From 2005 to 2022 in LAC, there were 2,001,062 ED visits that listed any alcohol or other drug abuse, dependence, use, or poisoning as a diagnosis (AOD-related). AOD-related ED visits increased 185% from 2005 to 2016, plateaued from 2016 to 2019, then decreased 13% through 2022. In 2022, the annual total number of AOD-related ED visits was 131,365 cases (Figure 1).
From 2005-2022, a total of 816,941 cases, or 41% of AOD-related ED visits, listed cannabis abuse, dependence, use, or poisoning as the principal diagnosis (primary). Primary AOD ED visits increased 105% from 2005 to 2016, plateaued from 2016 to 2019, then decreased 15% through 2022. In 2022, the annual total number of primary AOD ED visits was 48,448 cases (Figure 2).
Overall from 2005-2022 in LAC, adults aged 45-64 accounted for the largest proportion (31%) of AOD-related ED visits, followed by adults aged 26-34 (20%), 35-44 (19%), 18-25 (17%), and 65+ (6%) (Figure 3). Adults aged 45-64 remained the largest age group for AOD-related ED visits for the past two decades. In 2014, adults aged 26-34 surpassed adults aged 35-44 to become the second largest age group (Figure 4).
Primary AOD ED visits followed a similar age pattern as all AOD-related ED visits (Figures 5-6).
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Males accounted for nearly two-thirds of AOD-related ED visits from 2005-2022. The gender gap decreased slightly over the period, as the proportion of AOD-related ED visits among females increased from 33.4% in 2005 to 36.5% in 2022 (Figures 7-8).
Among primary AOD ED visits, the gender gap widened, as the proportion among females decreased from 37.8% in 2005 to 33.7% in 2022 (Figures 9-10).
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Latinxs (41%) and Whites (31%) accounted for the largest proportions of AOD-related ED visits in LAC from 2005-2022, followed by Blacks (18%). AOD-related ED visits among Latinxs increased from 2005 to 2016 and remained high through 2022, while AOD-related ED visits decreased after 2016 among Whites and decreased after 2017 among 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).
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Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI, formerly OSHPD), 2005-2022. Nonpublic Inpatient Discharge and Emergency Department data 2005-2022. California Department of Public Health.