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The drug addiction crisis in the US is more severe and pervasive than any news headline can convey.
More than 100,000 Americans have died of a drug overdose each year since 2001.
The situation is particularly grim in Los Angeles County (LAC), which has seen a gradual increase in drug overdose deaths almost every year in the last decade.
While these numbers and facts are staggering enough, they still don’t capture the full extent of the malaise and its impact on individuals, families, and communities.
The true scope of drug addiction can only be understood through statistical data. That’s what we at Studio City Recovery depend upon to inform our addiction treatment plans and overall approach to recovery.
This report highlights 7 shocking drug addiction statistics that will hopefully inspire awareness and action.
Knowing drug addiction at the level of the individual is one thing, but fighting the crisis at the cumulative level calls for a broader understanding of its features.
Here are 7 shocking addiction statistics that expose the full extent of the addiction crisis in the US.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 27.2 million Americans aged 12 and above had a drug use disorder in 2021. Of that, 8 million were dependent on both drugs and alcohol.
This includes addiction to cocaine, heroin marijuana, opioids (heroin or prescription pain relievers), methamphetamines, hallucinogens, and synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
Drug-related overdose deaths in LAC plateaued for the first time in a decade in 2023. The 4% reduction saw overdose deaths fall from 3,220 in 2022 to 2,092 in 2023.
Despite the dip in numbers, Los Angeles County continues to see historic highs in drug overdose and poisoning deaths.
Fentanyl is the primary opioid that drove overall drug overdose deaths by 23-fold from 2013 to 2023. In contrast, prescription opioid deaths held steady while heroin-related deaths declined over the same period.
The CDC estimates that 70% of the 110,000 drug overdose deaths in 2022 were caused by fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.
In 2022, one of every 11 high school students reported using prescription drugs without a doctor’s advice at least once in their lives.
A year before that, 5% of 12th graders reported misusing a prescription drug in the past year.
The most commonly abused prescription drugs among young adults are Adderall, Ativan, morphine, Oxycodone, Ritalin, Vicodin, and Xanax.
California continues to grapple with methamphetamine use, which has reached all-time highs in recent years.
The cost of meth-related hospitalization and ER visits more than quadrupled from $335 million in 2011 to $1.4 billion in 2023.
30% of patients who received treatment for a substance use disorder (SUD) in LA County in FY 2022-2023 reported meth as their primary substance of use.
The relapse rate for SUDs is generally estimated between 40% and 60%. There is wide variance, however, in relapse rates for different types of drugs.
The [relapse rate for opioid addiction](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5688890/#:~:text=[4] In addition%2C studies,is for other drug addiction.) is highest, at 91%. At the other end of the spectrum is cannabis, which accounts for a considerably lower relapse rate of 6.63% over a 3.5-year period.
Structured aftercare programs that include therapy sessions and peer support groups can reduce the risk of relapse considerably.
In 2017, the latest year we have data for, the total economic cost of drug addiction in the US was estimated at $272 billion.
That figure takes into account healthcare costs, lost productivity, and other indirect impacts.
What it does not account for are the even greater social costs of addiction - from homelessness and criminal behavior to HIV transmission and dependence on welfare.
The 7 statistics presented in this report offer key insights into the magnitude of the drug addiction crisis plaguing the US.
From the rise in Fentanyl-related deaths to the high relapse rates in drug recovery, these eye-opening statistics emphasize the need for urgent action at the level of individuals and communities.
At Studio City Recovery, we offer customized treatment plans that address various types of addiction.
If you or a loved one is struggling with drug addiction, contact us today to learn how our programs can help.
Our patients have lived the best of their lives here. Here’s what they had to say.
"Studio City Recovery is amazing! The owner and staff are super friendly and professional. Their services are top-notch and truly a gem. Couldn't recommend them more!"
"I know multiple people who have completed this program. My experience with Studio 64 really helped me like many others. The staff is professional, caring, and supportive with a clear mission. The treatment had a real culture of addressing each person’s needs and helping each individual reach their potential. I would recommend their program to anyone in need of recovery."
"Really love this place. The staff is wonderful and so accommodating. They are so detailed in their approach to care and focused on providing you with the help you need loved it there and am really thankful for all they did for me. Helped give me the structure I needed and I’m so very thankful. So if you’re looking for a care facility I strongly recommend giving them a look."
