Known for Cincinnati Chili and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Ohio is a midwestern state with a population of over 11.7 million people. Many Ohio residents have experienced the impact of substance use disorder (SUD) and the opioid epidemic. Between 2021 and 2022, about 19% of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) respondents aged 18 or older reported substance use disorder (SUD) in the past year. Thankfully, many free addiction resources in Ohio make treatment accessible.
Drug Statistics in Ohio
Like most states nationwide, addiction and the drug crisis have wreaked havoc on Ohio communities. Here are some statistics about alcohol and drug use, addiction, and treatment in Ohio between 2021 and 2023:
Addiction Nonprofits in Ohio
Integrated Services for Behavioral Health
With multiple locations across southeast Ohio, this organization offers a variety of mental health services. Ohio residents have access to mental health and SUD treatment, transitional housing, peer support, and homelessness assistance. Some locations also offer harm reduction services, including overdose prevention training and naloxone kits.
Ohio Careline
This 24/7 emotional support line assists people in crisis and those battling life issues. Their behavioral health specialists are there to listen to your experiences, offer advice, and refer you to additional programs that fit your needs.
CAP4Kids
This organization lists multiple addiction and mental health services for Ohio adults, kids, youth, and families. Resources include crisis helplines, criminal justice assistance, treatment centers, medication-assisted therapy (MAT), counseling services, harm reduction programs, and more.
Harm Reduction Programs
Project DAWN
Project DAWN’s harm reduction locator connects Ohio residents with nearby programs and services. The map includes where to find fentanyl testing strips, naloxone kits, syringe programs, and STD testing statewide.
Harm Reduction Ohio
This organization offers news and statistics about addiction and overdoses in Ohio and provides contact information for syringe service programs by county. Ohio residents can also order naloxone kits online through Harm Reduction Ohio.
ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County
This organization provides information on different harm reduction services and programs throughout Cuyahoga County. They provide information on fentanyl and where to find fentanyl testing strips, free Narcan, drug testing sites, and safe syringe programs. They also have an overdose prevention app to support callers at risk of an overdose.
Government Grants & Resources
Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services
This government program connects Ohioans with addiction and behavioral health information and resources. Ohio residents can browse their website for information on addiction, prevention, crisis intervention, and treatment.
Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio
This association offers an interactive map for housing assistance programs. They also have information on housing, racial equity, housing stabilization for pregnant women, youth programs, advocacy, and more.
Urban Minority Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Outreach Program (UMADOAP) of Cincinnati
This organization offers various behavioral services for members of the BIPOC community. They provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT), intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), mental health treatment, outpatient care, and specialized programs for youth and women.
College Addiction Resources
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
This university medical center offers a continuum of evidence-based care for Ohio residents. They provide medical detox, residential treatment, partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), standard outpatient treatment, and medication management at multiple locations.
UC Health
The University of Cincinnati Health’s team of experienced mental health professionals provides various client-centered therapeutic interventions for Ohio residents. Services include medically-managed outpatient treatment and an opioid treatment program. They also conduct local research to improve addiction treatment strategies in the community.
Ohio University
This university lists mental health and addiction resources for students and the community, such as hotlines, treatment centers, and counseling services. Other social resources are available for support, including clothing, parenting, housing, domestic violence, hunger, Veterans, transportation, and health services.
LGBTQ+ Resources
Stonewall Columbus
This nonprofit works to increase the quality of care and services for Ohio members of the LGBTQ+ community. They provide wellness programs where people can seek individual, family, couples, youth, and transgender group counseling. They prioritize clients without insurance and those with Medicaid. They also offer support groups, recovery groups, housing assistance, HIV care, and more.
LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland
This community organization offers services, programs, and resources for Northeast Ohio’s LGBTQ+ community. Ohio residents can access healthcare, STD testing and treatment, and a food pantry. They also provide resources for LGBTQ+ affirming providers, peer support groups, sober living homes, and HIV/AIDS support.
Colors+ Youth Center
Colors+ Youth Center offers mental health and substance abuse counseling through their LGBTQ+ owned and operated center, Colors+ Counseling. Their team of compassionate mental health clinicians provides individual, family, and couples counseling, music therapy, art therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for adults and youth. Colors+ Youth Center also lists free local crisis, gender, family, housing, physical health, and HIV resources.
Veterans Programs
Ohio VA Medical Centers
Ohio VA Medical Centers connect Veterans with addiction and mental health treatment. Ohio Veterans have access to multiple levels of care, including residential rehab, intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), and regular outpatient care. Veterans with VA coverage typically receive free or low-cost treatment.
VFW Department of Ohio
This website provides a list of resources for veterans seeking help for alcohol and drug addiction They also have multiple veteran’s programs, including specialty resources for women who are veterans and information on health benefits and assistance.
Ohio Department of Veterans Services
This government agency provides various resources and information for Ohio Veterans and their families. Veterans can find information on VA mental health centers, community-based behavioral health counselors, addiction treatment, housing assistance, and more.
Indigenous & Tribal Programs
Native American Indian Center of Central Ohio (NAICCO)
NAICCO focuses on preserving and restoring Ohio’s indigenous communities by promoting culture, tradition, family, education, community, and wellness. Members of the Native American community can contact NAICCO to learn more about mental health and addiction services and initiatives.
Drug Laws in Ohio
Controlled Substances Regulations
This official Ohio State website shares information on current regulations, codes, and statutes about the possession, manufacturing, and distribution of controlled substances and related paraphernalia.
911 Good Samaritan Law
This official Ohio State website shares information on current regulations, codes, and statutes about the possession, manufacturing, and distribution of controlled substances and related paraphernalia.
Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs
Administered by the Ohio Legislative Service Commission, this website explains the penalties for operating a vehicle while intoxicated.