Cleveland is the second most populated city in Ohio and over the years has faced a variety of issues involving drugs and alcohol. Over the past ten years opioids such as heroin and prescription painkillers have become the primary concern for residents and city officials. It’s not just opiates though that are a concern for Cuyahoga County, cocaine, marijuana, benzodiazepines, synthetic marijuana, meth, and PCP are also a problem within Cleveland. 

Powdered heroin is now more readily available than cocaine, and some high school students report that it is easier to find heroin than marijuana. Crack cocaine is typically less expensive than powder cocaine and is also more addictive. Crack is used more typically by those living in the inner city who live below the poverty line. Drugs in Cleveland, especially heroin, is now commonly being cut with fentanyl or carfentanil. This is an extremely dangerous combination. Not only do people not know exactly what they are using, but due to to the extreme potency of carfentail which can be more than 1,000x stronger than pure heroin. 

Overdose Deaths in Cleveland

According to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner, there were 1,088 drug overdose deaths in Cleveland, Ohio in 2021. This is an increase from 954 deaths in 2020.

Opioids were the leading cause of overdose deaths, accounting for 77% of all deaths. Fentanyl was the most common opioid involved in overdose deaths, accounting for 60% of all deaths.

The age group with the highest number of overdose deaths was 25-44 years old. Men accounted for 71% of overdose deaths, while women accounted for 29%.

Overall drug overdose rates have increased by nearly 22 percent. Men between the ages of 25 and 44 are have the highest risk of overdose. Unfortunately, opioid drug overdoses have doubled throughout the country, but in Ohio they have more than tripled. While there is a particular demographic that is most commonly dying from overdoses, opioids cross all demographic boundaries, and these drugs affect everyone. Addiction does not discriminate against age, sex, religion, social standing, or rare; anyone can fall victim to the highly addictive properties of opiates and other drugs. 

The City of Cleveland is working to address the opioid crisis. The city has a number of programs and initiatives in place, including:

• A naloxone distribution program that provides naloxone kits to people who may be at risk of an overdose. Naloxone is a medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.
• A substance abuse treatment directory that lists treatment providers in Cuyahoga County.
• A 24/7 crisis hotline that can provide support to people who are struggling with drug addiction.

The City of Cleveland is also working to raise awareness about the dangers of drug addiction and to promote prevention efforts.

If you or someone you know is struggling with drug addiction, please reach out for help. There are resources available to you.

Here are some additional resources that may be helpful:

• National Institute on Drug Abuse
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Fighting Fentanyl Addiction in Cleveland

Throughout Cleveland and Cuyahoga County, officials are trying to help lower the number of lives being lost while simultaneously making it easier to find a rehab center in Ohio. Narcan was also made easier for Cleveland residents to obtain. This is a life-saving, non-addictive, non harmful drug that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. All emergency responders are now carrying Narcan and have used it hundreds of times to help save lives across the state. Those who want to learn the signs of an overdose and how to help save the victim’s life are able to attend free classes. Those attending these classes will often leave for Narcan with a prescription and will be able to use it if necessary. 

The Best Detoxes and Inpatient Rehab Centers

Anyone struggling with substance abuse issues should seek professional help from a rehab in Cleveland. Prior to entering one of these treatment centers we highly suggest that the person who is struggling enters and completes a detox center in Cleveland, Ohio. It is imperative that anyone who struggles with substance abuse issues gets the help that they need and deserve. Without proper assistance it is extremely difficult to stay away from mood and mind altering substances. 

When someone asks for help it’s important that they receive it as soon as possible. That willingness to leave the drugs/alcohol behind and start their journey on the road to recovery can easily come and go. Having a detox in Cleveland lined up will help make this trying time less stressful and easier to navigate. 

Detoxing is the process in which the body repairs itself from the build up of chemicals that have piled up during substance abuse. Many mood and mind altering substances are both physically and mentally addictive, without proper help one will face a variety of debilitating withdrawal symptoms. Attempting to get clean without the help of a Cleveland detox center is no easy task and is often unsuccessful. This is not due to a lack of willpower, the drugs/alcohol have changed the way that the user’s mind thinks and reacts to certain situations. When this is combined with physical pain and mental anguish, it will be much easier to get clean with proper medication and medical supervision. 

Detoxes in Cleveland are able to prescribe and administer medications designed to help ease the withdrawals. Clients will be able to sleep and will be much more comfortable in one of these facilities. Not only will they feel better, but they will also be safe. The withdrawals associated with benzodiazepines and alcohol have the potential to be life threatening. Without the right meds in the correct doses, one is at risk of having a seizure. 

What Happens After Entering a Detox?

Upon completing detox, it is highly recommended that one continues their care at a rehab center in Cleveland, OH. Detox does little, if anything, to help with the mental side of substance abuse. It is imperative that one works on the underlying issues associated with drug addiction and alcoholism. One must learn how to handle cravings and resist the urge to fall back onto their substance of choice for relief.

Rehabs and treatment centers in Ohio help those struggling build a strong foundation in which they can build their recovery upon. While in one of these rehabilitation programs one will have access to therapists, partake in group building exercises, attend meetings, have one on one sessions with their primary therapist, and more. They will take part in relapse prevention classes and learn how to handle cravings.

Dual diagnosis rehabs in Cleveland will help those struggling address any underlying issues that they maybe combating. A large majority of people who suffer with substance abuse disorder also have problems with mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. The substance abuse is merely the problem that everyone can see, the problems often go far deeper than just the drug/alcohol abuse. 

The average length of time spent in a detox in Cleveland is around 5-8 days. This can vary person to person and will be determined by a few different things. Rehabs and treatment centers in Ohio are often no less than 28 days long. A treatment plan is typically designed around each client’s individual needs. Some people might complete their care plan within a month, while others might need some more time. 

If you or someone you care about are currently struggling with substance abuse issues, please do not hesitate to contact our toll free line at any time. An addiction specialist is standing by ready to help you through this difficult time. If we are unable to get you into our rehab program, will we help you locate a treatment center near you that fits your individual needs. Calls are always free of charge and completely confidential.

Continuing Care After Inpatient Treatment

Continuing on the right path is much easier when one has a strong sober support group and maintains the motivation to work on themselves. One of the most popular forms of aftercare is intensive outpatient, commonly referred to as IOP. IOP will work on the issues addressed while in rehab, but one will not stay/live at the IOP program. Groups will take place a few times a week for two-four hours. 

If intensive outpatient is not an option one should attend meetings in their area. One of the most well known and established groups are the anonymous meetings based off the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. These sober groups have been meeting for nearly a hundred years and actually began right here in Ohio. They promote complete abstinence from all mood and mind altering substances and help address underlying issues that will help rebuild even the most broken individual. Many rehabs and treatment centers in Cleveland are 12 Step based upon the teachings of AA. Anyone who attended a rehab is probably familiar with this program, but there are many other options out there beyond just AA and the branches off of it. 

Other Support Group Options

Over the past 20 years a variety of support groups have been established. They hold meetings designed to help struggling addicts and alcoholics recover from a hopeless state of mind and body. Among the most well known and readily available are SMART Recovery, Celebrate Recovery, and Refuge Recovery. Each of these programs are quite different and address the issue of substance abuse with a unique mindset.

Celebrate Recovery is based of the teachings of Jesus Christ and is heavily focused on faith and religion. SMART Recovery is more a of science based approach to recovery. Refuge Recovery is designed around the Buddhist principles and uses mediation and mindfulness as part of the recovery process. All of these groups are open to anyone who is looking to overcome substance abuse issues. There are in-person and online meetings held for SMART, Celebrate, and Refuge Recovery. To learn more about these groups follow the links below to find a meeting in your area. 

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