A recent analysis published by The Guardian and authored by Erika Fry examined the “hidden” consequences of the opioid crisis in the U.S. and focused on the lives of individuals who survived overdoses but were left with severe brain injuries and lifelong disabilities. According to the article, the surviving victims of overdoses are part of the hidden epidemic of long-term care and suffering.

According to data published by the National Center for Health Statistics, there were approximately 55,000 opioid-related deaths in 2024, and more than 1 million over the past two decades. While there is no accurate information reflecting the numbers of individuals who survive opioid overdoses, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that for every fatal opioid overdose, there are 15 non-fatal ones, which corresponds to over 1 million non-fatal opioid overdoses occurring annually in recent years.

The results of one study of overdose-related ICU admissions from 162 hospitals over the period of 2009 to 2015 reveal that of the 21,705 patients who required critical care, 8% also underwent “catastrophic” anoxic brain injury. Furthermore, recent CDC data also show that between 2021 and 2023, ER visits for opioid overdoses have decreased, but related hospitalizations have increased, suggesting patients arrive at the hospital in more serious condition.

In his interview with The Guardian, epidemiologist Jon Zibbell noted that surviving multiple opioid overdoses may cause cumulative brain damage similar to repeated concussions or mini-strokes, leading to lasting cognitive decline. He and his colleagues raised concerns regarding this issue in a federal report on the health consequences of non-fatal overdoses published in 2019. “I believe it’s a silent epidemic of many non-fatal overdoses,” he said.

The analysis also discussed the struggle of the families of overdose survivors to navigate the healthcare system, who often turn for guidance to online caregiver communities, rather than to medical practitioners who are unfamiliar with such complex cases. Dr. Cindy Ivanhoe, a brain injury specialist at the Texas Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, also noted how difficult it is for families to access the necessary care and advocate effectively, and said that some complications may even result from medical interventions themselves.  “It’s a very hard system to navigate,” she said. “It’s very hard to advocate.”