The age-adjusted rate of drug overdose deaths did not significantly increase from 2021 (32.4) to 2022 (32.6). In contrast, rates have significantly increased in most previous years. From 2019 to 2020, the drug overdose death rate increased 31.0% from 21.6 to 28.3, which was the largest annual increase over the period 2002–2022.

From 2021 to 2022, the rate for males increased while the rate for females decreased slightly, although the decrease for females was not significant. In both 2021 and 2022, adults ages 35–44 had the highest rate among people age 15 and older, and adults age 65 and older had the lowest. Between 2021 and 2022, rates of drug overdose deaths decreased for people ages 15–34 and increased for adults age 35 and older.

In both 2021 and 2022, rates were highest for American Indian and Alaska Native people and lowest among Asian people. Between 2021 and 2022, rates of drug overdose deaths increased for most race and Hispanic-origin groups. Rates decreased for White and Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander people, although the decrease among Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander people was not significant.

From 2021 to 2022, rates increased for drug overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids other than methadone, psychostimulants, and cocaine. From 2021 to 2022, rates decreased for drug overdose deaths involving heroin, natural and semisynthetic opioids, and methadone.