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District of Columbia Drug Statistics and Resources

Residents of the District of Columbia (D.C.) can find support and treatment for alcohol and drug addiction at various facilities throughout the region. These include government-supported entities, non-profit organizations, private rehab centers, harm reduction programs, and similar resources. In addition to general recovery support services, some facilities specialize in serving a specific client population, such as military personnel and veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, tribal nations, and other groups. There are also a wide variety of free addiction recovery resources in the District of Columbia, some of which are described below.

Drug Statistics in District of Columbia

Adolescent Drug Use
An estimated 11.94% of adolescents in DC reported using drugs in the previous 30 days, significantly higher than the national average of 9.32%.
Rate of Binge Drinking
The D.C. has one of the highest binge drinking rates in the nation. Among adults aged 18 and older, around 27.6% report binge drinking on at least one occasion in the past month.
1/10
One in 10 D.C. residents suffers from an alcohol use disorder and one in eight residents suffers from a substance use disorder (SUD). This is more than twice the regional and national average for both categories.
63.6 per 100,000
Drug overdose death rates have increased across D.C., rising from 13.5 per 100,000 in 2011 to 63.6 per 100,000 in 2021. That year, there were 348 opioid overdose deaths, accounting for 77% of all overdose deaths in the region.
461 Drug Deaths
A record high of 461 fatal overdoses occurred in D.C. in 2022, with an average of 38 deaths per month.

Addiction Nonprofits in District of Columbia

Second Genesis Foundation

This foundation spearheads community efforts to destigmatize and advocate for addiction treatment. They provide grant funding to support organizations focused on recovery, as well as public events designed to educate and raise awareness among community members. Individuals can visit their website to learn more about the initiatives they support and how to connect with those services.

Clean and Sober Streets

This organization has offered long-term residential and outpatient addiction recovery services for men and women in D.C. since 1988. They offer intensive outpatient (IOP) and general outpatient (OP) programs as well as case management, individual and group counseling, addiction education, access to 12 step programs, art and music therapy, and related services.

Whitman-Walker Health

This healthcare provider delivers medical care, dental services, and behavioral health services to children, adolescents, and adults at three locations throughout D.C. They also operate a research center on the campus of Saint Elizabeth’s East. Available services for individuals in addiction recovery include group psychotherapy, peer support services, outpatient SUD treatment, medication management, and harm reduction support.

Harm Reduction Programs

DC Engage

This program is offered as part of HealthHIV, a national nonprofit that teams with local healthcare providers and organizations to provide treatment for members of the LGBTQ+ community and individuals with HIV, Hepatitis C, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This division supports organizations that provide harm reduction supplies to intravenous drug users, providing them with educational materials and events to support their efforts.

Us Helping Us

This organization seeks to minimize the impact of HIV/AIDS in the D.C. Black community, with a specialized focus on LGBTQ+ populations. They provide syringe exchange services at their office location as well as through mobile units set up throughout the District.

Honoring Individual Power and Strength (HIPS)

This group offers addiction recovery services for individuals in D.C. including peer support groups, medication assisted treatment (MAT), crisis hotline services, overdose prevention training, and related resources. They have a dedicated harm reduction program that provides clean syringes, syringe disposal services, naloxone medication, safer sex supplies, and HIV/Hepatitis C testing. They operate an office at the Downtown Day Services Center, and also provide services via mobile van.

Government Grants & Resources

MyRecoveryDC

Provided by the District of Columbia Department of Health (DC Health), this organization helps individuals addicted to alcohol and drugs connect with local treatment centers. Providers perform initial assessments to understand each client’s unique needs and then refer them to the appropriate program. They may make referrals for MAT, residential treatment, IOP, and OP programs. They also help clients connect with peer support groups for additional resources.

DC Department of Behavioral Health (DBH)

The DBH certifies a collaborative network of community-based addiction treatment providers, as well as providers that screen for, diagnose, and treat co-occurring mental health conditions. These facilities provide detoxification, inpatient, and outpatient services based on individual need. Individuals can access the DBH website to find a comprehensive list of all the providers DBH supports.

Drug Free Youth DC

Operating as part of the DBH, this organization focuses on addiction prevention and recovery support for children, teenagers, and their families. They operate four prevention centers at designated wards throughout the District. At each location, they offer addiction education, family support services, and connections to local treatment resources.

College Addiction Resources

George Washington University: Recovery Resources

The university offers addiction recovery resources for students in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia (DMV). Available through the Office of Health Promotion and Education, these services include connections to local treatment providers and access to advocacy-focused events. Students can also visit three Recovery Clubhouses around campus to attend peer support meetings.

Georgetown University: Health Education Services

Students at Georgetown University can visit the Health Education Services (HES) department to receive counseling and support for drug and alcohol addictions. Providers offer individual, group, and family counseling sessions that help individuals understand their addictions, identify triggers, and find healthy avenues for stress management,

Howard University: University Counseling Service (UCS)

Howard University’s UCS center provides comprehensive mental health services for students, including in-person and virtual support. Available services include individual counseling sessions, peer support groups, educational workshops, and referrals for additional support, including medication management. Providers conduct an initial consultation to understand each student’s needs and recommend appropriate treatment.

LGBTQ+ Resources

The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center

This center provides an array of support services for members of D.C.’s LGBTQ+ community. In addition to arts and cultural programs, advocacy campaigns, and a full calendar of events, they also provide health and wellness services, including behavioral health and addiction recovery resources. This includes peer-based support groups as well as connections to affirming community providers and businesses.

LGBTQ Counseling

This is a network of counselors in Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. who have specialized experience in working with LGBTQ+ clients. They provide a range of behavioral and mental health care services, including individual, couples, and group counseling, to help individuals understand their conditions and develop tools for recovery. Telehealth appointments are available.

Metro DC PFLAG

PFLAG provides peer-based support, education, and advocacy for members of the LGBTQ+ community in D.C., as well as their family members. Founded in 1983, this chapter covers the D.C., Northern Virginia, and Montgomery County regions. Individuals can visit their website to learn about and join local community groups and find links to resources including healthcare, legal, and academic providers.

Veterans Programs

Washington DC VA Medical Center

At this center, veterans, military personnel, and their families can access IOP and OP treatment for alcohol and drug addictions. Available services include individual and group counseling, medication management, and other services designed to meet individual needs.

VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) Southeast

This clinic provides primary and preventative healthcare, health education, addiction counseling, mental health treatment, and related services for eligible veterans. All services are provided on an outpatient basis.

Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs (MOVA)

This office provides outreach, advocacy, and community-based support for the 30,000 veterans and military family members who reside throughout the D.C. area. Representatives offer assistance with VA claims and benefits, housing, transportation, healthcare, and related services. Individuals can contact MOVA or visit their website to learn how to access the resources they require.

Indigenous & Tribal Programs

Center for Native American Youth (CNAY)

Located at the Aspen Institute, this center supports Native youth aged 24 and younger. They provide services in a range of locations including reservations, urban areas, and rural villages. Their goal is to optimize every aspect of this population’s health, safety, and wellness by ensuring they have equal access to public services. They offer advocacy and outreach opportunities, peer networking events, and links to community providers.

Pamunkey Indian Tribe

The Pamunkey Indian Tribe reservation is located near D.C. in King William County, Virginia. They administer four different departments to manage their operations including cultural resources, natural resources, housing, and business interests. While the Tribal Office does not provide health services, they can provide information on outside, community-based resources that can offer this support.

Drug Laws in District of Columbia

D.C. Drug Court

D.C. operates a Superior Court Drug Intervention Program. This program allows eligible individuals charged with minor, drug-related felonies or misdemeanors to attend Drug Court to reduce their charges. Programs included in Drug Court include drug testing and comprehensive SUD treatment services. Upon successful completion of the program, individuals may have their charges reduced to misdemeanor offenses.

Sanction-Based Treatment Law

Under this law, individuals who do not qualify for Drug Court in D.C. can participate in an alternative form of SUD treatment called a Sanction-Based Treatment Track. They work with an assigned case manager to complete all steps in the track and ensure compliance with all requirements. Case managers monitor individual progress, coordinate drug testing schedules, provide court updates, and give motivational incentives as required.

Naloxone Access

D.C. residents are permitted by law to have free access to naloxone kits on an as-needed basis. This medication is available through myriad harm reduction programs as well as DC Health, which distributes the kits to emergency first responders, outreach and non-profit organizations, spiritual leaders, and pharmacies across the District.

Good Samaritan Law

According to this law, anyone who calls for medical help during a suspected alcohol or drug overdose can receive a limited degree of legal protection, even if they’re found to be in possession of a small number of illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia. This law also extends to minors, who may avoid charges of underage alcohol possession if they seek emergency support for someone experiencing an overdose.

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.