Drug Use in Georgia And Overdose Rates Are on the Rise, There is No Denying this Epidemic

Overdose is now the leading cause of death in Americans under the age of 50. If you’ve been paying attention to the news, you’ll know that America is currently facing the worst drug and overdose epidemic that the world has ever seen. The opioid epidemic, by the numbers, is terrifying, unbelievable, and shocking. In 2018, for example:

  • On average, 217 people died each day from an opioid overdose in 2023.
  • Approximately 105,000 people died from drug overdose in 2023 and nearly 80,000 of those deaths involved opioids (about 76%).
  • 54,045 people died from opioid-related overdoses in the US in 2024 (down from 79,358 in 2023).
  • The number of people who died from an opioid overdose in 2023 was nearly 10 times the number in 1999; however, the opioid overdose death rate declined 4% from 2022 to 2023.
  • 2 million people reported that they had an opioid use disorder.
  • In 2023, the rate of overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone (primarily illegally made fentanyl and fentanyl analogs) decreased by 2% from the previous year.
  • 81,000 people reported that they used heroin for the first time.

Three waves of opioid overdose deaths
Source: CDC – https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/about/understanding-the-opioid-overdose-epidemic.html

Wrapping your head around the opioid epidemic is nearly impossible, as the extent of the damage is hard to measure. The billions spent in healthcare, the thousands of families affected, and the amount of needless death is hard to grasp.

The HHS declared a public health emergency back in 2017 – and it is no different in 2026. Better access to drug rehabilitation and heroin addiction treatment is just one of the suggested steps in combating the scourge of opioid dependence. If you or a loved one is in the midst of opioid addiction, there has never been a better time to seek treatment for heroin addiction in Georgia. Addiction touches every city in the state, including Atlanta, Athens, Marietta, and Norcross.

Opioid-Related Overdose Deaths in Georgia

Georgia has not fared better than any other states, as there were over 2,010 opioid-related deaths in 2024. This is down 20% from the previous year but double the number from 2018.

While the prescribing practices of strong opioid medications have become stringent when compared to the 1990s, it is safe to say that the chaos that irresponsible prescribing practices has caused is more than evident. The numbers are still startling when you look at the raw data.

There were 45 opioid prescriptions written for every 100 people in Georgia – compared to the national average of 35.4 per 100. The sad news is that 45 per 100 is the lowest number that Georgia has seen since 2006. Nearly 6 deaths per 100,000 are attributed to opioids. It’s an astonishing number that stands in utter defiance against common sense. Atlanta heroin addiction treatment is available for those suffering from heroin addiction in Atlanta, Georgia and any surrounding cities.

Cocaine Abuse Statistics in Georgia

Behind marijuana, cocaine is the second most heavily abused substance in the United States. The U.S. is also the largest global consumer of the illicit substance. Here are some national stats related to cocaine:

  • Over 300,000 emergency department visits are attributed to overdoses or complications involving cocaine.
  • Over 15,000 deaths are attributed on a national scale as a result of a cocaine overdose or complications involving cocaine (such as heart attack or stroke).
  • There are over 12,000 arrests per year involving cocaine.

According to county data of drug use in Georgia, there were over 100 cocaine-related overdose deaths attributed to complications involving cocaine. Georgia is similar in comparison to the nationwide average – however, crack is a major problem in many of the cities in Georgia, especially Athens and Marietta. According to Treatment Episode Data Set (TEDS), and the Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 67% of visits to publicly funded facilities were related to crack addiction. While other drugs such as marijuana and benzodiazepines help fuel the national drug epidemic, cocaine and opioids are two of the deadliest illicit substances on the streets of Georgia today.

Alcohol Abuse Statistics in Georgia

Despite its legality, alcohol is responsible for nearly twice the number of deaths in the United States that opioids are. 88,000 deaths are attributed to alcohol dependence, overdose, and accidents involving alcohol (such as work-related or vehicle-related accidents). This adds up to an astonishing 2.5 million years of potential life lost.

According to the NCDAS, “Excessive drinking results in 5,214 deaths”. Also, 6.9% of Georgia adults binge drink which ranks 5th in the nation. The problem with public health and safety doesn’t just begin and end with opioids; it is a systemic problem that requires programmatic change in all branches of the government. To help combat addiction, we all need to make sure that our figurative oxygen masks are on first, before we help another put on their own.

These numbers are a grave reminder that human life is fragile when up against the disease of addiction. Alcoholics face a number of health risks as they get older and the likelihood of all-cause mortality begins to skyrocket as addiction takes hold of the person. The rising rates of alcoholism are not just a problem for the state of Georgia; these issues affect everyone that lives in the United States.

Treatment for Heroin Addiction in Georgia

All drugs – legal and illegal – have the potential for abuse. Abuse can lead to addiction, which is characterized by an inability to stop the use of a substance despite large consequences. Out of all the drugs, alcohol and opioids are the deadliest drugs in Georgia and the United States. In fact, Georgia has seen over a 1000% increase in opioid-related overdose deaths in the past few years. The reason for this is that heroin is much cheaper on the black market than pills; unfortunately, heroin is often tainted with synthetic opioids such as fentanyl as well. Since fentanyl is so powerful, it is incredibly easy to overdose on any opioid that is bought on the black market.

Treatments like PHP (partial hospitalization) and IOP treatment in Georgia has helped thousands of people combat the disease of addiction and drug use in Georgia. If you or a loved one is in need of help, always remember that the first step is the hardest.

 FOR MORE INFORMATION AND STATISTICS PLEASE VISIT NIDA.NIH.GOV