COLUMBUS, Ohio — Drug addictions are on the rise throughout Ohio. 

What You Need To Know

• According to the CDC, Ohio has the 7th highest overdose rate across the nation


• James Daye, who was battling addiction most of his life, said it started as a coping mechanism


• He said his addiction eventually caused a few health issues


• Today Daye’s been over a year clean and is enjoying his life again

According to the CDC, Ohio has the 7th highest overdose rate in the country.

But despite numbers, a Columbus man who was battling addiction got a new lease on life.

“As time went on,” James Daye said. “It took control of me.”

Daye, who is now in recovery, said after his father passed away, he turned to drinking, partying and drugs. 

 “I just didn’t know how to cope at that time,” said Daye. “I started using powder cocaine in 2002. I had suffered a family loss and was injured at work, and I was on pain pills and just going through a lot.” 

Then, things escalated, causing a few health issues.

“I gradually graduated to hard substances,” he said. “I have congestive heart failure now. I’ve had two strokes. I’ve had blood clots in my lungs.” 

At one point, he said he came close to overdosing. 

“Two years ago, October,” Daye recalled. “I know I had been drinking, and I lost track of how many pills I had taken, and I was almost quite delusional. I tried to go to work wearing pajamas.”

But Daye said a life-changing decision saved him.

“I had no choice but to seek help,” he said. “The last stroke, it left me where I could not speak, and so I couldn’t function.”

Along the way, Daye started seeing peer recovery specialist David Thomas. 

But while sharing Daye’s success story, Thomas said drug addictions across the state are up. 

“What I see day to day,” Thomas explained. “There is so much going on in terms of folks taking advantage of a very bad situation. I think it has some economic factors, right? Folks are struggling financially, so they’re turning to the sale of and use of drugs to either make money or suppress feelings.”

But in Daye’s case, he’s been clean for a little over a year and has a life to enjoy once again. 

“I don’t call it sobriety,” Daye said. “I just call it I enjoy living.” 

And while claiming his life back, Daye encourages others: “Whether it be man or woman, if you are depressed, if you have substance abuse issues and you are in denial or you just don’t want to own up to it, if someone offers you the help, take the help. You can make it better for yourself, and in the long run, make it better for others.” 

If you or someone you know needs help battling addiction, there are resources out there. You can contact your local alcohol, drug abuse and mental health services board or SAMHSA at 1-800-662-4357.