Overdose deaths Georgia 2026 numbers
Overdose deaths in Georgia fell for the fourth straight reporting period. The CDC counts 1,496 deaths in the year ending May 2026. Each of those numbers is a family that got a call.
- overdose deaths, 12 months
- 1,496
- shift from one year earlier
- -21%
- centers show how to use naloxone
- 203
If someone you love is using substances, the state's death toll is not abstract. It is the reason families in Georgia start counting the days between old figures and new ones, looking for any sign that the worst is easing. The most recent federal counts offer that sign, but they also show how much ground is left.
These figures come from the CDC's provisional overdose death counts for the 12 months ending May 2026, compared with the 12 months before. Facility counts come from SAMHSA FindTreatment.gov, the federal listing of care options. We are a guide, not a provider, and the helpline connects callers with treatment advisors who work with licensed programs.
Where the deaths come from, by drug
Fentanyl was involved in 643 deaths, still the largest single share, while opioids of all kinds accounted for 823. Fentanyl-involved deaths fell 32 percent across Georgia, down to 643 from 946. Methamphetamine was involved in 561 deaths, down 24 percent, and cocaine in 410, down 18 percent. Prescription opioids appeared in 217 deaths and heroin in 33, both down by roughly a quarter or more. Stimulant deaths remain high, so Georgia rehabs and detox centers see many people using more than one substance. If a person uses both an opioid and a stimulant, then withdrawal can be harder to manage at home and supervised detox matters more.
| Drug | Past year | Prior year | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drug overdose deaths, all types | 1,496 | 1,900 | -21% |
| Any opioid | 823 | 1,137 | -28% |
| Synthetic opioids and fentanyl | 643 | 946 | -32% |
| Heroin | 33 | 45 | -27% |
| Rx opioids | 217 | 297 | -27% |
| Methamphetamine | 561 | 739 | -24% |
| Cocaine | 410 | 503 | -18% |
What the numbers mean for your family
Fewer deaths do not mean fewer people need help. Across the state, 264 facilities appear in SAMHSA listings, including 69 offering detox, 58 with residential care, and 225 providing outpatient services. Georgia has 264 SAMHSA-listed rehab centers, so families have more choices than they might expect, from Atlanta programs to rural sites offering telehealth. Naloxone is available at 203 listed programs, and 143 sites in the federal listing provide buprenorphine. If cost worries you, ask each program about Georgia Medicaid, which covers many services, and about the federal parity law, which limits some insurance hurdles for substance use care. Alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal May be dangerous and should be supervised by a clinician; we offer no advice on dosing or tapering. The hotline is at no cost keeps what you share private, and obligates you to nothing.
Alcohol and mental health in Georgia
Percentage of adults in 664 cities and towns across Georgia, based on CDC PLACES data (2023).
| Indicator | Georgia |
|---|---|
| Binge drinking | 14.7% |
| Frequent mental anguish | 17.6% |
| Depression | 19.2% |
| Smoking rates | 13.8% |
| Uninsured, ages 18-64 | 13.6% |
Binge drinking by city in Georgia
| Location | Binge drinking | Frequent mental anguish | Uninsured, ages 18-64 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | 17.2% | 17.2% | 11.3% |
| Decatur | 16.9% | 13.2% | 6.6% |
| Statesboro | 15.8% | 24.0% | 14.1% |
| Savannah | 15.6% | 18.5% | 13.8% |
| Cumming | 15.2% | 15.1% | 15.4% |
| Marietta | 15.0% | 16.9% | 14.6% |
| Valdosta | 13.0% | 20.7% | 16.2% |
Georgia overdose deaths year over year
In the 12 months ending May 2026, Georgia recorded 1,496 overdose deaths, down from 1,900 during the prior 12 months. That works out to a 21 percent drop, one of several consecutive declines after the steep rise earlier in the decade.
The statewide total of 1,496 deaths reflects a 21 percent drop across Georgia. What changed is mostly opioid supply: a sharp fall in fentanyl-involved deaths pulled the overall count down. If you are calling after a recent loss or a recent scare, then knowing the trend can steady you, but it does not tell you what any one person needs. That answer comes from an assessment, not a statistic.
- past year
- 1,496
- in the prior 12 months
- 1,900
Good to know
How many overdose deaths were there in Georgia?
Georgia recorded 1,496 overdose deaths over the 12 months ending May 2026, per CDC provisional counts. That is down 21 percent from 1,900 in the previous 12 months. Opioids were involved in 823 of those deaths and fentanyl in 643. Provisional figures can be revised, so recent months may change slightly as reports are finalized. If you are weighing care for someone, those numbers say treatment is reaching more people, not that any one person can wait.
Does Georgia Medicaid pay for inpatient rehab?
Georgia Medicaid covers substance use treatment, including some inpatient and residential care, though which services and programs qualify varies. Start by asking the program directly whether it accepts Georgia Medicaid and what documentation you need. The federal listing shows 264 facilities in the state, with 58 offering residential care. If Medicaid is not an option, then ask about sliding scales and other funding before ruling a program out.
What are the current drug problems in Georgia?
Fentanyl remains the largest driver, involved in 643 deaths, followed by methamphetamine at 561 and cocaine at 410. Opioids overall accounted for 823 deaths. Illicitly made fentanyl appearing in other drugs is a recurring concern, which is why naloxone access matters. The state's listed programs include 203 that offer naloxone, so families can ask where to get it locally. If someone relapses after a stretch of not using, then their tolerance is lower and the risk is higher, so having naloxone on hand matters.
How long does drug court last in Georgia?
Georgia drug court programs typically run 12 to 24 months, though each circuit sets its own requirements. Length depends on the charges, progress in treatment, and court reviews. If a judge or attorney has mentioned drug court, then ask the coordinator what treatment the program requires and whether it counts as the level of care an assessment recommends. Coverage questions are best settled with the court and your insurer early.
How do I find free rehab options in Georgia?
Free rehab options in Georgia usually mean programs funded through state grants, Medicaid, or sliding-scale fees, and availability shifts by county. The federal listing shows 264 SAMHSA-listed facilities, with 225 offering outpatient care and 209 offering telehealth, which is often the lower-cost starting point. If cost is the barrier, then tell the helpline advisor your budget up front so they can narrow the list to programs that accept it, and ask each one what paperwork they need.
Which state has the most drug rehab centers?
We only track Georgia, where SAMHSA lists 264 facilities, so we cannot rank other states. Within Georgia the mix matters more than the total: 69 sites offer detox, 58 offer residential care, and 143 offer buprenorphine. If you are choosing between programs, then compare levels of care and insurance acceptance rather than the size of the list, since a nearby program that fits is worth more than a large directory.
Talk with someone about care in Georgia
Experienced advisors at this helpline coordinate with licensed providers and pick up around the clock. Your call is without charge, kept private, and binds you to nothing. They will hear what you are noticing, explain care levels such as detox or outpatient services, and look at which of the 264 SAMHSA-listed facilities match your circumstances and coverage. Nobody promises admission or results, only a calm talk about the next step. Get in touch to weigh Georgia rehab options with a person who does this daily.