Fentanyl Addiction Statistics

Overview of Key Fentanyl Statistics

• Over 73,000 deaths in 2022 involved synthetic opioids like fentanyl
• More than 150 people die daily from synthetic opioid overdoses
• Illicitly manufactured fentanyl is involved in over half of all overdose deaths
• Nearly 1 million people reported fentanyl misuse in recent national data

Prevalence of Fentanyl Use

Fentanyl continues to drive the opioid crisis in the United States, with synthetic opioids accounting for the majority of overdose deaths in recent years. According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, synthetic opioids like fentanyl are involved in the majority of fatal overdoses nationwide.

Recent national survey data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration estimates that millions of Americans misuse prescription opioids each year, with a significant portion of opioid-related harm now tied to illicitly manufactured fentanyl.

• Approximately 2.5 million people aged 12 and older have an opioid use disorder (OUD) in the United States
• Synthetic opioids (primarily fentanyl) are involved in over 70% of opioid overdose deaths
• Fentanyl is now the leading cause of overdose death among adults ages 18–45

Fentanyl Addiction by Gender

While fentanyl-specific misuse data by gender is limited, broader opioid trends highlight important differences.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse:

• Men are significantly more likely to die from opioid overdoses, including those involving fentanyl
• In recent years, overdose death rates among men have remained higher than among women, though rates are increasing in both groups
• Women are more likely to be prescribed opioids and may develop dependence through medical use

Long-term data shows that synthetic opioid deaths have increased sharply for both sexes, with particularly steep increases among men since 2013. However, overdose rates among women have also risen significantly, narrowing the gap over time.

Fentanyl Addiction by Age

People of all ages develop addiction to fentanyl and other synthetic or semi-synthetic opioids. However, certain age groups are more at risk for opioid abuse that involves fentanyl.

Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and national surveys show:

• Adults ages 25 to 54 account for the majority of opioid overdose deaths
• Overdose deaths involving fentanyl have increased rapidly among adults over 55, a growing but often overlooked group
• Fentanyl-related deaths are now a leading cause of death among younger adults (18–45)

While misuse among adolescents is lower compared to adults, fentanyl exposure remains a serious risk due to contamination in other drugs.

Fentanyl Addiction by Race

Recent data shows shifting trends in how fentanyl impacts different racial and ethnic groups.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• White individuals still account for the highest total number of overdose deaths
• However, overdose death rates have increased most rapidly among Black and African American populations in recent years
• American Indian and Alaska Native populations also experience disproportionately high overdose death rates

Fentanyl Addiction During the COVID-19Pandemic

The CDC reported a large spike in overdose deaths during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many healthcare providers attribute this rise to the stress and isolation during COVID-19 quarantines and lockdowns. Among this rise, prescription drug and opioid overdoses rose sharply.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Overdose deaths increased sharply from about 70,000 in 2019 to over 100,000 annually in recent years
• Synthetic opioids were involved in the majority of these deaths
• Social isolation, disruptions in treatment access, and increased mental health stress contributed to rising substance use

Fentanyl Abuse VS Other Opioids

According to 2022 data from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), fentanyl misuse was at 19.0%.

By comparison, that same study showed the following percentages of abuse for other opioids:

• Buprenorphine: 19.5%
• Hydromorphone: 7.9%
• Hydrocodone: 10.2%
• Oxycodone: 12.3%
• Codeine: 9.3%
• Tramadol: 9.4%
• Morphine: 7.2%
• Methadone: 14.8%

Quick Facts About Fentanyl

Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid drug approved for use as an anesthetic and for pain relief. While fentanyl can be a lifesaver for patients who need it, the drug can lead to tragedy when used and abused without medical supervision.

Here is some basic info to know about fentanyl:

• Fentanyl is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. Less than 0.007% of an ounce or 2mg of fentanyl causes certain death.

• Fentanyl must be prescribed by a doctor, which has led to the creation of illegally made fentanyl (IMF) and lacing synthetic opioids with fentanyl.

• Fentanyl can be taken in the following ways: injected, smoked, orally by pill or tablet, snorted or sniffed, and spiked onto blotter paper.

• Fentanyl overdose symptoms typically include stupor, disorientation, cold and clammy skin, changes in pupil size, cyanosis (bluish color in the skin, lips, and nail beds due to lack of oxygen), coma, and respiratory failure that can lead to death.

• According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), illicitly manufactured fentanyl accounts for 52.7% of all drug overdose deaths.
• Illegal fentanyl is being mixed with other drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA. Many people are completely unaware they are taking fentanyl due to this mixing not being disclosed.

Fentanyl and the Opioid Epidemic

Since 2013, the United States has faced an opioid crisis mainly centered around synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Each year, the number of fentanyl-related overdoses and overdose deaths has increased, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The rise in fentanyl overdoses has led to more awareness campaigns through social media to educate people on ways to identify signs of overdose. Public awareness of life-saving measures like naloxone (Narcan®) that can reverse an opioid overdose has increased as a result.

The opioid epidemic has also led to the development of controversial harm reduction centers. These harm reduction centers provide clean needles, fentanyl test strips, and on-site medical staff to ensure overdoses are quickly treated.

As of 2023, August 21st is now recognized as “Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day” to remember those lost to fentanyl overdose and raise awareness for the rising rates of overdose due to fentanyl.

Fentanyl Overdose Statistics

Unfortunately, fentanyl overdoses are very common. The CDC reports that 52.7% of all drug overdose deaths are caused by illegally made fentanyl.

• The CDC reports that over 150 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl. In 2022, 73,654 people died from a fentanyl overdose.

• According to the CDC, in 2022, West Virginia had the highest rate of fentanyl overdose deaths, with 60.8 overdoses per 100,000 people. Washington, DC, was second with a rate of fentanyl overdose deaths at 46.3 per 100,000 people.

• California had the highest number of overdose deaths from fentanyl in 2022, with 6,453 overdose deaths. Florida (5,083) and New York (4,950) had the second and third most total deaths.

Fentanyl Addiction Recovery Statistics

Fentanyl addiction is typically treated through a combination of medications to curb withdrawals and cravings, as well as cognitive behavioral therapies.

Many fentanyl addicts may require inpatient or intensive outpatient rehab for their addiction, which increases their chances of recovery.

• According to a study from the Recovery Research Institute, nearly 1.2% (estimated 259,260) and 2.2% (estimated 489,465) of primary opioid users achieved recovery for up to a year or 1–5 years, respectively.

• Individuals in early recovery from opioids average around 27.5 years old, are more likely to be White, began using their primary substance later in life, and reported use of more substances overall.

• Individuals with primary opioid use also used for an average of 8.4 years before resolving their problem.

Get Help for a Problem With Fentanyl

If you or someone you know is abusing fentanyl, now is the time to get help. The risk of overdose with illicit drugs like non-prescribed fentanyl is dangerously high, so seeking treatment may prevent death by overdose.

Talk to your doctor or an addiction specialist about what options may be best for you or your loved one. If you’re unsure where to start, try using SAMHSA’s online treatment locator or call 1-877-726-4727 (HELP) to learn what addiction treatment options are in your area.

Written by

Jessica Miller

Editorial Director

Jessica Miller is the Editorial Director of Addiction Help. Jessica graduated from the University of South Florida (USF) with an English degree and combines her writing expertise and passion for helping others to deliver reliable information to those impacted by addiction. Informed by her personal journey to recovery and support of loved ones in sobriety, Jessica's empathetic and authentic approach resonates deeply with the Addiction Help community.

Reviewed by

• Fact-Checked
• Editor

Kent S. Hoffman, D.O.

Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer

Kent S. Hoffman, D.O. has been an expert in addiction medicine for more than 15 years. In addition to managing a successful family medical practice, Dr. Hoffman is board certified in addiction medicine by the American Osteopathic Academy of Addiction Medicine (AOAAM). Dr. Hoffman has successfully treated hundreds of patients battling addiction. Dr. Hoffman is the Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of AddictionHelp.com and ensures the website’s medical content and messaging quality.