In today’s guide to the best drug and alcohol rehabs in Connecticut, you can learn what to expect from kickstarting your recovery in the Constitution State. Connecticut is highly competitive for rehabs, and you can find over 150 treatment facilities offering either inpatient or outpatient treatment.
Whether you require treatment for alcohol use disorder (alcoholism), substance use disorder (drug addiction), or dual diagnosis (addiction with co-occurring mental health disorder), discover what you could achieve by committing to recovery in Connecticut.
Background of Connecticut
Connecticut is the most southerly state in New England. Nicknamed the Constitution State and Nutmeg State, Connecticut is named for the river that bisects the state.
Although Connecticut is the third smallest U.S. state, it also ranks fourth in terms of population density..
Residents of the state of Connecticut have the highest income per capita and the highest median household income in the United States. Hartford is the capital of Connecticut. Bridgefield in Fairfax is the most populous town in the state.
For those looking to initiate addiction recovery in Connecticut, there are over 150 drug and alcohol rehabs to choose from.
Connecticut Substance Abuse Statistics
From 2010 to 2011, Connecticut ranked among the top ten U.S. states for illicit drug use in adults aged 26 and above.
The same data show that heroin is the drug most often involved among those seeking addiction treatment in Connecticut.
According to Drug Free CT, 10% of high school students in the state of Connecticut report misusing prescription medications.
The same source indicates that 1359 residents of Connecticut died of accidental drug overdoses in 2020, an increase of over 13% on the previous year. Fully 85% of these deaths involved fentanyl, an illicit synthetic opioid up to 100 times stronger than morphine.
Co-occurring Disorder or Dual Diagnosis
Dual diagnosis, also referred to as co-occurring disorder, is the clinical descriptor for an addiction and mental health condition presenting at the same time.
Addictions commonly associated with co-occurring disorder are:
- Alcohol
- Opioid painkillers
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Crack cocaine
- Marijuana
- Meth
- Benzodiazepines
- Fentanyl
- Z-drugs
Mental health disorders commonly associated with co-occurring disorder are:
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Panic disorders
- PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
Data from NSDUH 2020 (National Survey on Drug Use and Health) show that:
- 17 million over-18s in the United States reported a dual diagnosis of an addiction and AMI (any mental illness) in 2020. This is a significant increase from 9.7 million U.S. over-18s with the same dual diagnosis in 2019.
- 5.7 million adults over-18s in the United States reported a dual diagnosis of an addiction and an SMI (serious mental illness) in 2020.
Whether the addiction or the mental health disorder presents first, the most effective dual diagnosis treatment involves the coordinated treatment of both conditions simultaneously.
Addiction Treatment in Connecticut
If you require addiction treatment in Connecticut, all reputable rehabs will offer the following evidence-based interventions:
- MAT
- Behavioral Therapies
- Motivational Therapies
MAT
MAT (medication-assisted treatment) is highly effective for treating most alcohol use disorders or opioid use disorders.
The FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approves these medications for the treatment of alcohol use disorder:
- Naltrexone
- Disulfiram
- Acamprosate
The FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approves these medications for the treatment of opioid use disorder:
- Naltrexone
- Methadone
- Buprenorphine
All the above medications can help to streamline the detox process, reducing the intensity of cravings and drug or alcohol cravings.
MAT can also be delivered throughout ongoing addiction treatment in Connecticut, helping to promote abstinence, discourage substance use, and minimize the likelihood of relapse in early recovery.
Your Connecticut treatment team may also administer medications to treat:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Nausea
- Seizures
Medication-assisted treatment is always most effective delivered alongside psychotherapy and counseling. Behavioral interventions help you to address the psychological aspect of addiction, while medications can ease some of the physical symptoms associated with detox, withdrawal, and recovery from addiction.
Behavioral Therapies
These are the most commonly used behavioral therapies in Connecticut drug and alcohol rehab centers:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) is the most common form of talk therapy, clinically termed psychotherapy. CBT is proven effective for treating substance se disorders, alcohol use disorders, mental health disorders, and co-occurring disorders.
You will work with a therapist to isolate your personal addiction triggers, raising your awareness of the people, places, and things liable to derail your recovery.
Additionally, the therapist will help you to develop and implement healthy coping strategies to improve your management of stressors in your recovery.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy, commonly abbreviated to DBT, is a specific form of CBT that was developed for the treatment of borderline personality disorder. Presently, DBT is much more widely recommended for the treatment of:
- Substance use disorders
- Alcohol use disorders
- Mental health disorders
- Co-occurring disorders
A therapist will help you to develop superior acceptance and tolerance of challenging emotions and emotional distress. During sessions of DBT, you will also learn how to use relaxation techniques in place of destructive behaviors like substance abuse.
Motivational Therapies
Many drug and alcohol rehab centers in Connecticut will offer supplementary motivational therapies alongside counseling and psychotherapy. Common examples include:
- Contingency Management
- Community Reinforcement Approach
- Motivational Interviewing
Contingency Management
CM (contingency management) is a type of motivational therapy that incentivizes positive behaviors like negative drug screens with small gifts like vouchers.
Contingency management is especially effective for treating the following addictions:
- Marijuana
- Meth
- Opioids
- Prescription stimulants
- Cocaine
- Alcohol
Community Reinforcement Approach
CRA, the abbreviation for the community reinforcement approach, is frequently used as a form of outpatient addiction treatment. Expect two sessions of CRA each week over a period of six months with regular drug screens.
During CRA sessions, you will:
- Reduce the chance of further substance use.
- Build a new sober support system.
- Connect with counseling services.
- Access vocational development services.
- Develop healthier interests.
CRA can be especially beneficial for treating addictions to:
- Opioids
- Cocaine
- Alcohol
Motivational Interviewing
MI or motivational interviewing consists of an ongoing, collaborative dialogue between you and a qualified therapist. The therapist does not approach the conversation as an expert, but instead encourages you to make behavioral changes based on your values and goals.
Engaging with MI sessions may help you to:
- Develop healthy coping techniques.
- Boost your motivation to make lifestyle changes or behavioral changes in line with your values.
- Become more committed to implementing change.
Addiction Treatment: Levels of Intensity
According to American Society of Addiction Medicine, there are five distinct levels of addiction treatment as follows:
- Early intervention services.
- Outpatient programs.
- IOPS (intensive outpatient programs) and PHPs (partial hospitalization programs).
- Inpatient programs (residential rehab).
- Intensive inpatient programs.
Inpatient rehab in Connecticut is available in the following forms:
- 30-day inpatient rehab in Connecticut
- 60-day inpatient rehab in Connecticut
- 90-day inpatient rehab in Connecticut
Inpatient rehab in Connecticut is typically advisable for:
- Moderate and severe drug or alcohol addictions.
- Dual diagnosis.
- For people with unstable home environments.
You will remain at a residential rehab in Connecticut from detox to discharge. Inpatient treatment is the most structured and supportive form of rehab for drug and alcohol addictions.
Many Connecticut rehab centers also provide these forms of outpatient programming:
- Outpatient programs
- Intensive outpatient programs
- Partial hospitalization programs
Outpatient rehab in Connecticut is typically advisable for:
- Mild drug or alcohol addictions.
- Stepping down from residential rehab in Connecticut.
- A flexible, affordable route to recovery in Connecticut.
Activities in Connecticut
While there is no cure for addiction, the chronic and relapsing brain condition nevertheless responds favorably to evidence-based treatment. Recovery is an ongoing process that may not always be linear. Addiction has high relapse rates of 40% to 60%, similar to relapse rates of other chronic health conditions.
At a Connecticut drug and alcohol rehab facility, you access behavioral therapies, motivational therapies, and pharmacological interventions, as outlined above. Beyond this, you can take advantage of individual counseling and group counseling, building a solid foundation for sustained recovery.
You should find that most Connecticut rehabs also offer supplementary therapies and activities, including:
- Exercise programs
- Nutritional therapy
- Animal-assisted therapy
- Art therapy
- Acupuncture
- Music therapy
- Mindfulness
- Meditation
- Climbing
- Cycling
- Tai chi
- Hiking
- EMDR therapy
- Massage
- Yoga
Drug Rehab FAQ
Does Connecticut accept Medicaid?
Yes. Connecticut residents with low incomes may qualify for Medicaid in the form of Husky A, Husky C, or Husky D. 150 rehabs in the state accept Medicaid for addiction treatment.
Are there outpatient programs in Connecticut?
Yes. There are 123 outpatient rehabs in Connecticut, according to AAC (American Addictions Center).
What areas have the highest concentration of treatment centers in Connecticut?
You will find drug and alcohol rehabs throughout Connecticut, particularly in the following cities:
- Hartford
- New Haven
- Stamford
- Bridgeport
- Danbury
What can you do in Connecticut?
Connecticut is famous for its spectacular fall foliage. The Nutmeg State is home to Yale University and ESPN, the cable sports channel. Explore the many museums, including Mystic Seaport Museum and The Mark Twain House and Museum. Head to Foxwoods Resort Casino for some R&R, or head outdoors and embrace the natural beauty of Hammonasset Beach State Park when you have completed your addiction treatment program in Connecticut.