California has become a hotbed for drug rehab facilities over the past few decades. It’s great in the sense that people from across the nation can find open beds for their detox and recovery journeys.

But the competitiveness and profits to be made have also put some patients at risk. Some drug treatment centers don’t provide the careful supervision they promise to families. Other facilities offer care they aren’t qualified to provide, leaving Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Sufferers at risk.

To help visualize the danger for patients, our researchers decided to look at statistics from the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). The Department tracks the tragic deaths in licensed and certified drug rehabs in the state each year. It’s easy to see how incidents surge and fall back over the period, and the big problems behind the figures.

How Many People Die in California Drug Rehabs Each Year?

On average, around 52 people die annually in California drug treatment centers. That’s according to data requested from the DHCS.

Overall, there have been 529 heartbreaking deaths in licensed and/or certified drug rehabs over the past decade (2016-2026).

These figures are collected over the fiscal year. The DHCS fiscal year is the same as the State’s, running from July through June of the next year.

The statistics illustrate how the numbers surged in 2017 and, for the most part, haven’t fallen back that much.

• Sober Living Homes overdoses and deaths are not included in the data. The DHCS doesn’t license or oversee these “recovery residences.” They generally do not investigate sober living homes either. These homes are hard to track and gather data on anyway. They can pop up quickly in almost any residential neighborhood, and there’s little oversight for them as long as they only provide a room for residents and peer support.

See: California rehab overdose deaths by county.

Patients Are Not At Fault for Rehab Deaths

It’s important to bring these devastating numbers into the light, because awareness can bring change. It’s also an important reminder that rehab patients are not at fault when they suffer harm while seeking help.

Drug Rehab businesses agree to monitor patients at all times and provide a “drug-free” environment. It’s why when a precious life is lost, drug treatment facility owners can be held liable.

If you’ve had a loved one die in a drug rehab, please explore your options for seeking justice with an experienced California Rehab Facility Wrongful Death Lawyer. We offer a FREE, NO-OBLIGATION case consultation. Schedule a confidential meeting with a real lawyer today.

Additional Resources:

The Fiscal Year Drug Rehab Death stats in text form:

2014/2015 25 Deaths
15/16 25 Deaths
16/17 26 Deaths
17/18 45 Deaths
18/19 33 Deaths
19/20 55 Deaths
20/21 61 Deaths
21/22 63 Deaths
22/23 56 Deaths
23/24 63 Deaths
24/25 79 Deaths
25/26 48 Deaths