Quick answer
Methamphetamine showed up in 39% of Montgomery County's 175 confirmed 2024 overdose deaths, up from 33% the year before, and it was the most common drug in local crime-lab samples. There is no FDA-approved medication for stimulant use disorder, but behavioral treatment works, and Dayton has 51 treatment facilities within 30 miles.
Methamphetamine was present in 39% of Montgomery County's 175 confirmed 2024 overdose deaths - 68 deaths, up from 33% in 2023 - and it was the most common drug in local crime-lab samples, ahead of fentanyl and cocaine. There is no pill that treats methamphetamine use disorder the way buprenorphine treats opioid use disorder, but behavioral treatment works, and Dayton has a real outpatient and residential network to plug into. Here is what the local data shows and how to start.
What methamphetamine is doing in Montgomery County
The Montgomery County Community Overdose Action Team tracks the drug supply and fatal overdoses for the Dayton area. Its 2024 Data Unit Annual Report shows:
- Methamphetamine appeared in 39% of the 175 confirmed 2024 overdose deaths (68 deaths), up from 33% in 2023.
- One in five deaths (20%) involved stimulants but no opioids - a share that has been growing since 2017.
- The Miami Valley Regional Crime Laboratory tested 1,434 methamphetamine samples in 2024, more than fentanyl (794) or cocaine (655). The share of lab samples containing meth rose from 5% in 2015 to 24% in 2024.
- Stimulant doses dispensed per the state's prescription database grew from 4.9 million in 2017 to 7.1 million in 2024, while opioid doses fell.
Emergency departments tell the same story from the other side: Montgomery County residents made 1,049 overdose-related ED visits in 2024, down 25% from 1,402 in 2023 - better, but still one of Ohio's busier counties for overdose emergencies.
How stimulant treatment actually works
SAMHSA's Treatment for Stimulant Use Disorders guidance is blunt about the medical reality: the FDA has not approved any medication for stimulant use disorder. What has the strongest evidence is contingency management - a structured behavioral program where staying stimulant-free, verified by drug screens, earns concrete incentives. Cognitive behavioral therapy, the community reinforcement approach, and motivational interviewing also have research support.
That is not a consolation prize. A structured outpatient program that combines contingency management, counseling, and recovery housing can hold a person through the hardest first months, which is when meth-related depression and craving are worst. If opioids are in the picture too - and locally they often are, with fentanyl present in much of the supply - the same program can start medication for opioid use disorder at the same time.
Where to find treatment near Dayton
The SAMHSA locator lists 51 substance use treatment facilities within 30 miles of Dayton (ZIP 45402), including 26 offering detoxification, 11 with residential programs, and 47 offering outpatient care. Counts change as programs open and close, so confirm current options on the locator.
The Montgomery County ADAMHS Board funds treatment and recovery supports through 16 local providers, 9 of which provide medication-assisted treatment, and 1,040 county residents received publicly funded substance use services through that system in 2024. If you are uninsured or underinsured, that network is the door.
The fentanyl overlap, and why naloxone still matters
Most local meth risk now travels with opioids. The crime lab still sees fentanyl-xylazine mixtures carrying smaller amounts of methamphetamine or cocaine, and meth appeared alongside fentanyl in a large share of the county's 2024 deaths. The practical takeaway: carry naloxone even if you only think you use stimulants. Agencies in Montgomery County distributed 6,728 naloxone kits in 2024, and naloxone is sold over the counter at many pharmacies.
If someone is unresponsive, breathing slowly, or seizing, call 911 first. For a crisis that is not a medical emergency, call or text 988.
How to start today
- If someone is overdosing, call 911 now and give naloxone. For a crisis, call or text 988.
- 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.
- Search findtreatment.gov with ZIP code 45402 and filter for outpatient or intensive outpatient care.
- When you call a program, ask directly whether they offer contingency management or stimulant-specific counseling - and whether they can also treat opioid use disorder if that is part of the picture.
Stimulant use disorder is treatable, and people do recover from meth. The first step is an assessment, not a commitment to anything longer.
This page is general health information, not medical advice. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by any facility named above.
Last updated: Mon Oct 19 2026 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)
Frequently asked questions
Is there a medication that treats methamphetamine addiction?
No. Unlike opioid and alcohol use disorders, there is no FDA-approved medication for stimulant use disorder. SAMHSA's Treatment for Stimulant Use Disorders guidance says contingency management - a behavioral approach that rewards drug-free samples and treatment attendance - has the strongest evidence, with cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational interviewing also supported.
How common is methamphetamine in Dayton overdoses?
The Montgomery County Community Overdose Action Team reported methamphetamine was present in 39% of the county's 175 confirmed 2024 overdose deaths, up from 33% in 2023. One in five 2024 deaths involved stimulants but no opioids at all - a share that has grown in recent years.
How many treatment facilities are near Dayton?
The SAMHSA FindTreatment.gov locator lists 51 substance use treatment facilities within 30 miles of Dayton, including 26 offering detoxification, 11 with residential programs, and 47 offering outpatient care. Counts change as programs open and close, so confirm current options on the locator.
Can methamphetamine be mixed with fentanyl?
Yes, and it often is. The Miami Valley Regional Crime Laboratory still sees fentanyl-xylazine mixtures with smaller amounts of methamphetamine or cocaine, though fentanyl is rarely found in crystalline 'ice' meth samples. Because you cannot know what is in a pill or powder, carrying naloxone matters even if you think you only use stimulants.
Where can I get help right now in Dayton?
In a medical emergency, call 911. For a mental health or substance use crisis, call or text 988, or call Crisis Now Montgomery County at 833-580-2255, available 24/7. You can also call or text (800) 653-9376 to speak with a treatment specialist who can check your coverage and find an opening.