Newport Beach’s addiction stats show that drug use is a serious health problem, with many people affected by addiction to alcohol, prescription meds, and illegal drugs. Substance abuse can have a damaging effect on the person, their families, their communities, and the economy.
Understanding how common drug and alcohol use is in Newport Beach and throughout the United States and knowing what treatment options are available can help us work together to reduce the number of overdose deaths.
This guide looks at Newport Beach drug stats and alcohol stats and what is being done to help those struggling with addiction – all addictions are highly treatable.
If you or a loved one are struggling with drug or alcohol addiction in Newport Beach, call our local addiction recovery team at (800) 994-2184.
What Are the Addiction Statistics for Newport Beach?
Newport Beach is in Orange County, California’s third most populous county. Its beautiful weather and many tourist attractions make it a popular place. However, many people in Newport Beach suffer from substance use disorders and mental health issues.
Almost one in six people in Orange County need help with mental, emotional, or substance use issues. This is a problem that should not be ignored.
Orange County has higher rates of hospital visits due to alcohol or drug use than most counties in California. The death rate from drug use in Orange County is 15.5 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than many other counties in the state.
Newport Beach alcohol stats show that 17% of adults in Orange County engage in binge drinking or other risky patterns of alcohol intake. People with less education and income are more at risk for alcohol problems. This trend is expected to increase and could lead to more dangerous behaviors like drunk driving.
Substance abuse involves using illegal drugs, prescription drugs, or alcohol in ways that are harmful to physical and mental health. Drug and alcohol abuse can affect almost every part of a person’s life and can lead to addiction, which is hard to overcome.
Here are some substance abuse data and Newport Beach drug stats:
- There have been almost 1 million drug overdose deaths in the U.S. since 2000.
- Opioids are involved in 75% of all fatal drug overdoses.
- In Orange County, many overdose deaths are due to prescription painkillers and opioids like heroin and fentanyl.
The most commonly abused drugs in Orange County are marijuana and cocaine.
Prescription drug abuse – especially with opioids – often results in overdose deaths. Here are some key stats:
- Opioid overdose deaths: 8.4 per 100,000 residents
- Deaths related to prescription opioids: 14.1 per 100,000 residents
- Deaths related to synthetic opioids: 12.2 per 100,000 residents
- Deaths related to heroin: 2 per 100,000 residents
Opioid Crisis in Newport Beach
The opioid crisis in Newport Beach, like in many other places, started with prescription painkillers. Doctors prescribed these medications to help with severe pain, but they were highly addictive. When it became harder to get these prescriptions, many people turned to heroin, which is also an opioid and easier to find. Later, fentanyl, a much stronger and more dangerous opioid, became widely available and made the crisis even worse.
Opioid overdoses can be serious and life-threatening. Newport Beach will start educating people about this issue and providing free naloxone kits to help stop opioid overdoses. Naloxone (also called Narcan) can reverse an opioid overdose from drugs like fentanyl, heroin, and some prescription medications. The nasal spray form of naloxone is easy to use, works almost immediately, and is not addictive.
The Newport Beach City Council has accepted opioid settlement funds that will be used to distribute naloxone and for community education. In 2021, a $26 billion settlement was made by Janssen Pharmaceuticals and drug distributors to resolve many opioid-related lawsuits. California will get about $2 billion from this settlement over the next 18 years, and Newport Beach will receive a portion of the funds each year (about $400,000 so far).
The city will use this money to make Naloxone more available in the community and to educate people on how to use it. This effort is part of a larger plan that includes current law enforcement activities and stronger laws to address the misuse of opioids, including fentanyl.
Overdose Statistics in Newport Beach
Drug overdoses are increasing across the country, including in Newport Beach, California. Between 2005 and 2014, overdose deaths went up by 63%. From 2011 to 2016, more than 1,700 people in Orange County died from overdoses. Opioids caused over 66% of these deaths.
Most fatalities were due to prescription painkillers, heroin, and fentanyl. A report from the Orange County Coroner and Health Care Agency in 2017 showed that between 2011 and 2015, 782 residents needed emergency room care for opioid overdoses. Among these, 123 people died. Newport Beach is part of northern Orange County.
From 2011 to 2015, emergency room visits for overdoses increased by 37%, and fatal overdoses went up by 18%. The report indicated that the use of naloxone could help reduce these lethal overdoses. Here are the percentages of deaths caused by specific opioids:
- 27% from hydrocodone
- 25% from morphine
- 20% from heroin
- 19% from oxycodone
- 16% from codeine
Between 2020 and 2021, DHCS (California Department of Health Care Services) reported a 70% increase in overdose deaths among California residents. Most of these deaths were due to opioids. CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has called this opioid epidemic the “worst public health crisis in American history.“
What Is Being Done About Addiction in Newport Beach?
Newport Beach is taking several steps to help people with drug and alcohol addiction. Here are some of the key efforts:
- Naloxone distribution: The city is giving out free naloxone kits to help stop opioid overdoses. Naloxone can quickly reverse an opioid overdose. It’s easy to use and not addictive.
- Education and awareness: Newport Beach is starting education programs to teach people about the dangers of opioid misuse and how to use Narcan. This will help the community understand how to prevent and respond to overdoses.
- Opioid settlement funds: The Newport Beach City Council has accepted funds from a large opioid settlement. This money is being used to support addiction treatment and prevention efforts in the community.
- Support groups and counseling: The city offers many support groups and counseling services where people can share their experiences and get help from others who understand what they are going through. These groups provide a safe space for recovery.
- Holistic and alternative treatments: Many treatment centers in Newport Beach offer holistic treatments like yoga, meditation, and art therapy. These activities help people recover by focusing on their overall well-being.
These efforts show that Newport Beach is committed to helping people overcome addiction and lead healthier lives.
Get Treatment for Addiction in Newport Beach at Gratitude Lodge
At Gratitude Lodge in Newport Beach, we help people with addictions and mental health issues. Our pet-friendly rehab centers in Southern California focus on healing your whole body.
We offer a safe and smooth medical detox program to help you get clean. After detox, you can join our 30-day inpatient program for continued support.
Our treatment programs include:
- Medications
- Talk therapy
- Family therapy
- Group therapy
- One-to-one counseling
- Holistic therapies
- Aftercare support
Call our recovery specialists in Newport Beach at 800-994-2184.
