Toledo, Ohio is a beautiful city that is steeped in history. With a diverse population and a truly unique way of life, it is no wonder that hundreds of thousands of people choose to make Toledo their home. Founded in 1833 where the Maumee River feeds into Lake Erie, Toledo was built from a French trading post established nearly two centuries earlier. Just four years after its founding, Toledo was officially incorporated as a city. In the following decades, Toledo became a hub for transportation and industry, thanks in large part to its prime location on the edge of Lake Erie.

However, the early years of the city were fraught with turmoil and even violent conflict. The Toledo War, which lasted from 1835 to 1836, was a land dispute that ultimately led to Toledo becoming a part of Ohio. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, Toledo saw rapid expansion, particularly as a cornerstone of the booming glass industry. Even today, Toledo is often known as the “Glass City.” In the years since, Toledo’s manufacturing largely shifted to cars, with both Jeep and General Motors operating plants in the city that employ thousands of local residents.

As of the latest data, Toledo has a population of just over 268,000 people, making it the four-largest city in the state of Ohio. However, the population has been on a steady decline, having reached a peak of over 383,000 in 1970. Nonetheless, Toledo continues to be a highly diverse city, with large immigrant communities from the Middle East and North Africa.

Today, Toledo residents celebrate the city for its vibrant culture and arts scene. The city is known for various monuments and cultural points of interest, including the Toledo Museum of Art and the Toledo Opera. The Glass City also makes a great home for families, with plenty of restaurants, attractions, and even minor-league sports teams.

However, like many cities throughout the Midwest, Toledo was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many small businesses were forced to shut down, and thousands of residents lost their jobs over the past few years. Economic uncertainty coupled with a global health crisis led to a sharp increase in addiction and substance abuse.

Fortunately, there is a path forward for people suffering from addiction in Toledo, Ohio. If you or a loved one is currently struggling to break free from substance abuse, please contact the experts at Prosperity Haven as soon as possible. We offer comprehensive, holistic addiction treatment and therapy that can help you go from acceptance to complete sobriety.

If you’re unsure whether a treatment program is right for you, you should still reach out to learn more. In the meantime, continue reading to understand the full impact of drug and alcohol abuse on Toledo, as well as the resources available to help those most in need.

The Drug Addiction Crisis in Toledo

Extensive studies have been done on the state of drug abuse in Toledo, Ohio. As of the latest research, drugs like crack cocaine, ecstasy, heroin, prescription opioids, and sedative-hypnotics are widely available for purchase on the streets. Among these drugs, heroin is the most-used addictive substance in the city, followed closely by alcohol and prescription opioids. 

More recent reports indicate that synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl, are the city’s primary concern with it comes to lethal overdoses. Starting in 2020, Toledo has seen at least 200 overdose deaths per year. Fentanyl was present in nearly 90% of these cases. [2] The worst part is that a large percentage of the people who have died were using other substances that were secretly laced with fentanyl. This growing trend of mixing fentanyl with other drugs has caused overdose-related deaths to skyrocket in Toledo and other major cities throughout the country.

Toledo Drug and Alcohol Abuse Vs. the Rest of Ohio

Toledo is the county seat of Lucas County, which operates the Lucas County Opioid Coalition to track and reduce opioid abuse in the region. In 2018, Lucas County recorded 227 opioid-related deaths, a 45% increase from the previous year. [3] By 2020, that number had increased to 296. [4] Compared to cities throughout the rest of the state, Toledo has faired poorly and recorded far more overdoses, particularly involving heroin and other opioids.

According to the Ohio Department of Health, the entire state saw 5,017 accidental drug overdose deaths in 2020. [5] Based on population statistics, Toledo is home to just 2.3% of the state’s entire population, but it accounts for nearly 5% of the state’s drug overdose deaths. While alcohol abuse is more prevalent in other cities like Cincinnati, Toledo still struggles to combat its ongoing substance abuse crisis.

Substance Abuse Treatment & Prevention in Toledo

Toledo has access to various rehab clinics and detox centers, including Prosperity Haven. Additionally, the city of Toledo and the County of Lucas operate various organizations and task forces to reduce substance abuse in the region. Most notably, the Lucas County Drug Abuse Response Team (DART) operates as an extension of the county’s law enforcement department to help prevent overdose deaths in Toledo and Lucas County.

At the state level, Toledo also depends on programs like Project DAWN, which provides various resources to educate Ohio residents on addiction. Project DAWN is primarily focused on helping young people recognize the signs of substance abuse and overdose, while also giving out contact information for clinics and rehab centers where people can get help. 

Toledo, Ohio Addiction Statistics

As previously mentioned, heroin is the biggest killer among substance abusers in Toledo, but it is not alone. Many overdose cases involve various substances, including alcohol, cocaine, crack cocaine, and prescription opioids. Therefore, it is important to understand exactly what local toxicology reports show about the use and abuse of drugs in the region. So, here are a few of the latest and most relevant findings in Toledo, Ohio as of 2022:

• Annual Overdoses: 487
• Cause of Overdose
  • Unspecified Substances: 14%
  • Illicit Substances: 44%
  • Alcohol: 22%
  • Prescription Drugs: 20%
• Annual Drug and Alcohol-Related Deaths: 286

Addiction Recovery Rehab in Toledo, Ohio

Facing addiction can feel like a lonely path. Whether it’s you or someone you love who is struggling, you should not hesitate to reach out for help. Making a phone call could be the first step toward a full recovery.

Fortunately, Prosperity Haven is ready and willing to answer that call. Located in Chardon, Ohio, Prosperity Haven offers dual diagnosis treatment, residential inpatient programs, group and family therapy, as well as holistic approaches to combat addiction at its source. Just remember, addiction doesn’t have to be forever. With a little help, you can find a pathway out and take back control of your life.

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