If you’re looking for free addiction resources in Rhode Island, you’ve come to the right page. Our guide to addiction recovery resources in Rhode Island provides an overview of addiction (now called substance use disorder), how it impacts residents, and a comprehensive list of resources in Rhode Island, including specialty resources for LGBTQIA+ individuals, veterans, students, and Native American people. Whether you or your loved one is struggling with substance abuse we have the right information and accessible resources to get you the help you may need.
Drug Statistics in Rhode Island
Rhode Island ranks 17th in the nation for consumption of alcohol with 15 percent binge drinking. Cathy Schultz, the Director of the Governor’s Overdose Task Force believes in tackling prevention and treatment as a priority. “Getting prevention and treatment resources into the community to prevent overdoses immediately is crucial,” she said in a recent press release. She goes on to highlight her focus: “…we must meet people where they are at and continue working to address these larger structural issues. Every single fatal overdose is a family member and member of our community, and these deaths are preventable.”
Drug use from Rhode Island’s Department of Health shows that in 2022:
Addiction Nonprofits in Rhode Island
Community Care Alliance
A nonprofit organization providing housing, food, emergency services, mental health and addiction resources, employment and training services, and more. Specific programs include:
- The Wellness and Recovery Center: a nurturing community center providing recovery services, counseling, self-help groups, and peer support.
- Alive Peer Support Program: peer-based support for people with substance use disorder and mental health conditions. You’ll also find a computer lab, pet-assisted therapy, and a resource area.
Parent Support Network of Rhode Island
Peer specialists dedicated to working with parents impacted by substance use, addiction, and mental health challenges. They have experience in supporting families with child welfare, incarceration, homelessness, and social services.
Naloxone Map
This interactive map shows you the pharmacies around the state where you can buy naloxone and clean syringes.
Rhode Island Regional Coalitions
Members and partners provide prevention and mental health resources for communities.
Harm Reduction Programs
Prevent Overdose RI
Provides harm reduction resources, including fentanyl test strips, access to free naloxone, hygiene kits, at-home HIV tests, safer injection kits, wound care kits, and free condoms.
AIDS Care Ocean State
Multiple programs offering harm reduction resources:
- ENCORE: free needle exchange, HIV prevention and education, counseling, and referrals to treatment and medical care facilities
- Harm reduction vending machines are available throughout the state, offering free sterile syringes, rapid tests for STIs, naloxone, would kits, and fentanyl test strips
Harm Reduction Coalition
Promotes safer drug use through two finder tools: the Nasen website to locate sterile syringes near you, and Next Distro to get naloxone by mail
Project Weber Renew
Street outreach and harm reduction for male sex workers in Providence, RI.
Government Grants & Resources
The Department of Behavioral Healthcare Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals (BHDDH) Recovery Community Centers
Locate a list of recovery community centers that provide support for people in early recovery. They also provide interview training computer skills, and peer-based recovery support services.
BH Link
Rhode Island’s 24/7 behavioral health hotline for confidential support and to get connected to treatment and behavioral healthcare. Call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, to speak to trained professionals who can provide confidential counseling, referrals, and support services (Spanish-speaking callers are available). You can also go to the 24/7 drop-in BH Link Walk-In Triage Center, located at 975 Waterman Avenue, East Providence, RI to get connected to support.
The Buprenorphine Hotline
Provides telehealth services for those experiencing opioid withdrawal. Callers can learn about medication-assisted treatment and make treatment and recovery support. Call 401-606-5456.
Free Medical Care
These government-funded clinics provide treatment regardless of an individual’s ability to pay:
- Providence Community Health Centers: there are 13 different Providence Community Health Centers throughout the city. Telephone: 401-444-0400 or visit their website to find a health center near you.
- Thundermist Health Center: 10 clinics throughout northern, central, and southern Rhode Island. Visit their website to find a location near you.
- Clinica Esperanza/Hope Clinic: medical care in English and Spanish, located in Providence. Visit their website– for more information.
Safe Stations
You can visit one of 12 fire stations in East Providence, Pawtucket, Providence, Smithfield, and Woonsocket (and the police stations in Bristol, Tiverton and Warren) when in crisis to get connected to peer recovery support specialists 24/7. Just drop into their locations for support and resources, hassle-free.
Department of Health Drug Overdose Prevention Program
Advocacy, action planning, and strategic work to prevent and reduce the rate of opioid overdoses and substance use-related harms.
Recovery Housing
BHDDH provides state-funded recovery housing for people with a history of substance use disorder. You may have to join a waitlist. For more information call the RI Hope & Recovery Line at 401-942-7867 or visit their website.
College Addiction Resources
Association of Recovery in Higher Education (ARHE)
A nationwide directory of collegiate recovery programs (CRP/CRC) and communities. ARHE also hosts an annual collegiate recovery conference for students and members of each CRP.
Rhode Island College (RICovery)
A student-led organization providing recovery coaching, meetings, and peer support to students seeking and in recovery.
Brown University
The Early Sobriety at Brown (ESOB) program is a small group of students who want to maintain abstinence from substance use. ESOB offers meetings, and peer, academic, and social support.
Students Recover
An accessible collegiate recovery resource for students attending schools that may not offer collegiate recovery programs, like minority institutions, community colleges, and trade schools.
LGBTQ+ Resources
The Trevor Project
Crisis, suicide, and mental health support for LGBTQ+ youth. Call 866-488-7386 or text “START” to 678-678. Available 24/7.
Options
A digital magazine providing news and resources for Rhode Island’s LGBTQ+ community since 1982.
East Coast Mental Wellness
A mental health provider providing LGBTQ+ affirming services.
Translifeline
Peer support run for trans people for trans people, providing crisis, mental health, and suicide prevention support. Call 877-565-8860. Available 24/7
YouthPride
A mental health resource for LGBTQ+ youth.
Thundermist Health Center
Trans health access team providing culturally relevant and trans-competent medical and behavioral healthcare. Call 401-767-4100.
PFLAG
Support, education, advocacy, and education for LGBTQ individuals. Search their website for a list of Rhode Island chapters.
The GLO Center
A community resource center for LGBTQ+ individuals of color, including STI testing, counseling, PrEP, and access to social services.
Call BlackLine
LGBTQ+ support including peer services, counseling, and mental health resources. BIPOC individuals are prioritized.
Veterans Programs
Make the Connection
A VA program providing education, treatment options, and self-help tools for veterans.
Modern Military Association of America (MMAA)
Virtual meetings for LGBTQIA+ identifying individuals, including treatment and referral resources.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Information and resources for active military personnel and veterans, including mental health and addiction treatment. Visit their substance use page for more information about substance use disorders and how to find VA treatment near you using their locator tool.
National Center for PTSD
A leading educational resource on PTSD, which includes resources for treatment.
Indigenous & Tribal Programs
Narragansett Indian Tribe
Access the tribal government, health center, Medicare enrollment support, community and natural resources, the NIT Wellness Initiative, employment support, fitness, and financial and food resources.
Strong Hearts Native Helpline
Anonymous and culturally-appropriate domestic and dating violence helpline for American Indians and Alaska Natives
WeRNative
A mental health resource for Native youth.
One Sky Center
An American Indian/Alaskan Native national resource center providing education, health resources, research, and treatment referrals for mental health and substance use problems.
White Bison
The facilitator of the Wellbriety Movement, White Bison provides recovery, prevention, and educational resources for Native Americans/Alaskan Natives across the country. Access online Wellbriety Circles, find Wellbriety certified treatment centers, and more.
Office of Minority Health
A culturally specific resource for people of color, including a database of issues impacting American Indian/Alaska Native populations, a pathfinder to resources, and behavioral and medical treatment information and resources.
Drug Laws in Rhode Island
Safe Injection Site
Rhode Island passed a law (2021-H 5245A, 2021-S 0016B) the use of a safe injection site which authorizes facilities where people may consume substances under the supervision of healthcare professionals.
Good Samaritan Law
If you witness an overdose and take action by calling 911 you (and the person experiencing drug poisoning) are provided immunity against prosecution.
Naloxone Access Law
- A prescriber or healthcare provider is allowed to prescribe naloxone in good faith directly or by standing order to a person they believe is able to administer it in an emergency. Under those circumstances, healthcare providers are not liable for professional discipline, and must provide educational materials with the prescription.
- A nonmedical professional is protected under the Good Samaritan law for administering naloxone.
- Those with an order from a healthcare professional are allowed to store and give out naloxone.
Syringe Possession and Distribution
- Possession of drug paraphernalia is not a criminal offense in Rhode Island. However, syringes are not included in the definition of drug paraphernalia.
- It is illegal to deliver, sell, or possess with intent to deliver or sell drug
Standing Order
There is not a standing order law in Rhode Island, but they are allowed by law.
Sources
- Mental Health America. (n.d.). Native and Indigenous Communities and Mental Health.
- RI.gov. (2023). Press Release: Rhode Island 2022 Fatal Drug Overdose Data Released.
- State of Rhode Island. (2022). Department of Health: Addiction & Overdose.
- Rhode Island Department of Health. (2022). Rhode Island Data Brief: Alcohol Use Among Adults, 2016-2020.
- Next Distro. (2020). The Network for Public Health Law. Harm Reduction Laws in the United States.