Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics associated with overdose among patients with a substance-related diagnosis in the emergency department of Southern California

Our research showed that individuals with cannabis or Opioid-related diagnoses had higher odds of experiencing an overdose. Patients with an overdose were typically middle-aged, Black or African American, and Hispanic/Latinx, had public health insurance, and had comorbid mental health diagnoses. They were less likely to be female, married, or in a significant relationship. These findings highlight the importance of sociodemographic and clinical factors in identifying at-risk individuals for targeted interventions.