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America’s seniors are not immune to the ongoing opioid epidemic.
Among adults 65 and older, overdose deaths from Fentanyl combined with stimulants — such as cocaine and methamphetamines — have increased 9,000% over the past eight years, matching rates among younger adults.
That’s according to research from the American Society of Anesthesiologists, presented at the Anesthesiology 2025 annual meeting this week in San Antonio.
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Using CDC data, investigators analyzed 404,9964 death certificates that listed fentanyl as the cause of death between 1999 and 2023.
Older adults represent 17,040 people of young people, young people 25 to 64, represented by 387,924.
Adults 65 and older represented 17,000 deaths analyzed from CDC data between 1999 and 2023. (Stock)
Implementation-related deaths increased from 264 to 4,144 among older adults between 2015 and 2023 – a 1,470% increase. Young adults saw a 660% increase.
Among those aged 65 years and older, the mortality from re-injury, rose from 8.7% in 2015 to 49.9% in 2023, marking an increase of 9,000%.
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Among young adults, this mortality increased from 21.3% in 2015 to 59.3% in 2023, an increase of 2,115%.
The year 2015 marked the beginning of the fourth wave of the opioid crisis, when fentanyl-stimulants began to drive the increase in overdose deaths, data shows.
FENDANYL-STULEATS began driving the increase in overdose deaths in 2015. (Stock)
Deaths among older adults began to rise sharply in 2020, the researchers highlighted. Among the rehabs paired with Fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamines were the most common, surpassing alcohol, heroin and benzodiazepines.
“There is no quality control. Most drugs today are laced with fentanyl.”
The elderly are more prone to this overdose, many live with chronic medical conditions, take multiple medications, and process drugs “slowly due to age,” the researchers said.
It’s a common misconception that opioid overdose affects young people, according to Gab Pasia, a medical writer and medical student at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine.
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“Our analysis shows that older adults are also affected by escape-related deaths, and recreational involvement is more common in this group,” the statement said. “This suggests that older adults are being affected by the current fourth wave of the opioid crisis, following similar patterns seen in younger populations.”
The elderly are at greater risk of overdose, many live with chronic health conditions, take multiple medications and take less narcotic drugs, the researchers said. (Stock)
The investigators could not find the underlying reasons for these extremes, as the analysis was a cross-sectional study of patterns over time, Pasia noted.
“However, the findings underscore that fentanyl overdoses in older adults are often drug-related deaths — not just because of fentanyl — and the importance of sharing drug abuse strategies for older patients,” she said.
Risk reduction
The authors of the Study advise anesthesiologists and other pain medicine specialists that you can see that the use of polysance is possible in all age groups, and be careful when prescribing opioids for adults over 65.
Study author Comlard Wang, MD, an anesthesiology specialist at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, adds that older adults put prevention strategies, such as naloxone, available and know the symptoms of overdose.
Physicians are encouraged to be cautious when prescribing opioids for senior patients. (Stock)
Risk can also be reduced by simplifying medication regimens, and using clear labeling and last-ditch instructions.
“With these trends in mind, it is more important than ever to reduce opioid use in this vulnerable group and use other pain management methods when appropriate,” Wang said in a press release. “Appropriate education of patients and regular review of the list of medicines can help soften this bad trend.”
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Dr. Larissa K. Laskowski, an emergency physician and medical doctor at New Langone Health, told digital news that the findings were “not surprising,” given the illegal activities ”
“In recent years, it has exposed the entire illegal drug market,” said Laskowski, who was not involved in the study. “Fentanyl is frequently found in cocaine and methamphetamine.”
Lassowski, a teacher on risk in schools, stressed that everyone, not just adults, should know the harm of drugs.
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“Just a small amount (equivalent to a few grains of salt) can stop breathing and cause overdose death,” it warned. “Any substance sold illegally (not from a store, pharmacy or licensed store) could have anything in it.”
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“There is no quality control. Most drugs today are laced with fentanyl.”
The expert wrote that doctors should talk to patients and caregivers about reversible agents, such as over-the-counter narcan, which is often available free of charge at health departments, clinics and hospitals.
