At Forward Health Ohio, located in Groveport and serving the greater Columbus community, we believe that recovery is possible for everyone. What makes our treatment center truly unique is that it was founded by people in recovery, for people in recovery. One of our founders, Kevin Alter, owner of The Addict’s Diary, has dedicated his life to helping individuals and families overcome the devastation of addiction. His experience, compassion, and leadership guide the heart of Forward Health, where every client is welcomed with understanding and respect.
Our mission is simple: to provide personalized, accessible, and effective outpatient care for those struggling with substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health conditions. Whether you are taking the first step or continuing your recovery journey, we are here to help you move forward.
Common Conditions We Treat: SUD and Mental Health
Addiction is not a moral failing — it is a chronic health condition that impacts the brain, body, and spirit. At Forward Health, we specialize in treating substance use disorders (SUDs) and the mental health conditions that often accompany them.
We recognize that more than half of individuals with a mental illness will face substance use challenges at some point in their lives. Our integrated approach ensures that clients receive care for both conditions simultaneously, addressing root causes like unresolved trauma, anxiety, depression, or bipolar disorder. By treating the whole person, we give clients the tools and support they need to achieve lasting recovery.
What We Treat at Forward Health Ohio
Forward Health offers treatment for a wide range of addictions, including but not limited to:
- Alcohol Addiction: From social drinking that escalates into dependency to severe alcohol use disorder (AUD), our evidence-based therapies and supportive community can help.
- Drug Addiction: Whether it’s crystal meth, cocaine, marijuana, or polysubstance use, our clinicians design individualized treatment plans to address the unique challenges of each addiction.
- Opioid Addiction: Prescription opioids and heroin are both highly addictive and dangerous. We provide targeted therapies to help clients break free from the cycle of opioid use.
- Co-occurring Disorders: When substance use is paired with mental health struggles, we provide dual diagnosis treatment to address both sides of the problem at once.
No matter your starting point, Forward Health is equipped to guide you toward long-term sobriety.
Programs and Levels of Care Offered
We understand that every individual’s recovery journey is unique. That’s why Forward Health offers a continuum of outpatient programs designed to meet each client where they are:
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): A structured, day-treatment program where clients live at home but receive care most days of the week. This provides stability and intensive therapy while allowing clients to stay connected to family and community.
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): A step down from PHP, IOP includes multiple sessions per week. Clients receive therapy and peer support while maintaining independence and daily responsibilities.
- Outpatient Program (OP): Our flexible outpatient rehab option helps clients transition back into their normal routine while still receiving ongoing support and relapse prevention strategies.
- Telehealth Options: For those unable to attend in person, Forward Health offers secure telehealth treatment for IOP and PHP programs, expanding access across Ohio.
Our Therapeutic Approach
Treatment at Forward Health is grounded in evidence-based therapies including:
- Individual and group counseling
- Behavioral therapies (such as CBT and DBT techniques)
- Relapse prevention planning
- Life skills and financial management coaching
- Employment and community reintegration support
This holistic approach allows clients to heal not just from substance use, but also to rebuild healthy, productive, and meaningful lives.
Why Choose Forward Health Ohio?
When it comes to choosing an addiction treatment center in Columbus, Forward Health stands apart because of our values and lived experience.
- Founded by people in recovery: Our leadership and staff understand addiction on a personal level. We know what works — and what doesn’t.
- Stay close to home: Clients can continue living with family, maintaining jobs, or attending school while accessing high-quality care.
- Individualized treatment plans: No two journeys are the same, and neither are our recovery strategies.
- Affordable and accessible: Outpatient care is often more cost-effective than residential programs, and it allows clients to apply new skills in real-world settings immediately.
- Compassionate community: With a team dedicated to respect, dignity, and hope, you’ll never walk alone in your recovery journey.
Insurance Options: Private Coverage Accepted
We understand that the cost of treatment is often a concern for individuals and families. At Forward Health Ohio, we accept most major private insurance plans as well as Ohio Medicaid. By doing so, we remove financial barriers to care, ensuring more people have access to the support they need to recover. Our admissions team works with clients to verify benefits and maximize coverage, making treatment both accessible and affordable.