Whether you are looking for support because you are struggling with an addiction, you are looking for resources and education, or you have lost someone to addiction, these support groups can connect you with others who understand what you are going through and offer assistance.
Support Resources for People Struggling with Addiction
Heroin Anonymous
Akron UMADAOP
655 W. Market St.,
Akron 44303
Meetings take place on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. and Thursdays at 10 a.m.
Contacts:
Vance S. at 330-990-0065 and Jim M. at 330-255-8456
The only requirement for attending is an individual's desire to remain sober. Call for meeting dates, times, and locations.
Opiates Anonymous
New Hope - Opiates Anonymous
Thursdays at 8 p.m.
Location:
Paradise Club
1710 Front St.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Floating Format:
AA/Big Book-based program of recovery.
Contacts:
Alyssa K. at 330-780-0645 and Tim P. at 330-687-1833
Alcoholics Anonymous
775 N. Main Street
Akron 44310
Online meetings are available 7 days per week. AA International groups online
Contact:
330-253-8181
Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
Narcotics Anonymous
888-GET-HOPE
888-438-4673
nabuckeye.org
NA is a 12-step recovery group for those addicted to drugs, not limited to use of any particular drug. There are numerous meeting locations, dates, and times throughout Summit County. NA has online support groups for social distancing.
My Life, My Quit (Teen Vaping and Tobacco Cessation Program)
Online and Text programs for teens - Sharing the truth about vaping nicotine and other tobacco products.
Call or text 855-891-9989
mylifemyquit.com
LifeRing
LifeRing Secular Recovery
234-200-5770
liferingakron@gmail.com
LifeRing Secular Recovery is a self-help recovery network for individuals who seek group support to achieve abstinence from alcohol and other addictive drugs.
Harm Reduction Programs
Summit Safe Syringe Exchange Program
330-923-4891
Every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Summit County Public Health offers the Safe Summit Needle Exchange, which provides an anonymous, free, safe needle exchange for Summit County residents with substance use issues. The program accepts used needles that are secured and safely transported in exchange for new needles. Participants are limited to 30 needles per week.
Location:
Summit County Public Health
1867 W. Market St., Building B,
Akron, OH 44313
Project D.A.W.N.
Project D.A.W.N. (Deaths Avoided With Naloxone) is a community-based overdose education and naloxone distribution program. Naloxone is a medication that can reverse an overdose caused by an opioid drug (heroin or prescription pain medications). When administered during an overdose, Naloxone blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and quickly restores breathing. The effects of Naloxone are temporary and emergency medical treatment is still required.
Project D.A.W.N. clinics are funded by the ADM Board and available at two agencies in Summit County:
Summit County Public Health
330-375-2984
View PDF
Education and Support Resources for Family and Friends
Family Matters Education Program
Call 330-996-2222
The Family Matters Education Program is designed to educate, support, and promote healing through specific forums designed with the family member in mind, along with integrated skill building and communication exercises.
Meetings are held at Oriana House's St. Hedwig facility, 213 E. Glenwood Ave., Akron Wednesdays 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Community members interested in learning more about addiction are welcome to attend the Wednesday meetings. Your loved one does not have to be in an Oriana House program to attend the Wednesday meetings.
Al Anon
Al-Anon members are people, just like you, who are worried about someone with a drinking problem.
Find an online meeting to fit your schedule. You can also call for meeting information: 1-888-4AL-ANON (1-888-425-2666)
Learn more about Al Anon.
Alateen
Alateen is a place just for teens affected by someone else’s alcoholism. Get questions answered and connect with other teens who understand what you are going through.
Nar-Anon Family Groups
Call 800-477-6291
NarAnon is a 12-step program for families and friends of people with addiction. Following is a list of local meeting dates, times, and locations:
Akron:
Thursdays 7 p.m.
Manchester United Methodist Church
5625 Manchester Road
Medina:
Mondays 7:30 p.m.
Medina Community Church
416 S. Broadway (Parking Lot Behind Blue House)
Tallmadge:
Tuesdays 6:45 p.m. (Newcomers — 6:30 p.m.)
First Congregational Church
86 Heritage Dr.
Cover2 Resources
Call 877-901-3277 / 330-351-1328
After losing his son to a heroin overdose, Greg McNeil launched Cover2 Resources in March 2016 to spread awareness, educate, and advocate for those affected by the opioid epidemic through an ongoing podcast series. Topics include harm-reduction strategies, how to select a treatment provider, and what families need to know to best support their loved ones struggling with opioid addiction.
Families Facing Addiction
Email: kellysegedy@ccchapel.com
Meetings are held 1st & 3rd Saturday of each month 9:30 a.m.-11:00 a.m. at the Hudson Christ Community Chapel.
Families Facing Addiction is a support group for those who have loved ones experiencing addictions.
Location:
Hudson Christ Community Chapel
750 W. Streetsboro Street
Hudson, OH 44236
Project D.A.W.N.
Project D.A.W.N. (Deaths Avoided With Naloxone) is a community-based overdose education and naloxone distribution program. Naloxone is a medication that can reverse an overdose caused by an opioid drug (heroin or prescription pain medications). When administered during an overdose, Naloxone blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and quickly restores breathing. The effects of Naloxone are temporary and emergency medical treatment is still required.
Project D.A.W.N. clinics are funded by the ADM Board and available at two agencies in Summit County:
Summit County Public Health
330-375-2984
Support for those who have lost someone to addiction
The Well Support Group - Hope United hosts a grief support group to cope with the loss of a loved one to addiction. Meetings are held every 1st and 3rd Wednesday 6:30 - 8pm at Crossview Church (737 George Washington Blvd., Akron Ohio 44312)
Contact Shelly at 330-414-5960 or Shelly@HopeUnited.Life
Peer Support
What is Peer Support?
Peer support (recovery coaching) is a face-to-face or telephone service that considers a person’s stage of recovery and helps to establish a recovery plan to identify and manage relapse warning signs and other issues critical to success in early recovery. Peer Supporters often work with persons after completion of addiction treatment to assist with a positive experience in early recovery and connect persons with additional resources if needed.
Who are Peer Supporters?
Peer Supporters or recovery coaches are persons who have experienced stable recovery from mental illnesses and/or addictions for more than 2 years. They receive training and earn a certification to effectively model a healthy recovery lifestyle. A person may have both a sponsor and a peer supporter, since their roles are different and cannot be spanned by any single person.
How can I get in contact with a Peer Supporter?
Peer Supporters are found in addiction treatment agencies, recovery housing agencies, recovery support agencies, and in many specialized court docket programs in Summit County. If you are interested in working with a peer supporter, please indicate this to a treatment counselor or court staff, and they can assist you in connecting with a local recovery coach. Contact Catholic Charities at 330-724-9059 for more information.