Cincinnati, also known as “The Queen of the West,” is the county seat of Hamilton County and the third-largest city in the state of Ohio. It was originally founded in 1788 by a group of settlers, including well-known pioneers like Matthias Denman, Robert Patterson, and Israel Ludlow. In its early days, the city was referred to as Losantiville, but by 1790, it had already been changed to Cincinnati in honor of the Society of the Cincinnati, an organization for veterans of the Revolutionary War.

Situated on the Ohio River, Cincinnati has been a major trade and transportation hub since its earliest days. It continued to be a vital stopping point on trade routes throughout the 19th Century. During the Civil War, the city even became part of the Underground Railroad.

As the city grew in the early 20th Century, it expanded its industries to include meatpacking, soap production, and the manufacturing of machine tools. This development would help drive the city’s economic advancement for decades to come.

Today, Cincinnati is home to over 308,000 full-time residents, though the greater Cincinnati Metropolitan Area includes over 2.2 million people. The city has a particularly diverse population, with large communities of African American, Hispanic, Asian, and German-descended residents. The German architectural influence is even evident in some of the city’s most prominent buildings.

For people outside of Cincinnati, the city is perhaps best known for its sports teams, including the Cincinnati Reds (MLB) and the Cincinnati Bengals (NFL). However, it is also home to various art and cultural institutions, including the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Contemporary Arts Center, the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, the Cincinnati Ballet, and the Cincinnati Opera.

Though Cincinnati sounds like a great place to visit or live (and it is), it is not without its own problems. The local economy was hit hard by the global pandemic, with many businesses closing their doors throughout the city. The uptick in unemployment and general stress surrounding COVID-19 only worsened substance abuse statistics that were already trending upward prior to 2020.

If you live in Cincinnati, Ohio and you are struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, just remember that you are not alone. There are dozens of local and state resources to help you grow and move beyond your addiction. And if you or a loved one are currently struggling with substance abuse, please reach out to the experts at Prosperity Haven as soon as possible. Just a simple phone call could completely transform your life or the life of someone you care about.

However, if you’re not ready for inpatient treatment or you want to learn more, we understand. It’s important to know how drugs and alcohol are affecting your community. Read on to see the latest statistics and preventative measures used to fight substance abuse in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The Drug Addiction Crisis in Cincinnati

The current state of the drug addiction crisis in Cincinnati is difficult to analyze. In 2021, Hamilton County recorded 515 accidental overdose deaths. That figure dropped to 433 in 2022, the lowest number the city has seen since 2016. However, experts believe that this temporary decrease will not necessarily continue, as the number of overdose deaths has continuously increased in Cincinnati over the last two decades. [1]

Fentanyl, alcohol, prescription opioids, and crystal meth are the most abused substances in Cincinnati. Illicit drugs like heroin have become less common (often replaced with fentanyl and similar opioids), while cocaine and crack cocaine have appeared in more toxicology reports than usual. Nonetheless, fentanyl remains the most deadly drug in the region, contributing to over 77% of overdose deaths. [2]

Cincinnati Drug and Alcohol Abuse Vs. the Rest of Ohio

Of the 515 deaths recorded in Hamilton County in 2021, 463 occurred in Cincinnati. When compared to other major cities throughout Ohio, including Dayton and Columbus, Cincinnati has relatively low overdose death rates. This is largely attributable to a strong network of health clinics and local measures to distribute Naloxone for the prevention of opioid overdose.

According to the Ohio Department of Health, the entire state saw 5,174 accidental drug overdose deaths in 2021. [3] While it may not be the city with the highest number of overdose deaths, Cincinnati still accounts for a relatively large percentage of the total overdose deaths in the state. The city has roughly 2.6% of the state’s population, but it accounts for nearly 9% of the state’s total overdose deaths. So, while there are cities that are worse off in Ohio, Cincinnati is still struggling to overcome its substance abuse crisis.

Substance Abuse Treatment & Prevention in Cincinnati

Cincinnati has a number of programs and organizations to help reduce addiction and overdose deaths. Most of these programs fall under the purview of the Hamilton County Mental Health & Recovery Services Board. Some of the largest resources include the Addiction Services Council, the Central Community Health Board, the Crossroads Center, the G.L.A.D. House, PreventionFIRST, and the Urban Minority Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Outreach Program (UMADAOP).

Additionally, Cincinnati has access to various centers for more hands-on attention and treatment, including Prosperity Haven. For people outside of Cincinnati, the state of Ohio also offers Project DAWN to help educate people on the dangers of substance abuse.

Cincinnati, Ohio Addiction Statistics

While fentanyl is the most abused drug in Cincinnati, it is not the only substance being abused. Alcohol, meth, crack, cocaine, prescription opioids, prescription stimulants, and sedatives are also extremely common. Nonetheless, fentanyl is the most common factor in drug overdose deaths. This is because fentanyl is as much as 100 times more powerful than morphine, which makes it extremely difficult for users to gauge the correct dosage. Just a little bit too much can quickly lead to respiratory depression, loss of consciousness, and death.

However, it is not enough just to understand the destructive power of fentanyl. Other substances also contribute to the growing number of addicts in Cincinnati. Understanding how these drugs interact and combine to worsen these statistics can help make it easier to fight the ongoing crisis. So, here are a few of the latest and most relevant findings in Cincinnati, Ohio as of 2021:

• Annual Overdoses: 1,876
• Cause of Overdose
  • Unspecified Substances: 22%
  • Illicit Substances: 39%
  • Alcohol: 16%
  • Prescription Drugs: 33%
• Annual Drug and Alcohol-Related Deaths: 463

Addiction Recovery Rehab in Cincinnati, Ohio

Cincinnati is a beautiful city with a rich history and a vibrant lifestyle. However, it is not immune to the many issues that face Ohio and the rest of the country. Addiction is on the rise, and while local authorities are fighting with some success to reduce the number of fatal overdoses, they cannot do it alone. We all have to help stop addiction from ruining even more lives.

If you or someone you love is fighting addiction in Cincinnati, one simple phone call could make all the difference in the world. And at Prosperity Haven, we are ready and willing to answer that call. Located in Chardon, Ohio, Prosperity Haven is a tranquil, professional environment in which to recover in peace. And remember, addiction doesn’t have to stay with you for the rest of your life. By reaching out to Prosperity Haven, you are making the decision to improve your life and achieve sobriety.

Are you or someone you love struggling with drug addiction in Cincinnati, Ohio? Are you looking for facilities nearby that can help address drug or alcohol addiction using a wide range of treatments? If so, feel free to contact the experts at Prosperity Haven today.