Resources for mental health & substance use
There are a number of places to find support and learn more about mental health and substance use as well as managing life transitions, good, bad, or otherwise. Retirement, births, deaths, career changes, moving....all have an impact on our lives and it can often be helpful to have support or talk to someone. Below you will find some of the many resources out there. When in doubt, a quick look in a search engine or calling 211 (in Connecticut) can link you to resources.
In the state of Connecticut, you can find resources through the state website. I've put some helpful links below.
Crisis Services in the state of Connecticut
There are crisis services other than calling 911 or 211. There are mobile crisis units that can talk to you or your loved one on the phone, come to your home, and help you figure out if you need more support. Different crisis teams work in different areas of the state so this link can take you to the services in your area.
Connecticut Network of Care for Behavioral Health
This Web site is a resource for individuals, families and agencies concerned with mental health. It provides information about mental health services, laws, and related news, as well as communication tools and other features.
Crisis Services in the state of Connecticut
There are crisis services other than calling 911 or 211. There are mobile crisis units that can talk to you or your loved one on the phone, come to your home, and help you figure out if you need more support. Different crisis teams work in different areas of the state so this link can take you to the services in your area.
Connecticut Network of Care for Behavioral Health
This Web site is a resource for individuals, families and agencies concerned with mental health. It provides information about mental health services, laws, and related news, as well as communication tools and other features.
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. |
NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization started by a group of families impacted by mental health issues. Today, NAMI is one of the nation's leading advocacy, education, and support groups with local chapters, state organizations, and a host of volunteers to raise awareness and help in this important work.
The American Art Therapy Association (AATA) is an organization dedicated to promoting understanding, education, and advocacy of the art therapy profession. There is still a great deal of misinformation about the expressive arts therapy but the enthusiasm out there is wonderful. If you are considering trying art therapy but don't really "get it", the link will take you directly to the "about art therapy" page.