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Connecticut Drug Statistics and Resources

Connecticut offers an array of treatment options for individuals seeking help for a drug or alcohol addiction, mental health disorder, or co-occurring condition. Assistance is available through various resources including non-profit organizations, government programs, harm reduction agencies, and statewide grant initiatives. In addition to supporting the general population, some of these agencies provide dedicated support for specialized populations including veterans, college students, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and other groups. A range of free addiction recovery resources in Connecticut is described below.

Drug Statistics in Connecticut

4x Increase in Drug Deaths
Drug overdose deaths in Connecticut increased from 11.2 per 100,000 in 2011 to 42.3 per 100,000 in 2021. That year, there were 1,393 opioid overdose deaths recorded, accounting for 90% of all drug overdose deaths across the state.
1,452 OD Deaths
Illicit opioids and stimulant drugs were the primary causes of overdose-related deaths across the state in 2022. Combined, these substances contributed to 1,452 deaths.
Drank in the Past Month
Since 2010, Connecticut has ranked as one of the top 10 states in the nation for alcohol use prevalence. Around 61.4% of adults aged 26 and older have consumed alcohol in the past month.
Binge Drinking
Around 29.3% of young adults in Connecticut report binge drinking in the past 30 days. This is defined as consuming four or more drinks (females) or five or more drinks (males) in one setting.

Addiction Nonprofits in Connecticut

DrugFree CT

This organization focuses on substance use disorder (SUD) prevention and treatment. They offer addiction education, connections to statewide advocacy campaigns, and connections to harm reduction clinics for immediate support. They also maintain a comprehensive list of addiction treatment providers and recovery programs throughout the state.

LiveLOUD

LiveLOUD helps individuals in addiction recovery find treatment options and peer support services. This includes connections to providers that offer medication assisted treatment (MAT), detoxification, inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, and aftercare programs. They operate a 24-hour access line that individuals can call to learn more about available treatments and resources.

Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR)

This group provides advocacy and educational programming on topics related to addiction recovery. They also provide assistance for individuals who require immediate assistance for a drug or alcohol addiction, offering programs that include telephone recovery support (TRS), virtual group meetings, and connections to six dedicated CCAR recovery centers across the state. At each center, clients can participate in individual and family counseling, recovery coaching, substance-free social events, and related programs.

Harm Reduction Programs

CT Center for Harm Reduction

This group provides harm reduction supplies and health services to Colorado residents. They operate a Syringe Services Program (SSP) through a mobile clinic, where they offer syringe disposal services, overdose prevention medication (naloxone), HIV testing, safer sex kits, and educational materials on risk reduction and overdose response techniques. They can also refer clients to nearby drug treatment programs, healthcare providers, and social services.

Connecticut Harm Reduction Alliance (CTHRA)

Formed in 2014, this organization mobilizes groups across the state to deliver harm reduction materials to individuals at risk of a drug overdose. Available resources include naloxone medication, fentanyl testing strips, HIV and Hepatitis C testing, syringe exchange services, wound care education, and similar services. Providers can also give referrals to drug treatment facilities and housing organizations to support recovery.

Alliance for Living

This HIV/AIDS service organization also helps individuals seeking housing assistance and support for addiction recovery. They provide medical and non-medical case management, early intervention, medical nutrition therapy, and food pantry access for residents in the southeastern part of the state. They also offer harm reduction programs including HIV testing and an SSP, where individuals can receive sterile syringes, safer smoking supplies, Narcan, and fentanyl test strips.

Government Grants & Resources

Connecticut State Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS)

This department helps clients find and initiate recovery-focused services in regions throughout the state. Individuals can contact DMHAS to seek treatment for drug and alcohol addictions, mental health conditions, or co-occurring disorders. Available services provided through this group include ambulatory care, residential detox, inpatient treatment, rehabilitation, and MAT as well as graduated levels of outpatient care.

Bridgeport Behavioral Health, Mental Wellness, and Addiction Support

Residents of Bridgeport can visit the city’s website to access behavioral health, mental wellness, and addiction support services. They provide a detailed list of organizations throughout the state that offer such programs, including treatment facilities, crisis hotlines, and warm lines for non-emergency support. 

SOAR Initiative

This initiative is led by the DMHAS. Its goal is to help more eligible adults and adolescents access the disability income benefits program offered through the Social Security Administration (SSA). Team members work with qualifying adults who are experiencing or are at risk of experiencing homelessness, mental illness, or a co-occurring SUD, helping them understand the disability determination process and apply for the correct benefits.

College Addiction Resources

University of Connecticut: Recovery Support Services

Students at the University of Connecticut can contact the Student Health and Wellness Department to access support services for an SUD or mental/behavioral health disorder. Available offerings include individual and family counseling, peer-based meetings, and connections to substance-free social and service activities. This group also spearheads campus-wide advocacy and addiction education campaigns.

Southern Connecticut State University: AOD Services

The alcohol and other drugs (AOD) program at Southern Connecticut State University connects students with programs to help them overcome addictions and achieve recovery goals. Services include educational programming, personal evaluations, and access to 12 step meetings and peer support groups.

Yale University: Mental Health and Counseling Department

Provided by Yale Health, the Mental Health and Counseling Department provides free and confidential mental health services for university students. In addition to individual and group counseling, they also offer medication management and personalized consultations. A clinician is on-call on a 24/7 basis to provide emergency support.

LGBTQ+ Resources

New Haven Pride Center

This center provides an array of support services for members of Connecticut’s LGBTQ+ community. They offer resources and referrals to help individuals thrive, including connections to providers that offer food assistance, secure housing, career development opportunities, legal support, identify-affirming health care, and related resources. Adults in addiction recovery can work with the New Haven Pride Center to understand their needs and find supportive treatment providers in their area.

Anchor Health

Anchor Health provides LGBTQ-centered health care for residents throughout Connecticut. They specialize in primary care, sexual health care, and behavioral health care services. Trauma-informed specialists dedicated to serving this community are available to provide psychiatric assessments and medication management for children, youth, and adults. They operate in-person centers in Hamden and Stamford and telemedicine visits are also available.

Center for Key Populations

This program is a division of the Community Health Center, a statewide healthcare network that provides primary care and social services to all residents, including underserved communities. They offer gender-affirming LGBTQ-focused services that include substance use management, behavioral health, primary, and dental health care as well as sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and HIV care.

Veterans Programs

Military Support Program (MSP)

This program provides outpatient behavioral health services for military personnel, veterans, and their families. Their services include individual counseling, case management, and referrals to outside treatment resources.

DMHAS Veterans Recovery Center (VRC)

Co-located with the Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs in Rocky Hill, the DHMAS VRC provides outpatient recovery services for veterans and military personnel with alcohol or drug addictions. Treatments are available for individuals who are receiving treatment from the campus’ residential services program as well as those who reside in their own homes.

VA Connecticut Healthcare System

Two campuses in this system provide addiction treatment services for veterans and military personnel. These include the Newington and West Haven locations, which offer intensive outpatient (IOP) and general outpatient (OP) recovery services.

Indigenous & Tribal Programs

Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Health Services

Members of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation can access specialized health services in Connecticut. In addition to primary and ambulatory care, this also includes behavioral health and substance abuse treatment. Available resources include individualized assessments, counseling, and crisis management services.

Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut

In 2021, the Mohegan Tribe of Indians partnered with Yale University to open the Uncasville Medical Center at Mohegan Sun. Here, Mohegan visitors and individuals can receive myriad services including primary, walk-in, and specialty care. Patient resource coordinators can help individuals navigate the healthcare system, find local providers, and make appointments.

Drug Laws in Connecticut

Health Insurance Laws

Since 2017, Connecticut has required most individual and group-based insurance policies to include coverage for medically required detox services and related SUD treatments. In addition, most insurance companies are not allowed to request prior authorization before healthcare providers can administer addiction medications, such as naloxone.

Opioid Prescription Limits

To help control the state’s opioid crisis, Connecticut limits the amount of opioid medications that pharmacies can dispense to individuals at any given time. Until 2017, they could provide minors with a supply for up to seven days. Now, the maximum supply is a 5-day count. In addition, healthcare providers must share information about opioid use and overdose risks with patients in conjunction with the prescription.

Naloxone Access

Since 2018, Connecticut has allowed pharmacies to dispense naloxone to any requesting individual, regardless of whether they have a prescription.

Good Samaritan Law

This law protects individuals who seek emergency medical assistance or administer life-saving medication, such as naloxone, during an expected opioid overdose. This protection applies to individuals who find help for themselves as well as those who secure help for others. As long as they acted in good faith, these individuals will generally be exempt from facing civil- or criminal-related drug charges.

Sources

Where do calls go?

Calls to any general helpline will be answered or returned by one of the treatment providers listed, each of which is a paid advertiser: Rehab Media Group, Recovery Helpline, Alli Addiction Services.

By calling the helpline you agree to the terms of use. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses. There is no obligation to enter treatment.