Quick answer
Cuyahoga County recorded 419 overdose deaths in 2024, a 34% drop from 635 in 2023, and fentanyl was involved in 272 of them. The ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County funds the public treatment network, and Ohio Medicaid covers care. Here is how to start treatment in Cleveland.
Last updated: Wed Oct 07 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Cleveland is the seat of Cuyahoga County and the heart of Northeast Ohio's treatment system. The county's overdose deaths fell by roughly a third in 2024 and continued to drop in 2025, even as the drugs involved shifted. This guide covers the local numbers, who provides care, and how to pay for it.
What the local overdose data show
Cuyahoga County is home to about 1,232,925 people, and the city of Cleveland has roughly 363,608. The Cuyahoga County Overdose Fatality Review, run jointly by the county's Medical Examiner's Office and Board of Health, reports 419 overdose deaths in 2024, a 34% decrease from 635 in 2023. Of the 2024 deaths, 92% were unintentional and 68% involved opioids.
Fentanyl remained the single most common drug: it was involved in 272 deaths in 2024. The review also recorded 9 confirmed carfentanil-related deaths that year and noted that fentanyl deaths have since fallen sharply. Preliminary medical examiner figures reported for 2025 show fentanyl-involved deaths dropping to about 140, with cocaine becoming the leading drug found in overdose deaths.
Most people who died were white, non-Hispanic men between 25 and 64, but the review stresses that the deaths now touch every part of the county.
Who provides treatment in Cuyahoga County
The ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County is responsible for planning, funding, and monitoring public mental health and addiction treatment and recovery services. Under Ohio law it is one of 50 county boards that run the public system, and it contracts with a network of provider agencies across the county.
Start with one of these:
- 24-hour crisis, referral and information line: 216-623-6888, or call or text 988.
- The board's provider network guide lists contracted agencies with addresses, phone numbers, and the services each one funds - including detox, residential care, medication for opioid use disorder, outpatient counseling, and recovery housing.
- The statewide Ohio CareLine at 1-800-720-9616 is free, confidential, and staffed 24/7.
The SAMHSA locator is a useful second check: search from ZIP code 44113 and filter by level of care and payment option.
Overdose reversal and harm reduction
Naloxone is the reason many overdoses are survived. Ohio distributes it free through Naloxone.Ohio.gov and community partners, and it is available over the counter at many pharmacies. If someone is unresponsive, has blue or gray lips, or is struggling to breathe, call 911 and give naloxone if you have it.
Paying for treatment
Ohio expanded Medicaid in 2014, and Ohio Medicaid covers withdrawal management, intensive outpatient treatment, and residential treatment provided by OhioMHAS-certified providers. That coverage matters in a city where the median household income is about $40,801 and roughly 30.6% of residents live below the poverty line. The county's unemployment rate was 3.4% in December 2025, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
If you are uninsured, ask each program about sliding-scale fees, and contact the ADAMHS Board for help finding a provider that fits your situation.
How to start today
- In a medical emergency, call 911. For a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988, or call the county line at 216-623-6888.
- Call or text (800) 653-9376 to speak with a treatment specialist, or use this form:
Calling is free; the referral service is paid for by treatment providers, and we check your benefits before you commit.
- Call the ADAMHS Board for a referral, or search findtreatment.gov from ZIP code 44113.
- If you are uninsured, ask about sliding-scale fees or help applying for Medicaid.
Cuyahoga County has cut its overdose deaths by more than a third, but the work is not finished. If you are waiting for a sign to ask for help, this is it.
Treatment by substance in Cleveland
Questions about rehab in Cleveland
How many people die of drug overdose in Cuyahoga County?
The Cuyahoga County Overdose Fatality Review reports 419 overdose deaths in 2024, a 34% decrease from 635 in 2023. Fentanyl was involved in 272 of the 2024 deaths.
How do I find treatment in Cleveland?
The ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County plans and funds the public addiction and mental health system. Its 24-hour crisis and referral line is 216-623-6888, and 988 also works. The board publishes a provider network guide you can use to find a program.
Does Ohio Medicaid cover drug and alcohol treatment?
Yes. Ohio Medicaid covers withdrawal management, intensive outpatient treatment, and residential treatment delivered by OhioMHAS-certified providers. Eligibility rules change, so confirm your coverage with the Ohio Medicaid Consumer Hotline before committing to a program.
What do I do if someone is overdosing right now?
Call 911 and give naloxone if it is available. Naloxone reverses an opioid overdose. Ohio distributes free naloxone through Naloxone.Ohio.gov and community partners, and it is also sold over the counter at many pharmacies.
Is it dangerous to stop drinking or using benzodiazepines suddenly?
Yes. Stopping alcohol or benzodiazepines abruptly after regular use can be dangerous and even life-threatening. Withdrawal should be managed with medical supervision. Call 911 if someone is unresponsive or struggling to breathe.