Dayton is a large city in southwestern Ohio that is currently home to just over 140,000 residents. It is the county seat of Montgomery County and has quite a large suburban area surrounding the city proper. Dayton is home to a large number of historical, academic, and industrial institutions and concerns but there is a growing drug problem in Dayton and the surrounding areas. In recent years, the drugs marijuana, gabapentin, fentanyl, and cocaine have increased in presence significantly. Similarly, drug overdoses have been on the rise for several years running. If someone is looking to get help for substance abuse, it is highly advised to enter a Dayton drug and alcohol rehab center to begin the journey of recovery.
Substance Abuse In Dayton
According to the OSAM Drug Trend Report from 2020, there has been an increasing presence of drugs in and around Dayton for several years now. In particular, heroin, fentanyl, marijuana, alcohol, and benzodiazepines have shown drastic increases in the Dayton area in recent years. These drugs can be very dangerous. Heroin and fentanyl pose a significant risk of overdoses. Alcohol and benzodiazepines are similarly dangerous, although for different reasons. These drugs are highly addictive, and while it is possible to overdose on them, a greater risk is usually from complications during withdrawal. When someone suddenly stops using alcohol or benzodiazepines, the body can experience severe and sometimes fatal withdrawal symptoms. All of these drugs pose a risk to health and safety and can be extremely dangerous to use or even to quit using without medical supervision.
Over the last few years, drugs seized from in and around Dayton have shown an increasing presence of fentanyl. This is often used as a cutting agent in opioid drugs and counterfeit prescription opioids. While it is almost expected to be present in opioid drugs these days, it has also been increasingly found in non-opioid drugs. This includes cocaine, crack, crystal meth, and bath salts. This can greatly increase the risk of opioid overdose, as many people who do not regularly use opioids will have a reduced or non-existent tolerance to this class of drugs. With fentanyl being so potent, this can lead to an overdose from doing a very small amount of this drug. Also, if someone is not expecting to do opioids, they may not have naloxone available. This drug can reverse opioid overdoses but is useless against other types of drug overdoses. This is a serious threat that has caused opioid overdose deaths to rise drastically over the last few years in Dayton.
Dayton has also become a hub for drug trafficking and distribution. Its location at the nexus of I-75, I-70, and I-675 as well as multiple state routes makes it a major crossroads for drugs moving both north, south, east, and west throughout the country. Interstate 75, in particular, is a major corridor for drug transport, as it begins in Miami and travels north all the way to the Canadian border. This makes for an easy route for drugs from South America to not only enter the United States but also to make their way into Canada for distribution. As drugs move through Dayton, many are diverted for local sale and distribution, leading to drug issues in and around the city.
Dayton’s Response To Substance Abuse
The drug and alcohol situation in Dayton is severe, but there are local Dayton organizations and groups that are working to reduce the problem and improve the situation. These include government organizations, non-profit groups, and grassroots community initiatives. While much good is being done to address the problem of drug and alcohol addiction in Dayton, more help is needed. A few of the helpful organizations and programs in Dayton for people struggling with substance abuse include:
- Montgomery County Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Services Board: This government organization provides a wealth of resources and connections to care all across Dayton and Montgomery County.
- Samaritan Crisis Care: This healthcare organization provides treatment for substance abuse and mental health issues and also provides a 24/7 crisis hotline at 937-224-4646.
- Haven of Dayton: A crisis stabilization center, Haven provides detox services to people in Dayton who may have no insurance or are underinsured.
- Access Hospital Dayton: This mental health hospital can provide care to low-income people on a sliding-scale payment plan.
- Friends at the Castle: This peer-led volunteer organization provides help to adults with mental health or substance abuse issues in a non-medical setting.
- Goodwill Easterseals of Miami Valley: This non-profit group provides employment, clothing, and food to people struggling with homelessness, mental health, and substance abuse issues. They also have a “Miracle Clubhouse” program to help people get back on their feet with work and housing.
Drug and Alcohol Detox & Rehab in Dayton
Drugs and alcohol can be dangerous enough to use, but it can also be dangerous to quit using certain drugs without help. As mentioned above, alcohol and benzodiazepines can cause dangerous and even lethal complications if someone has used them for a long time and suddenly stops. Getting medical help is always recommended in these situations. Finding a Dayton drug and alcohol detox center like Ohio Addiction Recovery Center can make an immense difference. Having medical supervision and support can not only reduce the danger but with medications and therapy, the discomfort of withdrawal may also be lessened. Once the detox process is complete, someone may then begin treatment and start walking on the road to recovery.
Addiction Recovery In Dayton
Once someone completes drug and alcohol addiction treatment in Dayton it is often a good idea to make new friends and build new relationships in the larger recovery community. We encourage this during addiction treatment at Ohio Addiction Recovery Center, and even during treatment itself, we encourage our clients to attend local recovery support meetings. There are many different recovery fellowships and different types of support groups available around Dayton. Depending on someone’s drug of choice or personal preference, some groups may be preferable to others.
12-Step recovery programs have been around for close to 100 years and have a fantastic track record when it comes to helping people find long-lasting sobriety. Some of the 12-Step-based recovery programs around Dayton include:
- Alcoholics Anonymous: The AA Dayton Online website provides a list of meetings all across Dayton. There are literally hundreds of Alcoholics Anonymous meetings each week in and around Dayton.
- Narcotics Anonymous: The Dayton Area Service Committee of Narcotics Anonymous website has a meeting finder for meetings all over Dayton. They currently list several dozen Narcotics Anonymous meetings each week near Dayton.
- Cocaine Anonymous: The Ohio Area Cocaine Anonymous website lists 5 CA meetings per week that are in or close to Dayton.
There are other types of recovery support groups in Dayton as well. These include religious, spiritual, and training-based recovery groups such as:
- Celebrate Recovery: This is a Christian-based recovery program that currently has 12 groups meeting near Dayton each week.
- Recovery Dharma: This is a Buddhism-inspired recovery fellowship that currently has 8 meetings per week in Ohio. While none are near Dayton, they have several dozen online meetings each week that are accessible from anywhere that has an internet connection.
- SMART Recovery: An acronym for Self Management And Recovery Training, this fellowships currently has 1 meeting each week in Dayton but there are many more meetings just south of the city.
Aside from someone who has struggled with drugs or alcohol themselves, support groups can be extremely helpful and valuable to the friends and family of people who have struggled with addiction as well. Loving someone who is battling drugs and alcohol can be an extremely difficult and even traumatizing experience. Find relief, support, and care from others who have been through the same struggles can be extremely beneficial. Some of these groups that meet in Dayont each week include:
- Al-Anon: A support group for the friends and family of people who have struggled with drugs and alcohol, their website has a meeting finder and currently lists multiple meetings each week in and around Dayton.
- Nar-Anon: A support groups for the friends and family of people who have struggled with drugs, they currently hold 4 meetings each week near Dayton.
Need More Help? Recovery Is A Phone Call Away
Ohio Addiction Recovery Center offers free transportation to and from treatment, no matter where you are in Ohio! We offer medical detox, residential treatment, intensive outpatient treatment, and sober living in Central Ohio. When it comes to addiction treatment, you shouldn’t settle for just any treatment center. With our evidence-based model, individualized treatment plans, and state of the art facility, our program was voted the best addiction treatment center in Ohio by Newsweek.
We accept most insurance plans. If you are worried about work, school, or legal matters, our comprehensive case management team can help you navigate a path to recovery. If you think you’re ready for the next step, call us today at (800) 481-8457 to speak with a compassionate specialist.
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