Kent, Ohio is located in Portage County, near Akron. As with most areas throughout Ohio, Kent and surrounding Portage County have not been immune to the drug epidemic sweeping the state, primarily regarding heroin and fentanyl. According to the Ohio Department of Health, the state leads the country in opioid overdose deaths. One in 9 heroin deaths in the U.S. occurred in Ohio, with one in 14 deaths related to synthetic opioids also occurring in Ohio.
There were more than 2,100 opioid overdoses reported in Ohio in 2014 according to the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Ohio was third in these deaths only behind the much larger states of California and New York.
In Portage County, reports show the number of heroin deaths has increased every year over the past three years. It’s ranked 15th of 88 Ohio counties in terms of deaths related to heroin overdoses, and data from the county coroner’s office shows there were thousands of accidental deaths related to drugs in the county since 2011.
Many were the result of heroin, but also cocktail drugs. People buy what they think is heroin, and ultimately use fentanyl, which is 50 times stronger and can lead to instant death. Fentanyl is often used in Kent, OH, and surrounding areas to cut heroin and make it stronger, but its potency is highly dangerous.
It’s not just drug overdose deaths that are problematic in Kent. It’s also the fact that many people addicted to drugs, including prescription drugs, end up in jail or facing serious consequences.
There are options for people in Kent to seek successful drug addiction treatment, and the following outlines some of their viable options.
Drug & Alcohol Rehab Centers in Kent, Ohio
There are several drug and alcohol rehab centers in Kent, OH, and there are also local meetings that are held in the area. People may decide to treat their addiction to drugs or alcohol by attending a local rehab center in or near Kent to stay near their friends or family, but this isn’t always the ideal option.
Rather, it can be more beneficial for people to choose a residential inpatient treatment center that’s out of Kent, or even out of the state of Ohio. It’s difficult to make the decision to leave your home and loved ones, but there are reasons why traveling out of state for rehab treatment can be the most favorable option.
When you stay in Kent, particularly if you’re only participating in an outpatient treatment program, you’re still surrounded by the same people and situations that might have led you to abuse drugs in the first place. It can be harder to focus on your recovery when you’re surrounded by temptations and potential triggers that will draw you back into old patterns.
Also, local Kent rehab centers with outpatient care may mean that you’re still attending school or work as normal, taking your complete focus away from your recovery.
Those are just a few of the reasons exploring a national brand of treatment centers such as The Recovery Village can be beneficial for people in and around Kent, OH. At this licensed and accredited treatment center, people receive individualized treatment plans, full medical supervision and attention, and complimentary therapy and programs that maximize their chances for success at an addiction-free life.
We can help answer your questions and talk through any concerns.
Detox Centers
People tend to be both most curious and most anxious about what happens during the detox phase if they’re attempting to stop using drugs or alcohol. Detox refers to a time when you stop using substances and your body begins to adjust to being without that substance. When you’re dependent on drugs or alcohol, your body becomes physically used to its presence, and removing it entirely is what can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms can range from mild to severe, and depend on individual factors such as your metabolism, and how long you were using the drug.
In most cases, it’s advisable that people undergo a medically supervised detox. This is because different medications may need to be administered to keep the person comfortable and mitigate severe withdrawal symptoms. During a medically supervised detox, the individual could undergo tapering, where they slowly stop using a drug under the supervision of a treatment team.
While there are Kent detox centers that can be an option, it’s usually most effective to participate in a detox program that’s part of a comprehensive rehab inpatient treatment program. This allows for a seamless transition from detox to the actual treatment component, and there’s continuity in the individualized approach to addiction.
There are several options for detox in Kent, which is another reason traveling may be ideal, as the options become more extensive.
Recovery Meetings Near You
Alcoholics Anonymous, commonly known as AA, provides an excellent opportunity for people to follow-up on the treatment they receive at either a local or national rehab center. AA is an organization with meetings around the world, the country, and Ohio, where people can come together and share their experiences as alcoholics. It’s a supportive environment where people who have struggled with a dependence on alcohol can gain and give inspiration and can form meaningful social relationships and have access to support.
The 12-step program utilized in AA is often started in the inpatient portion of addiction treatment, making a local Kent AA program a natural fit for people who have attended inpatient or outpatient rehab.
People can participate in Kent AA meetings often anytime of day, and at a variety of locations.
Meetings near Kent, OH
Big Book Comes Alive in Kent
Trinity Lutheran Church
600 S Water St.
Kent, OH 44240
Kent Living Sober
Unitarian Universalist Church of Kent
228 Gougler Ave
Kent, OH 44240
Kent Monday Night Young People
1435 E Main St.
Kent, OH 44240
Similar to AA is NA, which stands for Narcotics Anonymous. NA is a program that also follows a 12-step framework, which is often initially started when a person is in inpatient or outpatient rehab. A Kent NA meeting is important for someone who wants to remain sober for many reasons. First, being isolated can be a big reason that people relapse and start using drugs again, so going to Kent NA meetings or meetings in the area can create a social support network that’s essential for recovery.
When you follow the steps of NA, you can also gain healing value through them, and create a more meaningful, productive life. When people leave a treatment center for their addiction, particularly if they’re returning to Kent after being away, it can feel overwhelming. When returned to the stressors of everyday life, people can find within NA an excellent way to maintain sobriety and keep up with healthy coping mechanisms.
Below are some of the available Kent NA meetings:
Meetings near Kent, OH
United Christian Ministries
1435 E Main St.
Kent, OH 44240
Freedom House
1213 Anita Dr.
Kent, OH 44240
Church of the Nazarene
1972 Summit Street
Kent OH, 44240
For a full list of meetings, including times and address, visit the NA website to find the best fit for your support group.
Following inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment, not everyone wants to start or continue a 12-step program. There is another option, which promotes many of the same concepts of a 12-step program, but within a framework based on addiction science.
Called SMART Recovery, the core focus of these meetings is on self-empowerment. The SMART Recovery program can also be an excellent way for people with various addictions to stay on a path of sobriety after completing rehab, and they can not only attend local meetings but also participate in online meetings which are held daily.
The 4-Point Program utilized by SMART Recovery focuses on dealing with motivation and urges, as well as managing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, all while living a balanced life.
The SMART Recovery local meetings held closest to Kent, OH include meetings in Akron:
Meetings near Kent,OH
Jefferson Park Office Plaza
3618 West Market Street
Akron, OH 44333
Lockwood United Methodist Church
3680 Manchester Road
Akron, OH 44319
Highland Springs
4199 Mill Pond Drive
Highland Hills, OH 44122
Nar-Anon is a fellowship group that’s similar in many ways to AA or NA, with one big difference: Nar-Anon is a support group for family members and loved ones of people who suffer from an addiction to drugs or alcohol. Nar-Anon principles are also based on a 12-step program. Kent residents who have a loved one who’s an addict, currently in rehab addiction treatment, or who are transitioning from treatment can benefit from participating in Nar-Anon.
The 12-step program can help friends and relatives living with addicts recover from the effects it has had on their lives. Some of the key concepts include admitting powerlessness over the addict, and the ability to admit personal wrongs and work to correct them.
Meetings near Kent, OH
Tuesday Night Serenity
First Congregational Church
85 Heritage Drive
Tallmadge, OH 44278
4 Us 2
Manchester United Methodist Church
5625 Manchester Road
Akron, Ohio 44319
A New Day
Serenity Place
29 East Broad Street
Newton Falls, Ohio 44444
Addiction Resources in Nearby Cities
There are locations in nearby cities outside of Kent, Ohio where residents might find access to resources to help them deal with an addiction to drugs or alcohol. These resources could include any of the meetings highlighted above, inpatient or outpatient treatment options, or doctors who are licensed to prescribe medications that can be used during withdrawal or to prevent opioid relapse.
The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.
We can help answer your questions and talk through any concerns.