When someone you love is struggling with addiction — or when you are struggling yourself — the single most important decision you will make is choosing where to get help. In Indianapolis and across Marion County, that decision can feel overwhelming. There are a lot of options, and not all of them are equal.
At Addiction Rehab Centers, we have spent years walking alongside Indianapolis families through some of the hardest moments of their lives. We are not a faceless national chain. We are a local Indiana treatment provider with three facilities across the Indianapolis metro area, built around a simple belief: that recovery should be a dignified, compassionate, and genuinely healing experience — not a clinical transaction.
This is who we are, what we offer, and why it matters.
The Scope of the Crisis: Marion County by the Numbers
The opioid epidemic is not an abstract national problem. It is happening in our neighborhoods, our emergency rooms, and our families right now. The numbers coming out of Marion County are sobering — and every statistic represents a real person.
According to Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, drug overdoses — often as a result of opioids — have been the number-one killer in Indianapolis for three years in a row. In 2022, Marion County reported over 810 drug overdose deaths, the highest number of fatal overdoses recorded in the county’s history. WBAA (Source: WBAA / Mayor’s Office, 2023)
Overdose Deaths — The Key Numbers
- In 2023, opioids were detected in 80% of Marion County overdose deaths, with 97% of those deaths involving fentanyl specifically. Marion County Public Health Department
- Accidental drug intoxication deaths in Marion County increased by 65% from 2019 to 2023. Marion County Public Health Department
- Detailed toxicology data from Marion County shows opioids were responsible for 81% of all overdose deaths. Rmff
- In 2016, Marion County’s rate for emergency department opioid-related visits was 192.7 per 100,000 residents — nearly double the statewide average of 104.5. Marion County Public Health Department
(Sources: Marion County Public Health Department — OD2A Program; Indiana State Department of Health Overdose Dashboard)
The Daily Toll
The Marion County Public Health Department reports that Indianapolis hospitals treat approximately 20 overdose patients every single day, with an average of two to three deaths occurring daily as a result. That is not a statistic — that is a community emergency.
How Marion County Compares
In 2017, 365 Marion County residents experienced fatal drug overdoses, with an age-adjusted rate of 38.9 per 100,000 people — compared to the statewide rate of 29.4 per 100,000. Rmff In 2022, 2,558 individuals died by overdose across Indiana, and while the state saw a slight decline from 2021, Indiana’s overdose rate remains above the national average of 32.4 per 100,000. Indiana Department of Health
The economic damage has been staggering. The opioid prescribing rate in Indiana reached a peak in 2012 when, on average, there were 112 opioid prescriptions for every 100 residents in the state. Government of Indiana Indiana’s Attorney General has since secured more than $1 billion for Hoosiers through opioid settlements alone, holding manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies accountable for their role in fueling this crisis.
(Sources: Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation; Indiana Attorney General — Opioid Settlement; Indiana State Department of Health)
How We Got Here: The Three Waves of the Opioid Epidemic
The opioid crisis did not appear overnight. It evolved over three distinct, devastating waves — each one building on the last.
Wave 1 (1990s–2010): The Prescription Opioid Explosion
The epidemic began when pharmaceutical companies flooded the market with prescription painkillers like OxyContin, Vicodin, and Percocet. Patients were told these medications were safe. They were not. Indiana’s opioid prescribing rate peaked in 2012, and from 2012 through 2016, there were 58 Indiana counties where opioid prescribing rates exceeded 100 prescriptions per 100 residents. Government of Indiana By 2014, more than 1,100 Hoosiers died from drug poisoning — more than the number of fatalities from car accidents that year. Rmff
(Source: Indiana Attorney General — Opioid Settlement; Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation)
Wave 2 (2010 Onward): The Heroin Surge
When regulators cracked down on prescription opioid access, many people with opioid dependence turned to heroin — it was cheaper and easier to obtain. By 2017, more than 1,700 Hoosiers died from a drug overdose — an all-time high at the time and a 75% increase since 2011. Rmff Marion County bore a disproportionate share of that burden, with opioid-specific overdose mortality climbing sharply throughout this period.
(Source: Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation)
Wave 3 (2013–Present): The Fentanyl Era
The third and most lethal wave arrived when illicitly manufactured fentanyl began contaminating — and then dominating — the drug supply. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. As little as two milligrams — the equivalent of a few grains of salt — can cause a fatal overdose. It has no smell. It has no taste. And it is now in virtually everything.
In Marion County in 2023, opioids were detected in 80% of all overdose deaths — and of those, 97% involved fentanyl. Marion County Public Health Department Synthetic opioids are increasingly found mixed into heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and counterfeit pills, meaning a person can fatally overdose on fentanyl without ever knowingly using an opioid. Indiana Family and Social Services Administration
The most important thing to know: Fentanyl test strips are available free through the Marion County Public Health Department and can detect fentanyl’s presence in any substance before it is used. They save lives.
(Sources: NIDA — Fentanyl; Marion County Public Health Department; Indiana FSSA — Opioid Overdose Mortality Analysis)
Recognizing Opioid Addiction: Warning Signs Every Indianapolis Family Should Know
Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is a medical condition, not a moral failure. The Marion County Public Health Department recognizes substance use disorder as a chronic medical condition that requires treatment and can affect anyone. Marion County Public Health Department Knowing the warning signs can save a life.
Physical Signs
- Constricted, “pinpoint” pupils
- Dramatic weight loss or changes in appetite
- Extreme drowsiness or nodding off at unusual times
- Wearing long sleeves to conceal needle marks
- Severe flu-like symptoms when not using (withdrawal)
- Slowed or shallow breathing
- Significant neglect of personal hygiene
Behavioral Signs
- Withdrawing from family, friends, and activities once enjoyed
- Lying about whereabouts or substance use
- Sudden financial problems — borrowing money, missing cash
- Declining performance at work or school
- Extreme mood swings, irritability, or personality changes
- Secretive behavior — hiding items, locking doors
- Missing medications; finding burnt spoons, syringes, or small bags with powder residue
Signs of an Overdose — Act Immediately
A fentanyl or opioid overdose is a life-threatening emergency. Call 911 immediately if you observe any of the following, per the CDC and the Indiana State Department of Health:
- Cannot be woken up even when shaken or called by name
- Breathing has stopped, or is extremely slow (one breath every 3–5 seconds)
- Choking, gurgling, or loud snoring sounds
- Blue, purple, or gray discoloration of lips, fingernails, or skin
- Limp body and loss of muscle control
- Very small, pinpoint pupils
Indiana’s Good Samaritan Law (IC 16-42-27.1) protects anyone who calls 911 to report an overdose from drug possession charges. Do not hesitate — call for help.
What to Do During an Overdose
- Call 911 immediately — always the first step
- Administer naloxone (Narcan) if available — it reverses an overdose by blocking opioid receptors and restoring normal breathing within minutes. Per the SAMHSA, naloxone is safe and can be given to anyone suspected of overdosing
- Place the person on their side (recovery position) to prevent choking
- Stay with them until paramedics arrive
- A fentanyl overdose may require more than one dose of naloxone due to its extreme potency
The Marion County Public Health Department’s Naloxone Leave Behind program enables EMS staff to leave naloxone on-site with patients who experience a suspected overdose IBTR, helping protect them and their families going forward. You can find free naloxone near you at OverdoseLifeline.org or request free kits directly from the Marion County Public Health Department.
(Sources: CDC — Overdose Prevention; SAMHSA — Naloxone; Marion County Public Health Department)
Understanding Treatment:
Good — all clean government, public health, and nonprofit sources. Here’s the fully rewritten blog with zero competitor citations:
The Opioid Epidemic in Marion County: A Local Guide to Treatment and Recovery
By Addiction Rehab Centers | Indianapolis, Indiana | Updated 2025
Every day in Indianapolis, families wake up to a reality that has become all too familiar across Marion County: a loved one struggling with opioid addiction. Whether the story began with a prescription after surgery, a counterfeit pill laced with fentanyl, or something else entirely — the path forward exists. This guide gives Marion County residents, families, and community members the clearest picture of the opioid epidemic right here at home, and a practical roadmap to treatment and recovery.
The Scope of the Crisis: Marion County by the Numbers
The opioid epidemic is not an abstract national problem. It is happening in our neighborhoods, our emergency rooms, and our families right now. The numbers coming out of Marion County are sobering — and every statistic represents a real person.
According to Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett, drug overdoses — often as a result of opioids — have been the number-one killer in Indianapolis for three years in a row. In 2022, Marion County reported over 810 drug overdose deaths, the highest number of fatal overdoses recorded in the county’s history. WBAA (Source: WBAA / Mayor’s Office, 2023)
Overdose Deaths — The Key Numbers
- In 2023, opioids were detected in 80% of Marion County overdose deaths, with 97% of those deaths involving fentanyl specifically. Marion County Public Health Department
- Accidental drug intoxication deaths in Marion County increased by 65% from 2019 to 2023. Marion County Public Health Department
- Detailed toxicology data from Marion County shows opioids were responsible for 81% of all overdose deaths. Rmff
- In 2016, Marion County’s rate for emergency department opioid-related visits was 192.7 per 100,000 residents — nearly double the statewide average of 104.5. Marion County Public Health Department
(Sources: Marion County Public Health Department — OD2A Program; Indiana State Department of Health Overdose Dashboard)
The Daily Toll
The Marion County Public Health Department reports that Indianapolis hospitals treat approximately 20 overdose patients every single day, with an average of two to three deaths occurring daily as a result. That is not a statistic — that is a community emergency.
How Marion County Compares
In 2017, 365 Marion County residents experienced fatal drug overdoses, with an age-adjusted rate of 38.9 per 100,000 people — compared to the statewide rate of 29.4 per 100,000. Rmff In 2022, 2,558 individuals died by overdose across Indiana, and while the state saw a slight decline from 2021, Indiana’s overdose rate remains above the national average of 32.4 per 100,000. Indiana Department of Health
The economic damage has been staggering. The opioid prescribing rate in Indiana reached a peak in 2012 when, on average, there were 112 opioid prescriptions for every 100 residents in the state. Government of Indiana Indiana’s Attorney General has since secured more than $1 billion for Hoosiers through opioid settlements alone, holding manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies accountable for their role in fueling this crisis.
(Sources: Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation; Indiana Attorney General — Opioid Settlement; Indiana State Department of Health)
How We Got Here: The Three Waves of the Opioid Epidemic
The opioid crisis did not appear overnight. It evolved over three distinct, devastating waves — each one building on the last.
Wave 1 (1990s–2010): The Prescription Opioid Explosion
The epidemic began when pharmaceutical companies flooded the market with prescription painkillers like OxyContin, Vicodin, and Percocet. Patients were told these medications were safe. They were not. Indiana’s opioid prescribing rate peaked in 2012, and from 2012 through 2016, there were 58 Indiana counties where opioid prescribing rates exceeded 100 prescriptions per 100 residents. Government of Indiana By 2014, more than 1,100 Hoosiers died from drug poisoning — more than the number of fatalities from car accidents that year. Rmff
(Source: Indiana Attorney General — Opioid Settlement; Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation)
Wave 2 (2010 Onward): The Heroin Surge
When regulators cracked down on prescription opioid access, many people with opioid dependence turned to heroin — it was cheaper and easier to obtain. By 2017, more than 1,700 Hoosiers died from a drug overdose — an all-time high at the time and a 75% increase since 2011. Rmff Marion County bore a disproportionate share of that burden, with opioid-specific overdose mortality climbing sharply throughout this period.
(Source: Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation)
Wave 3 (2013–Present): The Fentanyl Era
The third and most lethal wave arrived when illicitly manufactured fentanyl began contaminating — and then dominating — the drug supply. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. As little as two milligrams — the equivalent of a few grains of salt — can cause a fatal overdose. It has no smell. It has no taste. And it is now in virtually everything.
In Marion County in 2023, opioids were detected in 80% of all overdose deaths — and of those, 97% involved fentanyl. Marion County Public Health Department Synthetic opioids are increasingly found mixed into heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and counterfeit pills, meaning a person can fatally overdose on fentanyl without ever knowingly using an opioid. Indiana Family and Social Services Administration
The most important thing to know: Fentanyl test strips are available free through the Marion County Public Health Department and can detect fentanyl’s presence in any substance before it is used. They save lives.
(Sources: NIDA — Fentanyl; Marion County Public Health Department; Indiana FSSA — Opioid Overdose Mortality Analysis)
Recognizing Opioid Addiction: Warning Signs Every Indianapolis Family Should Know
Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) is a medical condition, not a moral failure. The Marion County Public Health Department recognizes substance use disorder as a chronic medical condition that requires treatment and can affect anyone. Marion County Public Health Department Knowing the warning signs can save a life.
Physical Signs
- Constricted, “pinpoint” pupils
- Dramatic weight loss or changes in appetite
- Extreme drowsiness or nodding off at unusual times
- Wearing long sleeves to conceal needle marks
- Severe flu-like symptoms when not using (withdrawal)
- Slowed or shallow breathing
- Significant neglect of personal hygiene
Behavioral Signs
- Withdrawing from family, friends, and activities once enjoyed
- Lying about whereabouts or substance use
- Sudden financial problems — borrowing money, missing cash
- Declining performance at work or school
- Extreme mood swings, irritability, or personality changes
- Secretive behavior — hiding items, locking doors
- Missing medications; finding burnt spoons, syringes, or small bags with powder residue
Signs of an Overdose — Act Immediately
A fentanyl or opioid overdose is a life-threatening emergency. Call 911 immediately if you observe any of the following, per the CDC and the Indiana State Department of Health:
- Cannot be woken up even when shaken or called by name
- Breathing has stopped, or is extremely slow (one breath every 3–5 seconds)
- Choking, gurgling, or loud snoring sounds
- Blue, purple, or gray discoloration of lips, fingernails, or skin
- Limp body and loss of muscle control
- Very small, pinpoint pupils
Indiana’s Good Samaritan Law (IC 16-42-27.1) protects anyone who calls 911 to report an overdose from drug possession charges. Do not hesitate — call for help.
What to Do During an Overdose
- Call 911 immediately — always the first step
- Administer naloxone (Narcan) if available — it reverses an overdose by blocking opioid receptors and restoring normal breathing within minutes. Per the SAMHSA, naloxone is safe and can be given to anyone suspected of overdosing
- Place the person on their side (recovery position) to prevent choking
- Stay with them until paramedics arrive
- A fentanyl overdose may require more than one dose of naloxone due to its extreme potency
The Marion County Public Health Department’s Naloxone Leave Behind program enables EMS staff to leave naloxone on-site with patients who experience a suspected overdose IBTR, helping protect them and their families going forward. You can find free naloxone near you at OverdoseLifeline.org or request free kits directly from the Marion County Public Health Department.
(Sources: CDC — Overdose Prevention; SAMHSA — Naloxone; Marion County Public Health Department)
Understanding Treatment: What Actually Works
Opioid Use Disorder is one of the most treatable chronic medical conditions — when evidence-based care is applied. Here is a plain-English breakdown of what treatment actually looks like.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): The Gold Standard
The most effective treatment for opioid addiction is Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT). According to SAMHSA, MAT combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and behavioral therapy to treat both the physical and psychological sides of addiction. The Indiana FSSA Division of Mental Health and Addiction recognizes three primary MAT medications:
Methadone — A long-acting medication that eliminates withdrawal symptoms and cravings by stabilizing brain chemistry. Administered daily at certified Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs) regulated under both Indiana state law and federal SAMHSA guidelines.
Buprenorphine (Suboxone®, Sublocade®) — A partial opioid agonist that reduces withdrawal and cravings with a built-in ceiling effect, making overdose significantly less likely. Can be prescribed by a certified provider in a regular medical office — no daily clinic visits required.
Naltrexone (Vivitrol®) — A non-addictive monthly injection that completely blocks opioid receptors, eliminating the high from opioids and reducing cravings. Patients must be fully opioid-free for 7–10 days before starting to avoid precipitated withdrawal.
(Source: Indiana FSSA — Find Treatment; SAMHSA — Medications for Substance Use Disorders)
Levels of Care: Finding the Right Fit
Not everyone needs the same level of treatment. A clinical assessment will determine the right starting point. From most to least intensive:
Medical Detox — 24/7 medically supervised management of withdrawal in a clinical setting. Opioid withdrawal can be intensely uncomfortable and sometimes medically dangerous. Detox ensures safety and dramatically improves the chance of completing early recovery.
Residential Inpatient Treatment — Round-the-clock care in a structured, substance-free environment, typically 30 to 90 days. Removes patients from triggering environments while providing intensive therapy, MAT, and real-world skill-building. Recommended for moderate to severe OUD.
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) — Intensive daytime treatment (typically 5–6 hours a day, five days a week) while living at home or in sober housing. A strong clinical middle ground between inpatient and outpatient care.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) — Structured therapy sessions several times per week, allowing patients to maintain work, family responsibilities, and daily routines while in treatment. Ideal as a step-down from higher levels of care or for those with strong support systems.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment — Opioid addiction rarely travels alone. Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and trauma frequently co-occur with substance use disorders. According to SAMHSA, treating only one without the other significantly increases the risk of relapse. Dual diagnosis treatment addresses both simultaneously.
Take the First Step Today
Marion County is in the middle of a serious opioid and addiction crisis. But recovery is happening here every single day — in our facilities, through our programs, and in the lives of the people we have had the privilege of walking alongside for more than 16 years.
If you or someone you love is ready to get help, Addiction Rehab Centers is here — 24 hours a day, across three Indianapolis-area locations, with every level of care you need.
📞 Call us toll-free, anytime: 1-844-551-4673
ARC — Eagle Creek | Indianapolis 7322 Noel Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46278 | (317) 406-6569
ARC at Fox Hill | Mooresville 12168 N Mann Rd, Mooresville, IN 46158 | (317) 597-6637
ARC at Bayside | Indianapolis 5929 Lakeside Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46278 | (866) 570-3569
