Story perspectives

Hurricanes Increase Substance-Related Deaths, Study Reveals

2/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

A study published in JAMA Network Open links hurricanes to higher alcohol and drug-related deaths, analyzing nearly 800,000 deaths from 1988 to 2019 across more than 1,250 counties.
Each additional day of cyclone exposure raises substance-related death rates by 3.8% in wealthier counties.
Storm-related stress and anxiety may drive self-medication, while service disruptions worsen substance use disorders.
Experts urge disaster plans to integrate mental health and substance-use services.

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Story summary

A study published in JAMA Network Open links hurricanes to higher alcohol and drug-related deaths, analyzing nearly 800,000 deaths from 1988 to 2019 across more than 1,250 counties.
Each additional day of cyclone exposure raises substance-related death rates by 3.8% in wealthier counties.
Storm-related stress and anxiety may drive self-medication, while service disruptions worsen substance use disorders.
Experts urge disaster plans to integrate mental health and substance-use services.