INTEGRIS Health is joining communities worldwide to recognize International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31, a time to honor lives lost, support recovery and reduce stigma around substance use disorder.
INTEGRIS Health is joining communities worldwide to recognize International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31, a time to honor lives lost, support recovery and reduce stigma around substance use disorder. This year’s theme, “We Are One Big Family,” underscores the importance of compassion, connection and collective responsibility in the fight against overdose.
New CDC data shows a historic decline in U.S. overdose deaths – nearly 27% fewer in 2024 than the year prior – but experts warn the crisis is far from over. “It’s encouraging to see progress after years of worsening numbers,” says Brian Couey, Psy.D., executive director of INTEGRIS Health Arcadia Trails Center for Addiction Recovery. “But this is an evolving situation, and these trends may be giving us false hope.”
Couey notes factors such as increased Narcan access, underreported nonfatal overdoses and shifts in the illicit drug supply may be influencing the data. “The reality is we’re still losing far too many people every day, and each one is someone’s family member, not just a statistic.”
The Fentanyl Threat
Overdoses remain the leading cause of injury-related death in the U.S., with opioids involved in nearly 76% of cases in 2022. In Oklahoma, more than 1,000 people died of overdoses in the past year, most linked to fentanyl, followed by methamphetamine, prescription pills and alcohol. Emerging risks include additives like xylazine and synthetic drugs such as kratom and THC variants.
“The potency of fentanyl makes it uniquely deadly, but the real danger is often in the mix with alcohol or pills,” Couey explains. Counterfeit pills are especially dangerous, as they often contain illicit fentanyl without the user’s knowledge.
Couey also cautions against sensationalized fears about fentanyl exposure. “Briefly touching or being near fentanyl is unlikely to cause overdose. These exaggerated myths can stop people from helping in an emergency.”
Recognizing an Overdose
If you suspect an opioid overdose, administer naloxone (if available) and call 911 immediately.
Signs may include:
Stigma
A major barrier to overcoming the challenges of substance use disorder and overdose is stigma - or labeling, stereotyping and discrimination.
Couey emphasizes that substance use disorder is not a moral failing, but a brain disease influenced by genetic, environmental, cultural and psychological factors. “Trauma and co-occurring mental health conditions play a big role by reducing resilience and increasing vulnerability,” he says. “That’s why effective treatment must address both addiction and mental health together.”
A Call to Action
Preventing deaths and nonfatal overdoses, regardless of substance, requires a multifaceted approach rooted in collective action to address the range of social, economic, demographic and environmental factors that influence substance use.
“After years of tragic headlines, it’s easy to become numb to the overdose crisis,” Couey says. “But now is the time to double down on education, prevention and compassion. If we lose focus, we risk losing the progress we’ve made.”
INTEGRIS Health Arcadia Trails Center for Addiction Recovery provides a full continuum of care, from withdrawal management to outpatient support, plus family programming through its partnership with the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. To get help, call 405-216-2500 for a free assessment or click here to access resources, including the Wayfinder screening app.
The withdrawal process is challenging, but with the right support and treatment program, it becomes a manageable step toward recovery. Patients can feel confident knowing that INTEGRIS Health Arcadia Trails offers the tools and care needed to overcome substance abuse safely.
