From 2015 to 2024 in LAC, there were 1,477,066 ED visits that listed any alcohol or other drug abuse, dependence, use, or poisoning as a diagnosis (AOD-related). AOD-related ED visits decreased 19% from 2016 to 2020, then rebounded, increasing by 18% from 2020 to 2024. In 2024, the annual total number of AOD-related ED visits was 153,276 cases (Figure 1).
From 2015-2024, a total of 557,684 cases, or 38% of AOD-related ED visits, listed AOD abuse, dependence, use, or poisoning as the principal diagnosis (primary). Primary AOD ED visits decreased 20% from 2016 to 2020, then increased by 7% from 2020 to 2024. In 2024, the annual total number of primary AOD ED visits was 53,249 cases (Figure 2).
Overall from 2015-2024 in LAC, adults aged 45-64 accounted for the largest proportion (29%) of AOD-related ED visits, followed by adults aged 26-34 (22%), 35-44 (19%), 18-25 (16%), and 65+ (8%) (Figure 3). While AOD-related ED visits have been increasing for adults aged 26+ since 2020, they have been decreasing steadily among young adults aged 18-25 over the past decade (Figure 4).
Primary AOD ED visits followed a similar age pattern as all AOD-related ED visits (Figures 5-6).
Any Mention
Primary
Males accounted for nearly two-thirds (64%) of AOD-related ED visits from 2015-2024. The gender gap remained stable over the past decade (Figures 7-8).
Primary AOD ED visits followed a similar gender pattern as all AOD-related ED visits (Figures 9-10).
Any Mention
Primary
Latinxs (47%) and Whites (24%) accounted for the largest proportions of AOD-related ED visits in LAC from 2019-2024, followed by Blacks (18%). AOD-related ED visits among Latinxs increased from 2015 to 2019, dropped in 2020, and continued to increase through 2024. In contrast, AOD-related ED visits decreased before 2020, and remained relatively constant through 2024 for Whites and Blacks (Figures 11-12).
The race/ethnic pattern among primary AOD ED visits were similar to that of all AOD-related ED visits (Figures 13-14).
Any Mention
Primary
Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), 2015-2024. Nonpublic Inpatient Discharge and Emergency Department data 2015-2024. California Department of Public Health.