In 2018, 3,764 Ohio residents died from an unintentional drug overdose, and with opioids responsible for the majority of the state’s deaths, this number has only continued to rise. Although Ohioans are under strict orders to stay at home, The Bluffs is staying open to provide care and support for substance use disorder.
Substance Use Statistics In Ohio
Substance use disorder, which is the medical term for addiction to drugs or alcohol, takes a devastating toll on the people of our state; thousands of people die from an unintentional drug overdose in Ohio each year. In early 2020, the Ohio Department of Health released a report that analyzed drug-related overdose deaths in 2018. The report indicates the severe problem residents have with addiction, which may only grow worse during COVID-19 if they do not seek treatment and support. Some key substance use facts collected from Ohio include:
- Drug-related overdose deaths have been the leading cause of injury deaths in Ohio since 2007, and this trend continues through 2018
- 35-44-year-olds, followed by 25-34-year-olds, were the age groups most affected by drug overdose deaths in 2018
- A combination of fentanyl and cocaine was involved in the highest percentage of deaths in counties with large metro areas
Ohio Overdose Deaths By Substance
From opioids to alcohol, Ohio residents struggle with multiple substances that could lead to overdose and death:
- opioids contributed to 83.7% of all drug-related overdose deaths in 2018 (3,150 deaths)
- fentanyl was involved in 72.6% of deaths (2,733)
- cocaine was involved in 29% of overdose deaths (1,092)
- heroin was involved in 19% of deaths (714)
- methamphetamine was involved in 15% of deaths (564)
- alcohol was involved in 11.7% of overdose deaths (442)
- 2,266 deaths involved multiple substances
- Overdoses also involved benzodiazepines, methadone, hallucinogens, and barbiturates
Ohio Drug Overdose Deaths By County
In Ohio, counties that are home to large metro areas reported the highest number of drug overdose deaths. These include counties with populous cities like Dayton, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Toledo, Akron, and Youngstown. Counties that reported significant numbers of overdose deaths in 2018 include:
- Cuyahoga (443 total drug-overdose deaths)
- Franklin (476)
- Hamilton (357)
- Montgomery (275)
- Butler (176)
- Lucas (166)
- Summit (128)
- Lorain (101)
- Mahoning (98)
Although the data suggests a higher number of deaths in metro areas, rural areas like Colombiana and Jefferson Counties reported significant rates of drug overdose deaths, which break down the number of deaths per 100,000 people. Regardless of where you are in Ohio, and even during these uncertain times, finding effective treatment for addiction must be a top-priority.
The Bluffs Is Open To Help You Beat Addiction
Ohio residents struggling with addiction can enroll at The Bluffs to receive individualized care and treatment. Although the state has taken proactive measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19, The Bluffs is staying open to address the ongoing epidemic of addiction. With many 12-step meeting sites shuttered due to stay-at-home orders in Ohio, residents with addiction must have access to the treatment and support they need. While we’re accepting new patients for inpatient care on campus, we’re also expanding our services to include Telehealth.
Telehealth Now Available At The Bluffs
Telehealth services at The Bluffs allow our counselors and treatment professionals to video conference with Ohio residents at home. With a stable internet connection and a compatible device, you can receive peer support, meet with psychiatrists, and participate in therapy online. If you’re hesitant to attend online meetings or therapy sessions, you can still attend treatment at The Bluffs if you’re a resident of Ohio.
The Bluffs Accepts A Wide-Range Of Health Insurance Plans
To cover the cost of addiction treatment in Ohio, The Bluffs is in-network with several major insurance providers. This means our facility is contracted with certain insurance companies to offer you the best coverage for treatment and care. At The Bluffs, our in-network insurance providers include:
- Health Ohio Network
- Beacon
- Magellan of Ohio
- Humana
- Veterans Care Agreement, Managed by Optum
- Anthem of Ohio
- Medical Mutual of Ohio
- Mercy Choice
- First Health
If you have insurance with one of the above providers, contact The Bluffs today to learn more. If your insurance isn’t listed above, get in touch with one of our treatment specialists to better understand your recovery options. Please contact The Bluffs to learn about how we’re continuing to treat addiction during COVID-19.
