How Healthcare Access Contributes to Racial Differences in Addiction Deaths

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Drug addiction is an equal opportunity destroyer and impacts us all. But the fact remains that the addiction-related death rates are different among different ethnic groups and socioeconomic groups. Researchers at The Centers for Disease Control noted that in 2023-2024, death rates have decreased among most ethnic groups, with Latinos and African Americans experiencing the largest drops.

However, the numbers still show a disproportionate number of deaths fall upon non-Latino whites. According to the CDC, about 48,400 whites died from opioid overdoses in 2024, which is more than 1.5x the total of all other ethnic groups combined.

Access to Healthcare

It’s an unfortunate fact that wide disparities in healthcare access exist among different ethnic groups. But there are different reasons for why some people seek addiction treatment and others don’t. One study from 2020 noted that Blacks and Latinos have historically lacked access to treatment due to racism, economic income gaps, and lack of available providers in their communities.

In contrast, while Whites as a whole have increased access to healthcare, they may tend to be more likely to get prescriptions for highly addictive painkillers like hydrocodone and oxycodone.

Hydrocodone addiction treatment is available to anyone, regardless of race. Call and talk to our experts for help at 800-934-1582(Sponsored) to get more information about living a drug-free life.

Differences in Prescribing Patterns

White people have easier access to opioid painkillers than other races.

A racial bias in medical prescribing practices may also exist, in which some doctors are less likely to prescribe narcotics to minorities because of addiction concerns. This in itself may stem from stereotype images about minorities and drug use in the media, leading some medical professionals, no matter how well-intentioned on “protecting” minority patients, nevertheless allows their biases to impact their care plans.

Other cultural differences may also account for differing addiction rates. Some ethnic groups may be wary about reaching out for help due to a shame culture, while others may turn to family members more for support, rather than experts.

How People Get Addicted to Prescription Narcotics

Many people are prescribed narcotic painkillers such as hydrocodone after major surgery or injury. However, tolerance to opiate medication builds so quickly, and some people need to take higher doses of medication to receive the same level of pain relief. Exceeding safe amounts of opiates makes it more likely that people suffer overdose symptoms.

Since most doctors don’t increase the dosage of prescription opiate medication to prevent addiction among their patients, those who become addicted are more likely to engage in behaviors like “doctor shopping” to obtain more pills. This is often a difficult, time-consuming and expensive process. Many of those who become addicted to hydrocodone and other prescription narcotics move on to heroin because of its greater availability.

Heroin is much more dangerous than prescription narcotics because it’s highly illegal and isn’t regulated. Users have no idea of the purity of the drug they’re buying and can experience an accidental overdose, which is often fatal. Mixing prescription narcotics or heroin with other substances that slow your breathing, such as alcohol or Xanax, is much more likely to result in death.

Why is the CDC calling Narcotics use an Epidemic?

Narcotic abuse and addiction continues to rise, leading to an epidemic of overdoses and drug-related fatalities.

It’s not too late to seek oxycodone addiction treatment or for any other dependency. Seeking qualified help could be the decision that saves your life. Call our caring, knowledgeable experts today at 800-934-1582(Sponsored) .

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