Cincinnati Ohio Drug Stats 2024

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With addiction on the rise across the US, it’s important that we take a look at local Cincinnati drug statistics as they are increasing at a rapid rate.

Cincinnati, Ohio, like many other cities in the United States, has been affected by the opioid crisis and other drug problems. The city has been working hard to fix these issues and make policy changes to help solve the problem.

Read on to explore Cincinnati drug statistics and learn how to get effective addiction treatment in Ohio. 

If you’re struggling with addiction in Ohio, call our friendly recovery team today for help at 877-679-2132.

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What Are the Addiction Statistics for Cincinnati Ohio?

 A report from OSAM (Ohio Substance Abuse Monitoring Network) shows the following drugs are easy to find in the Cincinnati area:

  • Cocaine
  • Crack cocaine
  • Fentanyl
  • Heroin
  • Meth
  • Marijuana

Although heroin is still common, people have noticed it’s become harder to find in Cincinnati. This is because many people are switching to a cheaper alternative: fentanyl. Most heroin in Ohio now is a gray powder that likely contains fentanyl, making it the most common and popular type of heroin.

Fentanyl is easy to find in Cincinnati. Drug abuse statistics Cincinnati from the Hamilton County Coroner’s Office show that:

  • 78% of the 202 drug-related deaths recently involved fentanyl
  • 59% of the 34 drug-related deaths in Scioto County involved fentanyl
  • ODPS (Ohio Department of Public Safety) seized 67 pounds of fentanyl recently, and 430 pounds of meth

Treatment providers in Ohio report more people using heroin and methamphetamine together to speedball – getting a high from both a stimulant and a sedative.

The Opioid Crisis in Cincinnati Ohio

The opioid crisis is a major problem in Cincinnati, Ohio. Opioids are powerful drugs that doctors prescribe to help with severe pain, but they can be dangerous if not used correctly. These drugs include medications like oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl. People can become addicted to them very quickly. Addiction means they feel like they need to keep taking the drug, even if it’s harming them.

In Cincinnati, many people have been affected by opioids. Some people started taking them because their doctor prescribed them for pain after surgery or an injury. However, they found it hard to stop taking the medication. Other people obtained opioids illegally from the streets. This has led to a high number of overdoses. An overdose happens when someone takes too much of the drug, and it can be dangerous, often leading to death.

The community in Cincinnati is working hard to fight this crisis. There are special programs and treatment centers to help people who are addicted to opioids. These programs provide support and medical care to help people recover from their addiction. Doctors are also being more careful about how they prescribe opioids, making sure to give them only short-term and when unavoidable.

In addition to these efforts, there are education programs to teach people about the dangers of opioid addiction. Schools, community centers, and local organizations are all involved in spreading awareness. The police and emergency services are also trained to handle opioid overdoses quickly, often using a medicine called naloxone, which can reverse the effects of an overdose and save lives.

Everyone in Cincinnati is trying to work together to solve this problem. By supporting those who are struggling with addiction and preventing new cases, the community hopes to make Cincinnati a safer and healthier place for everyone.

Overdose Statistics in Cincinnati Ohio

About 75% of overdose deaths that happened in Ohio in 2023 have been recorded in Ohio’s database. So far, overdose deaths are on track to go down by about 4% from the 4,915 overdose deaths in 2022.

In 2023, the 20 counties with the highest rates of overdose deaths are in southern Ohio and the Youngstown-Warren area in the northeast. These areas have been hit the hardest.

In 2022, Vinton County had the highest overdose death rate in Ohio, while Scioto County was second. Scioto County had the highest rate in 2023, followed by Vinton County. Ohio’s Appalachian counties continue to struggle.

Some counties have seen fewer overdose deaths in recent years. Lucas County (Toledo), Richland County (Mansfield), and Butler County (north of Cincinnati) have had noticeable drops in overdose deaths compared to other counties.

How to Get Help for Addiction in Cincinnati Ohio

If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction in Cincinnati, there are ways to get help. Here are some steps you can take:

  • Visit a doctor: A doctor can provide medical help and advice. They can refer you to treatment programs and support groups.
  • Call a helpline: You can call helplines like SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). They provide free, confidential help and can connect you with local resources.
  • Find local support groups: Many support groups in Cincinnati, like NA (Narcotics Anonymous) and AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) offer a safe space to talk about your experiences and get support from others who understand.
  • Check local government resources: Cincinnati has local government resources that can help. The Hamilton County Public Health Department and Cincinnati Health Department offer programs and services for addiction recovery. They can guide you to the right treatment centers and support networks.

Remember, asking for help is a brave and important step towards recovery. You are not alone and can find people and resources to support you.

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Get Help for Drug & Alcohol Addiction at Ohio Recovery Centers

At Ohio Recovery Centers, we help people overcome drug and alcohol addiction with outpatient treatment. This means you get the care you need while doing your daily activities. We also have more intensive outpatient programs for people who need extra support to stay sober.

Our Cincinnati rehab offers treatments tailored to each person because everyone’s addiction is different. We use a mix of medicines, therapy, and counseling to help you get better. You can also try other holistic treatments and be part of a supportive, sober community.

Call our recovery experts at 877-679-2132 for help.

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Joseph Gilmore

Joseph Gilmore has been working in the addiction industry for half a decade and has been writing about addiction and substance abuse treatment during that time. He has experience working for facilities all across the country. Connect with Joe on LinkedIn.
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Christopher Glover CDCA

My name is Christopher Glover, and I am from Cincinnati, Ohio. I am currently in school and working to grow in competence to better support our community. As a recovering individual I know the struggles that you or a loved one can go through and that there is help for anything you may be struggling with.

The hardest part is asking for help and we are here as a team to best support you and your decision to start your journey towards a better future. Connect with Chris on LinkedIn

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Amanda Kuchenberg PRS CDCA

I recently joined Ohio Community Health Recovery Centers as a Clinical Case Manager. I am originally from Wisconsin but settled in the Cincinnati area in my early 20s.  My career started in the fashion industry but quickly changed as I searched to find my drive and passion through helping others who struggle with addiction. 

As someone who is also in recovery, I wanted to provide hope, share lived experience, and support others on their journey.  I currently have my Peer Recovery Support Supervision Certification along with my CDCA and plan to continue my education with University of Cincinnati so I can continue to aid in the battle against substance addiction. Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn.

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Patrick McCamley LCDC III

 Patrick McCamley (Clinical Therapist) is a Cincinnati native who has worked in substance use disorder/co-occurring mental health disorder treatment since 2019. Patrick received his bachelors degree in psychology from University of Cincinnati in 2021 and received his LCDC III (Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor) license from the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board in 2022. Patrick has worked in Clinical Operations, Clinical Case Management, and Clinical Therapy throughout his career.

Patrick has tremendous empathy and compassion for the recovery community, being in recovery himself since 2018. Patrick is uniquely qualified to be helpful because of the specific combination of his academic background and his own experience in recovery.

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Bill Zimmerman CDCA

Bill Zimmerman is a Greater Cincinnati Area native who has worked in substance use disorder/co-occurring mental health disorder treatment since 2018. Bill received his (Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant) license from the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board in 2020.

Bill has worked in Clinical Operations in both support and supervision, and Program facilitating and 12 step recovery support during his career. Bill has a passion for the recovery community, having been in recovery himself since 1982. Connect with Bill on LinkedIn

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Taylor Lilley CDCA, PRS

Growing up in Louisiana with addiction running rampant on both sides of my family. A life away from drugs and alcohol seemed impossible for someone like me. I remember what it was like sitting across from someone thinking there is no way they could ever understand what I was going through.

Sharing my experience offers a credibility and a certain type of trust with clients that only someone who has walked down this road can illustrate. To immerse myself further into the field of addiction, I am currently studying at Cincinnati State for Human and Social Services.  I hope I never forget where I came from, if I can do it, so can you!

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Thomas Hunter LSW

Hello my name is Thomas Hunter. I was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. I am a licensed social worker.In my scope of practice I have worked in the areas of mental health and recovery for thirty years. The clients I have worked with in my career have ranged in age from seven to seventy.

I strive each day to serve my purpose of helping those in need and I believe I do so by utilizing all of my experiences to accomplish my goal of supporting those who desire to establish their sobriety and maintain it in their recovery. Connect with Thomas on LinkedIn.

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Mary D.Porter,LICDC

 My name is Mary D. Porter. I received my Masters of Social Work in 2008 from The University of Cincinnati. I received My Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor Licensure in 2001. I retired from The Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center on April 14, 2014. Currently, I am the Associate Clinical Director for The Ohio Community Health Recovery Centers in Cincinnati.. Due to the fourth wave of the Opioid Epidemic in 2019,  I decided to enter back into the workforce to assist the addicted population.

The overdoses were astounding and I wanted to help.  I consider myself  to be an advocate for the addicted population. My compassion, resilience, empathy, wisdom, knowledge, experience and  love I have for this forgotten population goes beyond words. I consider what I do for the addicted population as a calling versus a “career,” because I too was once an “addict and alcoholic.” Today I am 45.5 years alcohol and substance free.

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Ben Lemmon LCDC III

Hello, my name is Ben Lemmon, and I’m the Vice President and Clinical Director at Ohio Community Health Recovery Centers. I’ve been working in the addiction and mental health field since 2013 and decided to enter the field after overcoming my own challenges with addiction.

When I first meet a client, I always explain to them that the reason we are meeting is because they are not capable of obtaining or maintaining sobriety, and my goal is to create a person that can maintain sobriety. I believe a person’s personality is made up of their thoughts, feelings and actions and my job is to help clients identify the thoughts, feelings and actions that have them disconnected from recovery and provide them with the tools to live a healthy and happy life. Connect with Ben on LinkedIn