About 42% of US adults know someone who died by overdose, new survey finds

High Prevalence of Overdose Loss: The survey reveals that 42% of US adults personally know someone who died from a drug overdose.

Average Number of Losses: Each respondent who reported knowing someone lost an average of two acquaintances to overdose, indicating widespread impact.

Guilt and Trauma: Those affected by overdose deaths often experience continuous guilt and trauma, questioning what they could have done to prevent it.

Need for Support: Experts emphasize the importance of providing support and resources for those grieving from overdose loss, acknowledging the ongoing impact on individuals and communities.

Limited Discussion: Despite the prevalence and impact of overdose deaths, there's a lack of discussion and support surrounding the issue, especially within addiction medicine.