INTRODUCTION: Although morbidity and mortality related to synthetic opioids such as illicitly manufactured fentanyl are monitored in the U.S., there has been a lack of national survey data focusing on use. Survey data are important because self-report can help estimate prevalence of use among living persons.
METHODS: Data were examined from the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, a nationally representative probability sample of non-institutionalized individuals aged >/=12 years in the U.S. (N=59,069). Prevalence and correlates of past-year use of illicitly manufactured fentanyl were estimated. Data were analyzed in 2024.
RESULTS: The estimated prevalence of past-year illicitly manufactured fentanyl use was 0.23% (95% CI=0.17, 0.31). Compared with no past-year use, individuals were at increased odds for illicitly manufactured fentanyl use if proxy diagnosed with use disorder involving use of cannabis (AOR=3.72, 95% CI=1.34, 10.32), cocaine (AOR=11.96, 95% CI=4.78, 29.93), methamphetamine (AOR=5.60, 95% CI=1.65, 19.02), heroin (AOR=20.56, 95% CI=8.90, 47.52), and/or prescription opioids (AOR=10.65, 95% CI=3.54, 32.03). (Mis)use without use disorder was only significant for prescription opioids (AOR=5.77, 95% CI=2.55, 13.06). Those receiving treatment for substance use in the past year were also at increased odds for use (AOR=5.79, 95% CI=2.58, 13.00).
CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of illicitly manufactured fentanyl use is rare in the general U.S. population. Whereas past-year (mis)use of other drugs (without use disorder) was not consistently associated with illicitly manufactured fentanyl use, cannabis, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and prescription opioid use disorder was associated with higher odds of illicitly manufactured fentanyl use, suggesting that more severe use of various drugs is more of a risk factor than use.
Illicitly manufactured fentanyl use among individuals in the U.S., 2022
American Journal of Preventive Medicine [Epub 2024 Mar 23]. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2024.03.014.