Columbus Public Health Alcohol and Drug Services

Columbus Public Health operates as more than a standalone outpatient clinic — it is an active participant in the Columbus and Franklin County Addiction Plan, a coordinated, community-led effort to address the addiction crisis affecting central Ohio. For individuals pursuing long-term recovery, being treated within a system that is accountable to the broader public health of Columbus means their care is connected to larger regional recovery goals and resources.

The clinic's location at 240 Parsons Avenue places it within reach of Columbus residents across Franklin County. Whether someone is stepping down from a higher level of care or beginning their recovery journey through outpatient services, Columbus Public Health provides structured programming designed to fit into a sustainable, everyday recovery lifestyle.

Columbus Public Health offers two outpatient levels of care to match the intensity of support a person needs at any given point in their recovery. The standard Outpatient Program provides ongoing substance abuse treatment with the flexibility to manage work, family, and community commitments. For those who need a more structured schedule with greater clinical contact, the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) offers a higher level of engagement without requiring residential placement.

Both tracks are designed for individuals who are committed to building lasting recovery while remaining active in their communities. The ability to move between levels of care as needs change makes Columbus Public Health a practical option for people managing the full arc of long-term recovery — not just a single acute episode.

A significant portion of people in addiction treatment also live with co-occurring mental health conditions, including trauma and PTSD. Columbus Public Health's outpatient program is designed to treat dual diagnosis conditions alongside substance abuse, using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a core clinical method. CBT is a well-established therapeutic approach that helps individuals identify and shift the thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to substance use and emotional distress.

By treating the whole person — addressing trauma and co-occurring disorders rather than substance use alone — the clinic supports a more complete recovery process. This integrated focus is especially relevant for individuals whose substance use is deeply tied to unresolved mental health challenges, and it reflects the kind of thorough outpatient care that supports durable, community-based recovery.

The clinic specifically serves men, women, pregnant women, and individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing, extending outpatient addiction treatment to populations that may encounter barriers at other recovery centers. Pregnant women seeking substance abuse treatment, for instance, require specialized clinical consideration, and Columbus Public Health's explicit commitment to serving this population is a meaningful distinction in the Columbus recovery landscape.

Financial access is a priority at this publicly operated facility. Columbus Public Health accepts Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, self-pay, and offers a sliding scale payment option — meaning cost alone should not prevent someone from beginning or continuing their recovery. The clinic operates Monday through Wednesday and Friday from 8:00 AM, with hours through 4:00–5:00 PM depending on the day. Prospective clients and family members can reach the clinic directly at (614) 645-9671 or learn more at columbus.gov/publichealth.