP analysis. 

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.8,9 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 analysis accounted for the complex sampling 

design and were performed using SAS Version 9.3 (SAS Institute, Cary, North Carolina). 

To minimize the possibility of duplicate counting within this section or across other sections of this report, 

some records were excluded. 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. 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 Drug overdose deaths were analyzed using the multiple cause 

of death query system from CDC WONDER.9 

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Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

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 2015, approximately 17% of drug overdose deaths do not specify which drugs 

were involved. 

Census regions were defined by the following jurisdictions: 

•	 Northeast: Connecticut, Delaware, 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, 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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Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

 

 

Decedent’s residence was determined according to categories of 2013 National Center for Health Statistics 

Urban-Rural Classification Scheme for Counties.5 

•	 Large central metro: Counties in metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) of ≥1 million population that 

1) contain the entire population of largest principal city of the MSA, or 2) have their entire population 

contained in the largest principal city of the MSA, or 3) contain at least 250,000 inhabitants of any 

principal city of the MSA 

•	 Large fringe metro: Counties in MSAs of ≥1 million population that did not qualify as large central 

metro counties 

•	 Medium metro: Counties in MSAs of populations of 250,000–999,999 

•	 Small metro: Counties in MSAs of populations less than 250,000 

•	 Micropolitan (nonmetropolitan counties): Counties in micropolitan statistical areas 

•	 Noncore (nonmetropolitan counties): Nonmetropolitan counties that did not qualify as micropolitan 

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 

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. 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 was used. 

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Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

REFERENCES
 

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. 

3	 Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: 

Methodological summary and definitions. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 

Administration;2016. 

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. 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed 

Tables. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration;2016. 

8	 Barrett M, Hickey K, Coffey R, K. L. Population Denominator Data for Use with the HCUP Databases (Updated 

with 2014 Population Data). U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality;2015. 

9	 CDC WONDER US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC; 2016. https://wonder.cdc.gov/. 

Accessed May 2017. 

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. 

37 
 

 

 

 

TABLES 
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

19.1

21.8 

TABLE 1A
 Annual national estimates of total number and ratea for patients who had at least one 

prescription filled for opioids by age and gender — United States, 2014 – 2016 

Age Group (Year) Gender 

2014 2015 2016 

Number Rate Number Rate Number Rate 

Total 65,816,625 20.7 64,950,261 20.2 61,862,364 

All ages Male 27,715,340 17.7 27,366,942 17.3 26,066,116 16.4

 Female 38,101,284 23.6 37,583,319 23.1 35,796,248 

Total 1,558,274 2.6 1,243,200 2.0 1,235,397 

0 - 14 Male 820,554 2.6 660,444 2.1 650,608 2.1

 Female 737,720 2.5 582,756 2.0 584,789 

Total 2,700,180 12.8 2,575,134 12.2 2,456,537 

15 - 19 Male 1,192,243 11.1 1,136,272 10.5 1,084,518 10.0

 Female 1,507,937 14.7 1,438,862 14.0 1,372,019 

Total 3,987,865 17.4 3,761,297 16.6 3,388,088 

20 - 24 Male 1,519,718 13.0 1,433,424 12.3 1,284,936 11.2

 Female 2,468,147 22.1 2,327,873 21.1 2,103,152 

Total 9,831,819 22.6 9,599,848 21.8 8,872,198 

25 - 34 Male 3,741,093 17.1 3,657,012 16.4 3,350,037 14.8

 Female 6,090,726 28.3 5,942,836 27.3 5,522,161 

Total 9,994,970 24.7 9,806,536 24.2 9,169,202 

35 - 44 Male 4,167,350 20.7 4,088,681 20.3 3,801,843 18.9

 Female 5,827,620 28.7 5,717,855 28.1 5,367,359 

Total 11,832,805 27.3 11,596,348 26.9 10,824,755 

45 - 54 Male 5,196,648 24.3 5,083,190 23.9 4,730,762 22.4

 Female 6,636,158 30.2 6,513,158 29.8 6,093,993 

Total 11,778,335 29.4 12,008,466 29.4 11,677,591 

55 - 64 Male 5,326,170 27.6 5,435,716 27.6 5,296,001 

 Female 6,452,165 31.1 6,572,749 31.1 6,381,590 

Total 14,132,376 30.6 14,359,433 30.1 14,238,597 

≥ 65 Male 5,751,565 28.3 5,872,203 27.9 5,867,411 26.9

 Female 8,380,811 32.4 8,487,230 31.8 8,371,185 

Source: QuintilesIMS® Total Patient Tracker, 2016 Enhanced. 

a

 Rate per 100 persons adjusted to the U.S. census population. 

39 

2.0

2.0 

11.6

13.3 

15.1

19.3 

19.9

25.0 

22.7

26.4 

25.3

28.1 

28.2

26.5

29.7

28.9

30.5 
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

 19.1 

66.5 

TABLE 1B
 National total number and ratea of opioid prescriptions (Rx) and morphine milligram equivalent 

(MME) dispensed per 100 persons annually — United States, 2014 – 2016 

Prescribing Opioids 

2014 2015 2016 

Rx Number Ratea Rx Number Rate Rx Number Rate 

U. S. Census population 318,563,456 320,896,618 323,127,513 

Total patients who had opioid Rx filled 65,816,624 20.7 64,950,261 20.2 61,862,364

Rx 

All opioids 240,993,021 75.6 226,819,924 70.6 214,881,622 

LA/ER opioidsb 21,962,468 6.9 21,460,029 6.7 20,394,389 

Days of supply per Rx 

< 30 days 150,436,127 47.2 136,405,883 42.5 126,546,618 

≥ 30 days 90,556,893 28.4 90,414,041 28.2 88,335,004 

Average opioid Rx per patient 3.7 3.5 3.5 

Average days of supply per Rx 17.2 17.7 18.1 

MME 

Total MME 215,925,435,233 205,835,493,929 193,655,422,929 

MME per capita 677.8 641.4 599.3 

Average MME per Rx 896.0 907.5 901.2 

Average daily MME per Rx 48.9 48.1 47.1 

Daily dosage per Rx 

< 50 MME 175,598,424 55.1 165,655,722 51.6 158,045,552 

≥ 50 but < 90 MME 42,778,329 13.4 39,740,347 12.4 37,087,169 

≥ 90 MME (high-dose) 22,616,268 7.1 21,423,855 6.7 19,748,901 

Source: QuintilesIMS® Transactional Data Warehouse.
 

Abbreviation: MME, morphine milligram equivalents; Rx, prescription.
 

a

 Rate per 100 persons adjusted to the U.S. census population.
 

b

 LA/ER represents opioids that are long acting (LA) or extended release (ER).
 

40 

6.3 

39.2 

27.3 

48.9

11.5

6.1 
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

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

— United States, 2014 - 2016 

State 

2014 2015 2016 

Opioid Type 

Daily Dosage Per Rx 

(MME b/Day) Opioid Type 

Daily Dosage Per Rx 

(MME/Day) Opioid Type 

Daily Dosage Per Rx 

(MME/Day) 

All LA/ER c < 50 50 but 90 ≥ 90 All LA/ER < 50 50 but 90 ≥ 90 All LA/ER < 50 50 but 90 ≥ 90 

Alabama 135.3 10.8 109.3 15.4 10.5 125.1 10.4 100.1 15.2 9.8 121.0 9.9 97.5 14.7 8.8 

Alaska 62.7 8.1 37.5 15.4 9.8 60.8 8.3 35.5 15.5 9.8 58.9 8.1 34.8 14.7 9.5 

Arizona 79.8 9.3 52.2 16.4 11.2 75.6 9.1 49.3 15.7 10.6 70.2 8.5 46.2 14.4 9.6 

Arkansas 123.2 7.7 94.0 19.7 9.5 117.2 7.9 89.6 18.3 9.3 114.6 7.9 89.4 16.7 8.5 

California 52.9 4.8 38.6 9.4 4.9 47.9 4.5 35.2 8.1 4.6 44.8 4.1 33.4 7.3 4.1 

Colorado 69.6 7.2 45.9 16.4 7.4 65.2 7.1 45.2 13.6 6.5 59.8 6.5 41.7 12.5 5.6 

Connecticut 66.1 7.7 42.4 14.7 9.0 62.4 7.3 40.1 14.2 8.1 55.9 6.6 36.4 12.3 7.2 

Delaware 91.1 14.4 55.0 19.6 16.5 84.5 13.2 55.0 16.2 13.3 79.2 12.7 52.1 15.1 12.0 

District of Columbia 40.1 2.9 33.3 4.2 2.6 35.8 2.6 29.9 3.9 2.0 32.5 2.2 27.4 3.4 1.7 

Florida 71.5 7.8 50.9 12.5 8.1 67.2 7.4 47.6 12.4 7.2 66.6 7.4 47.0 12.4 7.2 

Georgia 83.8 6.2 65.2 12.3 6.3 79.5 6.0 61.2 12.2 6.1 77.8 5.9 59.8 12.1 6.0 

Hawaii 47.8 5.5 32.8 8.7 6.3 44.5 5.0 30.6 8.2 5.7 41.9 4.7 29.4 7.3 5.2 

Idaho 87.5 9.5 56.1 21.7 9.7 82.0 9.3 53.0 19.8 9.1 77.6 8.8 50.9 18.5 8.3 

Illinois 62.3 4.2 47.9 10.8 3.6 59.1 4.2 46.4 9.2 3.5 56.8 4.1 45.2 8.3 3.3 

Indiana 96.7 8.6 73.9 14.9 8.0 89.2 7.9 68.2 13.6 7.4 83.9 7.3 64.6 12.5 6.8 

Iowa 72.3 6.1 55.8 11.5 5.1 68.6 6.2 52.5 11.0 5.1 64.0 5.8 49.5 9.8 4.6 

Kansas 86.6 8.0 59.1 18.9 8.5 80.7 8.0 54.4 17.6 8.7 76.9 7.6 52.3 16.4 8.1 

Kentucky 109.9 7.5 84.2 18.0 7.7 102.6 7.1 78.8 16.9 7.0 97.2 6.6 75.3 15.5 6.4 

Louisiana 108.9 6.2 85.3 17.3 6.2 100.4 5.9 78.7 16.1 5.7 98.1 5.9 76.7 15.2 6.2 

Maine 82.4 11.2 55.5 14.9 12.0 76.5 11.0 50.2 14.6 11.7 66.9 10.3 44.9 12.2 9.9 

Maryland 67.7 8.2 45.0 14.2 8.5 63.1 8.1 41.5 13.7 7.9 58.7 7.8 38.7 12.5 7.6 

Massachusetts 59.7 6.0 40.9 12.7 6.0 54.1 5.7 37.8 10.8 5.5 47.1 5.2 33.4 9.1 4.6 

Michigan 98.0 8.4 78.5 11.8 7.7 90.5 8.3 72.3 10.7 7.5 84.9 7.8 68.4 9.8 6.7 

Minnesota 56.7 5.6 40.8 11.5 4.3 52.2 5.4 37.0 11.2 4.0 46.9 4.9 33.5 9.8 3.6 

Source: QuintilesIMS® Transactional Data Warehouse.
 

a

 Rate per 100 persons adjusted to the U.S. census population.
 

b

 MME = morphine milligram equivalents.
 

c

 LA/ER represents opioids that are long acting (LA) or extended release (ER).
 

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TABLE 1C
 Ratesa

 of opioid prescriptions dispensed per 100 persons by dosage, type, and state 

— United States, 2014 - 2016 

CONTINUED 

State 

2014 2015 2016 

Opioid Type 

Daily Dosage Per Rx 

(MME b

/Day) Opioid Type 

Daily Dosage Per Rx (MME/ 

Day) Opioid Type 

Daily Dosage Per Rx (MME/ 

Day) 

All LA/ER c < 50 50 but 90 ≥ 90 All LA/ER < 50 50 but 90 ≥ 90 All LA/ER < 50 50 but 90 ≥ 90 

Mississippi 116.3 7.1 93.6 16.2 6.5 111.0 7.1 90.2 14.5 6.3 105.6 7.0 86.6 13.0 6.0 

Missouri 90.8 7.2 65.8 17.3 7.7 84.6 7.2 60.7 16.2 7.7 80.4 7.0 58.1 14.9 7.3 

Montana 80.1 9.5 53.8 16.7 9.6 73.4 9.0 49.4 15.0 9.0 69.8 8.1 48.3 13.8 7.7 

Nebraska 70.2 6.2 51.5 13.4 5.3 65.5 6.1 48.2 12.2 5.1 62.8 5.9 46.5 11.4 4.9 

Nevada 90.3 9.3 57.9 20.5 12.0 85.6 9.2 55.3 19.0 11.3 80.7 8.7 53.0 17.7 10.0 

New Hampshire 79.6 11.4 48.8 18.4 12.4 74.8 10.8 45.7 17.4 11.7 64.3 9.7 39.9 14.7 9.7 

New Jersey 57.3 6.7 37.1 11.2 8.9 56.1 6.6 36.9 10.8 8.5 52.6 6.3 34.5 10.3 7.8 

New Mexico 71.6 6.6 50.7 13.8 7.1 70.0 6.3 50.0 13.0 7.0 65.1 5.6 47.2 11.9 6.0 

New York 44.0 4.9 31.0 7.3 5.7 45.2 5.0 32.0 7.6 5.7 42.7 4.8 30.1 7.3 5.3 

North Carolina 93.8 9.0 66.5 18.4 8.9 88.4 8.8 61.9 18.0 8.6 82.5 8.4 57.8 16.9 7.8 

North Dakota 58.1 6.8 41.8 11.6 4.8 53.0 6.4 38.7 10.2 4.2 47.8 5.7 35.7 8.5 3.6 

Ohio 89.5 7.0 68.3 14.7 6.6 82.7 6.5 62.8 14.0 5.9 75.3 5.9 57.4 12.7 5.2 

Oklahoma 111.0 10.8 75.7 23.7 11.6 104.5 10.9 72.0 21.7 10.9 97.9 10.4 68.0 20.3 9.5 

Oregon 92.0 10.6 61.2 20.0 10.8 84.3 9.7 56.0 18.7 9.5 76.3 8.5 51.7 16.8 7.9 

Pennsylvania 79.9 8.4 56.6 13.9 9.4 75.6 8.2 53.5 13.2 8.9 69.5 7.7 49.3 12.1 8.1 

Rhode Island 72.8 6.4 53.8 12.3 6.7 65.8 6.1 48.8 10.5 6.5 60.3 5.6 44.9 9.6 5.9 

South Carolina 101.3 7.7 74.5 18.7 8.1 95.1 7.5 69.5 17.6 8.0 89.4 7.2 65.6 16.2 7.6 

South Dakota 61.8 6.1 45.5 11.0 5.2 59.1 6.1 43.4 10.6 5.1 54.8 5.7 41.1 9.2 4.5 

Tennessee 121.4 13.0 83.6 24.4 13.4 114.9 12.1 78.8 24.6 11.5 107.5 11.0 74.2 23.5 9.8 

Texas 67.1 3.9 53.5 10.4 3.2 59.9 3.9 49.8 7.0 3.1 57.6 3.8 47.9 6.7 3.0 

Utah 78.9 8.1 49.1 18.7 11.2 74.5 8.1 46.0 17.8 10.7 70.4 7.8 44.2 16.2 10.1 

Vermont 50.4 7.3 33.9 9.3 7.2 60.1 9.2 39.4 11.9 8.8 58.6 9.3 38.8 10.9 8.9 

Virginia 73.6 6.4 53.5 12.9 7.1 68.2 6.2 49.2 12.3 6.7 63.4 5.8 46.2 11.0 6.2 

Washington 74.3 8.1 50.3 16.4 7.7 69.8 7.8 47.0 15.7 7.2 64.9 7.1 44.1 14.4 6.3 

West Virginia 126.4 8.6 99.1 16.7 10.7 111.5 8.3 87.2 14.6 9.7 96.0 7.5 75.7 12.3 8.0 

Wisconsin 71.9 8.5 49.9 14.0 8.0 67.6 8.2 46.2 13.7 7.7 62.2 7.5 43.1 12.4 6.6 

Wyoming 80.9 8.7 54.1 18.0 8.8 75.4 8.4 49.9 16.7 8.8 71.1 8.1 47.6 15.3 8.2 

Source: QuintilesIMS® Transactional Data Warehouse.
 

a

 Rate per 100 persons adjusted to the U.S. census population.
 

b MME = morphine milligram equivalents.
 

c

 LA/ER represents opioids that are long acting (LA) or extended release (ER).
 

42 
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

TABLE 1D
 Trend analysis of opioid prescribing — United States, 2006-2016 

Opioid prescribing 

2006 2016 

Average APC 

(95% CI) 

Trend 1 Trend 2 Trend 3 

Prescribing Rate 

per 100 personsa Yearsb APC (95% CI) Years APC (95% CI) Years APC (95% CI) 

All opioid Rx 72.4 66.5 -0.8 (-1.1 to -0.4) 2006-2008 4.1 (2.8 to 5.4)c 2008-2012 1.1 (0.5 to 1.7)c 2012-2016 -4.9 (-5.3 to -4.5)c

High-dosage Rx d 11.5 6.1 -6.6 (-7.4 to -5.8) 2006-2009 0 (-2.5 to 2.5) 2009-2016 -9.3 ( -10 to -8.5)c

Days of supply ≥ 30 17.6 27.3 4.3 (3.8 to 4.9) 2006-2010 9.9 (9.2 to 10.5)c 2010-2013 2.9 (1.3 to 4.6)c 2013-2016 -1.3 (-2.1 to -0.5)c

Days of supply < 30 54.7 39.2 -3.2 (-3.6 to -2.8) 2006-2008 1.3 ( -0.1 to 2.7) 2008-2012 -1.2 (-1.9 to -0.5)c 2012-2016 -7.3 (-7.7 to -6.8)c

Number 

Average daily MME 59.7 47.1 -2.3 (-2.4 to -2.3) 2006-2010 -1 (-1 to -0.9)c 2010-2013 -4.7 ( -4.8 to -4.5)c 2013-2016 -1.7 (-1.8 to -1.7)c

per Rx 

Average days of 13.3 18.1 3.1 (3 to 3.3) 2006-2008 4.4 (4 to 4.8)c 2008-2011 3.4 (3 to 3.7)c 2011-2016 2.5 (2.4 to 2.6)c

supply per Rx 

Source: QuintilesIMS® Transactional Data Warehouse.
 

Abbreviation: APC, annual percent change; MME, morphine milligram equivalents; Rx, prescription.
 

a

 Rate per 100 persons adjusted to the U.S. census population.
 

b Year category presented in each trend represent year groupings as determined by joinpoint regression.
 

c

 Indicates that the Annual Percent Change (APC) was significantly different from zero at the alpha = 0.05 level.
 

d

 High-dose prescriptions were defined as opioid prescriptions resulting in a daily dosage of ≥ 90 MME.
 

43 
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

0.07 

0.04 

TABLE 2A
 Self-reported prevalence of illicit drug use in past month, persons 12+ years old, 

heroin and cocaine: Numbers in Thousands — United States, 2014a

Socio-demographic Characteristic 

Heroin Cocaine 

Numberb Ratec SE Number Rate SE 

All 435 0.2 0.02 1530 0.6 0.04 

Sex 

Male 284 0.2 0.04 991 0.8 

Female 151 0.1 0.02 539 0.4 

Age (in years) 

12-17 16 0.1 0.02 39 0.2 

18-25 82 0.2 0.05 473 1.4 

≥ 26 337 0.2 0.03 1,018 0.5 

26-34 172 0.5 0.09 376 1.0 

≥ 35 165 0.1 0.02 642 0.4 

35-39 28 0.1 0.08 164 0.8 

40-44 32 0.2 0.08 105 0.5 

≥ 45 105 0.1 0.03 NA NA NA 

45-49 NA NA NA 119 0.6 

50-54 NA NA NA 194 0.8 

55-59 NA NA NA 40 0.2 

60-64 NA NA NA 17 0.1 

≥ 65 NA NA NA 3 0.0 

Race and Hispanic origin 

White, non-Hispanic 270 0.2 0.02 938 0.6 

Black, non-Hispanic 108 0.3 0.10 190 0.6 

Hispanic 43 0.1 0.04 281 0.7 

U.S. Census region of residence 

Northeast 152 0.3 0.07 393 0.8 

Midwest 92 0.2 0.05 238 0.4 

South 109 0.1 0.02 440 0.4 

West 82 0.1 0.04 459 0.7 

County Typed

Large metropolitan 301 0.2 0.03 1008 0.7 

Small metropolitan 121 0.2 0.03 436 0.6 

250K -- 1 Million Population 91 0.2 0.04 314 0.6 

< 250K Population 29 0.1 0.05 122 0.5 

Non-metropolitan 14 0.0 0.02 87 0.2 

Urbanized 4 0.0 0.02 36 0.2 

Less Urbanized 10 0.1 0.03 39 0.2 0.07 

Completely Rural — — — 11 0.3 

Source: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2016). 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental 

Health Services Administration, Rockville, MD. 

NA = data not available 

a

 Prevalence estimates are rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent, and total estimates are rounded to the nearest thousand. Because of this 

rounding, some prevalence estimates 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. 

b

 Numbers in thousands of individuals. 

c

 Rates per 100 persons. NSDUH presents these as prevalence estimates in the form of percentages, rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent. 

d

 Use of 2013 Rural-Urban Continuum Codes for the creation of the county type variables. 

44 

0.04 

0.11 

0.05 

0.14 

0.05 

0.19 

0.14 

0.13 

0.23 

0.08 

0.08 

0.00 

0.05 

0.12 

0.11 

0.11 

0.07 

0.06 

0.10 

0.06 

0.07 

0.09 

0.11 

0.05 

0.08 

0.16 
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Cent

TABLE 2B
 Self-reported prevalence of illicit drug use and prescription drug misusea in past month, persons 12+ years old: Numbers in Thou

Socio-demographic Characteristic 

All Illicit Drug Usec

and Prescription Drug Misusea

Prescription Pain Relievers 

Prescription Tranquilizers 

Prescription Stimulants 

Prescription Sedatives Heroin Co

Numberd Ratee SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Nu

All 27,080 10.1 0.17 3,775 1.4 0.06 1,874 0.7 0.04 1,653 0.6 0.04 446 0.2 0.02 329 0.1 0.02 Sex 

Male 16,164 12.5 0.27 2,110 1.6 0.10 974 0.8 0.06 877 0.7 0.05 153 0.1 0.02 238 0.2 0.03 

Female 10,915 7.9 0.19 1,665 1.2 0.07 900 0.7 0.05 776 0.6 0.05 293 0.2 0.03 91 0.1 0.01 

Age (in years) 

12-17 2,193 8.8 0.27 276 1.1 0.11 162 0.7 0.09 117 0.5 0.07 21 0.1 0.03 5 0.0 0.01 

18-25 7,797 22.3 0.42 829 2.4 0.13 582 1.7 0.13 757 2.2 0.15 86 0.2 0.05 88 0.3 0.05 

≥ 26 17,090 8.2 0.19 2,670 1.3 0.07 1,130 0.5 0.05 779 0.4 0.04 340 0.2 0.03 236 0.1 0.02 

26-34 5,901 15.4 0.47 820 2.1 0.19 400 1.0 0.13 433 1.1 0.15 115 0.3 0.07 116 0.3 0.06 

≥ 35 11,188 6.6 0.21 1,850 1.1 0.08 730 0.4 0.05 346 0.2 0.03 224 0.1 0.03 120 0.1 0.02 

35-39 2,067 10.6 0.60 298 1.5 0.23 158 0.8 0.15 65 0.3 0.11 23 0.1 0.07 43 0.2 0.09 40-44 1,714 8.5 0.50 341 1.7 0.26 131 0.7 0.14 65 0.3 0.11 52 0.3 0.10 19 0.0 0.06 

≥ 45 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 58 0.0 0.02 

45-49 1,790 8.6 0.53 387 1.9 0.26 145 0.7 0.15 82 0.4 0.11 57 0.3 0.09 NA NA NA 50-54 1,917 8.3 0.73 281 1.2 0.26 98 0.4 0.15 78 0.3 0.13 23 0.1 0.05 NA NA NA 55-59 1,681 8.0 0.73 242 1.1 0.30 47 0.2 0.13 34 0.2 0.10 –– –– –– NA NA NA 60-64 1,152 6.2 0.69 182 1.0 0.30 57 0.3 0.15 22 0.1 0.09 8 0.0 0.04 NA NA NA 

≥ 65 866 1.9 0.30 119 0.3 0.08 93 0.2 0.08 –– –– –– 61 0.1 0.06 NA NA NA 

Race and Hispanic origin 

White, non-Hispanic 17,396 10.2 0.22 2,441 1.4 0.07 1,405 0.8 0.06 1,327 0.8 0.05 345 0.2 0.03 237 0.1 0.02 

Black, non-Hispanic 4,023 12.5 0.56 432 1.3 0.19 136 0.4 0.09 36 0.1 0.03 50 0.2 0.06 33 0.1 0.05 

Hispanic 3,999 9.2 0.39 688 1.6 0.17 239 0.5 0.09 172 0.4 0.06 41 0.1 0.03 50 0.1 0.04 

Source: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2016). 2015 National Survey 

on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 

Rockville, MD. 

— Low precision, no estimate reported; NA = data not available 

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 Prevalence estimates are rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent, and total estimates are 

rounded to the nearest thousand. Because of this rounding, some prevalence estimates 

equal to 0.0 are displayed. These prevalence estimates are roundpercent and do not represent an absence of persons displaying a 

c Illicit drug use includes the use of marijuana, cocaine (including c

hallucinogens, inhalants, or methamphetamine. 

d Numbers in thousands of individuals. e Rates per 100 persons. NSDUH presents these as prevalence estim

percentages, rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent. 

f Use of 2013 Rural-Urban Continuum Codes for the creation of the 

45 
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Cent

TABLE 2B
 Self-reported prevalence of illicit drug use and prescription drug misusea in past month, persons 12+ years old: Numbers in Thou

CONTINUED 

Socio-demographic Characteristic 

All Illicit Drug Usec 

and Prescription Drug Misusea 

Prescription Pain Relievers 

Prescription Tranquilizers 

Prescription Stimulants 

Prescription Sedatives Heroin Co

Numberd Ratee SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Nu

U.S. Census region of residence 

Northeast 5,104 10.7 0.39 605 1.3 0.12 312 0.7 0.09 312 0.7 0.09 100 0.2 0.06 109 0.2 0.05 

Midwest 5,473 9.7 0.32 806 1.4 0.13 330 0.6 0.07 393 0.7 0.08 80 0.1 0.04 65 0.1 0.03 South 8,800 8.8 0.28 1,499 1.5 0.10 896 0.9 0.08 645 0.6 0.07 147 0.1 0.03 69 0.1 0.02 West 7,703 12.2 0.41 865 1.4 0.13 336 0.5 0.06 302 0.5 0.06 119 0.2 0.05 87 0.1 0.04 

County Typef

Large metropolitan 15,905 10.7 0.24 1,980 1.3 0.08 955 0.6 0.05 890 0.6 0.05 230 0.2 0.03 188 0.1 0.02 Small metropolitan 8,071 9.9 0.30 1,246 1.5 0.11 663 0.8 0.07 530 0.6 0.06 136 0.2 0.04 99 0.1 0.03 

250K -- 1 Million 5,563 9.9 0.34 731 1.3 0.11 453 0.8 0.10 349 0.6 0.07 107 0.2 0.06 53 0.1 0.03 

Population < 250K Population 2,508 9.8 0.60 515 2.0 0.24 210 0.8 0.11 181 0.7 0.14 29 0.1 0.04 45 0.2 0.06 

Non-metropolitan 3,103 8.4 0.37 549 1.5 0.14 256 0.7 0.10 233 0.6 0.10 80 0.2 0.06 42 0.1 0.04 

Urbanized 1,568 10.4 0.67 227 1.5 0.19 94 0.6 0.14 127 0.8 0.16 47 0.3 0.11 24 0.2 0.07 

Less Urbanized 1,266 7.4 0.50 260 1.5 0.20 131 0.8 0.14 102 0.6 0.15 30 0.2 0.08 16 0.1 0.06 

Completely Rural 269 5.9 0.74 62 1.3 0.47 31 0.7 0.40 4 0.1 0.06 3 0.1 0.07 2 0.1 0.05 

Source: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2016). 2015 National Survey 

on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 

Rockville, MD. 

— Low precision, no estimate reported; NA = data not available 

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 Prevalence estimates are rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent, and total estimates are 

rounded to the nearest thousand. Because of this rounding, some prevalence estimates 

equal to 0.0 are displayed. These prevalence estimates are roundpercent and do not represent an absence of persons displaying a 

c Illicit drug use includes the use of marijuana, cocaine (including c

hallucinogens, inhalants, or methamphetamine. 

d Numbers in thousands of individuals. e Rates per 100 persons. NSDUH presents these as prevalence estim

percentages, rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent. 

f Use of 2013 Rural-Urban Continuum Codes for the creation of the 

46 
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

0.11 

0.08 

TABLE 2C
 Self-reported prevalence of illicit drug use in past year, persons 12+ years old, heroin 

and cocaine: Numbers in Thousands — United States, 2014a

Socio-demographic Characteristic 

Heroin Cocaine 

Numberb Ratec SE Number Rate SE 

All 914 0.3 0.03 4,553 1.7 0.07 

Sex 

Male 622 0.5 0.05 2,965 2.3 

Female 292 0.2 0.03 1,588 1.2 

Age (in years) 

12-17 28 0.1 0.03 168 0.7 

18-25 268 0.8 0.09 1,604 4.6 

≥ 26 618 0.3 0.03 2,782 1.4 

26-34 346 0.9 0.13 1,140 3.0 

≥ 35 272 0.2 0.03 1,641 1.0 

35-39 78 0.4 0.11 394 2.0 

40-44 66 0.3 0.10 303 1.5 

≥ 45 127 0.1 0.03 NA NA NA 

45-49 NA NA NA 261 1.3 

50-54 NA NA NA 352 1.5 

55-59 NA NA NA 193 0.9 

60-64 NA NA NA 59 0.3 

≥ 65 NA NA NA 79 0.2 

Race and Hispanic origin 

White, non-Hispanic 647 0.4 0.03 2,916 1.7 

Black, non-Hispanic 115 0.4 0.10 565 1.8 

Hispanic 119 0.3 0.07 817 1.9 

U.S. Census region of residence 

Northeast 324 0.7 0.10 1,077 2.3 

Midwest 191 0.3 0.06 739 1.3 

South 253 0.3 0.04 1,444 1.5 

West 145 0.2 0.05 1,292 2.1 

County Typed

Large metropolitan 541 0.4 0.04 2,902 1.9 

Small metropolitan 326 0.4 0.05 1,352 1.7 

250K -- 1 Million Population 240 0.4 0.06 936 1.7 

< 250K Population 86 0.4 0.11 416 1.8 

Non-metropolitan 47 0.1 0.03 298 0.8 

Urbanized 25 0.2 0.05 135 0.8 

Less Urbanized 21 0.1 0.04 141 0.8 0.12 

Completely Rural 1 0.0 0.01 23 0.6 

Source: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2016). 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental 

Health Services Administration, Rockville, MD. 

NA = data not available 

a

 Prevalence estimates are rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent, and total estimates are rounded to the nearest thousand. Because of this 

rounding, some prevalence estimates 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. 

b

 Numbers in thousands of individuals. 

c

 Rates per 100 persons. NSDUH presents these as prevalence estimates in the form of percentages, rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent. 

d

 Use of 2013 Rural-Urban Continuum Codes for the creation of the county type variables. 

47 

0.09 

0.23 

0.08 

0.23 

0.08 

0.28 

0.22 

0.22 

0.31 

0.24 

0.17 

0.10 

0.08 

0.25 

0.20 

0.17 

0.14 

0.12 

0.16 

0.10 

0.13 

0.15 

0.24 

0.09 

0.16 

0.24 
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Cent

TABLE 2D
 Self-reported prevalence of illicit drug usea and prescription drug misuseb in past year, persons 12+ years old: Numbers in Thousa

Socio-demographic Characteristic 

All Illicit Drug Use and Prescription Drug Misuse 

Prescription Pain Relievers 

Prescription Tranquilizers Prescription Stimulants Prescription Sedatives Heroin Cocaine 

Numberd Ratee SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number 

All 47,730 17.8 0.23 12,462 4.7 0.11 6,050 2.3 0.08 5,251 2.0 0.07 1,511 0.6 0.04 828 0.3 0.03 4,828 

Sex 

Male 26,576 20.5 0.35 6,924 5.3 0.17 3,148 2.4 0.12 3,027 2.3 0.10 596 0.5 0.05 548 0.4 0.05 3,069 

Female 21,154 15.3 0.26 5,538 4.0 0.14 2,903 2.1 0.09 2,224 1.6 0.08 915 0.7 0.07 280 0.2 0.03 1,758 

Age (in years) 

12-17 4,346 17.5 0.37 969 3.9 0.19 394 1.6 0.13 491 2.0 0.14 102 0.4 0.06 21 0.1 0.03 153 

18-25 13,102 37.5 0.49 2,979 8.5 0.26 1,847 5.4 0.22 2,537 7.3 0.27 265 0.8 0.08 217 0.6 0.08 1,876 

≥ 26 30,281 14.6 0.26 8,513 4.1 0.14 3,782 1.8 0.09 2,223 1.1 0.06 1,143 0.5 0.05 591 0.3 0.04 2,799 

26-34 10,174 26.5 0.60 2,818 7.4 0.34 1,342 3.5 0.24 1,316 3.4 0.24 337 0.9 0.12 293 0.8 0.11 1,221 

≥ 35 20,107 11.9 0.28 5,696 3.4 0.15 2,440 1.4 0.10 907 0.5 0.05 806 0.5 0.06 298 0.2 0.04 1,579 

35-39 3,705 19.0 0.75 1,065 5.5 0.44 455 2.3 0.28 316 1.6 0.25 134 0.7 0.16 61 0.3 0.10 397 

40-44 2,964 14.8 0.66 979 4.9 0.43 434 2.2 0.29 143 0.7 0.15 107 0.5 0.15 41 0.2 0.07 273 

≥ 45 NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA 196 0.2 0.04 NA 

45-49 3,051 14.7 0.68 941 4.5 0.38 340 1.6 0.22 147 0.7 0.15 106 0.5 0.13 NA NA NA 172 

50-54 3,556 15.4 0.95 874 3.8 0.48 476 2.1 0.37 190 0.8 0.22 111 0.5 0.18 NA NA NA 330 

55-59 2,976 14.1 0.93 793 3.8 0.50 299 1.4 0.30 79 0.4 0.16 163 0.8 0.23 NA NA NA 281 

60-64 1,888 10.1 0.88 434 2.3 0.41 180 1.0 0.32 22 0.1 0.09 36 0.2 0.12 NA NA NA 80 

≥ 65 1,967 4.2 0.41 609 1.3 0.21 256 0.6 0.13 9 0.0 0.02 150 0.3 0.10 NA NA NA 46 

Race and Hispanic origin 

White, non-Hispanic 30,534 17.9 0.29 8,128 4.8 0.14 4,381 2.6 0.10 4,019 2.4 0.09 1,183 0.7 0.06 526 0.3 0.03 3,090 

Black, non-Hispanic 6,625 20.7 0.67 1,400 4.4 0.36 484 1.5 0.16 212 0.7 0.09 76 0.2 0.07 128 0.4 0.16 760 

Hispanic 7,474 17.2 0.49 2,156 5.0 0.28 877 2.0 0.21 651 1.5 0.13 166 0.4 0.09 146 0.3 0.07 744 

Source: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2016). 2015 National Survey 

on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 

Rockville, MD. 

NA = data not available 

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 Prevalence estimates are rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent, and total estimates are 

rounded to the nearest thousand. Because of this rounding, some prevalence estimates 

equal to 0.0 are displayed. These prevalence estimates are roundpercent and do not represent an absence of persons displaying a 

c Illicit drug use includes the use of marijuana, cocaine (including c

hallucinogens, inhalants, or methamphetamine. 

d Numbers in thousands of individuals. e Rates per 100 persons. NSDUH presents these as prevalence estim

percentages, rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent. 

f Use of 2013 Rural-Urban Continuum Codes for the creation of the 

48 
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Cent

TABLE 2D
 Self-reported prevalence of illicit drug usea and prescription drug misuseb in past year, persons 12+ years old: Numbers in Thousa

CONTINUED 

Socio-demographic Characteristic 

All Illicit Drug Use and Prescription Drug Misuse 

Prescription Pain Relievers 

Prescription Tranquilizers Prescription Stimulants Prescription Sedatives Heroin Cocaine 

Numberd Ratee SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number 

U.S. Census region of residence 

Northeast 8,914 18.6 0.54 2,007 4.2 0.26 1,099 2.3 0.18 986 2.1 0.15 293 0.6 0.11 232 0.5 0.08 1,057 

Midwest 9,530 16.8 0.44 2,487 4.4 0.22 1,064 1.9 0.15 1,260 2.2 0.14 250 0.4 0.06 152 0.3 0.04 816 

South 16,096 16.1 0.38 4,653 4.6 0.20 2,567 2.6 0.14 1,965 2.0 0.11 568 0.6 0.07 224 0.2 0.05 1,658 

West 13,190 20.9 0.54 3,315 5.3 0.26 1,320 2.1 0.15 1,039 1.6 0.12 399 0.6 0.10 221 0.4 0.07 1,296 

County Typef

Large metropolitan 28,398 19.0 0.32 7,021 4.7 0.17 3,281 2.2 0.11 2,991 2.0 0.09 848 0.6 0.06 477 0.3 0.05 3,023 

Small metropolitan 14,042 17.2 0.40 3,767 4.6 0.19 1,953 2.4 0.14 1,629 2.0 0.11 469 0.6 0.07 243 0.3 0.04 1,319 

250K -- 1 Million 

9,694 17.3 0.47 2,505 4.5 0.21 1,367 2.4 0.17 1,053 1.9 0.13 311 0.6 0.09 148 0.3 0.05 955 

Population 

< 250K Population 4,348 17.0 0.74 1,261 4.9 0.36 586 2.3 0.25 576 2.2 0.22 158 0.6 0.12 95 0.4 0.09 365 

Non-metropolitan 5,290 14.4 0.47 1,674 4.6 0.27 817 2.2 0.21 632 1.7 0.15 193 0.5 0.10 109 0.3 0.06 485 

Urbanized 2,504 16.5 0.86 742 4.9 0.40 411 2.7 0.36 349 2.3 0.28 122 0.8 0.19 67 0.4 0.12 263 

Less Urbanized 2,292 13.5 0.64 786 4.6 0.45 350 2.1 0.29 250 1.5 0.21 67 0.4 0.12 37 0.2 0.09 185 

Completely Rural 494 10.8 1.20 145 3.2 0.59 56 1.2 0.42 32 0.7 0.17 4 0.1 0.07 6 0.1 0.07 37 

Source: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2016). 2015 National Survey 

on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 

Rockville, MD. 

NA = data not available 

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 Prevalence estimates are rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent, and total estimates are 

rounded to the nearest thousand. Because of this rounding, some prevalence estimates 

equal to 0.0 are displayed. These prevalence estimates are roundpercent and do not represent an absence of persons displaying a 

c Illicit drug use includes the use of marijuana, cocaine (including c

hallucinogens, inhalants, or methamphetamine. 

d Numbers in thousands of individuals. e Rates per 100 persons. NSDUH presents these as prevalence estim

percentages, rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent. 

f Use of 2013 Rural-Urban Continuum Codes for the creation of the 

49 
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

TABLE 2E
 Self-reported prevalence of prescription drug use (including misusea

) in past year, 

persons 12+ years old, by drug type: Numbers in Thousands, United States, 2015b 

Socio-demographic Characteristic 

Prescription Pain 

Relievers 

Prescription 

Tranquilizers Prescription Stimulants Prescription Sedatives 

Numberc Rated SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE 

All 97,499 36.4 0.32 39,317 14.7 0.23 17,212 6.4 0.13 18,564 6.9 0.16 

Sex 

Male 44,017 33.9 0.43 14,624 11.3 0.28 8,461 6.5 0.18 7,219 5.6 0.22 

Female 53,482 38.8 0.45 24,693 17.9 0.34 8,751 6.3 0.18 11,345 8.2 0.23 

Age (in years) 

12-17 5,650 22.7 0.41 1,069 4.3 0.20 1,820 7.3 0.25 602 2.4 0.15 

18-25 12,148 34.8 0.47 4,212 12.1 0.33 4,906 14.1 0.37 1,339 3.8 0.18 

≥ 26 79,701 38.3 0.39 34,035 16.4 0.29 10,486 5.0 0.15 16,623 8.0 0.20 

Race and Hispanic origin 

White, non-Hispanic 65,958 38.7 0.40 30,271 17.8 0.31 12,815 7.5 0.17 14,192 8.3 0.22 

Black, non-Hispanic 12,277 38.3 0.85 2,920 9.1 0.51 1,252 3.9 0.32 1,576 4.9 0.38 

Hispanic 13,141 30.2 0.71 4,472 10.3 0.45 2,121 4.9 0.29 1,825 4.2 0.32 

U.S. Census region of residence 

Northeast 16,055 33.6 0.68 7,333 15.3 0.54 2,894 6.1 0.31 3,181 6.7 0.35 

Midwest 20,347 35.9 0.58 7,796 13.8 0.40 3,758 6.6 0.27 3,446 6.1 0.32 

South 37,908 37.8 0.55 16,129 16.1 0.40 7,072 7.1 0.24 7,610 7.6 0.29 

West 23,188 36.8 0.71 8,058 12.8 0.50 3,488 5.5 0.28 4,326 6.9 0.33 

County Typee

Large metropolitan 51,813 34.7 0.42 20,702 13.9 0.32 9,546 6.4 0.19 9,863 6.6 0.22 

Small metropolitan 31,532 38.6 0.60 12,835 15.7 0.40 5,544 6.8 0.23 6,034 7.4 0.30 

250K -- 1 Million Population 21,692 38.7 0.75 9,008 16.1 0.47 3,765 6.7 0.26 4,108 7.3 0.37 

< 250K Population 9,840 38.5 0.95 3,827 15.0 0.72 1,779 7.0 0.43 1,926 7.5 0.51 

Non-metropolitan 14,154 38.5 0.75 5,780 15.7 0.60 2,122 5.8 0.33 2,667 7.3 0.40 

Urbanized 6,218 41.0 1.26 2,444 16.1 0.93 988 6.5 0.57 1,177 7.8 0.65 

Less Urbanized 6,245 36.7 1.06 2,610 15.3 0.84 887 5.2 0.46 1,162 6.8 0.53 

Completely Rural 1,690 37.0 2.05 726 15.9 1.81 248 5.4 0.99 328 7.2 1.29 

Source: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2016). 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental 

Health Services Administration, Rockville, MD. 

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 Prevalence estimates are rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent, and total estimates are rounded to the nearest thousand. Because of this 

rounding, some prevalence estimates 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. 

c Numbers in thousands of individuals. 

d Rates per 100 persons. NSDUH presents these as prevalence estimates in the form of percentages, rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent. 

e Use of 2013 Rural-Urban Continuum Codes for the creation of the county type variables. 

50 
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

           

TABLE 2F
 Self-reported prevalence of past year initiation of illicit drug use, persons 12+ years old, heroin, 

cocaine, and methamphetamine: Numbers in Thousands — United States, 2014 and 2015a

Socio-demographic 

Characteristic 

2014 2015 

Heroin Cocaine Heroin Cocaine Methamphetamine 

Numberb Ratec SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE 

All 212 0.1 0.01 766 0.3 0.02 135 0.1 0.01 968 0.4 0.03 225 0.1 0.01 

Age (in years) 

12-17 13 0.1 0.03 117 0.5 0.08 11 0.0 0.02 112 0.5 0.07 24 0.1 0.03 

18-25 75 0.2 0.04 501 1.4 0.11 57 0.2 0.04 663 1.9 0.15 91 0.3 0.06 

≥ 26 124 0.1 0.02 148 0.1 0.02 68 0.0 0.01 193 0.1 0.02 110 0.1 0.01 

Source: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2016). 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental 

Health Services Administration, Rockville, MD. 

a

 Prevalence estimates are rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent, and total estimates are rounded to the nearest thousand. Because of this 

rounding, some prevalence estimates 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. 

b

 Numbers in thousands of individuals.
 

c

 Rates per 100 persons. NSDUH presents these as prevalence estimates in the form of percentages, rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent.
 

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Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

TABLE 2G
 Self-reported prevalence of past year initiation of prescription drug misusea

, persons 12+ years old, by 

prescription drug type: Numbers in Thousands — United States, 2015b 

Socio-demographic 

Characteristic 

Prescription Pain Relievers Prescription Tranquilizers Prescription Stimulants Prescription Sedatives 

Numberc Rated SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE 

All 2,126 0.8 0.04 1,437 0.5 0.04 1,260 0.5 0.03 425 0.2 0.02 

Sex 

Male 916 0.7 0.05 633 0.5 0.05 631 0.5 0.04 155 0.1 0.03 

Female 1,210 0.9 0.06 803 0.6 0.05 629 0.5 0.04 270 0.2 0.04 

Age (in years) 

12-17 415 1.7 0.13 210 0.8 0.09 276 1.1 0.11 46 0.2 0.04 

18-25 596 1.7 0.12 489 1.4 0.11 600 1.7 0.14 86 0.2 0.04 

≥ 26 1,114 0.5 0.05 738 0.4 0.04 384 0.2 0.03 293 0.1 0.03 

Source: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2016). 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental Health 

Services Administration, Rockville, MD. 

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

 Prevalence estimates are rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent, and total estimates are rounded to the nearest thousand. Because of this 

rounding, some prevalence estimates 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. 

c

 Numbers in thousands of individuals. 

d

 Rates per 100 persons. NSDUH presents these as prevalence estimates in the form of percentages, rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent. 

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Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

TABLE 2H
 Self-reported prevalence of substance use disordera

 in past year, persons 12+ years old, heroin and 

cocaine: Numbers in Thousands — United States, 2014b 

Socio-demographic 

Characteristic 

Heroin Cocaine 

Numberc Rated SE Number Rate SE 

All 586 0.2 0.02 913 0.3 0.03 

Age (in years) 

12-17 18 0.1 0.03 27 0.1 0.03

18-25 168 0.5 0.07 185 0.5 0.07 

≥ 26 400 0.2 0.03 702 0.3 0.04 

Source: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2016). 2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental Health 

Services Administration, Rockville, MD. 

a

 Substance Use Disorder is defined as meeting criteria for illicit drug or alcohol 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

 Prevalence estimates are rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent, and total estimates are rounded to the nearest thousand. Because of this 

rounding, some prevalence estimates 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. 

c

 Numbers in thousands of individuals. 

d

 Rates per 100 persons. NSDUH presents these as prevalence estimates in the form of percentages, rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent. 

53 
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Cent

TABLE 2I
 Self-reported prevalence of substance use disordera in past year persons 12+ years old, by drug type: Numbers in Thousands — U

Socio-demographic Characteristic 

All Illicit Drug Usec

and Prescription Drug Misuse 

Prescription Pain Relievers 

Prescription Tranquilizers Prescription Stimulants Prescription Sedatives Heroin Cocaine 

Numberd Ratee SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number 

All 7,737 2.9 0.08 2,038 0.8 0.04 688 0.3 0.02 426 0.2 0.02 154 0.1 0.01 591 0.2 0.02 896 

Age (in years) 

12-17 855 3.4 0.17 122 0.5 0.07 77 0.3 0.06 38 0.2 0.04 26 0.1 0.03 6 0.0 0.01 31 

18-25 2,530 7.2 0.26 427 1.2 0.11 234 0.7 0.08 159 0.5 0.06 22 0.1 0.02 155 0.4 0.06 229 

Source: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. (2016). 2015 National Survey 

on Drug Use and Health. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 

Rockville, MD. 

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 Prevalence estimates are rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent, and total estimates are 

rounded to the nearest thousand. Because of this rounding, some prevalence estimates 

equal to 0.0 are displayed. These prevalence estimates are roundpercent and do not represent an absence of persons displaying a 

c Illicit drug use includes the use of marijuana, cocaine (including c

hallucinogens, inhalants, or methamphetamine. 

d Numbers in thousands of individuals. e Rates per 100 persons. NSDUH presents these as prevalence estim

percentages, rounded to the nearest tenth of a percent. 

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Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Cent

TABLE 3A
 Estimated numberab and age-adjusted rate per 100,000 population of drug poisoning-related hospitalizations by selected substa

Socio-demographic Characteristic 

All drug poisoningsc All Opioid poisoningsd Heroin poisoningse Methadone poisoningsf

Poisoning by other opioidsg Cocaine po

Number Ratej SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number 

All Visits 259,665 79.2 0.56 53,000 15.6 0.18 11,475 3.6 0.09 4,580 1.4 0.05 37,125 10.7 0.14 13,265 

Sex 

Male 114,590 71.2 0.64 25,880 15.7 0.25 8,080 5.0 0.14 2,460 1.5 0.07 15,445 9.2 0.18 8,990 Female 145,075 87.0 0.7 27,120 15.4 0.24 3,395 2.1 0.09 2,120 1.2 0.06 21,680 12.1 0.2 4,275 

Age groups (years) 

k k k 0-14 7,950 13.0 0.75 560 0.9 0.11 105 0.2 0.04 435 0.7 0.09 140 

15-19 15,645 74.2 2.17 935 4.4 0.35 350 1.7 0.2 65 0.3 0.09 520 2.5 0.26 140 20-24 19,260 84.0 1.74 3,600 15.7 0.63 2,205 9.6 0.49 180 0.8 0.13 1,230 5.4 0.35 445 25-34 42,725 98.1 1.74 8,755 20.1 0.59 4,260 9.8 0.41 750 1.7 0.14 3,790 8.7 0.35 1,850 35-44 39,420 97.3 1.75 6,970 17.2 0.54 1,730 4.3 0.26 740 1.8 0.16 4,510 11.1 0.4 2,350 45-54 52,360 120.5 2.03 10,860 25.0 0.68 1,695 3.9 0.28 1,095 2.5 0.19 8,110 18.7 0.55 4,685 55-64 42,085 105.0 1.81 11,585 28.9 0.72 985 2.5 0.2 1,155 2.9 0.2 9,495 23.7 0.65 2,885 ≥65 40,220 87.1 1.38 9,735 21.1 0.58 230 0.5 0.08 490 1.1 0.11 9,035 19.6 0.55 770 

U.S. Census region of residence 

Northeast 47,920 81.7 1.41 10,690 17.8 0.49 3,510 6.2 0.27 990 1.7 0.14 6,240 10.0 0.32 4,410 Midwest 57,800 84.7 1.3 11,250 15.9 0.42 3,345 5.1 0.25 865 1.2 0.1 7,070 9.7 0.29 2,340 South 101,450 82.3 0.92 19,610 15.3 0.29 2,900 2.4 0.12 1,575 1.3 0.07 15,170 11.6 0.25 5,325 West 52,495 68.0 0.99 11,450 14.4 0.35 1,720 2.2 0.13 1,150 1.4 0.1 8,645 10.8 0.3 1,190 

a Weighted national estimates from HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), 2014, 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 principal diagnosis code of 960-979 (Poisoning by Drugs, Medicinal, and 

Biological Substances) or first listed cause of injury E850-E858 (Accidental Poisoning by Drugs, Medicinal Substances, and Biologicals). 

d Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.00, 965.01, 965.02, 965.09 or first listed 

cause of injury E850.0, E850.1, E850.2. 

e Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.01 or first listed cause of injury E850.0. 

f Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.02 or first listeg Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.09, 965.00 or 

E850.2. 

h Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 970.81 or first liste

E855.2. 

i Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 969.72 or first listej Rates calculated per 100,000 population. Age-adjusted to the 200

using the vintage year population of the data. 

k The relative standard error was >30% or the standard error = 0, th

was considered unreliable and was not reported. 

55 
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Cent

TABLE 3A
 Estimated numberab and age-adjusted rate per 100,000 population of drug-poisoning related hospitalizations by selected substa

CONTINUED 

Socio-demographic Characteristic 

All drug poisoningsc All Opioid poisoningsd Heroin poisoningse Methadone poisoningsf 

Poisoning by other opioidsg Cocaine po

Number Ratej SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number 

2013 Urbanization 

Large Central Metropolitan 78,000 77.2 1.26 15,515 14.9 0.36 3,950 3.8 0.17 1,585 1.5 0.09 10,045 9.7 0.27 7,080 Large Fringe Metropolitan 58,605 72.3 1.2 12,740 15.3 0.39 3,510 4.7 0.21 910 1.1 0.09 8,350 9.6 0.28 2,290 Medium Metropolitan 57,540 85.2 1.78 12,070 17.3 0.5 2,340 3.6 0.2 1,025 1.5 0.12 8,760 12.2 0.39 2,050 Small Metropolitan 25,790 87.9 2.38 4,860 15.7 0.66 730 2.6 0.24 400 1.4 0.16 3,745 11.8 0.55 620 Micropolitan 23,375 85.4 1.71 4,595 15.6 0.58 525 2.0 0.21 390 1.3 0.16 3,690 12.3 0.5 575 Not Metropolitan or Micropolitan 14,085 74.0 1.97 2,760 13.5 0.65 250 1.6 0.23 205 1.1 0.19 2,310 10.8 0.58 255 Unknown 2,270 0.0 0 460 0.0 0 170 0.0 0 65 0.0 0 225 0.0 0 395 

a Weighted national estimates from HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), 2014, 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 principal diagnosis code of 960-979 (Poisoning by Drugs, Medicinal, and 

Biological Substances) or first listed cause of injury E850-E858 (Accidental Poisoning by Drugs, Medicinal Substances, and Biologicals). 

d Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.00, 965.01, 965.02, 965.09 or first listed 

cause of injury E850.0, E850.1, E850.2. 

e Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.01 or first listed cause of injury E850.0. 

f Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.02 or first listeg Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.09, 965.00 or 

E850.2. 

h Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 970.81 or first liste

E855.2. 

i Includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 969.72 or first listej Rates calculated per 100,000 population. Age-adjusted to the 200

using the vintage year population of the data. 

k The relative standard error was >30% or the standard error = 0, th

was considered unreliable and was not reported. 

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Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Cent

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 Characteristic 

All drug poisoningsc All Opioid poisoningsd Heroin poisoningse Methadone poisoningsf

Poisoning by other opioidsg Cocaine po

Number Ratej SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number 

All Visits 418,313 133.7 1.95 92,262 28.9 0.99 53,930 17.1 0.84 2,921 0.9 0.04 35,690 11.0 0.21 6,424 

Sex Male 199,999 127.9 2.32 57,655 36.3 1.4 38,035 24.0 1.21 1,554 1.0 0.06 18,242 11.4 0.28 4,462 

 Female 218,313 139.5 1.8 34,607 21.6 0.64 15,894 10.2 0.51 1,367 0.8 0.06 17,448 10.6 0.23 1,962 

Age groups (years)

k k k 0-14 70,984 116.2 4.12 2,263 3.7 0.23 95 0.2 0.03 2,126 3.5 0.22 472 

 15-19 46,755 221.8 7.19 4,170 19.8 1.16 1,796 8.5 0.79 64 0.3 0.08 2,321 11.0 0.63 226 

 20-24 48,443 211.3 8.91 16,294 71.1 4.96 12,276 53.5 4.35 231 1.0 0.16 3,848 16.8 0.89 589  25-34 80,785 185.5 9.12 30,478 70.0 5.72 22,411 51.5 4.99 675 1.6 0.16 7,503 17.2 0.9 1,662  35-44 53,233 131.3 5.42 14,410 35.6 2.68 8,703 21.5 2.15 558 1.4 0.16 5,177 12.8 0.68 1,369  45-54 50,116 115.3 4.44 12,328 28.4 1.91 5,869 13.5 1.45 575 1.3 0.15 5,929 13.6 0.61 1,250  55-64 34,075 85.0 2.73 8,061 20.1 1.01 2,458 6.1 0.62 488 1.2 0.16 5,132 12.8 0.56 703 

≥65 33,922 73.4 2 4,258 9.2 0.42 375 0.8 0.14 236 0.5 0.07 3,655 7.9 0.37 152 

U.S. Census region of residence Northeast 83,450 154.0 7.14 27,462 49.9 4.48 20,570 37.7 3.93 585 1.0 0.12 6,356 11.3 0.67 1,105 

 Midwest 100,900 153.7 4.26 24,944 37.9 2.32 16,162 24.8 1.93 433 0.7 0.09 8,437 12.6 0.52 1,127 

 South 137,841 117.0 2.66 25,100 20.9 0.96 11,802 9.9 0.75 975 0.8 0.07 12,393 10.2 0.31 3,128 

 West 96,122 128.5 2.93 14,756 19.0 0.67 5,396 7.0 0.41 929 1.2 0.1 8,504 10.9 0.35 1,063 

a Weighted national estimates from HCUP Nationwide Emergency Department Sample 

(NEDS), 2014, 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 principal diagnosis code of 960-979 (Poisoning by Drugs, Medicinal, and 

Biological Substances) or first listed cause of injury E850-E858 (Accidental Poisoning by Drugs, Medicinal Substances, and Biologicals). 

d includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.00, 965.01, 965.02, 965.09 or first listed 

cause of injury E850.0, E850.1, E850.2. 

e includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.01 or first listed cause of injury E850.0. 

f includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.02 or first listeg includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.09, 965.00 or 

E850.2. 

h includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 970.81 or first liste

or E855.2. 

i includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 969.72 or first listej Rates calculated per 100,000 population. Age-adjusted to the 200

population using the vintage year population of the data. 

k The relative standard error was >30% or the standard error = 0, th

was considered unreliable and was not reported. 

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Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Cent

TABLE 3B
 Estimated numberab and age-adjusted rate per 100,000 population of drug-poisoning related emergency department visits by se

— United States, 2014 

CONTINUED 

Socio-demographic Characteristic 

All drug poisoningsc All Opioid poisoningsd Heroin poisoningse Methadone poisoningsf 

Poisoning by other opioidsg Cocaine po

Number Ratej SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number 

2013 Urbanization Large Central Metropolitan 104,834 106.5 3.14 22,862 22.2 1.13 13,122 12.7 0.86 1,170 1.1 0.09 8,672 8.5 0.34 2,619 

 Large Fringe Metropolitan 89,713 117.9 4.63 27,093 35.9 2.87 19,012 25.5 2.54 485 0.6 0.07 7,658 9.8 0.44 1,196 

 Medium Metropolitan 111,082 170.9 4.96 23,438 35.8 2.05 13,468 20.8 1.67 625 1.0 0.09 9,425 14.1 0.55 1,514 

 Small Metropolitan 40,317 142.2 5.82 7,143 24.6 2.24 3,330 11.7 1.73 222 0.8 0.12 3,600 12.2 0.71 430 

 Micropolitan 41,919 161.4 3.42 6,776 26.0 1.4 3,084 12.3 1.14 178 0.7 0.13 3,529 13.0 0.55 316 

 Not Metropolitan or Micropolitan 26,890 153.1 3.47 3,720 20.5 1.02 975 6.1 0.7 207 1.1 0.18 2,537 13.2 0.66 208 

k k k k 

 Unknown 3,557 1,230 0.0 0 938 0.0 0 269 0.0 0 

a Weighted national estimates from HCUP Nationwide Emergency Department Sample 

(NEDS), 2014, 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 principal diagnosis code of 960-979 (Poisoning by Drugs, Medicinal, and 

Biological Substances) or first listed cause of injury E850-E858 (Accidental Poisoning by Drugs, Medicinal Substances, and Biologicals). 

d includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.00, 965.01, 965.02, 965.09 or first listed 

cause of injury E850.0, E850.1, E850.2. 

e includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.01 or first listed cause of injury E850.0. 

f includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.02 or first listeg includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.09, 965.00 or 

injury E850.2. 

h includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 970.81 or first liste

or E855.2. 

i includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 969.72 or first listej Rates calculated per 100,000 population. Age-adjusted to the 200

population using the vintage year population of the data. 

k The relative standard error was >30% or the standard error = 0, th

was considered unreliable and was not reported. 

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Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Cent

TABLE 3C
 Estimated numberab and percent of drug-poisoning related hospitalization and emergency department visits by primary payer — 

All drug poisoningsc All Opioid poisoningsd Heroin poisoningse Methadone poisoningsf Poisoning by other opioidsg Cocaine poisoning

Hospitalizations ED visits Hospitalizations ED visits Hospitalizations ED visits Hospitalizations ED visits Hospitalizations ED visits Hospitalizations 

Total 259,665 418,313 53,000 92,262 11,475 53,930 4,580 2,921 37,125 35,690 13,265 

Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % Number % 

Payer Medicare 80,525 31.0 66,835 16.0 20,185 38.1 11,989 13.0 1,135 9.9 3,281 6.1 1,440 31.4 566 19.4 17,645 58.7 8,170 29.0 2,555 19.3 

Medicaid 78,780 30.3 148,359 35.5 15,610 29.5 33,702 36.5 5,045 44.0 21,612 40.1 1,775 38.8 1,378 47.2 8,875 29.5 10,826 38.5 6,240 47.0 

Private 59,630 23.0 114,638 27.4 9,735 18.4 18,730 20.3 2,565 22.4 9,773 18.1 615 13.4 343 11.7 6,580 21.9 8,659 30.8 1,465 11.0 

Uninsured 31,735 12.2 68,179 16.3 5,805 11.0 22,676 24.6 2,390 20.8 15,804 29.3 620 13.5 547 18.7 2,830 9.4 6,406 22.8 2,590 19.5 

Other j j j 8,495 3.3 19,396 4.6 1,555 2.9 320 2.8 130 2.8 1,105 3.7 1,552 5.5 390 2.9 

a Weighted national estimates from HCUP National Inpatient Survey (NIS) and Nationwide 

Emergency Department Sample (NEDS), 2014, 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 principal diagnosis code of 960-979 (Poisoning by Drugs, Medicinal, and 

Biological Substances) or first listed cause of injury E850-E858 (Accidental Poisoning by Drugs, Medicinal Substances, and Biologicals). 

d includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.00, 965.01, 965.02, 965.09 or first listed 

cause of injury E850.0, E850.1, E850.2. 

e includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.01 or first listef includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.02 or first listeg includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.09, 965.00 or 

E850.2. 

h includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 970.81 or first liste

E855.2. 

i includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 969.72 or first listej The relative standard error was >30% or the standard error = 0, th

was considered unreliable and was not reported. 

59 
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Cent

TABLE 4A
 Number and age-adjusted ratesa of all drug overdose deathsband selected drugs by sex, race and Hispanic originc, Census regiond

— United States, 2015 

Socio-demographic Characteristic 

Drug overdose deaths, overall 

Drug overdose deaths involving: Any opioidf

Natural and semisynthetic opioidsg Methadoneh Synthetic opioids other than methadonei Prescription opioidsj Heroink C

Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE 

All 52,404 16.3 0.072 33,091 10.4 0.058 12,727 3.9 0.035 3,301 1.0 0.018 9,580 3.1 0.032 15,281 4.7 0.039 12,989 4.1 0.037 

Sex 

Male 32,957 20.8 0.116 21,671 13.7 0.095 7,117 4.4 0.054 1,939 1.2 0.028 6,560 4.2 0.053 8,617 5.4 0.059 9,881 6.3 0.064 

Female 19,447 11.8 0.087 11,420 7.1 0.067 5,610 3.4 0.046 1,362 0.8 0.023 3,020 1.9 0.035 6,664 4.0 0.05 3,108 2.0 0.037 

Age group (years) 

0-14 144 0.2 0.02 83 0.1 0.015 48 0.1 0.011 13 --* --* 14 --* --* 61 0.1 0.013 --* --* --* 

15-19 772 3.7 0.132 506 2.4 0.107 136 0.6 0.055 53 0.3 0.034 143 0.7 0.057 184 0.9 0.064 208 1.0 0.068 

20-24 3,463 15.2 0.259 2,576 11.3 0.223 579 2.5 0.106 148 0.7 0.053 856 3.8 0.129 702 3.1 0.117 1,441 6.3 0.167 

25-34 11,880 26.9 0.247 8,568 19.4 0.21 2,327 5.3 0.109 735 1.7 0.061 2,896 6.6 0.122 2,906 6.6 0.122 4,292 9.7 0.148 35-44 11,505 28.3 0.264 7,484 18.4 0.213 2,819 6.9 0.131 739 1.8 0.067 2,289 5.6 0.118 3,390 8.4 0.143 3,012 7.4 0.135 

45-54 12,974 30.0 0.264 7,595 17.6 0.202 3,479 8.1 0.137 843 2.0 0.067 1,982 4.6 0.103 4,100 9.5 0.148 2,439 5.6 0.114 

55-64 8,901 21.8 0.231 5,089 12.4 0.175 2,602 6.4 0.125 642 1.6 0.062 1,167 2.9 0.084 3,101 7.6 0.136 1,407 3.4 0.092 

≥65 2,760 5.8 0.11 1,188 2.5 0.072 736 1.5 0.057 127 0.3 0.024 232 0.5 0.032 835 1.7 0.061 184 0.4 0.028 

Race and Hispanic originc

White, non-Hispanic 41,720 21.1 0.106 27,056 13.9 0.087 10,774 5.3 0.053 2,725 1.4 0.027 7,995 4.2 0.048 12,894 6.4 0.058 10,050 5.4 0.055 

Black, non-Hispanic 5,070 12.2 0.174 2,741 6.6 0.127 878 2.1 0.074 247 0.6 0.038 883 2.1 0.072 1,060 2.6 0.08 1,310 3.1 0.087 

Hispanic 4,117 7.7 0.122 2,507 4.6 0.093 780 1.5 0.053 235 0.5 0.03 524 0.9 0.042 961 1.8 0.059 1,299 2.3 0.065 

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality File, CDC WONDER. 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. 

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 2015, approximately 17% of drug overdose deaths did not include information on the specific type of drug(s) involved. 

c 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. 

d Census regions are defined by the following jurisdictions: Region 1: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, 

Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont; Region 2: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin; Region 3: Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia; Region 4: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. 

e Categories of 2013 NCHS Urban-Rural Classification Scheme for Counties 

(http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_02/sr02_166.pdf ): 

Large central metro: Counties in metropolitan statistical areas (M

contain the entire population of largest principal city of the MSAcontained in the largest principal city of the MSA, or 3) contain acity of the MSA; Large fringe metro: Counties in MSAs of ≥1 milliocentral metro counties; Medium metro: Counties in MSAs of popCounties in MSAs of populations less than 250,000; Micropolitan micropolitan statistical areas; Noncore (nonmetropolitan countiequalify as micropolitan. 

f Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve opium (T40.0), her

opioids (T40.2), methadone (T40.3), synthetic opioids other than unspecified narcotics (T40.6). 

g Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve natural and semi-h Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve methadone (T40.i Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve synthetic opioids j Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve natural and semi-s

(T40.3). 

k Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve heroin (T40.1). l Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve cocaine (T40.5). m Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve psychostimulants 

60 
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Cent

TABLE 4A
 Number and age-adjusted ratesa of all drug overdose deathsband selected drugs by sex, race and Hispanic originc, Census regiond, urbanizatione, and intent — United States, 2015 

CONTINUED 

Socio-demographic Characteristic 

Drug overdose deaths, overall 

Drug overdose deaths involving: Any opioidf 

Natural and semisynthetic opioidsg Methadoneh Synthetic opioids other than methadonei Prescription opioidsj Heroink 

Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE 

U.S. Census region of residenced

Northeast 11,096 19.8 0.192 7,576 13.6 0.16 2,095 3.6 0.081 643 1.1 0.045 3,071 5.6 0.103 2,605 4.5 0.091 3,461 6.3 0.109 

Midwest 11,785 17.8 0.167 8,011 12.2 0.139 2,302 3.4 0.073 673 1.0 0.04 2,548 3.9 0.08 2,848 4.2 0.081 3,959 6.1 0.099 

South 18,613 15.5 0.115 11,747 9.8 0.092 5,374 4.4 0.062 1,228 1.0 0.03 3,303 2.8 0.049 6,282 5.2 0.067 3,722 3.2 0.053 

West 10,910 13.9 0.136 5,757 7.4 0.099 2,956 3.8 0.07 757 1.0 0.035 658 0.9 0.034 3,546 4.5 0.077 1,847 2.4 0.056 

2013 Urbanizatione

Large Central 

15,325 14.8 0.122 9,679 9.4 0.097 3,438 3.3 0.057 1,069 1.0 0.032 2,509 2.4 0.049 4,276 4.1 0.064 4,496 4.4 0.066 

MetropolitanLarge Fringe 

13,032 16.5 0.147 8,683 11.2 0.122 2,870 3.5 0.067 734 0.9 0.035 2,947 3.9 0.072 3,444 4.2 0.074 3,778 5.0 0.082 

MetropolitanMedium Metropolitan 11,982 18.3 0.171 7,618 11.8 0.138 3,071 4.7 0.086 755 1.2 0.043 2,255 3.5 0.076 3,664 5.6 0.094 2,736 4.3 0.083 Small Metropolitan 4,720 16.8 0.251 2,729 9.9 0.194 1,193 4.2 0.126 265 1.0 0.061 686 2.5 0.1 1,404 5.0 0.136 868 3.2 0.111 

Micropolitan 4,512 17.5 0.268 2,730 10.8 0.211 1,248 4.8 0.14 281 1.1 0.067 753 3.0 0.113 1,457 5.6 0.151 778 3.2 0.117 

Noncore 2,833 16.2 0.316 1,652 9.6 0.245 907 5.1 0.177 197 1.2 0.089 430 2.6 0.127 1,036 5.9 0.191 333 2.1 0.116 

Intent 

Unintentional 44,126 13.8 0.067 29,382 9.3 0.055 10,621 3.3 0.033 2,955 0.9 0.017 8,609 2.8 0.03 12,923 4.0 0.036 12,284 3.9 0.036 

Undetermined 2,979 0.9 0.017 1,857 0.6 0.013 807 0.3 0.009 237 0.1 0.005 544 0.2 0.007 985 0.3 0.009 586 0.2 0.008 

Suicide 5,206 1.5 0.022 1,803 0.5 0.013 1,287 0.4 0.010 107 0.02 0.003 415 0.1 0.007 1,359 0.4 0.011 92 0.03 0.004 

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality File, CDC WONDER. 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. 

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 2015, approximately 17% of drug overdose deaths did not include information on the specific type of drug(s) involved. 

c 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. 

d Census regions are defined by the following jurisdictions: Region 1: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, 

Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont; Region 2: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin; Region 3: Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia; Region 4: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. 

e Categories of 2013 NCHS Urban-Rural Classification Scheme for Counties 

(http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_02/sr02_166.pdf ): 

Large central metro: Counties in metropolitan statistical areas (Mcontain the entire population of largest principal city of the MSAcontained in the largest principal city of the MSA, or 3) contain acity of the MSA; Large fringe metro: Counties in MSAs of ≥1 milliocentral metro counties; Medium metro: Counties in MSAs of popCounties in MSAs of populations less than 250,000; Micropolitan micropolitan statistical areas; Noncore (nonmetropolitan countiequalify as micropolitan. 

f Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve opium (T40.0), her

opioids (T40.2), methadone (T40.3), synthetic opioids other than unspecified narcotics (T40.6). 

g Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve natural and semi-h Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve methadone (T40.i Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve synthetic opioids j Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve natural and semi-s

(T40.3). 

k Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve heroin (T40.1). l Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve cocaine (T40.5). m Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve psychostimulants 

61 
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Cent

TABLE 4B
 Number and age-adjusted ratesa of all drug overdose deathsb and selected drugs by sex, race and Hispanic originc, Census region

— United States, 2014 

Socio-demographic Characteristic 

Overall drug overdoses 

Drug overdose deaths involving: Any opioidf 

Natural and semisynthetic opioidsg Methadoneh Synthetic opioids other than methadonei Prescription opioidsj Heroink C

Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE N

All 47,055 14.7 0.069 28,647 9.0 0.054 12,159 3.8 0.035 3,400 1.1 0.019 5,544 1.8 0.024 14,838 4.6 0.038 10,574 3.4 0.034 

Sex 

Male 28,812 18.3 0.109 18,420 11.7 0.088 6,732 4.2 0.052 2,009 1.3 0.029 3,465 2.2 0.038 8,332 5.2 0.058 8,160 5.2 0.059 Female 18,243 11.1 0.084 10,227 6.3 0.064 5,427 3.3 0.046 1,391 0.9 0.024 2,079 1.3 0.028 6,506 3.9 0.05 2,414 1.6 0.032 

Age group (years) 

0-14 109 0.2 0.017 64 0.1 0.013 42 0.1 0.011 14 --* --* 10 --* --* 55 0.1 0.012 --* --* --* 

15-19 658 3.1 0.122 416 2.0 0.097 133 0.6 0.055 50 0.2 0.034 70 0.3 0.04 177 0.8 0.063 180 0.9 0.064 20-24 3,140 13.7 0.245 2,290 10.0 0.209 593 2.6 0.106 191 0.8 0.06 444 1.9 0.092 754 3.3 0.12 1,272 5.6 0.156 

25-34 10,055 23.1 0.23 7,028 16.2 0.193 2,115 4.9 0.106 796 1.8 0.065 1,474 3.4 0.088 2,776 6.4 0.121 3,493 8.0 0.136 

35-44 10,134 25.0 0.248 6,338 15.6 0.197 2,644 6.5 0.127 768 1.9 0.068 1,264 3.1 0.088 3,257 8.0 0.141 2,398 5.9 0.121 

45-54 12,263 28.2 0.255 6,987 16.1 0.192 3,488 8.0 0.136 854 2.0 0.067 1,359 3.1 0.085 4,127 9.5 0.148 2,030 4.7 0.104 55-64 8,122 20.3 0.225 4,452 11.1 0.166 2,437 6.1 0.123 629 1.6 0.063 742 1.9 0.068 2,916 7.3 0.135 1,064 2.7 0.081 ≥65 2,568 5.6 0.11 1,070 2.3 0.071 706 1.5 0.057 98 0.2 0.021 181 0.4 0.029 775 1.7 0.06 136 0.3 0.025 

Race and Hispanic originc 

White, non-Hispanic 37,945 19.0 0.1 23,574 12.0 0.081 10,308 5.0 0.051 2,845 1.4 0.028 4,685 2.4 0.036 12,549 6.2 0.057 8,253 4.4 0.05 Black, non-Hispanic 4,323 10.5 0.162 2,298 5.6 0.118 814 2.0 0.07 256 0.6 0.04 449 1.1 0.052 1,017 2.5 0.078 1,044 2.5 0.079 

Hispanic 3,504 6.7 0.116 2,107 4.0 0.089 727 1.4 0.053 228 0.5 0.031 302 0.6 0.033 906 1.8 0.06 1,049 1.9 0.061 

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality File, CDC WONDER. 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. 

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 of drugs involved with deaths varies over time. In 2014, approximately 19% of drug overdose deaths did not include information on the specific type of drug(s) involved. 

c 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. 

d Census regions are defined by the following jurisdictions: Region 1: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, 

Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont; Region 2: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin; Region 3: Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia; Region 4: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. 

e Categories of 2013 NCHS Urban-Rural Classification Scheme for Counties 

(http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_02/sr02_166.pdf ): 

Large central metro: Counties in metropolitan statistical areas (Mcontain the entire population of largest principal city of the MSAcontained in the largest principal city of the MSA, or 3) contain acity of the MSA; Large fringe metro: Counties in MSAs of ≥1 milliocentral metro counties; Medium metro: Counties in MSAs of popCounties in MSAs of populations less than 250,000; Micropolitan micropolitan statistical areas; Noncore (nonmetropolitan countiequalify as micropolitan. 

f Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve opium (T40.0), her

opioids (T40.2), methadone (T40.3), synthetic opioids other than unspecified narcotics (T40.6). 

g Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve natural and semi-h Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve methadone (T40.i Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve synthetic opioids j Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve natural and semi-s

(T40.3). 

k Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve heroin (T40.1). l Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve cocaine (T40.5). m Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve psychostimulants 

62 
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Cent

TABLE 4B
 Number and age-adjusted ratesa of all drug overdose deathsb and selected drugs by sex, race and Hispanic originc, Census region

— United States, 2014 

CONTINUED 

Socio-demographic Characteristic 

Overall drug overdoses 

Drug overdose deaths involving: Any opioidf 

Natural and semisynthetic opioidsg Methadoneh Synthetic opioids other than methadonei Prescription opioidsj Heroink C

Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE N

U.S. Census region of residenced 

Northeast 9,077 16.1 0.172 5,961 10.7 0.141 1,851 3.3 0.078 587 1.0 0.044 1,485 2.7 0.071 2,337 4.1 0.087 2,755 5.1 0.098 

Midwest 10,647 16.0 0.159 6,917 10.5 0.129 2,205 3.3 0.072 675 1.0 0.041 1,319 2.0 0.057 2,749 4.1 0.08 3,385 5.2 0.091 

South 16,777 14.0 0.11 10,074 8.5 0.086 5,101 4.2 0.06 1,298 1.1 0.03 2,087 1.8 0.04 6,103 5.1 0.066 2,733 2.4 0.046 

West 10,554 13.7 0.135 5,695 7.4 0.099 3,002 3.9 0.072 840 1.1 0.038 653 0.8 0.033 3,649 4.7 0.079 1,701 2.2 0.055 

2013 Urbanizatione 

Large Central 

13,714 13.5 0.116 8,301 8.1 0.091 3,214 3.1 0.056 985 1.0 0.031 1,330 1.3 0.036 3,992 3.9 0.063 3,793 3.7 0.061 

MetropolitanLarge Fringe 

11,676 14.8 0.139 7,550 9.7 0.113 2,739 3.4 0.066 772 1.0 0.036 1,626 2.1 0.053 3,368 4.2 0.074 3,171 4.2 0.076 

MetropolitanMedium Metropolitan 10,486 16.0 0.16 6,378 9.9 0.126 2,883 4.4 0.084 809 1.2 0.044 1,255 2.0 0.057 3,518 5.4 0.092 2,114 3.4 0.074 Small Metropolitan 4,396 15.6 0.242 2,447 8.8 0.181 1,168 4.1 0.123 314 1.1 0.065 476 1.7 0.082 1,417 5.0 0.136 662 2.5 0.097 Micropolitan 4,138 16.0 0.256 2,442 9.6 0.2 1,277 4.9 0.141 308 1.2 0.072 537 2.1 0.095 1,509 5.8 0.154 567 2.3 0.1 Noncore 2,645 15.0 0.303 1,529 8.9 0.234 878 5.0 0.173 212 1.2 0.089 320 1.9 0.109 1,034 5.9 0.19 267 1.7 0.104 

Intent 

Unintentional 38,718 12.1 0.063 25,037 7.9 0.051 10,015 3.1 0.032 3,026 0.9 0.017 4,745 1.5 0.022 12,418 3.9 0.036 10,009 3.2 0.033 

Undetermined 2,823 0.9 0.017 1,720 0.5 0.013 830 0.2 0.009 232 0.1 0.004 396 0.1 0.007 1,000 0.3 0.01 453 0.1 0.006 Suicide 5,433 1.6 0.023 1,843 0.5 0.013 1,296 0.4 0.011 137 0.04 0.004 395 0.1 0.006 1,398 0.4 0.012 93 0.01 0.002 

Source: National Vital Statistics System, Mortality File, CDC WONDER. 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. 

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 of drugs involved with deaths varies over time. In 2014, approximately 19% of drug overdose deaths did not include information on the specific type of drug(s) involved. 

c 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. 

d Census regions are defined by the following jurisdictions: Region 1: Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, 

Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont; Region 2: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin; Region 3: Alabama, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia; Region 4: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. 

e Categories of 2013 NCHS Urban-Rural Classification Scheme for Counties 

(http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_02/sr02_166.pdf ): 

Large central metro: Counties in metropolitan statistical areas (M

contain the entire population of largest principal city of the MSAcontained in the largest principal city of the MSA, or 3) contain acity of the MSA; Large fringe metro: Counties in MSAs of ≥1 milliocentral metro counties; Medium metro: Counties in MSAs of popCounties in MSAs of populations less than 250,000; Micropolitan micropolitan statistical areas; Noncore (nonmetropolitan countiequalify as micropolitan. 

f Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve opium (T40.0), her

opioids (T40.2), methadone (T40.3), synthetic opioids other than unspecified narcotics (T40.6). 

g Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve natural and semi-h Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve methadone (T40.i Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve synthetic opioids j Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve natural and semi-s

(T40.3). 

k Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve heroin (T40.1). l Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve cocaine (T40.5). m Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve psychostimulants 

63 
 

 

 

 

FIGURES 
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

FIGURE 1A
 Trends in opioid prescribing — United States, 2006-2016 

Annual prescribing rates by overall and high-dosage (≥ 90 MME/day) prescriptions 

Between 2006 and 2016, the annual prescribing rate per 100 persons decreased from 72.4 to 66.5 for 

all opioids, an overall 8.1% reduction. The annual percent change increased by 4.1% from 2006 to 2008 

(p<0.05), then increased another 1.1% from 2008 to 2012 (p<0.05), and then annually decreased by 4.9% 

from 2012 through 2016 (p<0.05). 

Between 2006 and 2016, the annual prescribing rate per 100 persons decreased from 11.5 to 6.1 for highdosage opioid prescriptions, an overall 46.8% reduction (Supplemental Table 1). The rate leveled off between 

2006 and 2009, then annually decreased by 9.3% from 2009 to 2016 (p<0.05). 

Source: QuintilesIMS® Transactional Data Warehouse.
 

High-dose prescriptions were defined as opioid prescriptions resulting in a daily dosage of ≥ 90 MME.
 

65 
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

FIGURE 1B
 Trends in opioid prescribing — United States, 2006-2016 

Annual prescribing rates by days of supply per prescription 

From 2006 through 2016, the annual prescribing rate for thirty or more days’ supply per 100 persons 

increased from 17.6 to 27.3 for prescriptions with ≥ 30 days of supply, an overall 55.1% increase. The rate 

increased annually by 9.9% from 2006 through 2010 (p<0.05) and by 2.9% from 2010 through 2013 (p<0.05), 

and then annually decreased by 1.3% between 2013 and 2016 (p<0.05). 

During 2006-2016, the annual prescribing rate for less than thirty days’ supply per 100 persons decreased 

from 54.7 to 39.2 for prescriptions with < 30 days’ supply, an overall 28.3% reduction. The rate leveled off 

from 2006 through 2008, then decreased annually by 1.2% between 2008 and 2012 (p<0.05), and further 

decreased annually by 7.3% from 2012 to 2016 (p<0.05). 

Source: QuintilesIMS® Transactional Data Warehouse. 

66 
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

FIGURE 1C Trends in opioid prescribing — United States, 2006-2016
 

Average daily morphine milligram equivalents (MME) per prescription 

Between 2006 and 2016, average daily MME per prescription decreased from 59.7 to 47.1 for all opioids, an
 

overall 21.1% reduction. The rate decreased annually by 1.0% from 2006 to 2010 (p<0.05), 4.7% from 2010
 

to 2013 (p<0.05), and 1.7% from 2013 to 2016 (p<0.05).
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: QuintilesIMS® Transactional Data Warehouse. 

Abbreviation: MME, morphine milligram equivalents. 

67 
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

FIGURE 1D Trends in opioid prescribing — United States, 2006-2016
 

Average days of supply per prescription 

Between 2006 and 2016, average days of supply increased from 13.3 to 18.1 days per prescription, an overall
 

35.7% increase. The rate increased annually by 4.4% from 2006 to 2008 (p<0.05), 3.4 % from 2008 to 2011
 

(p<0.05), and 2.5% from 2011 to 2016 (p<0.05).
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: QuintilesIMS® Transactional Data Warehouse. 

Abbreviation: MME, morphine milligram equivalents. 

68 
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

 

 

Age-adjusted ratesa of drug overdose deathsb and drug overdose deaths involving any opioidc, FIGURE 2A for all intents and for unintentional intent, by year — United States, 1999–2015 

The rate of drug overdose deaths increased from 6.1 per 100,000 population in 1999 to 16.3 in 2015; for 

unintenttional drug overdose deaths, the rate increased from 4.0 per 100,000 in 1999 to 13.8 in 2015; for 

drug overdose deaths involving any opioid, the rate increased from 2.9 per 100,000 in 1999 to 10.4 in 2015 

(p<0.05); for unintenttional drug overdose deaths involving any opioid, the rate increased from 2.1 per 

100,000 in 1999 to 9.3 per 100,000 in 2015 (p<0.05). For all four categories of drug overdose deaths, increases 

in rates were largest from 2013 to 2015, with the rate increasing on average by 9% per year for overall drug 

overdose deaths (p<0.05), 11% per year for unintenttional drug overdose deaths (p<0.05), 15% per year 

for drug overdose deaths involving any opioid (p<0.05), and 16% for unintenttional drug overdose deaths 

involving any opioid (p<0.05). 

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 2015, 5.7% of drug overdose deaths had undetermined intent; this is a decrease of 14.7% of drug overdose deaths 

with 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 2015, approximately 17% of drug overdose deaths did not include information on the specific type of drug(s) 

involved. Some of these deaths may have involved opioids. 

69 
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

 

 

 

Age-adjusted ratesa of drug overdose deathsb, by drug or drug class and year — FIGURE 2B United States, 1999–2015 

The rate of drug overdose deaths involving natural and semi-synthetic opioids increased from 1.0 per 

100,000 population in 1999 to 3.9 in 2015 (p<0.05); for those involving heroin, the rate increased from 0.7 

per 100,000 in 1999 to 4.1 in 2015 (p<0.05); for those involving synthetic opioids other than methadone, the 

rate increased from 0.3 per 100,000 in 1999 to 3.1 in 2015 (p<0.05); and for those involving psychostimulants 

with abuse potential, the rate increased from 0.2 per 100,000 in 1999 to 1.8 in 2015 (p<0.05). Rates of drug 

overdose deaths involving methadone declined from 1.8 per 100,000 in 2006 to 1.0 in 2015 (p<0.05), an 

average decrease of 7% per year; and for those involving cocaine, increased from 1.3 per 100,000 in 2010 to 

2.1 in 2015 (p<0.05), an average increase of 9% per year. Rates for drug overdose deaths involving natural 

and semi-synthetic opioids remained stable from 2010 to 2015 (p>0.05); while increases in drug overdose 

deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone were largest from 2013 to 2015 (p<0.05), with the 

rate increasing on average by 81% per year. Heroin rates increased on average 31% per year from 2010 to 

2015 (p<0.05), and death rates of psychostimulants with abuse potential increased on average 23% per year 

from 2008 to 2015 (p<0.05). 

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 2015, approximately 17% 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).
 

d

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve heroin (T40.1).
 

e

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve synthetic opioids other than methadone (T40.4).
 

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

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve methadone (T40.3).
 

70 
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FIGURE 2C
 Age-adjusted ratesa

 of drug overdose deathsb, by drug or drug class and age category — 

United States, 2015 

Among persons ages 15 to 24 years, the rate of drug overdose deaths involving heroin was 3.8 per 100,000, 

and those involving synthetic opioids other than methadone was 2.3. Among persons ages 25 to 34 years, 

the rate of drug overdose deaths involving heroin was 9.7 per 100,000; those involving synthetic opioids 

other than methadone was 6.6; and those involving natural and semi-synthetic opioids was 5.3. Among 

persons ages 35 to 44 years, the rate of drug overdose deaths involving heroin was 7.4 per 100,000; those 

involving synthetic opioids other than methadone was 5.6; and those involving natural and semi-synthetic 

opioids was 6.9. Among persons ages 45 to 54 years and 55 to 64 years, the rate of drug overdose deaths 

involving natural and semi-synthetic opioids was 8.1 and 6.4 per 100,000 respectively; those involving 

heroin were 5.6 and 3.4, respectively; those involving synthetic opioids other than methadone were 4.6 

and 2.9, respectively. Rates of drug overdose deaths involving cocaine were 3.6 per 100,000 among 25 to 

34 year olds, 3.8 among 35 to 44 year olds, and 4.3 among 45 to 54 year olds. Rates of deaths involving 

psychostimulants with abuse potential were 3.0 per 100,000 among 25 to 34 year olds, 3.3 among 35 to 44 

year olds, and 3.5 among 45 to 54 year olds. 

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 2015, approximately 17% 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).
 

d

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve methadone (T40.3).
 

e

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve synthetic opioids other than methadone (T40.4).
 

f Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve heroin (T40.1).
 

g

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve cocaine (T40.5).
 

h

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve psychostimulants with abuse potential (T43.6).
 

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FIGURE 2D
 Age-adjusted ratesa

 of drug overdose deaths,b by state — United States, 2014 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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. Rates are 

suppressed when based on <20 deaths. 

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). On death certificates, the 

specificity of drugs involved with deaths varies over time. In 2014, approximately 19% of drug overdose deaths did not include information on the 

specific type of drug(s) involved. 

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FIGURE 2E
 Age-adjusted ratesa

 of drug overdose deaths,b by state — United States, 2015 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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. Rates are 

suppressed when based on <20 deaths. 

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). On death certificates, the 

specificity of drugs involved with deaths varies over time. In 2015, approximately 17% of drug overdose deaths did not include information on the 

specific type of drug(s) involved. 

73 
 

 

 

 

APPENDIX 
Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

SUPPLEMENTAL 

TABLE 1 Opioid prescribing, United States, 2006-2016 

% Change from 

Opioid Prescribing 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2006 to 2016 

Prescribing ratea

All opioids 72.4 75.9 78.2 79.5 81.2 80.9 81.3 78.1 75.6 70.6 66.5 -8.1 

High-dosageb 11.5 11.7 11.8 11.5 11.4 8.8 8.3 7.6 7.1 6.7 6.1 -46.8 

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 55.1 

< 30 days 54.7 55.8 56.1 55.6 55.3 53.8 53.2 49.8 47.2 42.5 39.2 -28.4 

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 -21.0 

Average MME per Rx 828.2 861.9 894.1 922.6 963.8 946.7 911.5 901.7 895.9 907.5 599.3 -27.6 

MME per Capita 599.3 653.9 699.4 733.0 782.3 765.9 740.6 704.1 677.0 640.4 599.3 0.0 

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 35.7 

Source: QuintilesIMS Transactional Data Warehouse.
 

Abbreviation: MME, morphine milligram equivalents; Rx, prescription
 

a Rate per 100 persons adjusted to the U.S. census population.
 

b

 High-dose prescriptions were defined as opioid prescriptions resulting in a daily dosage of ≥ 90 MME.
 

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SUPPLEMENTAL TABLE 2A Estimated numberab and rate per 100,000 population of drug poisoning-related hospitalizations by selected substa

Socio-demographic Characteristic 

All drug poisoningsc All Opioid poisoningsd Heroin poisoningse Methadone poisoningsf Poisoning by other opioidsg Cocaine poisoNumber Ratej SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rat

All Visits 259,665 81.4 1.01 53,000 16.6 0.28 11,475 3.6 0.12 4,580 1.4 0.06 37,125 11.6 0.21 13,265 Sex 

Male 114,590 73.0 1.07 25,880 16.5 0.34 8,080 5.1 0.18 2,460 1.6 0.08 15,445 9.8 0.22 8,990 

Female 145,075 89.6 1.12 27,120 16.7 0.32 3,395 2.1 0.1 2,120 1.3 0.07 21,680 13.4 0.28 4,275 

Age groups (years) 

k k k 0-14 7,950 13.0 0.75 560 0.9 0.11 105 0.2 0.04 435 0.7 0.09 140 

15-19 15,645 74.2 2.17 935 4.4 0.35 350 1.7 0.2 65 0.3 0.09 520 2.5 0.26 140 20-24 19,260 84.0 1.74 3,600 15.7 0.63 2,205 9.6 0.49 180 0.8 0.13 1,230 5.4 0.35 445 25-34 42,725 98.1 1.74 8,755 20.1 0.59 4,260 9.8 0.41 750 1.7 0.14 3,790 8.7 0.35 1,850 35-44 39,420 97.3 1.75 6,970 17.2 0.54 1,730 4.3 0.26 740 1.8 0.16 4,510 11.1 0.4 2,350 45-54 52,360 120.5 2.03 10,860 25.0 0.68 1,695 3.9 0.28 1,095 2.5 0.19 8,110 18.7 0.55 4,685 55-64 42,085 105.0 1.81 11,585 28.9 0.72 985 2.5 0.2 1,155 2.9 0.2 9,495 23.7 0.65 2,885 ≥65 40,220 87.1 1.38 9,735 21.1 0.58 230 0.5 0.08 490 1.1 0.11 9,035 19.6 0.55 770 

U.S. Census region of residence 

Northeast 47,920 85.3 2.73 10,690 19.0 0.78 3,510 6.2 0.36 990 1.8 0.17 6,240 11.1 0.46 4,410 

Midwest 57,800 85.3 2.26 11,250 16.6 0.62 3,345 4.9 0.33 865 1.3 0.12 7,070 10.4 0.4 2,340 South 101,450 84.7 1.66 19,610 16.4 0.43 2,900 2.4 0.15 1,575 1.3 0.08 15,170 12.7 0.37 5,325 West 52,495 69.8 1.75 11,450 15.2 0.55 1,720 2.3 0.16 1,150 1.5 0.11 8,645 11.5 0.44 1,190 

a Weighted national estimates from HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), 2014, 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 principal diagnosis code of 960-979 (Poisoning by Drugs, Medicinal, and 

Biological Substances) or first listed cause of injury E850-E858 (Accidental Poisoning by Drugs, Medicinal Substances, and Biologicals). 

d includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.00, 965.01, 965.02, 965.09 or first listed 

cause of injury E850.0, E850.1, E850.2. 

e includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.01 or first listed cause of injury E850.0. 

f includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.02 or first listeg includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.09, 965.00 or 

E850.2. 

h includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 970.81 or first liste

E855.2. 

i includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 969.72 or first listej Rates calculated per 100,000 population using the vintage year pk The relative standard error was >30% or the standard error = 0, th

was considered unreliable and was not reported. 

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SUPPLEMENTAL TABLE 2A Estimated numberab and rate per 100,000 population of drug poisoning-related hospitalizations by selected substa

CONTINUED 

Socio-demographic Characteristic 

All drug poisoningsc All Opioid poisoningsd Heroin poisoningse Methadone poisoningsf Poisoning by other opioidsg Cocaine poisoNumber Ratej SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rat

2013 Urbanization 

Large Central 78,000 79.6 2.79 15,515 15.8 0.66 3,950 4.0 0.26 1,585 1.6 0.12 10,045 10.3 0.45 7,080 

Metropolitan Large Fringe 58,605 74.1 2.64 12,740 16.1 0.67 3,510 4.4 0.26 910 1.2 0.1 8,350 10.6 0.46 2,290 Metropolitan Medium Metropolitan 57,540 86.6 4.13 12,070 18.2 0.96 2,340 3.5 0.28 1,025 1.5 0.15 8,760 13.2 0.72 2,050 Small Metropolitan 25,790 88.3 5.05 4,860 16.6 1.08 730 2.5 0.27 400 1.4 0.16 3,745 12.8 0.87 620 Micropolitan 23,375 85.8 2.94 4,595 16.9 0.81 525 1.9 0.22 390 1.4 0.18 3,690 13.5 0.68 575 Not Metropolitan or 14,085 74.3 3.22 2,760 14.6 0.85 250 1.3 0.19 205 1.1 0.18 2,310 12.2 0.77 255 Micropolitan Unknown 2,270 460 170 65 225 395 

a Weighted national estimates from HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), 2014, 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 principal diagnosis code of 960-979 (Poisoning by Drugs, Medicinal, and 

Biological Substances) or first listed cause of injury E850-E858 (Accidental Poisoning by Drugs, Medicinal Substances, and Biologicals). 

d includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.00, 965.01, 965.02, 965.09 or first listed 

cause of injury E850.0, E850.1, E850.2. 

e includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.01 or first listed cause of injury E850.0. 

f includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.02 or first listeg includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.09, 965.00 or 

E850.2. 

h includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 970.81 or first liste

E855.2. 

i includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 969.72 or first listej Rates calculated per 100,000 population using the vintage year pk The relative standard error was >30% or the standard error = 0, th

was considered unreliable and was not reported. 

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SUPPLEMENTAL TABLE 2B 

Estimated numberab and rate per 100,000 population of drug poisoning related emergency department visits by se

— United States, 2014 

Socio-demographic Characteristic 

All drug poisoningsc All Opioid poisoningsd Heroin poisoningse Methadone poisoningsf Poisoning by other opiodsg Cocaine poiso

Number Ratej SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rate SE Number Rat

All Visits 418,313 131.2 4.17 92,262 28.9 1.82 53,930 16.9 1.5 2,921 0.9 0.07 35,690 11.2 0.41 6,424 Sex

 Male 199,999 127.4 4.74 57,655 36.7 2.58 38,035 24.2 2.17 1,554 1.0 0.09 18,242 11.6 0.49 4,462 

 Female 218,313 134.8 3.86 34,607 21.4 1.14 15,894 9.8 0.86 1,367 0.8 0.07 17,448 10.8 0.38 1,962 

Age groups (years)

 0-14 70,984 116.2 4.12 2,263 3.7 0.23 k k k 95 0.2 0.03 2,126 3.5 0.22 472 

 15-19 46,755 221.8 7.19 4,170 19.8 1.16 1,796 8.5 0.79 64 0.3 0.08 2,321 11.0 0.63 226  20-24 48,443 211.3 8.91 16,294 71.1 4.96 12,276 53.5 4.35 231 1.0 0.16 3,848 16.8 0.89 589  25-34 80,785 185.5 9.12 30,478 70.0 5.72 22,411 51.5 4.99 675 1.6 0.16 7,503 17.2 0.9 1,662  35-44 53,233 131.3 5.42 14,410 35.6 2.68 8,703 21.5 2.15 558 1.4 0.16 5,177 12.8 0.68 1,369  45-54 50,116 115.3 4.44 12,328 28.4 1.91 5,869 13.5 1.45 575 1.3 0.15 5,929 13.6 0.61 1,250  55-64 34,075 85.0 2.73 8,061 20.1 1.01 2,458 6.1 0.62 488 1.2 0.16 5,132 12.8 0.56 703 

≥65 33,922 73.4 2 4,258 9.2 0.42 375 0.8 0.14 236 0.5 0.07 3,655 7.9 0.37 152 

U.S. Census region of residence

 Northeast 83,450 148.6 14.49 27,462 48.9 7.96 20,570 36.6 6.8 585 1.0 0.19 6,356 11.3 1.28 1,105 

 Midwest 100,900 148.9 8.44 24,944 36.8 4.16 16,162 23.9 3.4 433 0.6 0.1 8,437 12.5 0.9 1,127  South 137,841 115.1 6.12 25,100 21.0 1.84 11,802 9.9 1.36 975 0.8 0.11 12,393 10.3 0.61 3,128  West 96,122 127.9 6.5 14,756 19.6 1.33 5,396 7.2 0.7 929 1.2 0.15 8,504 11.3 0.67 1,063 

a Weighted national estimates from HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), 2014, 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 principal diagnosis code of 960-979 (Poisoning by Drugs, Medicinal, and 

Biological Substances) or first listed cause of injury E850-E858 (Accidental Poisoning by Drugs, Medicinal Substances, and Biologicals). 

d includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.00, 965.01, 965.02, 965.09 or first listed 

cause of injury E850.0, E850.1, E850.2. 

e includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.01 or first listed cause of injury E850.0. 

f includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.02 or first listeg includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.09, 965.00 or 

injury E850.2. 

h includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 970.81 or first liste

or E855.2. 

i includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 969.72 or first listej Rates calculated per 100,000 population using the vintage year pk The relative standard error was >30% or the standard error = 0, th

was considered unreliable and was not reported. 

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Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Cent

SUPPLEMENTAL TABLE 2B 

Estimated numberab and rate per 100,000 population of drug poisoning related emergency department visits by se

— United States, 2014 

CONTINUED 

Socio-demographic Characteristic 

All drug poisoningsc All Opioid poisoningsd Heroin poisoningse Methadone poisoningsf Poisoning by other opiodsg Cocaine poisoNumber Ratej SE Number Ratej SE Number Ratej SE Number Ratej SE Number Ratej SE Number Rat

2013 Urbanization

 Large Central 104,834 107.0 7.32 22,862 23.3 2.36 13,122 13.4 1.72 1,170 1.2 0.16 8,672 8.9 0.73 2,619 

Metropolitan  Large Fringe 89,713 113.5 9.87 27,093 34.3 4.98 19,012 24.0 4.27 485 0.6 0.08 7,658 9.7 0.85 1,196 Metropolitan  Medium Metropolitan 111,082 167.1 11.78 23,438 35.3 3.78 13,468 20.3 2.9 625 0.9 0.11 9,425 14.2 1.08 1,514  Small Metropolitan 40,317 138.0 14.37 7,143 24.5 4.15 3,330 11.4 2.97 222 0.8 0.13 3,600 12.3 1.48 430  Micropolitan 41,919 153.8 6.71 6,776 24.9 2.09 3,084 11.3 1.65 178 0.7 0.13 3,529 13.0 0.76 316  Not Metropolitan or 26,890 141.9 6.24 3,720 19.6 1.36 975 5.1 0.82 207 1.1 0.18 2,537 13.4 0.87 208 Micropolitan  Unknown 3,557 1,230 938 k 269 k 

a Weighted national estimates from HCUP Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), 2014, 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 principal diagnosis code of 960-979 (Poisoning by Drugs, Medicinal, and 

Biological Substances) or first listed cause of injury E850-E858 (Accidental Poisoning by Drugs, Medicinal Substances, and Biologicals). 

d includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.00, 965.01, 965.02, 965.09 or first listed 

cause of injury E850.0, E850.1, E850.2. 

e includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.01 or first listed cause of injury E850.0. 

f includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.02 or first listeg includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 965.09, 965.00 or 

injury E850.2. 

h includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 970.81 or first liste

or E855.2. 

i includes ICD-9-CM principal diagnosis code of 969.72 or first listej Rates calculated per 100,000 population using the vintage year pk The relative standard error was >30% or the standard error = 0, th

was considered unreliable and was not reported. 

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Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA 

SUPPORTING MORTALITY 

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, 1999–2015 

Drug overdose deaths Unintentional drug Drug overdose deaths involving Unintentional drug overdose 

(of all intents) overdose deaths any opioid (of all intents) 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 0.04 

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 

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 5.7% of drug overdose deaths in 2015 had 

undetermined intent; this is a decrease of 14.7% of drug overdose deaths with 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). 

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SUPPLEMENTAL DATA 

SUPPORTING MORTALITY 

FIGURE 2B 

Age-adjusted ratesa of drug overdose deathsb, by drug or drug class and year, 

United States, 1999–2015 

Synthetic opioids Psychostimulants Natural and semi- Methadoned other than Heroinf Cocaineg with abuse synthetic opioidsc

methadonee potentialh

Year Rate SE Rate SE Rate SE Rate SE Rate SE Rate SE 

1999 1.0 0.019 0.3 0.010 0.3 0.009 0.7 0.016 1.4 0.022 0.2 0.009 

2000 1.0 0.019 0.4 0.011 0.3 0.010 0.7 0.015 1.3 0.021 0.2 0.009 

2001 1.2 0.021 0.5 0.013 0.3 0.011 0.6 0.015 1.3 0.022 0.2 0.009 

2002 1.5 0.023 0.8 0.017 0.4 0.012 0.7 0.016 1.6 0.023 0.3 0.011 

2003 1.7 0.024 1.0 0.019 0.5 0.013 0.7 0.016 1.8 0.025 0.4 0.012 

2004 1.8 0.025 1.3 0.021 0.6 0.014 0.6 0.015 1.9 0.025 0.4 0.012 

2005 1.9 0.026 1.5 0.023 0.6 0.014 0.7 0.015 2.1 0.027 0.5 0.013 

2006 2.3 0.028 1.8 0.025 0.9 0.017 0.7 0.016 2.5 0.029 0.5 0.013 

2007 2.7 0.030 1.8 0.025 0.7 0.015 0.8 0.016 2.2 0.027 0.4 0.012 

2008 3.0 0.031 1.6 0.023 0.8 0.016 1.0 0.018 1.7 0.024 0.4 0.012 

2009 3.1 0.032 1.5 0.023 1.0 0.018 1.1 0.019 1.4 0.022 0.5 0.013 

2010 3.5 0.034 1.5 0.022 1.0 0.018 1.0 0.018 1.3 0.021 0.6 0.014 

2011 3.7 0.035 1.4 0.022 0.8 0.017 1.4 0.022 1.5 0.022 0.7 0.016 

2012 3.5 0.034 1.2 0.020 0.8 0.017 1.9 0.025 1.4 0.022 0.8 0.017 

2013 3.5 0.034 1.1 0.019 1.0 0.018 2.7 0.030 1.6 0.023 1.2 0.020 

2014 3.8 0.035 1.1 0.019 1.8 0.024 3.4 0.034 1.7 0.024 1.4 0.021 

2015 3.9 0.035 1.0 0.018 3.1 0.032 4.1 0.037 2.1 0.026 1.8 0.024 

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. 

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). 

d

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve methadone (T40.3). 

e

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve synthetic opioids other than methadone (T40.4). 

f Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve heroin (T40.1). 

g

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve cocaine (T40.5). 

h

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve psychostimulants with abuse potential (T43.6). 

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SUPPLEMENTAL DATA 

SUPPORTING MORTALITY 

FIGURE 2C 

Age-adjusted ratesa of drug overdose deathsb, by drug or drug class and age category, 

United States, 2015 

Natural and Synthetic opioids Psychostimulants 

semi-synthetic Methadoned other than Heroinf Cocaineg with abuse 

opioidsc methadonee potentialh

Age group (yrs) Rate SE Rate SE Rate SE Rate SE Rate SE Rate SE

0–14 0.1 0.011 --* --* --* --* --* --* --* --* --* --* 

15–24 1.6 0.061 0.5 0.032 2.3 0.072 3.8 0.093 1.0 0.048 0.9 0.047 

25–34 5.3 0.109 1.7 0.061 6.6 0.122 9.7 0.148 3.6 0.090 3.0 0.082 

35–44 6.9 0.131 1.8 0.067 5.6 0.118 7.4 0.135 3.8 0.097 3.3 0.091 

45–54 8.1 0.137 2.0 0.067 4.6 0.103 5.6 0.114 4.3 0.100 3.5 0.090 

55–64 6.4 0.125 1.6 0.062 2.9 0.084 3.4 0.092 2.9 0.084 2.3 0.075 

≥65 1.5 0.057 0.3 0.024 0.5 0.032 0.4 0.028 0.4 0.029 0.3 0.027 

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. 

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). 

d

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve methadone (T40.3). 

e

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve synthetic opioids other than methadone (T40.4). 

f Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve heroin (T40.1). 

g

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve cocaine (T40.5). 

h

 Drug overdose deaths, as defined, that involve psychostimulants with abuse potential (T43.6). 

* Rates are suppressed when based on <20 deaths 

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Annual Surveillance Report of Drug-Related Risks and Outcomes | United States CDC National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2017

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA 

SUPPORTING MORTALITY 

FIGURE 2D 

Age-adjusted ratesa of drug overdose deathsb, by state, 2015 

State of residence Age-adjusted rate SE State of residence Age-adjusted rate SE 

Alabama 15.7 0.589 Montana 13.8 1.22 

Alaska 16.0 1.482 Nebraska 6.9 0.633 

Arizona 19.0 0.544 Nevada 20.4 0.833 

Arkansas 13.8 0.713 New Hampshire 34.3 1.716 

California 11.3 0.168 New Jersey 16.3 0.435 

Colorado 15.4 0.53 New Mexico 25.3 1.16 

Connecticut 22.1 0.803 New York 13.6 0.264 

Delaware 22.0 1.595 North Carolina 15.8 0.405 

District of Columbia 18.6 1.686 North Dakota 8.6 1.129 

Florida 16.2 0.294 Ohio 29.9 0.532 

Georgia 12.7 0.356 Oklahoma 19.0 0.721 

Hawaii 11.3 0.898 Oregon 12.0 0.55 

Idaho 14.2 0.98 Pennsylvania 26.3 0.473 

Illinois 14.1 0.335 Rhode Island 28.2 1.648 

Indiana 19.5 0.562 South Carolina 15.7 0.582 

Iowa 10.3 0.599 South Dakota 8.4 1.064 

Kansas 11.8 0.668 Tennessee 22.2 0.592 

Kentucky 29.9 0.853 Texas 9.4 0.187 

Louisiana 19.0 0.663 Utah 23.4 0.932 

Maine 21.2 1.338 Vermont 16.7 1.731 

Maryland 20.9 0.593 Virginia 12.4 0.389 

Massachusetts 25.7 0.63 Washington 14.7 0.455 

Michigan 20.4 0.47 West Virginia 41.5 1.582 

Minnesota 10.6 0.452 Wisconsin 15.5 0.535 

Mississippi 12.3 0.67 Wyoming 16.4 1.729 

Missouri 17.9 0.56 

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 2015 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). 

83