What do they mean by overdose?
The WSJ did not seem to properly cite its sources here, but I am guessing it is this:
>"Drug overdose deaths are identified using underlying cause-of-death codes from the Tenth Revision of ICD (ICD–10): X40–X44 (unintentional), X60–X64 (suicide), X85 (homicide), and Y10–Y14 (undetermined)." https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/drug-overdose-data.htm#no...
Accidental poisoning by and exposure to nonopioid analgesics, antipyretics and antirheumatics
Accidental poisoning by and exposure to nonopioid analgesics, antipyretics and antirheumatics
Accidental poisoning by and exposure to narcotics and psychodysleptics [hallucinogens], not elsewhere classified
Accidental poisoning by and exposure to other drugs acting on the autonomic nervous system
Accidental poisoning by and exposure to other and unspecified drugs, medicaments and biological substances Intentional self-poisoning by and exposure to nonopioid analgesics, antipyretics and antirheumatics
Intentional self-poisoning by and exposure to antiepileptic, sedative-hypnotic, antiparkinsonism and psychotropic drugs, not elsewhere classified
Intentional self-poisoning by and exposure to narcotics and psychodysleptics [hallucinogens], not elsewhere classified
Intentional self-poisoning by and exposure to other drugs acting on the autonomic nervous system
Intentional self-poisoning by and exposure to other and unspecified drugs, medicaments and biological substances Assault by drugs, medicaments and biological substances Poisoning by and exposure to nonopioid analgesics, antipyretics and antirheumatics, undetermined intent
Poisoning by and exposure to nonopioid analgesics, antipyretics and antirheumatics, undetermined intent
Poisoning by and exposure to narcotics and psychodysleptics [hallucinogens], not elsewhere classified, undetermined intent
Poisoning by and exposure to other drugs acting on the autonomic nervous system, undetermined intent
Poisoning by and exposure to other and unspecified drugs, medicaments and biological substances, undetermined intent Overdosing on opiods is only one part of this category. Basically if you take too little/much of a medication (eg, blood pressure medication) you would be counted here. So I wonder if this increase is not just reflecting a general increase in taking medications.