Opioid Treatment and MAT in Toledo, OH
The Toledo Lucas County Health Department, reviewing fatalities with the Lucas County Coroner's Office, counted 159 opioid-related overdose fatalities in 2024, with fentanyl responsible for roughly 88% of fatal opioid-related overdoses. The Toledo metro also has a measurable medication-assisted treatment network: buprenorphine prescribers and federally certified opioid treatment programs within 30 miles. This page explains each piece and how to access it.
How bad the opioid problem is here
The Toledo Lucas County Health Department, reviewing fatalities with the Lucas County Coroner's Office, counted 159 opioid-related overdose fatalities in 2024, with fentanyl responsible for roughly 88% of fatal opioid-related overdoses.
Ohio's 2024 statewide unintentional drug overdose deaths fell to 2,931, down about 34% from 4,452 in 2023. Local naloxone distribution and linkage-to-care navigation remain part of the northwest Ohio response.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) near Toledo
Medication-assisted treatment - also called medications for opioid use disorder, or MOUD - uses one of three FDA-approved medications alongside counseling. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse:
- Methadone is a full opioid agonist that relieves withdrawal and cravings. It is dispensed through certified opioid treatment programs.
- Buprenorphine is a partial agonist that reduces cravings and withdrawal, and can be prescribed in a doctor's office.
- Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors so opioids no longer produce a high. It can be started only after opioids have cleared the body.
Research is clear that people treated with methadone or buprenorphine are less likely to die or to have an overdose than those who go without treatment.
Within 30 miles of Toledo (ZIP 43604), the SAMHSA locator lists:
- 24 treatment facilities total
- 4 federally certified opioid treatment programs
- 17 facilities that prescribe buprenorphine
- 15 offering outpatient methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone treatment
Unison Health takes walk-ins for mental health and substance use care at 1425 Starr Avenue, Toledo, OH 43605 ((419) 214-4673). The Mental Health & Recovery Services Board of Lucas County funds safety-net care for uninsured and underinsured residents.
Counts change as programs open and close, so confirm current options on the locator.
Naloxone and harm reduction in Toledo
Naloxone reverses an opioid overdose and cannot hurt someone who is not overdosing. Ohio distributes free naloxone through Naloxone.Ohio.gov and community partners, and naloxone is sold over the counter at many pharmacies. The Toledo Lucas County Health Department also supports regional overdose-prevention work.
If someone is unresponsive, breathing slowly, or has pinpoint pupils, call 911 and give naloxone if you have it.
Paying for opioid treatment
Ohio Medicaid covers medically necessary substance use disorder treatment when delivered by OhioMHAS-certified providers. Most members enroll through one of Ohio's managed care plans: AmeriHealth Caritas Ohio, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Buckeye Community Health Plan, CareSource Ohio, Humana Healthy Horizons in Ohio, Molina Healthcare of Ohio, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Ohio. Confirm your plan and network before you commit. If you are uninsured, the county board and Unison Health can discuss sliding-fee options. The statewide Ohio CareLine is 1-800-720-9616.
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 43604 and filter for medication-assisted treatment or buprenorphine.
- Ask any program directly whether they can start buprenorphine quickly - same-week starts are common in many metros.
Opioid use disorder is a treatable medical condition, and the medications that treat it are covered here. The hardest part is usually the first call, not the treatment itself.