If you have been following substance abuse trends in Ohio, you’re probably aware that a significant percentage of the state’s 11.3 million residents have a problem with drugs or alcohol. Some have even gone so far as to say that substance abuse in Ohio has reached epidemic proportions. That said, it is worth noting that the lion’s share of Ohio’s substance abuse problem has to do with opioids. And all of this is evidenced in multiple studies detailing patterns of addiction in the state. One study, in particular, which was conducted and published by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, revealed that Ohio experienced 14,975 overdose deaths involving prescription-based opioids in 2018. Of course, overdose deaths involving street-level opioids were not too far behind. In the same year, the study noted that 14,996 overdose deaths involved heroin.
What You May Not Have Known About Substance Abuse in Ohio
While opioids might represent Ohio’s biggest problem when it comes to substance abuse, many individuals who call Ohio, also known as the buckeye state, home have reported struggling with other drugs as well. Some of the more notable ones include marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, benzodiazepines, and alcohol. It is important to note that substance abuse is not something new in Ohio. According to a study published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), between 2009 and 2013, an estimated 683,000 individuals ages 12 and over in Ohio admitted to abusing intoxicating and mind-altering substances.
Why Many Believe Ohio Might Soon Turn the Corner When It Comes to Substance Abuse
Although drug and alcohol abuse is still a chronic and pervasive problem in Ohio, things appear to be improving as many people are seeking help from the state’s estimated 373 substance abuse and addiction treatment facilities, according to drug-rehabs.org. And this positive trend goes back to 2014, which is when local rehab facilities in Ohio collectively enrolled some 37,024 people that were all committed to putting substance abuse behind them once and for all. While we are on the topic, it is worth pointing out that many of the rehab facilities in Ohio offer comprehensive programs that can improve an individual’s chances of achieving long-term sobriety, some of which include the following:
- Inpatient and outpatient programs
- Medication-assisted detox
- Individual, group, and family addiction counseling
- Addiction education courses
- Referrals to support groups
Can Rehab Facilities in Ohio Help Individuals Find Housing?
Rehab facilities in Ohio recognize that there is a good chance that individuals trying to put addiction behind them can potentially relapse. After all, a study published by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found that an astonishing 40 to 60 percent of individuals trying to overcome addiction often relapse while still in or shortly after completing a rehab program. For this reason, along with the many other services that they provide, many facilities will assist individuals with finding a sober living home.
For those who are not familiar with sober living homes, they are safe and supportive structured living facilities that are available to individuals who have completed a drug rehab program. Sober living homes provide individuals with the skills that they need to cope with the temptation and cravings that so often give way to relapse.
It is worth noting that sober living homes are shared living facilities, which means that individuals can develop friendships with others who are on a similar path toward achieving long-term sobriety. These friendships can be an excellent source of moral support, and they can also go a long way toward helping to combat the feelings of isolation that an individual might otherwise experience if they immediately returned home instead. Lastly, many sober living homes provide training and other resources to help those who are unemployed rejoin the workforce. Given these many benefits, it is not too difficult to see why rehab facilities in Ohio often recommend and even assist individuals in finding a sober living home after they have completed rehab.
Bottom Line
In summary, substance abuse can quickly take a toll on an individual’s life, not to mention the lives of their friends, family, and even the communities that they call home. Fortunately, rehab facilities and sober living homes in Ohio can make breaking the cycle of addiction possible. To learn more about sober living homes or for help finding a rehab facility in your area, consider scheduling a consultation with one of our associates today at 833-497-3812.