RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) — New data from the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association shows an increase in the number of patients that have drug use disorder across the state.  According to VHHA, there has been an 11% increase of discharged patients diagnosed with drug use disorder in Virginia hospitals from 2020 to 2024.  "It's part of continuing trend of data analyzes that our team shares with the public about public health issues, topics of concern and interest, things that our team spots in the data," said Julian Walker, VHHA vice president of communications.   Walker explained the data brief shows the number of patients who were treated at Virginia hospitals, discharged and diagnosed with a drug use disorder.   Of the 10 localities that had the highest volume of patients with drug use disorder across the state, four are in Hampton Roads. They include Norfolk and Virginia Beach at 4.4%, Newport News at 3.2% and Chesapeake at 2.4%.  "This is a five-year analysis covering the period from 2020 to 2024," Walker said.   Walker also pointed out that these patients are being diagnosed with more than just a drug use disorder.   "Among that patient population that there is a significant share of those patients who also had co-occurring mental health conditions, in some cases, a mental health challenge, in other cases, a mental health challenge induced by the use of drugs or alcohol,” Walker said.   Walker explained that sharing these numbers is their way to make Virginia the healthiest state in the nation.   "When people are informed about health and are informed healthcare decision makers, you know they are equipped with better information to be able to address the health needs that they or their family may have,” Walker said.   ...read more read less