What Are Demerol Misuse and Addiction Rates in California?
In California, only about 10% of individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD) received treatment in the past year despite rising opioid misuse rates. This included an increasing Demerol addiction rate, according to the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF). In Southern California, counties have reported ongoing challenges with opioid overdoses, particularly in Riverside County, where overdose deaths increased from 2019 to 2021.
This data is part of a more significant opioid crisis in the state, with overdose death rates rising by 50%, as reported by KFF. In 2021, California hospitals recorded 57,000 emergency department visits and 21,000 hospitalizations for non-fatal drug overdoses. Tragically, 10,898 Californians lost their lives to overdoses, 7,000 of which were opioid-related. Younger adults, especially those aged 25-34, are particularly vulnerable, with Riverside County reporting that men face higher rates of opioid-related deaths than women.