Substance Addiction in Los Angeles: Key Statistics and Community Impact

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Substance abuse does not only affect individuals in shadowed isolation. The epidemic reverberates through families, communities, healthcare systems, and institutions. It must be treated as the broader public health emergency that it is.

To underscore this issue’s severity and truly understand addiction, this article will provide a data-driven overview of the substance abuse landscape in Los Angeles. We also hope to offer a pathway to recovery — a ray of light — for those in the shadow of this affliction.

General Substance Use Statistics in LA

Substance use disorder (SUD) casts a wide net in Los Angeles, affecting a significant, increasing number of people. A 2024 report by the Substance Abuse Prevention and Control (SAPC) program estimates that a staggering 2 million people use substances in an unhealthy or hazardous manner in Los Angeles County (LAC), with 1,482,612 individuals needing SUD treatment.

Looking at the primary substances driving this crisis, data from publicly funded treatment programs in Los Angeles County during the fiscal year 2022-2023 reveals that:

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• Methamphetamine leads as the primary substance use, accounting for 30% of treatment admissions, followed closely by alcohol at 27%.
• Heroin and prescription drugs were the next most used substances, representing 16.2% and 14.9% of admissions, respectively.

Notably, admissions for a primary opioid problem sharply increased during the fiscal year 2021-2022 (more than double the previous year) and continued to rise in the following year as well. 89% of primary opioid admissions in 2022-2023 also had a secondary drug problem, with methamphetamine being the most common.

Perhaps most worrying, the addiction crisis shows no prejudice in whom it affects, though certain populations face heightened vulnerability.

Among those seeking treatment in 2022-2023, over half (51.6%) report concurrent mental health issues, while 39.2% experience homelessness. This highlights the complex interplay between addiction and other social challenges, and further supports the need for holistic treatments and systemic change.

Out of all SUD treatment admissions in 2022-2023, it is important to note some of the most vulnerable demographic groups:

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• 64.4% of patients were males.
• 55.8% were Latinx.
• 71.2% were aged 26 to 54.

This data can only capture a piece of the larger picture due to underreporting. Many of those suffering from addiction, tragically, have fatal overdoses from substances like fentanyl before ever receiving any treatment.

Overdose and Mortality Statistics

The human toll of substance addiction in Los Angeles County is devastating, with recent data showing a trend of rising overdose rates. According to the Department of Public Health, drug overdose victims in Los Angeles County die, on average, 32 years prematurely — a stark reminder of addiction's role in cutting promising lives short.

In 2023, Los Angeles County recorded 3,092 overdose deaths, a figure that, while slightly lower than the previous year, still represents a significant public health crisis. To put it differently, Los Angeles had an average of almost 9 overdose deaths every single day in 2023.

Remarking on it, Dr. Gary Tsai, director of SAPC, said “We’re still in the worst overdose crisis in history.”

Alarmingly, there has been a recent surge in fentanyl-related deaths. Accidental fentanyl overdose and poisoning deaths in Los Angeles County increased by 1,652%, from 109 deaths in 2016 to 1,910 in 2022. This rate of increase has, fortunately, slowed down in 2023.

The potency of fentanyl – approximately 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine – makes it particularly lethal, even in small doses.

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Making this crisis even worse, other drugs are often laced with fentanyl, with an estimated 6 out of every 10 counterfeit pills containing potentially fatal doses.

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Fentanyl deaths cut across demographic lines, though some groups are disproportionately affected:

• Males have fatality rates 4.4 times higher than females (33.0 vs. 7.5 per 100,000 people.)
• The death rate per 100,000 was 16.8 for 18 to 25-year-olds, 39.0 for 26 to 39-year-olds, and 26.8 for 40 to 64-year-olds — indicating this is a major problem across age groups, with 26 to 39-year-olds particularly vulnerable.
• White and Latino populations account for the largest numbers of fentanyl overdose deaths, but Black communities face disproportionately higher rates at 53.3 deaths per 100,000 population.
• For the 2016-2023 period, more affluent areas in Los Angeles County had higher numbers of fentanyl overdose and poisoning deaths than less affluent areas, with nearly half (47%) of fentanyl overdose deaths occurring in the most affluent areas. However, in 2023, the rate of fentanyl overdose deaths per 100,000 people in the least affluent areas was more than triple that of the most affluent areas.

Methamphetamine presents another deadly challenge, with meth overdose related deaths increasing by 1,371% from 2011 to 2021.

While it helps to know how to spot the warning signs of an overdose so you can take immediate, life-saving actions, the bigger picture is that there is an urgent need for accessible and effective treatment options.

Health and Economic Impact

The consequences of substance addiction extend far beyond individual health. Although we should not lose sight of the individual with SUD, it is pertinent to understand the epidemic’s heavy burden on the healthcare system, the economy, and the overall well-being of the community.

The financial costs associated with substance use disorder, including costs related to healthcare, lost productivity, and the criminal justice system, are hard to believe. An April 2024 SAPC report, using the findings of an earlier study, claims that 19.5% of the CA state budget is spent on addiction and substance use.

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A large part of this is due to substance use related expenses in the criminal justice system. In California, there are 385,275 AOD-related arrests annually, and SUD-related justice spending amounts to $7.7 billion. The human cost is tragic, with thousands of individuals incarcerated for substance abuse related crimes.

Individuals with substance use disorders incur 2-3 times more medical expenses than those without SUDs, and AOD (Alcohol and Other Drugs) related hospital charges in Los Angeles County amount to a staggering $14.3 billion annually. This is an incredible financial burden for the individual with SUD and their loved ones, as well as the healthcare system as a whole. Overdoses and other addiction-related emergencies further strain emergency medical services and hospital resources.

The individual health implications are equally severe. People with SUDs face dramatically elevated health risks, including:

• 9 times greater risk of congestive heart failure.
• 12 times higher risk of liver cirrhosis.
• 12 times increased risk of pneumonia.

Additionally, substance abuse disorders negatively impact mental health, often creating a vicious cycle where worsened mental health and mental illness can lead to further substance abuse.

Behind all of this lurks the silence surrounding these issues. 84.6% of adult patients in California have never discussed alcohol use with a healthcare professional, and 54% report that their primary care physician failed to address their substance abuse concerns.

Breaking the Cycle: Hope Through Treatment and Support

These statistics paint a clear picture: substance addiction in Los Angeles County represents not just a public health crisis but a community-wide emergency that demands immediate attention and action. From the devastating surge in fentanyl deaths to the disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations, and the staggering economic costs reaching billions of dollars, the data reaffirms the urgent need for comprehensive intervention strategies.

However, there is hope in the numbers.

Investment in treatment and prevention shows remarkable returns: community-based drug treatment programs return $4 to $7 in societal benefits for every dollar spent, while school-based prevention programs demonstrate even more impressive results, returning $7.40 to $36.00 in savings per dollar invested. These figures demonstrate that positive change is not only possible but economically beneficial.

Today, there is a greater need for treatment and prevention services than ever before. The statistics we've shared in this article are more than just numbers — they represent real people, real families, and real opportunities for transformation.

In this dark moment, Hollywood Hills Recovery strives to be a ray of light, ready to help you navigate the path to recovery with evidence-based treatment approaches and compassionate support.

Whether you're struggling with substance use yourself or concerned about a loved one, know that you're not alone in this journey and that it’s never too late to seek help.

At Hollywood Hills Recovery, our experienced team understands the complexities of addiction and is committed to providing the support and resources needed for lasting recovery. Reach out to us today and take the first step toward recovery.

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