Overdose Deaths Involving Psychostimulants Have Increased

Drug overdose deaths involving psychostimulants, such as cocaine and methamphetamine, have increased drastically in the United States over the past decade, particularly after the rise of the opioid epidemic in 2014. From 2010 to 2019, overdose deaths involving psychostimulants were nearly 16 times higher than in the decade prior. Additionally, since 2016, overdose deaths in polysubstance use, such as psychostimulants in combination with synthetic opioids, have increased sharply. 

Source: CDC WONDER

How Is ORN Responding?

In October 2020, ORN broadened its scope to include education and training to address misuse of psychostimulants. To build capacity to respond to requests in this area, ORN built a diverse team with experience in prevention, treatment and recovery of stimulant use disorder (StUD) from across the continuum of care. Co-chaired by Frances R. Levin, MD, and Bryan Hartzler, PhD, this workgroup leads the network’s efforts in identifying educational resources, vetting consultants, and creating training materials as needed. Nearly two dozen new consultants with StUD expertise have been added to ORN's national network of nearly 800 consultants -- with hundreds more available to support on request. Additionally, ORN's bank of evidence-based resources has been updated with new StUD specific material to support education and training in that area.

How can ORN help you? Visit www.OpioidResponseNetwork.org to submit a request for StUD training and/or education. Within one business day a technology transfer specialist will respond to learn more about your request and determine how ORN can help.

This data spotlight is part of a monthly series brought to the Impact Bulletin by ORN partner organization, RTI International. Stay tuned for more.

Funding for this initiative was made possible (in part) by grant no. 1H79TI083343 from SAMHSA. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.