Who dies of drug use disorder?
In the median of the 36 countries that publish causes of death by age, 0.04% of men and 0.01% of women eventually die of drug use disorder. It is never the most likely cause of death for any one country, sex and age group — but it adds up over a lifetime.
This is one of the most preventable causes of death. If you or someone you love is struggling, free and confidential help is available — in the US and Canada call or text 988, in the UK call Samaritans on 116 123, anywhere else find a helpline at findahelpline.com.
The risk by age
Chance of dying of drug use disorder within 10 years, and its share of all the risk at that age — the median of 36 countries. Your own country's numbers are one click away on its page.
| Age | men | women |
|---|---|---|
| 15–19 | <0.01% (0.15% of the risk) | 0% (0% of the risk) |
| 20–24 | <0.01% (0.41% of the risk) | 0% (0% of the risk) |
| 25–29 | <0.01% (0.71% of the risk) | <0.01% (0.16% of the risk) |
| 30–34 | <0.01% (0.86% of the risk) | <0.01% (0.25% of the risk) |
| 35–39 | 0.01% (0.63% of the risk) | <0.01% (0.23% of the risk) |
| 40–44 | 0.01% (0.46% of the risk) | <0.01% (0.11% of the risk) |
| 45–49 | <0.01% (0.26% of the risk) | <0.01% (0.07% of the risk) |
| 50–54 | <0.01% (0.18% of the risk) | <0.01% (0.04% of the risk) |
| 55–59 | <0.01% (0.06% of the risk) | <0.01% (0.02% of the risk) |
| 60–64 | <0.01% (0.01% of the risk) | 0% (0% of the risk) |
| 65–69 | <0.01% (<0.01% of the risk) | <0.01% (<0.01% of the risk) |
| 70–74 | 0% (0% of the risk) | <0.01% (<0.01% of the risk) |
| 75–79 | 0% (0% of the risk) | 0% (0% of the risk) |
| 80–84 | 0% (0% of the risk) | 0% (0% of the risk) |
| 85–89 | 0% (0% of the risk) | 0% (0% of the risk) |
| 90–94 | 0% (0% of the risk) | 0% (0% of the risk) |
Lifetime chance, men: highest and lowest countries
Lifetime chance, women: highest and lowest countries
What changes the odds
Treatment works, and support is free and confidential — your doctor is a good place to start.
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Related: Alcohol use disorder · Other mental health conditions · Suicide
Questions
- At what age is drug use disorder most likely to be the cause of death?
- For men, drug use disorder takes its largest share of deaths at 30–34: 0.86% of the risk of dying in the next 10 years, in the median of the 36 countries that publish causes of death by age.
- Which country has the highest risk of dying of drug use disorder?
- Of the 36 countries that publish causes of death by age, Switzerland has the highest lifetime chance of dying of drug use disorder for men (0.15%), and Slovakia the lowest (0%).
Computed by Odainn from official mortality statistics (Eurostat; ONS, NRS and NISRA; CDC; Statistics Canada) for 36 countries, latest years — how we calculate. Belarus is left out: deaths by cause and age aren't published together there, so the split by cause is our estimate. Population statistics, not a prediction for any individual. Educational, not medical advice.