Overdose deaths Virginia 2026
Virginia recorded 1,212 fatal overdoses over the 12 months ending May 2026. That's 127 fewer than the year before, a 9 percent decline. Below, the numbers show which drugs drove the shift and what help is available.
- overdose deaths over 12 months
- 1,212
- shift from the previous year
- -9%
- sites that explain naloxone use
- 222
The Virginia Department of Health and the CDC track these numbers month by month, and the provisional count for the 12 months ending May 2026 is 1,212. That is the lowest this figure has been in several years. It does not mean the crisis is over. It means fewer families in Virginia are receiving the worst news, and it means the treatment system is reaching more people than it did a year ago.
As you consider where to get help, treat these numbers as guidance, not a verdict. They show where risk runs highest and how many providers appear in state listings. SAMHSA FindTreatment.gov lists 247 facilities of every kind in Virginia, among them outpatient programs, residential centers, and medication-assisted treatment. Virginia lists 247 rehab facilities and treatment programs, from detox to outpatient care, to help you find help. Which level of care fits depends on the person, the substance involved, and how safe the setting is.
Which drugs drove the change
Opioids are still the largest single category, with 796 deaths in the 12 months ending May 2026, 16 percent below the 943 of the prior year. Fentanyl appears in most of them: 669 deaths, down 18 percent. Prescription opioids were involved in 116 deaths, a drop of 14 percent. Heroin deaths fell sharply, from 95 to 38, a 60 percent decrease. These numbers reflect a shift in the drug supply, not the end of the danger. Stimulants tell a different story. Methamphetamine was involved in 282 deaths, down 12 percent, and cocaine in 462, down 9 percent. For anyone worried about a stimulant or opioid problem, Virginia has 247 SAMHSA-listed rehab facilities and treatment programs to choose from. Cocaine deaths now outnumber prescription opioid deaths in the state, which matters when people assume the danger is only in one drug. In Virginia, both inpatient and outpatient treatment centers report serving more people with combined stimulant and opioid use.
| Drug | Past year | Previous year | Shift |
|---|---|---|---|
| All drug overdoses | 1,212 | 1,339 | -9% |
| Opioids overall | 796 | 943 | -16% |
| Fentanyl and synthetic opioids | 669 | 820 | -18% |
| Heroin | 38 | 95 | -60% |
| Opioid pain relievers by prescription | 116 | 135 | -14% |
| Methamphetamine (meth) | 282 | 321 | -12% |
| Cocaine | 462 | 509 | -9% |
Alcohol and mental wellness in Virginia
Adult shares across 662 cities and towns in Virginia, based on CDC PLACES estimates (2023).
| Indicator | Virginia |
|---|---|
| Binge drinking rate | 14.8% |
| Mental distress, frequent | 16.2% |
| Depression rate | 21.9% |
| Smoking at present | 11.9% |
| Lacks health insurance (18-64) | 9.0% |
Binge drinking by city in Virginia
| Town | Binge drinking rate | Mental distress, frequent | Lacks health insurance (18-64) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arlington | 17.7% | 13.9% | 6.7% |
| Norfolk | 17.1% | 19.4% | 10.9% |
| Richmond | 16.2% | 18.8% | 10.7% |
| Fredericksburg | 16.0% | 18.3% | 8.8% |
| Virginia Beach | 15.6% | 16.7% | 8.3% |
| Winchester | 14.9% | 18.7% | 13.1% |
| Lynchburg | 14.8% | 19.4% | 9.1% |
| Roanoke | 14.7% | 18.4% | 11.0% |
| Galax | 12.8% | 19.2% | 13.2% |
| Petersburg | 11.3% | 19.7% | 12.0% |
What the numbers mean for you
Fewer deaths overall do not mean any one person is safer. If you have an opioid use disorder, or someone close to you does, overdose risk stays high, and the medicines that lower it, buprenorphine or methadone, are offered at 186 prescribing sites and 34 opioid treatment programs listed in Virginia. When it comes to alcohol and benzodiazepine withdrawal, a doctor or nurse should manage the process because those withdrawals can be dangerous. Virginia treatment centers offer detox at 50 sites, residential care at 44, and outpatient services at 211 locations across the state. Naloxone, offered through 222 programs in Virginia, can reverse an opioid overdose while emergency help is on the way. The data cannot predict how any single person will fare, and no program can promise results.
Fewer overdose deaths statewide
All-drug overdose deaths in Virginia fell by 9 percent year over year, from 1,339 to 1,212, according to CDC provisional counts for the 12 months ending May 2026. That decline is real, but it comes after years of steep increases. The current number remains far above where it stood a decade ago. Public health officials describe the drop as progress, not resolution.
If you are trying to understand what this means for a family member, then the trend offers one clear lesson: the interventions that are working are the ones that combine medication for opioid use disorder, naloxone distribution, and accessible outpatient care. Virginia offers 222 naloxone programs and 186 buprenorphine-prescribing sites across the state for people who need treatment. The decline is not evenly distributed across age groups or regions, and some parts of the state continue to see high rates.
When you look at the trend line, then the drop of 127 deaths in a single year is meaningful, but it also shows how far the state has to go. Virginia has 50 detox centers and 44 residential rehab facilities listed by SAMHSA, providing a range of care options for those seeking help. These resources are part of what is helping, but access varies by region and insurance.
- past year
- 1,212
- the 12 months before
- 1,339
Good to know
How many overdose deaths were there in Virginia in 2026?
Virginia saw 1,212 overdose deaths within the 12 months ending May 2026, per CDC provisional data. That is 9 percent below the 1,339 of the prior 12-month period. The total covers all drugs and is not a final count. For context, opioids accounted for 796 of those deaths, and fentanyl alone was involved in 669.
Where can I find free or low-cost addiction treatment in Virginia?
Start with SAMHSA FindTreatment.gov, which lists 247 Virginia facilities, including 211 outpatient programs and 100 intensive outpatient programs. Many take Medicaid or set fees on a sliding scale. Under parity legislation, most plans are required to cover substance use treatment much as they do medical care. A helpline that costs nothing can also find out which programs have openings right now and whether you qualify for state-funded care.
How long does drug rehab take, and does Virginia Medicaid cover it?
The length of treatment depends on the level of care. Detox usually runs a few days to a week, residential programs often last 30 to 90 days, and outpatient care may continue for months. Virginia Medicaid pays for many substance use treatment services, including some residential and outpatient programs, though each plan sets its own rules. The 247 listed facilities span a range of prices and intensities.
What should I do if someone is overdosing right now?
Call 911 right away. If naloxone is on hand, give it while emergency responders are on their way. Virginia's Good Samaritan law shields people who call for help during an overdose. Once the emergency has passed, treatment is the next step. The state lists 222 naloxone programs and 186 buprenorphine providers, and a free helpline can help you locate a program suited to the situation.
Does Virginia have inpatient rehab facilities?
Yes, Virginia has 44 residential rehab facilities and 17 hospital-based programs listed by SAMHSA. These provide 24-hour care for people who need structure and medical monitoring. Inpatient or residential care is often recommended when outpatient treatment has not worked or when withdrawal risk is high. The state also has 50 detox centers to help with the initial phase.