Resources for substance use & Addiction
Addiction and mental health are really one and the same. However, our culture still separates them so I’ve done the same here. Research shows that addressing addiction and mental health at the same time has the best results. Think of it this way: imagine going to physical therapy and they say, “We can’t do anything for you until you stop using those crutches. Then we can help you walk.” Umm, what? You need both to get strong and healthy again!
When it comes to your health, you need and deserve to have treatment that feels right for you, where you feel connected and trust your providers. Research as much as you can, make calls, go to websites, even interviewing therapists or "testing out" meetings. Get the treatment you need.
Advanced Recovery Systems put together DrugRehab.com, linked here, to provide folks with resources.
You are NOT alone and there are people to help and places to go. 
The substance use and mental health services administration has links to support lines, topics for education and discussion, places to find treatment. You can order publications for free to help you in your journey. SAMHSA is a good place to start but be aware that the amount of information they have on their website can seem overwhelming. Just focus on what you need and want and you will be fine!
Family First Intervention is founded by a person who used to have an active addiction. They have resources at this link, particularly relating to interventions. There are some inspiring stories of intervention and recovery as well.
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American Addiction Centers was one of the treatment centers that took time to reach out to folks to check in and help navigate insurances, all of the things that can be overwhelming.
Always research first if you can: American Addiction Centers Resources for Alcohol Treatment Connecticut Drug Abuse Rehab 
"Anonymous" Meetings:
Alcoholics Anonymous may have started the 12-step meeting movement but now there are all kinds of "anonymous" meetings. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are well-known and there are meetings in most areas. Other types of programs are not always easy to find in person but have online communities and meetings and phone support and meetings. A partial list is below but if you put "12 step meetings" into a search engine you can find specific resources. |
12 Step Support Groups
This is a (partial) list of some other meetings you can find:
- Al-Anon/Alateen, for friends and families of alcoholics
- CoDependents Anonymous, for people working to end patterns of dysfunctional relationships and develop healthy relationships
- DA – Debtors Anonymous
- GA-Gamblers Anonymous
- Nar-Anon, for friends and family members of addicts
- OA – Overeaters Anonymous
- OLGA – Online Gamers Anonymous
- WA – Workaholics Anonymous
- Celebrate Recovery, Christian-focused twelve-step program for recovery from various behaviors
- LDS Family Services Addiction Recovery Program, program affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that uses twelve-step principles
- Pagans In Recovery (PIR), for neopagans recovering from various compulsive/addictive behaviors
- Parents Anonymous (PA), for parents who have abused children
- Schizophrenics Anonymous (SA), for people who are affected by schizophrenia
Connecticut has some great LGBTQIA+ resources and supports.
On the State of Connecticut website, the Safe Harbor project
links to a variety of resources. Other resources include GLAD
(celebrating 40 years), True Colors, and the "Embrace Hope" project.
On the State of Connecticut website, the Safe Harbor project
links to a variety of resources. Other resources include GLAD
(celebrating 40 years), True Colors, and the "Embrace Hope" project.
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Connecticut Addiction Services
The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction set up a website that I adore. You can go online to get daily notices of available rehab beds, both short term and long term, sober housing, medically assisted detox. Before this site, the only option was to call, call some more, and call some more...or go and wait at one place! This gives you a little head start. Finding treatment is still frustrating. There are more people suffering than treatment centers available but don't stop trying for you or your loved one. YOU CAN DO THIS. |