In recent years, over 500,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses. New research shows this crisis is not as simple as we once thought.
UK numbers from 2016-2017 show a big rise in opioid overdoses too. Over ten years, the number of patients coming to hospital for opioid overdoses more than doubled. These numbers were worrying. But new studies tell us that the link between prescriptions and overdoses is not so clear-cut.
NHS data shows more people were harmed by painkillers like fentanyl, codeine, oxycodone and morphine. The numbers went up from 4,891 in 2005-2006 to 11,660 in 2017. But many of these cases involved illegal drugs, not medicines from doctors.
The data doesn’t tell us who got these drugs from a doctor and who bought them on the street. This difference matters a lot when we try to solve the problem.
Rise In Opioid Painkiller Overdose Admissions
From 2005 onwards, hospital cases went up every year for ten years. They peaked at 12,254 in 2013-14. New data from 2020-2022 shows something important: while opioids were involved in 80% of drug deaths, only 12-18% involved prescribed medicines. Most cases involved illegal drugs, often mixed with drugs like cocaine.
Between 2006 and 2016, the number of prescriptions went up from 12 million to 24 million. But doctors’ prescriptions are not the main cause of deaths. Mental health plays a bigger role. People with mental health problems are 3 to 20 times more likely to overdose.
More people are going to hospital for several reasons. There are more illegal drugs available now. Street fentanyl is more common. More people buy drugs online too.
What About Tramadol?
Tramadol is a key drug in this story. When they started counting Tramadol cases in 2012, the numbers jumped up. It’s the most common opioid painkiller that doctors prescribe. The law lists it as a class C drug. Some people take it to get high or to make alcohol effects stronger.
We used to think doctors were giving out too many painkillers. Now we know it’s not that simple. Mental health care and stopping illegal drug supply are just as important for saving lives.
Photo by Anthony Cunningham for Zoom Testing
Zoom Testing is a leading UK drug testing company and a supplier of Drug Test Kits.
This post was first published in September 2017. We last updated it in January 2025 with new research about the opioid crisis.
