News: U.S. drug overdose deaths fall for third straight year in 2025

July 23, 2026

CDI Strategies - Volume 20, Issue 31

Drug overdose deaths in the United States declined for the third consecutive year in 2025, according to preliminary data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Using data from the National Vital Statistics System, federal health officials estimate 69,973 overdose deaths occurred nationwide in 2025, down nearly 14% from the estimated 81,313 deaths reported in 2024.

The decline marks the longest sustained reduction in overdose deaths in decades, bringing the national total back to roughly the level seen in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Most states recorded year-over-year decreases in overdose deaths. Rhode Island experienced the largest decline at nearly 33%, followed by North Carolina (26.02%), Alabama (26.14%), Vermont (25.13%), and New York (24.82%). However, several states saw increases, including New Mexico (24.08%), South Dakota (14.29%), Arizona (11.48%), and Colorado (11.25%).

Rates were also determined for several major drug categories. Deaths involving opioids fell from an estimated 55,296 in 2024 to 44,564 in 2025. Fatal overdoses involving synthetic opioids such as fentanyl dropped from 48,913 to 38,084 while deaths involving psychostimulants, including methamphetamine, decreased from 29,852 to 26,181. Cocaine-related overdose deaths also declined, falling from 22,397 to 19,581. Deaths involving natural and semi-synthetic opioids dropped slightly, from 8,082 to 7,065.

Health officials noted in the report that overdose deaths often involve more than one substance. This means a single death may be counted in multiple drug categories. For example, an overdose involving both heroin and fentanyl would be included in the totals for each drug type.

Drug poisoning (overdose) deaths were identified using the following ICD-10-CM mortality codes: