Drug overdose and intoxication are significant causes of accidental death and can also be used as a form of suicide. Death can occur from overdosing on a single or multiple drugs, or from combined drug intoxication (CDI) due to poly drug use. While they are two distinct phenomena, deaths from CDI are often misreported as overdoses.
Deaths from drug overdoses are increasing. This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness.
The Dangers of Poly Drug Use
Poly drug use often carries more risk than use of a single drug, due to an increase in side effects, and drug synergy. For example, the chance of death from overdosing on opiates is greatly increased when they are consumed in conjunction with alcohol.
Indirect Deaths and Historical Trends
Drug overdoses and intoxication can also cause indirect deaths. Drug use and overdoses increased significantly in the 1800s due to the commercialization and availability of certain drugs. Efforts to prohibit various drugs began to be enacted in the early 20th century, though the effectiveness of such policies is debated.
The Opioid Epidemic: Understanding the Crisis | Mayo Clinic
Notable Deaths Due to Drug Overdose or Intoxication
This alphabetical list contains 644 people whose deaths can be reliably sourced to be the result of drug overdose or acute drug intoxication. Where sources indicate drug overdose or intoxication was only suspected to be the cause of death, this will be specified in the 'notes' column. Where sources are able to indicate, deaths are specified as 'suicide', 'accidental', 'undetermined', or otherwise in the 'cause' column. Where sources do not explicitly state intent, they will be listed in this column as 'unknown'. Deaths from accidents or misadventure caused by drug overdoses or intoxication are also included on this list.
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Here is a brief overview of some notable individuals and factors related to drug-related deaths:
- Louis Abolafia: Died at 54.
- Michael Alig: A fixture of New York City nightlife, died at 54.
- G.G. Allin: Biography available on AllMusic.
- Jean Améry: Discussed in "At the Mind's Limits: Contemplations by a Survivor on Auschwitz and Its Realities."
- Paul Anderson: Noted reporter, died from an overdose of sleeping tablets.
- Jockey Antely: Death ruled an overdose.
- Howard Arkley: Obituary in The Independent.
- Sid Barnes: Australian Dictionary of Biography.
- Jürgen Bartsch: Subject of a documentary "Der Kindermörder Jürgen Bartsch."
- Stephan Bonnar: UFC Hall of Famer, died of accidental fentanyl overdose.
| Name | Cause of Death | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Louis Abolafia | Unknown | Died at 54. |
| Michael Alig | Unknown | Fixture of New York City Nightlife. |
| G.G. Allin | Unknown | Biography available on AllMusic. |
| Jean Améry | Unknown | Discussed in "At the Mind's Limits". |
| Paul Anderson | Overdose | Died from sleeping tablets. |
| Jockey Antely | Overdose | Death ruled an overdose. |
| Howard Arkley | Unknown | Obituary in The Independent. |
| Sid Barnes | Unknown | Australian Dictionary of Biography. |
| Jürgen Bartsch | Unknown | Subject of "Der Kindermörder Jürgen Bartsch". |
| Stephan Bonnar | Accidental Fentanyl Overdose | UFC Hall of Famer. |
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