As the state capital and the most populous city in Ohio, Columbus has been heavily implicated in the opioid epidemic that has enveloped all U.S. states since the late 1990s.
Ohio continues to face high rates of overdose deaths and also has rates of drug addiction that significantly exceed the national average. While more people than ever are engaging with evidence-based addiction treatment, statistics on drug abuse in Columbus, Ohio, show that the battle is ongoing and arguably worsening.
What Are the Addiction Statistics for Columbus Ohio?
Drug abuse statistics in Columbus, Ohio indicate the widespread abuse of the following substances:
- Prescription opioids: The opioid crisis remains a pressing concern in Columbus, Ohio. Despite statewide efforts to combat the abuse of opioid painkillers, many people continue to develop dependence and addiction.
- Heroin: As part of the broader opioid epidemic, heroin is one of the most addictive drugs in the area, contributing significantly to the city’s overdose statistics.
- Fentanyl: Fentanyl is a deadly synthetic opioid that’s 50 times stronger than heroin and responsible for a growing number of lethal overdoses in Columbus, Ohio.
- Cocaine: Cocaine use is widespread in Columbus.
- Alcohol: Alcohol abuse remains a persistent problem, contributing to the city’s overall substance use disorder statistics.
- Marijuana: Marijuana is also commonly abused by a wide range of demographics in Columbus, OH.
Between 2017 and 2019, Ohio experienced an annual average prevalence of 15.5% (equating to 187,000 people) for past-year substance use disorder (addiction). This rate slightly surpasses the national average.
In the same timeframe, Ohio reported an annual average prevalence of 7.7% (or 757,000 people) for past-year substance use disorder, closely matching the national average.
On a single day in March 2019, among Ohio residents seeking substance use treatment, 49% were there for drug-related issues only, 15% sought help for alcohol-related problems exclusively, and 36% received treatment for both alcohol and drug use disorders.
Beyond this, from 2017 to 2019, the state of Ohio observed an annual average prevalence of 1.4% (or 142,000 individuals) for opioid use disorder in the past year. This figure is double the national average.
Opioid Crisis in Columbus Ohio
Columbus, Ohio, is addressing the opioid crisis with an approach that focuses on emergency services, data-driven policies, and community support.
- For individuals facing a mental health or substance abuse emergency, Columbus, Ohio offers immediate assistance through hotlines and crisis lines.
- The city is actively engaged in strategizing and implementing policies to tackle the epidemic.
- Updated overdose treatment, outcomes, and prevention data in Columbus and Franklin County is available to guide these efforts.
- Data dashboards reporting on substance use and overdose measures inform institutions and the general public.
- Collaborative approaches are being developed to serve those who have recently overdosed on opioids, indicating a community-driven response to the crisis.
- Ohio State has secured significant federal funding to support communities in fighting opioid addiction and preventing overdose deaths.
Overdose Statistics in Columbus Ohio
Columbus, comprising nearly 90% of Franklin County’s area, witnessed 825 accidental overdose deaths in 2021. This figure represents a slight 4% reduction from the previous year but is a sharp 48% rise from the drug use statistics in Columbus, Ohio, in 2019, illustrating the profound impact of the pandemic and the associated economic downturn on the residents of Columbus. Although there has been some stabilization, the current overdose death toll is still over twice as high as it was five years ago.
In these incidents, about 36% were attributed to a single substance, while close to 40% were the result of mixing two different substances. Especially concerning is the dominant presence of opioids in these fatalities. In 2021, opioids – especially the synthetic opioid fentanyl – were involved in 89% of all overdose deaths, with cocaine present in 43%, amphetamines in 18%, and alcohol also in 18%.
Statewide, Ohio reported 5,174 accidental drug overdose deaths in 2021. Columbus’s fatalities may seem minor in comparison, yet, relative to its population, the city accounted for nearly 7.7% of Ohio’s population but 15.7% of its overdose deaths.
Fentanyl is by many magnitudes the most lethal substance of abuse in Columbus, involved in almost 90% of overdose deaths, often in combination with other substances.
How to Get Help for Addiction in Ohio
If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction in Ohio, there are numerous resources and support systems available to help.
- Contact local health departments: Many Ohio counties have health departments that offer resources for substance abuse treatment and recovery. They can provide information on local rehab facilities, support groups, and counseling services.
- Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services: This state department offers a comprehensive list of services, including hotlines, treatment facility locators, and information on understanding addiction and how to seek help.
- SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration): The SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-HELP) is a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members battling addictions or mental health disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.
- Netcare Access crisis hotline: For immediate crisis intervention, the Netcare Access Crisis Hotline (614-276-CARE) in Columbus offers 24/7 support to individuals experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis.
- Community support groups: Organizations such as AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), NA (Narcotics Anonymous), and SMART Recovery host meetings throughout Ohio, providing peer support and guidance for those in recovery.
- Seek professional help: Addiction counselors and therapists can offer personalized care and treatment plans to address both substance use and underlying mental health issues.
- Educational resources: Many Ohio institutions and organizations provide educational material and programs to help individuals and families understand the complexities of addiction and the best practices for treatment and recovery.
Here’s how you can connect with compassionate and effective addiction treatment in Ohio.
Get Help for Drug & Alcohol Addiction at Ohio Recovery Centers
When you commit to recovery from drug addiction or alcoholism at Ohio Recovery Centers, you’ll benefit from an inclusive addiction support community. This can help you achieve and maintain long-term abstinence from addictive substances.
The outpatient nature of treatment at our rehab in Cincinnati, OH, allows you to fulfill your everyday commitments without compromising your recovery. All addictions are unique, so all of our treatment programs deliver personalized and targeted treatments. This may include medication-assisted treatment, psychotherapy, counseling, and holistic interventions.
Call 877-679-2132 today and begin your recovery right away.
