In 2022, around 73,838 people in the United States died from a drug overdose that involved fentanyl. This was the highest number of fentanyl overdose deaths ever recorded in the United States, and a significant increase from the number of deaths reported in 2019. Fentanyl overdoses are now the driving force behind the opioid epidemic, accounting for the majority of overdose deaths in the United States. What is fentanyl? Fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic opioid similar to morphine, but more powerful. It is a prescription drug but is also manufactured illegally and is sometimes mixed with other illicit drugs such as heroin and cocaine, often without the user’s knowledge. The potency of fentanyl makes it very addictive and puts users at a high risk for overdose. Illegally manufactured fentanyl has become more prevalent in the United States in recent years, leading to a huge increase in drug overdose deaths. In 2022, the rate of drug overdose death involving fentanyl was 22.7 per 100,000 population, compared to a rate of just one per 100,000 population in the year 2013. Fentanyl overdoses by gender and race/ethnicity As of 2022, the rate of drug overdose deaths involving fentanyl in the United States is over two times higher among men than women. Rates of overdose death involving fentanyl were low for both men and women until around the year 2014 when they began to quickly increase, especially for men. In 2022, there were around 19,880 drug overdose deaths among women that involved fentanyl compared to 53,958 such deaths among men. At that time, the rate of fentanyl overdose deaths was highest among non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Natives and lowest among non-Hispanic Asians. However, from the years 2014 to 2018, non-Hispanic whites had the highest fentanyl overdose death rates.

We collect data and report statistics on opioid, stimulant, and other substance use and their impact on health and well-being.

West Virginia is currently the state with the highest drug overdose death rate in the United States, with 91 deaths per 100,000 population in 2022. Although West Virginia had the highest drug overdose death rate at that time, California was the state where the most people died from drug overdose. In 2022, around 10,952 people in California died from a drug overdose. The main perpetrator Opioids account for the majority of all drug overdose deaths in the United States. Opioids include illegal drugs such as heroin, legal prescription drugs like oxycodone, and illicitly manufactured synthetic drugs like fentanyl. The abuse of opioids has increased in recent years, leading to an increased number of drug overdose deaths. The death rate from heroin overdose hit an all-time high of 4.9 per 100,000 population in 2016 and 2017, but has decreased in recent years. Now, illicitly manufactured synthetic opioids such as fentanyl account for the majority of opioid overdose deaths in the United States. Opioid epidemic The sharp rise in overdose deaths from opioids have led many to declare the United States is currently experiencing an opioid epidemic or opioid crisis. The causes of this epidemic are complicated but involve a combination of a rise in dispensed prescriptions, irresponsible marketing from pharmaceutical companies, a lack of physician-patient communication, increased social acceptance of prescription drugs, and an increased supply of cheap and potent heroin on the streets.

According to Cognitive Market Research, the Global Opioids Market Size will be USD XX Billion in 2023 and is set to achieve a market size of USD XX Billion by the end of 2031 growing at a CAGR of XX% from 2024 to 2031.

  The global opioid market will expand significantly by XX% CAGR between 2024 and 2030.
  The Pain Relief segment accounts for the largest market share and is anticipated to a healthy growth over the approaching years.
  The hospital pharmacies had a market share of about XX% in 2023.
  The Extended Release /Long-Acting Opioids holds the largest share and is expected to grow in the coming years as well.
  The injectable segment is the market's largest contributor and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of XX% during the projected period.
  The oxycodone segment holds the largest share and is expected to grow in the coming years as well.
  North America region dominated the market and accounted for the highest revenue of XX% in 2023 and it is projected that it will grow at a CAGR of XX% in the future.

Market Dynamics of the Opioids

Rising prevalence of chronic pain conditions globally

The increased prescription of painkillers during post-operative procedures and an increase in patients with terminally chronic pain or diseases including HIV, and severe cough brought on by lung infections are two causes that are anticipated to increase opioid use as a pain reliever. Chronic pain affects an estimated 20% of the global population, with conditions such as arthritis, cancer, and lower back pain contributing to the growing demand for effective pain management solutions. In the past, it resulted in a demand surge for opioids and boosted growth. Another factor for the growth of the opioid drug market is the spike in the number of surgeries. According to the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2019, the prevalence of high-impact chronic pain in the United States was 7.4 percent.

(Source-https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db390-H.pdf)

The aging population’s vulnerability is at high risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, and cancer due to the high comorbid conditions. Declining fertility and mortality rates are some factors contributing to the geriatric population's rise. The impact of chronic pain increases with age and is highest among adults aged 65 years and above. Therefore, the rising geriatric population is anticipated to increase the demand for opioid drugs to manage chronic pain. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the geriatric population increased from 1.0 million in 2020 to 1.4 million in 2021.

(Source-https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health)

Opioid addiction and its side effects pose significant challenges to the market

One of the major challenges for this market is the high potential for abuse and addiction, physicians have scaled back their pain management prescriptions, decreasing global scales. The rising prevalence of opioid abuse is expected to stifle market growth, as practitioners are hesitant to prescribe opioids as pain relievers. The patient may become tolerant and need more and more drugs to achieve the effect of smoothing the pain. Moreover, using opioids for an extended period can develop a dependency, and after leaving the drug, the patient may suffer from withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, drug cravings, tremors (shaking), and others. The heightened regulatory scrutiny has resulted in stricter guidelines for prescribing opioids, impacting accessibility for patients in genuine need of pain relief. Regulatory changes often aim to strike a balance between ensuring access for patients and preventing misuse. The forecasted period illustrates a decrease in the opioid market growth due to the adversities and the negative effects of opioids. Researchers and experts have considered this and are making constant efforts to reduce and minimize the negative side effects of opioids. As per the record, drug overdose in the year 2018, had 657 deaths.

(Source-https://www.mass.gov/doc/opioid-related-overdose-deaths-among-ma-residents-august-2018/download)

Furthermore, the Millennium Health's Signals report (2020) revealed that there was a rise in non-prescribe...

The largest amount of federal drug control spending was reported for FY 2023 with some 44.2 billion U.S. dollars. The requested funding 2025 is slightly higher. This statistic depicts the total federal drug control spending in the United States from FY 2012 to FY 2025, in million U.S. dollars.

U.S. drug control spending

In the United States, around half of the requested budget for federal drug control spending in 2025 was requested for treatment of substance use disorders; the remaining budget was distributed amongst various governmental departments for prevention, interdiction, and law enforcement. In particular, the largest amount of drug control treatment funding in 2024 within the Department of Health and Human Services was spent by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, followed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Drug control and the opioid epidemic

The misuse of prescription drugs and the opioid epidemic are a major focus of U.S. drug control strategies and spending. In the U.S., the top controlled prescription drugs distributed are hydrocodone and oxycodone, both potentially addictive opioid analgesics that can be misused and sold illegally. In 2010-2019, efforts to reduce illegal sales of opioid narcotics in the U.S. have managed to reduce the amount of opioids diverted from the legal market by over half. Unfortunately, misusing opioids and synthetic variants such as heroin can be life-threatening; death rates due to opioid overdoses are continuing to rise.

Rank, number of deaths, percentage of deaths, and age-specific mortality rates for the leading causes of death, by age group and sex, 2000 to most recent year.

In 2022, Ireland had the highest incidence of drug-induced deaths in Europe at 97 per million population. This was followed by Estonia at 95 deaths per million population, and 86 deaths per million in Norway. On the other hand, in Romania there were only two drug-induced deaths per million population in 2022. Number of drug-induced deaths There were nearly 6.4 thousand drug-related deaths reported in the EU in 2022. There was a steady increase in the number of deaths in the EU from only 3.9 thousand cases in 2013. When combined with Turkey and Norway, the number of drug-induced deaths in 2022 nearly reached seven thousand. This was the highest number of drug-related deaths recorded in the given period. Drug deaths by gender and age In 2022, 77 percent of drug-induced deaths reported in the EU were attributed to men. Half of the deaths that occurred among men were among those aged between 25 and 44 years. Similarly, the largest share of female deaths due to drug use was also reported in the same age group.

In the past few years the number of deaths from cocaine overdose has risen in the United States, with almost 27,569 such deaths in 2022. Deaths involving cocaine are more common among males than females, with deaths among males more than double that of females in 2022. It is important to note that many overdose deaths involving cocaine also involve the use of other drugs, in particular opioids, which may contribute to death. Cocaine use Cocaine is one of the most commonly used illicit drugs in the United States. As of 2022, over 42 million people had used cocaine in their lifetime, an increase from 36.7 million in 2009. Furthermore, almost 5.3 million people in the U.S. used cocaine in the past year as of 2022. Cocaine use among teens The lifetime prevalence of cocaine use among high school students in the U.S. has decreased in recent years. As of 2022, around 1.1 percent of high school students stated they had used cocaine in their lifetime. Nevertheless, around 17.7 percent of high school students state that cocaine is “fairly easy” or “very easy” to obtain.

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Drugs Of Abuse Testing Market Size 2024-2028

The drugs of abuse testing market size is forecast to increase by USD 1.04 billion at a CAGR of 4.5% between 2023 and 2028. The market is experiencing significant growth, driven by increased strategic developments and the growing adoption of advanced information technology and information management solutions. These advancements in instruments enable efficient and accurate testing, reducing turnaround time and enhancing overall productivity. For instance, mass spectrometer and chromatography systems are extensively employed for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of cannabinoids in cannabis strains. However, high costs associated with the implementation and maintenance of these technologies remain a challenge for market expansion. Additionally, stringent regulations and the need for continuous innovation to keep up with emerging drugs of abuse are other key factors shaping the market landscape. Overall, the DoA testing market is expected to continue its growth trajectory, fueled by the need for workplace safety and substance abuse prevention.

What will be the Size of the Market During the Forecast Period?

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The market is driven by the increasing prevalence of prescription drug abuse, psychostimulants, fentanyl, vaping, and illicit drugs, as well as alcohol. Substance use disorders continue to be a significant public health concern in the US. Forensic laboratories and hospitals are major end-users, diagnostics with epidemiologic investigations and addiction treatment centers also contribute. Vulnerable populations such as the elderly, those with chronic pain, LIMS software, and individuals with opioid medications are key focus areas. Drugs like Fentanyl, psychostimulants, and cannabis/marijuana are common targets for testing.

Moreover, fentanyl, a powerful opioid, has emerged as a significant threat in the market. Its illegally manufactured forms are often mixed with other substances, making it difficult to detect and leading to a high number of overdose deaths. The elderly population is another vulnerable group in the market. They are at a higher risk of substance use disorders due to chronic pain and the misuse of prescription medications. Drug use statistics indicate that psychostimulants, such as cocaine and amphetamines, continue to be popular among certain demographics. Vaping, a newer form of drug delivery, has also gained popularity, particularly among the younger population.

Furthermore, real-time surveillance and epidemiologic investigations play a crucial role in identifying drug-related activity and addressing vulnerabilities in the market. Public awareness campaigns and drug testing mandates are essential tools in preventing substance use disorders and promoting addiction treatment. Cannabis, or marijuana, is another substance of interest in the market. While it is legal for medicinal and recreational use in some states, it is still illegal in others, making testing a necessity for employers and law enforcement agencies. The market is expected to grow due to the increasing need for accurate and reliable testing services. This growth is driven by the rising number of overdose deaths, addiction treatment initiatives, and public awareness campaigns.

In conclusion, the market is a critical component in addressing substance use disorders and promoting public health. It encompasses various sectors, including forensic laboratories and hospitals, and offers testing services for a range of substances, including prescription drugs, illicit drugs, and alcohol. The market is driven by various factors, including the increasing prevalence of substance use disorders, the emergence of new drugs and drug delivery methods, and the need for accurate and reliable testing services.

Market Segmentation

The market research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2024-2028, as well as historical data from 2018-2022 for the following segments.

Product

  Instruments
  Consumables


Geography

  North America

    Canada
    US


  Europe

    Denmark


  Asia

    China
    India


  Rest of World (ROW)

By Product Insights

The instruments segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. The market encompasses various systems, analyzers, and devices for detecting and quantifying different drug substances. These tools include breath analyzers, chromatography analyzers, immunoassay analyzers, urine testing devices, and oral fluid testing devices. For example, cannabis testing relies on mass spectrometers and chromatography systems to identify and measure the presence and quantity of cannabinoid compounds. Biotechnology plays a significant role in the market, as the principles of detection and quantification are similar to those used in foo

Swelling awareness of the importance of substance abuse treatment has supported drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinics in recent years. Medicare and Medicaid coverage expansion and program funding through SAMHSA have aligned with the changing societal attitudes toward drug and alcohol abuse. The expansion of clinics has been vital, as strengthening rates of substance abuse and a worsening opioid epidemic boost the need for accessible treatment. COVID-19 exacerbated preexisting rates of substance abuse in the US. Long periods of stress and isolation pushed many people to drugs and alcohol to cope, while the CDC is attributing the swelling use of fentanyl to an unprecedented overdose death rate. Pandemic-related operating and labor challenges have strained clinics' ability to meet the record-high demand. Despite this, strengthening incomes, broader insurance coverage and changing attitudes have led industry-wide revenue to expand at a CAGR of 3.3% over the past five years, totaling an estimated $5.3 billion in 2024, when revenue is slated to expand 2.2%. Workforce shortages and consolidation activity are the key trends in drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinics. Population expansion, COVID-related stressors, low reimbursement rates and external employment trends are factors behind shortages. Hiring challenges constrain profit expansion, as wages have swelled alongside revenue to attract and retain staff. Consolidation activity has reached record levels, as a highly fragmented, favorable insurance coverage and growing demand present massive opportunities. A growing spotlight on substance abuse and overdoses in the US will expand federal funding to clinics. The federal government is anticipated to allocate more funding to develop a workforce and extend care to underserved areas. Workforce shortages won't resolve quickly, which will continue impeding clinics' ability to provide care. Telemedicine will become more critical for clinics to manage shortages, but an unclear regulatory environment poses some risks. In all, revenue is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 3.9% over the five years through 2028 to total $6.4 billion.

Deaths related to cannabis use in England and Wales amounted to 32 in 2023. This was the highest annual amount in the past 30 years. The number of cannabis-related deaths was lowest in 2011,at seven deaths, and since 2014 the annual number of fatalities has remained above twenty. Use of cannabisAccording to a survey, over 30 percent of the English and Welsh public admitted they had consumed cannabis as of 2023. Prevalence of cannabis use in the previous twelve months, however, was at just under eight percent. Generally, cannabis was not regarded to be as dangerous as other illegal or even legal drugs by the public. Over a third of surveyed British individuals considered cannabis to be not harmful, compared to only four percent who thought tobacco is not harmful. Caught green handedIn the period 2022/23, cannabis was by far the most common drug seized by the police and border force in England and Wales. Cannabis was seized over 140 thousand times, with the next highest number of seizures involving cocaine at 19 thousand. Although, the majority of the British public support a policy change regarding the legal status of cannabis. As of 2024, 56 percent of surveyed Brits believed cannabis and other soft drugs should be legalized or decriminalized.

The number of drug-related deaths in Sweden decreased in 2023 compared to the previous year, and amounted to around 9.4 deaths per hundred thousand inhabitants. Higher death figures were among men, at 11.55 deaths per hundred thousand inhabitants compared to 7.27 among women. Most deaths from opioids According to the Public Health Agency in Sweden (Folkhälsomyndigheten), the most common cause of death is overdosing, and in almost all cases from the use of opiates (types of opioids). Opioid users were the most common drug treatment entrants for specialized drug treatment care in Sweden in 2017. The gender distribution among these entrants consisted of 67 percent men and 33 percent women. Cannabis use is the most common drug use Opioids are the most common cause of drug-related deaths, but cannabis is the most commonly used drug. In a survey from 2018 on cannabis use, seven percent of women and 11 percent of men aged between 16 and 29 years stated that they had used cannabis within the last twelve months.

In 2023, it was estimated that over 42 million people in the United States had used cocaine at some point in their life. The number of people in the United States who stated they had used cocaine in the past month has fluctuated over the past decade, but over two million people reported they had used cocaine in the past month as of 2023. Cocaine use among teens The percentage of U.S. students in grades 8, 10, and 12 that had used cocaine in their lifetime has gradually decreased since 1999. At that time, around 7.2 percent of students stated they had used cocaine in their lifetime, while in 2021 just 1.4 percent of students said so. Perhaps unsurprisingly, perceived availability of cocaine among 12th graders has also decreased over the past couple decades, with about 17 percent of 12th graders stating cocaine was “fairly easy” or “very easy” to get in 2021, compared to almost 55 percent who reported it was easy to get in 1990. The most common illicit drugs U.S. students in grades 8, 10, and 12 reported having used in their lifetime were marijuana, inhalants, and hallucinogens such as LSD and mushrooms. Deaths from cocaine In 2020, there were 19,447 drug poisoning deaths involving cocaine in the United States. The number of overdose deaths involving cocaine has increased significantly over the past few years as part of the ongoing opioid epidemic. Although, it is possible to die of an overdose just from using cocaine, many overdose deaths in the U.S. that involved cocaine also involved the use of opioids. The rate of overdose deaths involving cocaine is almost three times higher among men than women, but both have seen increases in the rate of overdose death in recent years. Considering race and ethnicity, the rate of overdose deaths involving cocaine is by far highest among black, non-Hispanics and lowest among Asian/Pacific Islander, non-Hispanics.

In 2021/2022, the states with the highest share of people who had used cocaine in the past year were Colorado, Vermont, the District of Columbia, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. In Colorado, around 3.06 percent of the population were estimated to have used cocaine in the past year at that time, compared to the U.S. average of 1.95 percent. The states with the lowest past-year cocaine consumption rates were New Hampshire and Wyoming. Cocaine use in the United States As of 2022, cocaine was the second most used illicit drug in the United States, behind marijuana. At that time around 42.2 million people in the U.S. had used cocaine at least once in their lifetime. In comparison, around 29.5 million people reported using LSD in their lifetime and 22.1 million had used ecstasy. In 2022, almost 5.2 million people were estimated to have used cocaine in the past year. How many people in the U.S. die from cocaine every year? The number of drug poisoning deaths involving cocaine has increased significantly over the past couple decades. In 2021, there were around 24,486 overdose deaths involving cocaine, compared to just 3,800 in the year 1999. However, it is important to note that many overdose deaths involving cocaine also involve other drugs, namely opioids. The increase in overdose deaths involving cocaine is directly related to the ongoing opioid epidemic in the United States. Rates of overdose death involving cocaine are twice as high for men than women, but death rates for both men and women have increased in recent years.

In 2023, 259 deaths were recorded in England and Wales as a result of paracetamol poisoning. Over the provided time interval, the number of fatal drug poisonings by paracetamol has generally fallen since peaking at 653 deaths in 1997. Paracetamol is a commonly used painkiller dispensed over-the-counter in the United Kingdom. How does paracetamol poisoning happen? Overdose from this medication occurs after excessive ingestion, which can happen either accidentally or deliberately. In the UK, three types of overdose from paracetamol have been defined by the National poisons information service. They are acute overdose – taking a large amount of the drug within one hour most likely in the circumstance of self-harm; staggered overdose – a large amount ingested but over a longer period than one hour still usually related to self-harm; and therapeutic excess which is usually done when trying to treat pain and without intent to harm oneself. Context of paracetamol overdose deaths In 2019, there were over 4.4 thousand deaths overall from drug poisoning in England and Wales. Showing that paracetamol overdose deaths account for a relatively small share of drug deaths overall. Overdose deaths are twice as common in males than females. Furthermore, the majority of drug overdose deaths in England and Wales were ruled as accidental poisonings. However, in 2019, around 950 deaths were declared to be intentional self-poisoning.

Between 2023 and 2024, the Canadian province with the most deaths was Ontario, with a total of 130,556 deaths.

In 2023, it was estimated that around 507 thousand people in the United States used crack in the past month. Crack cocaine is the solid form of cocaine, and it is typically smoked to give an instant but short euphoric high. Crack is highly addictive and a rise in its use in the 1980s and early 1990s was associated with an increase in crime and violence in parts of the United States as well as stricter drug policies and an increase in incarceration rates. How many people have used crack? It is estimated that as of 2023, around 9.9 million people in the United States had used crack in their lifetime. However, the use of cocaine, the powder form of crack that is usually snorted but can also be injected, is much more common than crack. It is estimated that over 42 million people have used cocaine in their lifetime, making it the second most-used illicit drug in the United States. Marijuana is by far the most used illicit drug in the United States. Opioids: The newest drug epidemic Although the United States experienced a crack epidemic in the 1980s and early 1990s, crack is no longer the most feared drug in the country. Opioids now account for the vast majority of drug overdose deaths in the U.S. with the country currently experiencing what has been called an opioid epidemic. In 2021, there were just over 80,400 deaths due to opioid overdose in the United States, the highest number ever recorded. Although the origins of the opioid epidemic lie in misrepresentation and over prescription of opioids by pharmaceutical companies and physicians, illegally manufactured fentanyl, an extremely potent synthetic opioid, now accounts for most opioid overdose deaths.

In 2021, a woman in the United States aged 65 years could expect to live another 19.7 years on average. This number decreased in the years 2020 and 2021, after reaching a high of 20.8 years in 2019. Nevertheless, the life expectancy of a woman aged 65 years in the United States is still higher than that of a man of that age. In 2021, a man aged 65 years could be expected to live another 17 years on average.

Why has the life expectancy in the U.S. declined? Overall, life expectancy in the United States has declined in recent years. In 2019, the life expectancy for U.S. women was 81.4 years, but by 2021 it had decreased to 79.3 years. Likewise, the life expectancy for men decreased from 76.3 years to 73.5 years in the same period. The biggest contributors to this decline in life expectancy are the COVID-19 pandemic and the opioid epidemic. Although deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic have decreased significantly since 2022, deaths from opioid overdose continue to increase, reaching all-time highs in 2021.

The leading causes of death among U.S. women The leading causes of death among women in the United States in 2020 were heart disease, cancer, and COVID-19. That year heart disease and cancer accounted for a combined 37 percent of all deaths among women, while around 10 percent of deaths were due to COVID-19. The overall leading causes of death in the United States generally reflect the leading causes among women with some slight variations. For example, Alzheimer’s disease is the fourth leading cause of death among women, but the seventh leading cause of death overall in the United States.