US overdose deaths fell again in 2025, but some worry about policy and drug supply changes
About 70,000 Americans died of drug overdoses last year—about 14% fewer than the previous year, according to preliminary government data.
May 13, 2026
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Organic Chemical: Fentanyl
Medical news and research articles
Opioid overdose survivors face higher risk of death than previously thought, study finds
After an emergency department visit for an opioid overdose, 9% of individuals died and 21% experienced a repeat opioid overdose in the following year, according to a new study from ICES and the Center for Addiction and Mental ...
May 7, 2026
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New study shows limitations of naloxone in reversing overdoses from powerful synthetic opioids
A new study exposes challenges in reversing opioid overdoses with naloxone when potent synthetic drugs like fentanyl and sufentanil are involved, according to a study published in the May 2026 issue of Anesthesiology. The ...
Apr 13, 2026
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Reported 2025 drug overdose 'spike' was an illusion, new study finds
In June 2025, several mainstream media outlets reported a surge in U.S. drug overdose deaths in early 2025 that was based on data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Apr 9, 2026
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Study of coroners' reports highlights safety concerns linked to fentanyl patch deaths
Fentanyl is a highly potent and fast-acting synthetic opioid used to treat severe pain and is available in several forms, including injections, nasal sprays and skin patches. The study, which is published in the British Journal ...
Mar 18, 2026
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Severe burns present growing threat in overdose epidemic
A new analysis in Oregon reveals a heightened incidence of severe burns requiring hospital-level care as illicit drug use nationwide has shifted from injection to smoking. Researchers analyzed Oregon Medicaid data and found ...
Mar 16, 2026
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Higher buprenorphine doses help patients stay in opioid use disorder treatment, new study finds
Patients who are prescribed higher daily doses of the medication buprenorphine for opioid use disorder are significantly more likely to stay in treatment. Those on 17 to 24 milligrams averaged 190 days in care compared to ...
Mar 15, 2026
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Study finds addiction consults led to opioid treatment for eye infection patients
People who use injection drugs are at a higher risk for eye infections, particularly endogenous endophthalmitis—a medical emergency caused by bacteria or fungi entering the bloodstream to reach the inside of the eye. These ...
Feb 11, 2026
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New study finds near-universal fentanyl exposure with xylazine in some—but not all—US cities
In the national conversation about overdose, fentanyl is often framed as a single, wide-reaching crisis, but new evidence from five major U.S. cities suggests a more fragmented, complex reality. In an article published in ...
Feb 10, 2026
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Fentanyl is changing how doctors treat opioid use disorder
For years, buprenorphine—one of the primary medications used to treat opioid use disorder—has been a critical bridge to recovery, helping to reduce illicit drug use and overdose deaths. But with the changing landscape of ...
Feb 5, 2026
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