If you live in Newark, Heath, Pataskala, Granville or anywhere else in Licking County and need drug or alcohol rehab, The Recovery Village Columbus offers medical detox, inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment at a single campus in Groveport, roughly 40 miles southwest of Newark. We do not have a location in Licking County, but many residents make the drive for a full continuum of care in one place. Call (614) 362-1686 to talk through your options; same-day admission may be available when medically appropriate.
Overdose in Licking County: What the Official Numbers Show
According to the Ohio Department of Health’s finalized 2023 data, 40 Licking County residents died of an unintentional drug overdose in 2023. That is down from 63 deaths in 2021 and 58 in 2022, and Licking County’s 2023 age-adjusted rate (23.0 deaths per 100,000 residents) was below Ohio’s statewide rate of 39.0.
A downward trend is encouraging, but 40 deaths still means 40 families in the county lost someone in a single year. Statewide, ODH reports that illicit fentanyl or fentanyl analogs were involved in 78% of unintentional overdose deaths in 2023, often in combination with other drugs such as cocaine or methamphetamine. That mix is one reason people who have used “only” pills or stimulants can face opioid overdose risk. For broader state trends, see our Ohio abuse and overdose statistics page.
Local Help in Licking County, Before and After Treatment
Licking County’s public addiction and mental health system is overseen by a mental health and recovery board that serves both Licking and Knox counties. A few resources are useful to know about whether or not you choose residential care:
Free, Confidential Helpline
Ready to take the next step toward recovery?
Our Recovery Advocates are available around the clock to answer your questions, verify your insurance, and help you find the right level of care — at no cost to you.
- 24/7 crisis and referral line: Pathways of Central Ohio runs the local 211/988 crisis hotline. Dial 211, call toll-free 800-544-1601, or text your ZIP code to 898211 to reach a trained crisis worker any time.
- Free naloxone (Project DAWN): The Licking County Health Department lists several Newark distribution sites for naloxone (Narcan), including the health department at 675 Price Road, Behavioral Healthcare Partners at 65 Messimer Drive and the Licking County Alcoholism Prevention Program (LAPP) at 62 E. Stevens Street. Call (740) 349-6535 for current details. If someone you love uses opioids, keeping naloxone at home is a practical step while you look into treatment.
- Family support: NAMI Ohio lists NAMI Knox Licking County as the local affiliate for families affected by mental illness, which often overlaps with addiction.
- Emergencies: If someone is unresponsive, not breathing or you suspect an overdose, call 911 right away.
Getting From Licking County to Our Groveport Campus
Our facility is at 3964 Hamilton Square Blvd in Groveport, about one mile southeast of I-270. From Newark, the drive is typically about 38 miles and around 45 minutes with normal traffic, usually by heading west on I-70 toward Columbus and connecting to I-270. From Pataskala or Etna on the western edge of the county, the trip is shorter. Travel times vary with weather and rush-hour traffic on the east side of the outerbelt, so allow extra time on your admission day.
For some Licking County residents, a program 40 minutes from home is a real advantage: close enough for family to visit or join family programming, but far enough from familiar people and places that were part of active use.
Levels of Care at The Recovery Village Columbus
The Recovery Village Columbus opened in 2017 and is accredited by The Joint Commission. Treatment is delivered by a physician-led team. In addiction medicine, the ASAM Criteria describe matching people to a level of care based on a multidimensional assessment of their medical, psychological and social needs, and an assessment is where your care here starts too. Services include:
- Medical detox with 24-hour nursing and medical monitoring. How long detox lasts depends on the substance and your health.
- Residential rehab, typically 28 to 30 days after detox, with on-site living, meals, and individual and group therapy.
- Partial hospitalization (PHP), 18 to 20 hours of treatment per week, and intensive outpatient (IOP), at least nine hours per week.
- Medication-assisted treatment when medically appropriate, plus co-occurring disorder treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD and other conditions that often come with addiction.
The 6.5-acre campus includes a gym, outdoor volleyball and pickleball courts, an art studio and a fire pit.
Paying for Rehab as a Licking County Resident
We are in network with several major insurers for addiction treatment, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Medical Mutual of Ohio and UBH/Optum. You can verify your insurance online or by phone before you commit to anything.
Licking County Rehab FAQs
Is there a Recovery Village location in Newark or Licking County?
No. The Recovery Village Columbus has one campus, in Groveport in southern Franklin County. Licking County residents travel there for detox and inpatient care. After discharge, many continue with outpatient programming or local providers closer to home.
Can I walk in from Licking County without an appointment?
Walk-ins are accepted 24/7, but not every walk-in can be admitted. A pre-assessment determines whether our programs fit your needs, and scheduled admissions are prioritized. Calling (614) 362-1686 before you make the drive can save hours of waiting. Learn more on our admissions page.
Is it safe to detox at home in Licking County?
Withdrawal from alcohol, benzodiazepines and some other substances can be dangerous. NIAAA notes that stopping suddenly after prolonged heavy drinking can trigger a withdrawal that is painful or even potentially life-threatening. A medical team can assess your risk and recommend supervised detox if you need it.
Who can I call in Licking County at 2 a.m. if things get worse?
Call or text 988, or dial 211 for the Pathways crisis line (800-544-1601). If someone is in immediate danger or may be overdosing, call 911.
Take the Next Step
You don’t have to have every answer before you call. An admissions representative can go over your substance use history, your insurance and whether detox, residential or outpatient care makes sense to start with. Call (614) 362-1686.
Sources
- Ohio Department of Health. “2023 Ohio Unintentional Drug Overdose Report.” October 2024. Accessed September 25, 2026.
- Licking County Health Department. “Drug Overdose Prevention Programs.” n.d. Accessed September 25, 2026.
- Pathways of Central Ohio. “Pathways of Central Ohio: 211/988 Crisis Hotline.” n.d. Accessed September 25, 2026.
- NAMI Ohio. “NAMI Affiliates in Ohio.” n.d. Accessed September 25, 2026.
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. “Treatment for Alcohol Problems: Finding and Getting Help.” February 2025. Accessed September 25, 2026.
- American Society of Addiction Medicine. “About the ASAM Criteria.” n.d. Accessed September 25, 2026.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. “988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.” n.d. Accessed September 25, 2026.
