![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/new-horror-drug-combination-causing-fourth-wave-of-opioid-deaths-across-the-us/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/0_US-HEALTH-DRUGS.jpg&description=A spike in overdose deaths has resulted from the combination of fentanyl and stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamines, a new study reveals — and it's causing the fourth wave in the opioid crisis The American drug crisis is transitioning to the fourth wave — and it's being perpetuated by a horrific, relatively new concoction of lethal, illicit substances. Fentanyl overdose deaths have been on the rise as the drug gains a larger foothold in the country. Over 70,000 people died of a fentanyl-related overdose in 2021, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. But now, people are mixing the drug, which is anywhere from 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, with stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamines. And that creates a deadly combination. In a study published in the scientific journal "Addiction" titled " Charting the fourth wave: Geographic, temporal, race/ethnicity and demographic trends in polysubstance fentanyl overdose deaths in the United States, 2010–2021," the authors concluded that stimulants were the most common drug mixed with fentanyl detected in overdose cases in 2021. For all the latest on news, politics, sports, and showbiz from the USA, go to The Mirror US. "The rise of deaths involving cocaine and methamphetamine must be understood in the context of a drug market dominated by illicit fentanyl, which have made polysubstance use more sought-after and commonplace," the study reads. "The widespread concurrent use of fentanyl and stimulants, as well as other polysubstance formulations, presents novel health risks and public health challenges." The study indicated that "fentanyl-involved overdose mortality shifted dramatically" from 2010 to 2021, with the percentage of total overdose deaths caused by fentanyl mixed with stimulants rising from about 235 in 2010 (0.6% of the total 38,300) to 34,400 in 2021 (32.3% of the total 106,700). Though overdose deaths can result from both stimulants and opioids like fentanyl separately, combining t){kind=link}
A spike in overdose deaths has resulted from the combination of fentanyl and stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamines, a new study reveals – and it’s causing the fourth wave in the opioid crisis
The American drug crisis is transitioning to the fourth wave – and it’s being perpetuated by a horrific, relatively new concoction of lethal, illicit substances.
Fentanyl overdose deaths have been on the rise as the drug gains a larger foothold in the country. Over 70,000 people died of a fentanyl-related overdose in 2021, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
But now, people are mixing the drug, which is anywhere from 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, with stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamines. And that creates a deadly combination.
In a study published in the scientific journal “Addiction” titled ” Charting the fourth wave: Geographic, temporal, race/ethnicity and demographic trends in polysubstance fentanyl overdose deaths in the United States, 2010â2021,” the authors concluded that stimulants were the most common drug mixed with fentanyl detected in overdose cases in 2021.