Oil City, PA is aptly named, as its economy has depended on oil drilling since the earliest days of its founding. Despite its access to valuable natural resources, Oil City is relatively small. However, it is the principal city of the much larger Oil City, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area, and one of the largest cities in Venango County. And, even though Oil City has a relatively stable economy and a comfortable, small-town vibe, it has not avoided the perils of alcohol abuse, substance abuse, and the larger opioid crisis sweeping the nation.

The city is located on the western side of Pennsylvania, along the edge of the Allegheny River. It is surrounded by other small cities like Hasson Heights, Woodland Heights, and Seneca, all of which make up a large part of the Oil City Micropolitan Statistical Area. While Oil City has a population of about 9,750, the larger Micropolitan Statistical Area has a population of roughly 50,000 full-time residents. Similarly, Venango County has a population of a little more than 51,000.

The land that now makes up Oil City was gifted to Chief Cornplanter, a Native American who helped fight during the Revolutionary War. A patch of this land was then bought by a settler in 1803. In the coming years, a few more families moved into the area and established a larger settlement. In 1818, Chief Cornplanter sold more of the land to incoming settlers. However, parts of the eastern tract of land were sold back to Chief Cornplanter and then seized by the government for failure to pay taxes. The land was later sold to entrepreneurs at auction in 1824.

Around this time, the town became a booming settlement for industrial works and manufacturing. Consequently, it was given the name Oil Creek Furnace. The company that employed many of the settlers changed hands several times but was eventually abandoned, leaving behind just a handful of families. It wasn’t until 1859 that the first oil drill was successfully installed nearby, bringing back jobs and prosperity to its residents.

Finally, in 1862, an official charter enabled the founding of Oil City. Despite various setbacks over the years, Oil City prospered throughout the late 19th Century and continued to see commercial success through the 20th Century. And while some of the original oil companies founded in Oil City have since relocated, there are various oil wells that provide petroleum to the region and bolster the local economy. Today, the city works to educate locals and tourists alike on the history of oil drilling in the region.

Like many smaller cities throughout Pennsylvania and the rest of the country, Oil City was hard hit by COVID-19. The drop in oil prices in 2020 and 2021 proved especially troubling for local companies, and unemployment rose as a result. This and other issues led to an increase in both drug and alcohol abuse among Oil City and Venango County residents.

Fortunately, Oil City has access to various resources for the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction. In addition to state-sponsored programs, you can also find inpatient and outpatient services, counseling, detox, and dual diagnosis treatment with Prosperity Haven.

While it is important to reach out for help as soon as possible, it is just as important to understand how drug and alcohol abuse affects you, your friends, your family, and your community. So, in today’s guide, we will cover some of the latest drug abuse statistics in Oil City, Pennsylvania as well as local and state programs utilized to fight the opioid crisis. Additionally, we will discuss some of the most pressing issues faced by people dealing with drug or alcohol addiction in Oil City.

The Drug Addiction Crisis in Oil City

As of the latest data provided by the County Coroner’s Office, Venango County averages about 10 overdose deaths per year. [1] This is a relatively small number compared to many surrounding counties. Of these deaths, approximately 50% are a result of heroin, and nearly all of them involve some kind of opioid. Since the Oil City Micropolitan Statistical Area accounts for nearly all of Venango County, it stands to reason that many (if not all) of these deaths came from somewhere within the Oil City Micropolitan region.

Oil City Drug and Alcohol Abuse Vs. the Rest of Pennsylvania

Roughly 17% of adults in the state of Pennsylvania report binge drinking alcohol on a regular basis. [2] In 2021, 5,168 people died of accidental drug overdoses in the state of Pennsylvania. [3] Oil City and Venango County account for a very small portion of these deaths. When compared to Washington and Cambria County (both of which average around 50 overdose deaths per year), the drug abuse problem in Oil City seems pretty small. However, the easy access to heroin and the high prevalence of both opioid and alcohol abuse in Oil City still increase the risk for more fatalities in the future.

Substance Abuse Treatment & Prevention in Oil City

Venango County offers its own county-sponsored drug treatment outpatient program via the Family Service & Children’s Aid Society. [4] Citizens of Pennsylvania also have access to the Centers of Excellence for Opioid Use Disorder (COE). These centers help provide life-saving services and counseling to people struggling with addiction. Additionally, Oil City and Venango County work with local rehab centers like Prosperity Haven to help even more people overcome substance abuse.

Oil City, Pennsylvania Addiction Statistics

As previously mentioned, the number of overdose deaths in Oil City, PA is relatively small when compared to the rest of the state. However, this does not mean that there isn’t a pervasive problem with both drug and alcohol abuse in the region. To get a better idea of how drugs affect the citizens of Oil City, it is important to look at the hard data and statistics. So, here are a few of the latest and most relevant findings in Oil City, Pennsylvania:

• Annual Overdoses: 46
• Cause of Overdose
  • Unspecified Substances: 37%
  • Illicit Substances: 50%
  • Prescription Drugs: 13%
• Annual Drug and Alcohol-Related Deaths: 9

Addiction Recovery Rehab in Oil City, Pennsylvania

Oil City and Venango County have worked hard to combat the opioid crisis, as well as substance abuse more generally. For this reason, the number of overdose deaths is relatively low in the area. However, it is still an ongoing battle for hundreds of people and families in Oil City. Without help from experts in substance abuse, the statistics above will only get worse with time.

Thankfully, the situation is not hopeless. In addition to county and state programs to fight substance abuse, Oil City residents can also turn to private treatment options like Prosperity Haven. This way, you or someone you love does not have to fight addiction alone. Instead, you or your loved one can access both inpatient and outpatient facilities, as well as many individual and group-based treatments.

At Prosperity Haven, we want to make the road to recovery as comfortable as possible. Our services include counseling, detox programs, dual diagnosis treatment, residential inpatient programs, group and family therapy, as well as holistic approaches to address the broader needs of each individual. All you have to do is pick up the phone and call Prosperity Haven to take the first step toward recovery.

Are you or someone you love struggling with drug addiction in Oil City, Pennsylvania? 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.