Lorain County Crisis Recovery Center is now open!
The Lorain County Crisis Recovery Center (LCCRC) opened on October 1, 2025, and is located at 6130 S. Broadway Avenue in Lorain, Ohio. The LCCRC is the county’s first dedicated, 24/7 facility for anyone adult (18+) experiencing a mental health or addiction crisis. Using the “Living Room Model” The LCCRC offers 32 treatment beds – 16 for adults needing short-term mental health stabilization and 16 for adults seeking help with substance use crises. Representing a “no wrong door” approach, whether someone is brought in by law enforcement, family or on their own, they will be welcomed and connected to the appropriate care. The facility is a community milestone, demonstrating Lorain County’s commitment to dignity, recovery and second chances.
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Fentanyl Has Increased Overdoses in Lorain County
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Mental Health, Addiction & Recovery Services Board of Lorain County Announces Fiscal Year 2023 Allocations
LORAIN, OHIO – At its last meeting, the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County’s Board of Directors approved a series of budget allocations to provider agencies for fiscal year 2023.
“As the funding agency for behavioral health services in Lorain County, we value the process of transparency in allocating dollars to the network of behavioral health providers in our area who directly serve individuals and families in need of help,” said MHARS Executive Director Michael Doud. “Approximately 16,000 Lorain County residents received mental health and recovery services across our network in 2020, providing the high level of care we have come to expect in Lorain County.”
Below are the agencies receiving FY23 budget year allocations totaling $14,147,826:
- Applewood Centers Inc.
- Beech Brook
- Bellefaire JCB
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lorain County
- El Centro
- Far West Center
- Firelands
- Gathering Hope House
- Genesis House Safe Harbor
- LCADA
- Let’s Get Real, Inc.
- Lorain Urban Minority Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Outreach Program (UMADAOP)
- Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Lorain County
- Neighborhood Alliance
- New Directions
- New Sunrise Properties
- The Nord Center
- OhioGuidestone
- Pathways
- Road to Hope
- Silver Maple
- Stella Maris
The MHARS Board staff works with its Board of Directors’ Community Planning and Oversight Committee to make budget recommendations to its Finance Committee. The process requires extensive dialogue and collaboration with community partners. Those recommendations are then voted on by the entire board before they become final. Click here to view on our website the board packet containing the budget info referenced above.
About the MHARS Board
The Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County brings together the expertise, resources and proud histories of the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board of Lorain County and the Lorain County Board of Mental Health. The people served by mental health and substance use disorder systems have a common goal – recovery. Consolidating the county’s addiction and mental health partners strengthens our ability to coordinate treatment and recovery services, which helps us improve the lives of our clients, their loved ones and the community. Our goal is to maximize delivery of these health services. It means providing the right care, in the right setting, at the right time. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram or connect with us on our website at www.mharslc.org.
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Overdoses Spike in Lorain County Over 24-Hour Period
May 16, 2022
Overdose Spike Anomalies Identified in Lorain County
LORAIN, OHIO – On May 14, the Lorain County Public Health Department received notification of a “drug anomaly” alert indicating there had been 10 drug overdoses over the span of 24 hours.
This includes five females and five males: three under the age of 29, two between 30 and 39 years old, one person between 40-49 years old and four over the age of 50 years old. The unusually high increase reflects the number of drug overdose visits to emergency rooms. It was one of three overdose anomalies so far this month.
The three unprecedented overdose anomalies in May include:
- May 14: 10 overdoses
- May 7: 9 overdoses
- May 1: 8 overdoses
In addition, Lorain County first responders and the Coroner’s office have also reported a noticeable increase in suspected overdoses including one mass overdose event involving four individuals from May 13-15.
There are resources available for those who are actively struggling with substance use disorder:
- A non-emergency bilingual Navigator is available with treatment and other resource information at 440-240-7025
- Call the Crisis Hotline at 1-800-888-6161
- Get a Narcan rescue kit for free. These are available at the Lorain County Public Health Department at 9880 S. Murray Ridge Road, Elyria.
- Visit the Harm Reduction Clinic at The Nord Center, 3150 Clifton Avenue, Lorain to exchange needles, obtain fentanyl strips and more
Some facts to note about substance use disorder as a medical disease from the National Institute of Health:
- Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking, continued use despite harmful consequences, and long-lasting changes in the brain.
- It is considered both a complex brain disorder and a mental illness.
- Addiction is the most severe form of a full spectrum of substance use disorders, and is a medical illness caused by repeated misuse of a substance or substances.
- Addiction is a treatable, chronic disorder that can be managed successfully. Research shows that combining behavioral therapy with medications, if available, is the best way to ensure success for most patients. The combination of medications and behavioral interventions to treat a substance use disorder is known as medication-assisted treatment. Treatment approaches must be tailored to address each patient’s drug use patterns and drug-related medical, psychiatric, environmental, and social problems.
For more information about addiction, visit our website at https://mharslc.org/faq-addiction/.
About the MHARS Board The Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services (MHARS) Board of Lorain County brings together the expertise, resources and proud histories of the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board of Lorain County and the Lorain County Board of Mental Health. The people served by mental health and substance use disorder systems have a common goal – recovery. Consolidating the county’s addiction and mental health partners strengthens our ability to coordinate treatment and recovery services, which helps us improve the lives of our clients, their loved ones and the community. Our goal is to maximize delivery of these health services. It means providing the right care, in the right setting, at the right time. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram or connect with us on our website at www.mharslc.org
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