Ohio Drug Abuse Statistics

Drug abuse statistics can provide a window into addiction in Ohio. It is a pressing concern, but there is hope for people struggling with substance abuse.

Drug addiction in Ohio is a leading cause for concern. Drug overdose deaths in Ohio are the fourth highest in the United States; the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has found that the rates of substance use disorders among Ohio residents are well above the national average. While more people in Ohio are seeking treatment than ever before, there is still a long way to go in terms of helping our state battle this epidemic.

Ohio Drug Addiction Statistics

Ohio drug abuse statistics paint a bleak picture. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2022 reports a drug overdose death rate of 45.6 per 100,000, which is well above the national average of 31.3. This is largely due to the widespread introduction of synthetic opioids like fentanyl, which has quickly become the leading cause of overdose deaths in the United States.

However, Governor Mike Dewine recently announced that overdose deaths in Ohio have dropped for the second year in a row. According to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH)’s 2023 Ohio Unintentional Drug Overdose Report, there was a 9% decrease in verified overdose deaths.

While these figures are promising, Ohio is still combating substance use disorders in the state and prioritizing policy that will get more people more access to interventions and treatment.

Commonly Used Drugs in Ohio

Data from national surveys collected between 2021 and 2022 show elevated rates of substance use disorders in Ohio, particularly those related to illicit substances. In total, 18.3% of people 12 and older had a substance use disorder, which was higher than the national average of 17%

These drug abuse statistics come from SAMHSA’s Behavioral Health Barometer for Region 5, which includes Ohio. This report measured a variety of mental health indicators within the region from the 2021-2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Alcohol Abuse in Ohio

Alcohol abuse in Ohio is one of the few areas where Ohio fares better than the nation at large. However, it is still the leading cause of substance use disorders in the state. 2022 estimates suggest that 6.7% of Ohio residents struggled with an alcohol use disorder in the past year — exactly 1% higher than the nation’s 5.7% average that year.

For adults, the rates are somewhat higher. For people aged 18 or older:

• 11.5% had an alcohol use disorder in the last year
• 26.4% engaged in binge alcohol use in the last month

Alcohol addiction can be debilitating, but fortunately, evidence-based treatments can help stop addiction in its tracks.

Opioid Addiction in Ohio

The prevalence of opioid addiction in Ohio is slightly higher than the national average at 2.5%. Between 2015 and 2019, opioid addiction in Ohio skyrocketed by 40%. Opioid overdose deaths rose from 29.9 per 100,000 residents in 2015 to 47.2 in 2020. 

The category of opioids encompasses several different drugs, including:

• Heroin
• Methadone
• Fentanyl
• OxyContin
• Vicodin
• Morphine

While painkiller addiction in Ohio is difficult to measure, the data shows that 444,000 Ohio residents misused prescription painkillers in the past year, putting a significant portion of the state at risk of developing substance use disorders.

Heroin Addiction in Ohio

Heroin addiction in Ohio is a subclass of opioid addiction. At present, there are no current regional estimates of how many people experience heroin addiction specifically. But there is data on heroin use in Ohio, which shows that 0.53% of Ohio residents used heroin in the last year. 

Cocaine Addiction in Ohio

Cocaine addiction in Ohio, including crack cocaine, is less common than other substance use concerns, but it can still cause devastating harm to the people who live through it. According to SAMHSA’s 2021–2022 Behavioral Health Barometer, 2.2% of people living in Ohio have used cocaine in the past year.

Other Drug-Specific Statistics

Inhalants, hallucinogens, benzodiazepines, marijuana and meth addiction in Ohio make up the majority of other substance use disorders in the state. Survey data indicates that:

• 1.1% of Ohio residents used meth in the last year
• 21.5% used marijuana in the last year
• 2.7% used hallucinogens in the last year

Specific rates of benzodiazepine and inhalant use are not currently available for Ohio in particular, but the 2023 national averages for misusing these drugs in the last year are:

• Inhalants: 0.9%
• Prescription Tranquilizers and Sedatives (e.g., Benzodiazepines): 1.7%

Ohio Drug Use Demographics

Substance use disorders respect no boundaries. They can affect people of all different social classes, ethnicities, genders and cultures. But there are a few distinct risk factors that put certain people at a higher chance of developing substance use disorders than others. Risk factors for substance use disorders include:

• Young age 
• A family history of addiction
• Prenatal alcohol exposure
• Poverty
• Exposure to violence in the community
• Lack of economic opportunity

People in Ohio experiencing any of these risk factors may be more likely to develop substance use disorders than others.

Seeking Treatment for Drug or Alcohol Addiction in Ohio

The rate of substance use concerns in Ohio may not look promising, but there is hope. Despite the growing number of people experiencing problems with addiction and mental health, there are time-tested and evidence-based practices that can help people recover. Addiction is a highly treatable disease, provided you seek out professional addiction treatment services.

The Recovery Village Columbus, a comprehensive drug and alcohol addiction treatment center, is here to help. No matter where you are in your recovery, our compassionate team can teach you the tools for a substance-free life. To learn more about our treatment options in Columbus, Ohio, reach out to one of our addiction specialists and get started on your recovery today.