Georgia residents addicted to alcohol, drugs, or other substances can access an array of recovery support resources across the state. These include government-funded programs, non-profit organizations, private rehabilitation centers, harm reduction clinics, and related facilities. Many entities offer support to the general public, while others are age- or gender-specific. There are also institutions that specialize in treating designated populations including members of the LGBTQ+ community, members of indigenous and tribal communities, veterans and military personnel, college students, and other groups.
Drug Statistics in Georgia
Addiction Nonprofits in Georgia
Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL)
This is a free hotline that Georgia residents can call for immediate crisis support. The line is open on a 24/7 basis, 365 days per year. Call support specialists are available to provide telephonic intervention services, dispatch emergency personnel, and help callers connect with crisis and detoxification centers across the state. Youth needing support can text and chat with providers through the My GCAL app.
Standing to Achieve New Direction (STAND), Inc.
This non-profit organization provides a recovery-focused intensive outpatient program (IOP) for Georgia adults aged 18 to 65. Available services include addiction education, life skills training, career counseling, peer support groups, and transitional housing. They also operate Project Connect Treatment, which helps high-risk populations, including HIV-positive clients and members of the LGBTQ+ community, access SUD treatment.
Georgia Council on Substance Abuse (GCSA)
This organization provides addiction-focused advocacy, education, and community support services, as well as connections to addiction treatment providers. They also operate the Certified Addiction Recovery Empowerment Specialist (CARES) Academy, which certifies peers to provide addiction recovery services in communities throughout the state.
Addiction Alliance of Georgia
This organization helps individuals in addiction recovery find treatment programs that cater to their individual needs. Comprised of clinicians and educators from Emory Healthcare and the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, the team’s focus areas include treatment services, addiction education, and research. Available services include medication assisted treatment (MAT), IOP, and general outpatient (OP) programs, as well as telehealth appointments.
Harm Reduction Programs
Georgia Harm Reduction Coalition (GHRC)
The GHRC provides preventative health services to support intravenous drug users, individuals who engage in sex work, and other groups facing adversity. Their services include clinical support, a syringe services program (SSP), HIV prevention medication, and testing for HIV, Hepatitis C, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). They also offer MAT, harm reduction counseling, and linkages to treatment providers across the state.
Georgia Overdose Prevention
This organization distributes free naloxone kits and fentanyl testing strips to high-risk individuals who submit an online request. Individuals who are not high-risk can receive the medication at their local pharmacy. In addition to mailing kits, they also offer the materials in person at public training events.
Access Point of Georgia
Based in Athens, this group provides health and recovery resources for individuals in Northeast Georgia. Their harm reduction services include an SSP, HIV and Hepatitis C testing, naloxone kits, fentanyl testing strips, safer sex supplies, and emergency contraception. They also offer wound care services, peer support groups, and referrals to community-based treatment providers.
Government Grants & Resources
Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
The Georgia BHDD provides health and social services for individuals with drug and alcohol addictions, mental health conditions, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their addiction treatment programs help individuals of all ages safely recover, with dedicated services offered for adolescents, adults, women, and individuals who are deaf, deaf-blind, and hard of hearing.
Georgia Collaborative Administrative Services Organization (ASO)
Working in partnership with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), the ASO connects individuals and families with service providers that offer whole-health, client-centered care. This includes treatment facilities that offer substance use disorder (SUD) treatment and recovery support. Certified Peer Specialists (CPS) and Certified Addiction Recovery Empowerment Specialists (CARES) provide care coordination services.
Georgia Alcohol & Substance Abuse Prevention Project (ASAPP)
Managed by the DBHDD, this group grew out of the state’s Alcohol Prevention Project (APP), which started in 2011. They fund a total of 39 contracts across six regions in the state, focusing on organizations that reduce alcohol use among children and teenagers and excessive alcohol use among adults. In addition to alcohol prevention, they also support entities dedicated to reducing substance abuse and misuse.
College Addiction Resources
Georgia Southern University: Center for Addiction Recovery
This center is designed to serve students who are in long-term recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Participants attend weekly recovery seminars that focus on community building and life skills training. They can also participate in leadership retreats, service work projects, and sober study abroad opportunities.
Georgia State University: Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC)
Provided by the University Counseling Center, the CRC is comprised of multiple support programs that help students maintain long-term recovery and achieve academic excellence. Participants have access to 24/7 crisis consultations, peer support meetings, routine recovery check-ins, individual and group counseling, and related services.
University of Georgia: Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS)
The CAPS program at the University of Georgia provides free and confidential mental health services for students. In addition to individual and group counseling, they also provide educational workshops and courses. A 24/7 hotline is available for students who require immediate support.
Emory University: Office of Health Promotion
The Emory University Office of Health Promotion offers myriad services for students including alcohol and drug education, peer engagement activities, and mental health treatment. Students in addiction recovery can meet one-on-one with a counselor to discuss their condition, learn healthy coping strategies, and create a foundation for long-term sobriety. An on-site Break Room offers a peaceful meditation space for students to engage in mindfulness.
LGBTQ+ Resources
Georgia Equality
This organization is focused on securing safety, fairness, and equality for members of Georgia’s LGBTQ+ community. They provide inclusivity training to local businesses, host community advocacy events, and connect individuals to affirming resources that can meet their needs, including healthcare providers.
First City Network
Recognized as Georgia’s oldest LGBTQ+ organization, First City Network brings members of this community together to share insights, build connections, and engage in social activities. Individuals can visit the website or attend a meetup to learn more about local, affirming resources including mental health care and addiction counseling services.
Atlanta Pride
This non-profit organization helps build visibility, unity, and support around the LGBTQ+ community. They facilitate a range of citywide activities and services including Atlanta’s annual Pride festival. Individuals in this community can visit their website to learn about opportunities for connection as well as access a list of local, supportive resources and businesses.
Veterans Programs
Atlanta VA Healthcare System
This location provides SUD treatment services for veterans, military personnel, and their families. Available programs include 24-hour residential care, opioid-specific SUD treatments, IOP, and OP programs.
Georgia VA Medical Centers
Two VA Medical Centers across the state offer SUD treatment. These include the Carl Vinson VA Medical Center in Dublin and the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center in Augusta. Available services include 24-hour residential care (Dublin only), and outpatient support.
Georgia Department of Veterans Service
This department helps military members, veterans, and their families understand and access the rights and services they’re entitled to under veteran-specific laws. Available services include education and training, benefits claims assistance, and healthcare resources. A 24/7 Veterans Crisis Line is available for immediate support.
Indigenous & Tribal Programs
Southeast Addiction Center
This comprehensive addiction treatment center provides dedicated support for indigenous women in Georgia. In addition to supporting women with addictions, they also provide mental health services for clients with co-occurring conditions. Their services include partial hospitalization (PHP), IOP, and OP programs as well as medical detox, MAT, relapse prevention training, and individual and family counseling. Treatments combine holistic therapies, including yoga and meditation, with evidence-based modalities such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).
Georgia Council on American Indian Concerns
Created by the Georgia General Assembly, this group helps preserve the rights of the state’s American Indian population. In addition to fostering the cultural heritage of this population, they also advise local and state governments on issues that may affect them. American Indians seeking culturally sensitive addiction treatment providers may be able to contact the members to learn more about local resources.
Drug Laws in Georgia
Georgia 911 Medical Amnesty Law
This law provides a limited degree of immunity for individuals who seek emergency medical care in situations that involve the use of illicit substances, including an overdose. This means that even if they possess drugs or drug paraphernalia, they may not be charged with a drug-related offense if they call 911 for help.
The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008
Passed in 2008, this law requires that certain types of health insurance plans include coverage for SUD and mental health treatment just as they would for any other medical treatment. This legislation prevents insurance providers from limiting the benefits they extend to policyholders concerning mental health and SUD programs.
Georgia Marijuana Laws
Unlike a majority of states, Georgia does not distinguish between the possession of marijuana for personal use and possession with intent to manufacture or sell the substance. It is a crime in the state to possess marijuana for any reason. If an individual is found with fewer than 10 pounds of marijuana, they are guilty of a felony and could face up to 10 years in prison. Possessing more than this amount is considered drug trafficking and is punished according to the amount possessed.
Georgia DUI Laws
If an individual is charged with driving under the influence (DUI) in Georgia, they could face a fine of up to $1,000 and a maximum jail time of one year. They could also face license suspension for one year and may be required to participate in community service. Second and third offenses carry higher fines, more jail time, and longer license suspensions.