Deaths From Accidents Related To Drug Use Rose 60% In Five Years

Key Takeaways

More people are dying from accidents linked to drug use

The death rate from unintentional injuries related to drug use rose nearly 60% in five years

It can be more difficult to properly treat injuries among people affected by drugs

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 8, 2025 (HealthDay News) — More people are dying from accidents that occur while they’re using drugs, a new study says.

The death rate from unintentional injuries related to drug use rose nearly 60% between 2018 and 2023, researchers reported Tuesday at a meeting of the American College of Surgeons in Chicago.

“Drug use is now contributing to more accidental injury deaths, especially in middle-aged adults,” said researcher Dr. Krista Haines , an assistant professor of trauma, critical care and acute care surgery at Duke Un