Top Drug Rehab Centers in Connecticut & Free Treatment Resources

Connecticut Alcohol and Drug Use Statistics

A closer look at Connecticut’s 2019 statistics show:¹

13% of teens used alcohol in the previous month.

9.8% of teens used illicit drugs.

3.5% of residents engaged in past-year prescription opioid misuse.

3.1% of people used illicit drugs in the previous year.

6.3% of people were diagnosed with alcohol use disorder.

8.4% of people were diagnosed with substance use disorder.

Cost of Rehab in Connecticut

Many rehabilitation programs accept a variety of insurance plans, offer sliding scale fees, or are free. There are many factors to consider when calculating the cost, and the cost varies from center to center. Some factors that influence what you will pay include:

Treatment setting (inpatient vs. outpatient)

Amenities (luxury or special features)

How long you will receive treatment

Insurance acceptance

Available subsidies or donations

Location

For example, the longer you need treatment, the higher the cost. And inpatient treatment, which provides 24/7 care, costs more than outpatient treatment. The type and length of treatment should be determined by your needs, not your ability to pay. However, for those who need it, an affordable treatment center can be found.

Where Can I Find Low-Cost and Free Rehabs in Connecticut?

Throughout Connecticut, there are several low-cost or free rehabs for those who can’t otherwise afford professional help. They are able to provide low-cost care through government funding, grants, or donations.

Free alcohol and drug rehab centers are often highly sought out, so depending on how they are funded, they may have guidelines to prioritize specific populations if space is limited. These spots usually go to:²

• Pregnant people
• Single mothers
• People who use injection drugs
• People with co-occurring disorders

Does Insurance Cover Rehab in Connecticut?

Since 2000, Connecticut law has required all insurance policies that cover medical costs to offer substance abuse treatment benefits. On the federal level, the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA) and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) require coverage of addiction treatment as well. This means that whatever insurance you have, at least some treatment will be covered.³

Medicaid

Medicaid was created as a healthcare option for eligible low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities.⁴ Alcohol and drug rehab is covered by Medicaid, but not all treatment centers accept it. Most rehabs advertise the types of insurance or payments they accept on their websites or have the information otherwise readily available. The services covered by Medicaid often include:⁵

• Screening
• Detox
• Medications
• Inpatient care
• Outpatient care

Medicare

Medicare is federally funded insurance for people over the age of 65, with end-stage renal disease, and some young people with disabilities.⁶ Medicare has three parts: Part A (hospital insurance), Part B (medical insurance), and Part D (prescription drug coverage).⁶ If you have Medicare, you don’t necessarily have all three parts free of cost, but you can buy into any parts you don’t have.⁶

As such, the Medicare parts you have determine how much addiction treatment is covered. However, according to the laws that require equality of mental health with medical health, Medicare covers addiction treatment to the same extent that other conditions are covered.^{6, 7} Some covered services include: ⁷

• Psychotherapy
• Education
• Aftercare
• Prescriptions
• Up to 190 days of hospitalization (in a lifetime)

Private Insurance

As with Medicaid and Medicare, private insurance companies are required to cover drug and alcohol rehab in Connecticut.

The amount of coverage depends largely on what your insurance plan covers. Qualifications may vary, and you should check with your insurance before enrolling in a particular clinic. However, some popular insurance plans that cover rehab include:^{8, 9, 10, 11}

• Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield
• ConnectiCare
• UnitedHealthcare
• Bright Healthcare

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Drug Rehab in Connecticut

Inpatient Care

Inpatient treatment involves 24/7 care.12 It can be in a hospital or residential setting, and the rules for treatment are usually rigid. Your days during inpatient treatment are typically filled with various activities, like individual therapy, group counseling, family therapy, support meetings, and more. Inpatient treatment usually lasts from one to three months but can go on longer, if needed.12 

Some of the benefits of inpatient rehab include:

• 24/7 care
• Separation from stressors and triggers
• Structured schedule
• Medical detox
• Access to addiction treatment medications
• Community

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient rehab involves living at home and commuting to a treatment facility for scheduled therapy and treatment sessions. It can range in intensiveness, with various options including:

• Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs): Include up to 30 hours per week of counseling and is a great bridge between inpatient and lower intensity outpatient
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs): Include between nine and 20 hours per week of therapy and is often used as step-down care after finishing inpatient or a PHP
• Standard outpatient programs: Include a few hours of care per week, granting patients the flexibility to continue working or attending school

With PHP, IOP, and traditional outpatient treatment available, outpatient treatment appeals to a wide range of people. Some of the advantages are:

• Being home with support people
• Lower cost
• Multiple options for treatment levels
• Freedom in structuring your own schedule

Aftercare

No matter what treatment setting you choose, it’s important to attend aftercare services once you complete your program. Aftercare provides ongoing support to reduce the risk of relapse and help you build sober community. Common examples include Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, sober living homes, and therapy.

Types of Drug and Alcohol Rehabs in Connecticut

There are many different types of drug and alcohol rehab centers in Connecticut, and finding one that suits your preferences and needs is important.

Holistic Rehab

Holistic rehab is so named for taking a “whole person” approach. The techniques used in holistic medicine and holistic substance use disorder treatment integrate physical, mental, and spiritual treatments, such as:

• Acupuncture
• Massage
• Yoga
• Meditation
• Herbal remedies
• Art therapies
• Equine therapy

By including these and other treatments, a holistic treatment program hopes to help a person not only with their addiction but also in other parts of their life. 

Faith-Based and Christian Rehab

Faith-based and Christian rehabs are widely available in Connecticut. Even if you were not previously a religious or spiritual person, long-standing methods for treating addiction (like the 12-steps approach) have utilized spirituality, or a higher power, as a healing component.13 Even outside the fields of mental health, there is a strong association between religious attendance and longevity.14 So, participating in a faith-based rehab could be beneficial even if spirituality is not currently a part of your life. Depending on what organization they are founded by, these treatment centers offer spiritual or religious therapies, services, or counseling alongside a religious worldview.

Luxury Rehab
Luxury rehabs are typically residential rehab centers in a resort-type setting. They may offer a greater variety of treatments than typical treatment centers and more individualized plans. This is possible because they have only a few patients in rehab at a time and often have a full staff available. In addition, they might offer upscale amenities like private chefs, your own bedroom or suite, fully equipped gyms, equine therapy, and more.

Executive Rehab

Executive rehab caters to people who have executive or senior-level positions by recognizing the importance of work in their lives. For those in leadership positions, seeking treatment can be discouraging as they worry about who their company will manage when they are gone and how their rehab will affect the company’s reputation. Executive rehabs cater to these needs by offering amenities like Wi-Fi access, private rooms, extreme discretion, luxurious amenities, and even travel if needed.

Dual Diagnosis Rehab
Dual diagnosis refers to co-occurring addiction and mental health disorders. Because a substance use disorder and psychiatric condition can affect one another, it’s important that patients with co-occurring disorders receive specialized, integrated care. At a dual diagnosis rehab center, you receive comprehensive care that fully addresses the challenges of each condition, as well as how they can fuel one another so that you can achieve long-term recovery.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) refers to the use of addiction treatment medications as well as behavioral therapy and counseling to help someone recover from addiction. These medications can reduce cravings, protracted withdrawal symptoms, and the risk of relapse while therapy can help promote behavioral change.

While certain medications may be used to assist SUD of all substances, the FDA has only approved addiction medications for opioid and alcohol use disorders.¹⁶

Methadone: Methadone has been used since 1965 as a treatment for opioid addiction. It is a long-acting, full opioid agonist that binds to opioid receptors, reducing withdrawal and cravings without producing a euphoric high.

It is a controlled substance and can only be accessed through methadone clinics. You can get a prescription through your doctors at rehab if they provide aftercare. Alternatively, many methadone clinics offer an initial assessment. Once your assessment is complete, the clinic will give you a dose of methadone once per day. No more than one dose is given at a time in order to prevent misuse.¹⁷

Suboxone:

Suboxone is a combination medicine of buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist, and naloxone, an opioid antagonist.18 Much like methadone, Suboxone can be used long-term to reduce the risk of relapse. However, the addition of naloxone can help deter the risk of misuse because if someone injects this medication, they’ll go into immediate opioid withdrawal, which is very painful.16 

To get a Suboxone prescription, you must see a certified doctor. Any healthcare provider who usually writes prescriptions can apply for a buprenorphine waiver and undergo training to prescribe it.16 

Naltrexone (Revia/Vivitrol):

Naltrexone is a medication that binds to the same receptors as opioids, but it is not an opioid. It blocks the “feel good” and relaxing effects of opioids and alcohol, making using these substances not rewarding. It helps reduce cravings and reduce drinking and opioid use in people who consistently take it.¹⁹

Any licensed practitioner can prescribe it. So, ask your doctor if you think it could help you.^{16, 19}

Antabuse (Disulfiram):

Over 50 years have passed since Antabuse (disulfiram) was approved as a medication to treat alcohol dependence. As a result, any licensed physician can prescribe it. Instead of working to decrease cravings or other symptoms, it creates an unpleasant reaction in your body when you drink alcohol. You may experience sweating, nausea, vomiting, a flushed face, a rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, and low blood pressure. Knowing the consequences, people who take disulfiram are more likely to avoid alcohol. Disulfiram works best for people committed to sobriety, are well-educated on its effects, and take the medication regularly.16

Acamprosate: Acamprosate decreases alcohol cravings by reducing protracted withdrawal symptoms. It is most effective when taken throughout the whole withdrawal period. If you are attempting to go through withdrawal on your own, you can ask your doctor to prescribe it before you begin.16

Should I Travel to Connecticut for Alcohol and Drug Treatment?

Connecticut has much to offer in terms of beauty and entertainment. Not far from bustling New York City and Boston, Connecticut thrives amidst the hubbub. Because of its location in New England, the cost of living in Connecticut is higher than the U.S. average. So, you can expect that treatment centers may also follow this trend. However, it offers beaches, forests, and historic architecture that can create an atmosphere of peace and healing.

Regional Considerations in Connecticut: North vs. South and City vs. Rural

Here are some regions in Connecticut to consider when choosing addiction treatment:

• Fairfield Region: Located along the southwest corner of Connecticut, Fairfield is a bustling region that also offers the natural beauty of the coastline. It is well-connected to the business and economy. Yet, it still has a lower cost of living, and residents are drawn there for the lifestyle.
• Hartford Region: Hartford is a historic region with small towns and urban neighborhoods and has one of the highest concentrations of academics in the U.S.
• Middlesex Region: The Middlesex region houses many of Connecticut’s tourist destinations. It harbors beautiful landscapes along the Connecticut River, which could provide a relaxing and healing environment. There are many restaurants and well-developed downtowns that frequently have activities.
• Windham Region: Windham is known as the “quiet corner” of Connecticut, but it also has many of the largest companies in aerospace, naval, and defense. It is full of parks and trails and has many arts, entertainment, dining, and lodging options.

Drug and Alcohol Laws in Connecticut

Recognizing the danger that alcohol and drugs pose to people, Connecticut has passed several substance-related laws, including:

Access to Naloxone (Narcan): Since 2018, Connecticut has made it easier for people to access Narcan (opioid overdose antidote). Certified pharmacists can dispense naloxone to anyone, even if they don’t have a prescription.20

Good Samaritan Laws: Wanting to minimize deaths due to overdose, Connecticut has laws that protect people who try to help on the scene of an expected overdose. These laws protect someone who, in good faith, administers Narcan to someone they believe has overdosed. Another section of the law protects those who seek or receive emergency medical care for an overdose. This applies if you are seeking help for yourself or another person. In all cases, the protection generally gives civil and criminal immunity to those trying to help.20

Health Insurance Laws: Since 2017, Connecticut law officially requires most individual and group insurance policies to provide medically necessary detox services and more for those diagnosed with substance use disorder. Additionally, the law does not allow most health insurance policies to require prior authorization for naloxone. While there are exceptions, most major policies are subject to these laws.20

Limits on Opioid Drug Prescriptions: To manage the recent epidemic of deaths by opioid overdose, Connecticut has limits on the maximum supply given out at a time for opioid prescriptions. Since 2017, laws have been passed that reduced the maximum quantity of opioids prescribed to minors from a 7-day to a 5-day supply. In addition, legislation was passed to increase the amount of education about the risks of taking opioids. These include the risk of addiction and overdose, the dangers of taking opioids with other substances, and the reason for the prescription.20

Resources

1. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). Behavioral Health Barometer Connecticut, Volume 6: Indicators as measured through the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health and the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services. HHS Publication No. SMA–20–Baro–19–CT. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
2. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022, April 14). Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant.
3. State of Connecticut Insurance Department. (n.d.). Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse Insurance Resources.
4. Medicaid.gov. (n.d.). Medicaid.
5. Mentalhealth.gov. (2020). Health Insurance and Mental Health Services.
6. Medicare.gov. (n.d.). What’s Medicare?
7. Center for Medicare Advocacy. (2022). Medicare Coverage of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
8. Anthem. (n.d.). Behavioral Health Provider Resources.
9. ConnectiCare. (n.d.). Mental Health.
10. UnitedHealthcare. (n.d.). Mental health programs and benefits.
11. Bright HealthCare. (n.d.). Family Health Insurance to Help Your Family Live Healthier.
12. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); Office of the Surgeon General (US). (2016). Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report of Alcohol, Drugs, and Health [Internet]. Washington (DC): US Department of Health and Human Services. Chapter 4, Early Intervention, treatment, and management of substance use disorders.
13. Grim, B.J. & Grim, M.E. (2019, July 29). Belief, Behavior, and Belonging: How Faith is Indispensable in Preventing and Recovering from Substance Abuse. Journal of Religion and Health. 58(5), 1713-1750.
14. VanderWeele, T.J. (2017). Religion and health: A Synthesis. In M. J. Balboni & J.R. Peteet (Eds.), Spirituality and religion within the culture of medicine: From evidence to practice. (pp. 357-401). Oxford University Press.
15. Yule, A.M. & Kelly, J.F. (2019). Integrating Treatment for Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions. Alcohol Research: Current Reviews. 40(1).
16. Douaihy, A.B., Kelly, T.M., & Sullivan, C. (2013). Medications for substance use disorders. Social Work in Public Health. 28(3-4), 264-278.
17. Ali, S., Tahir, B., Jabeen, S., & Malik, M. (2017, August 1). Methadone Treatment of Opiate Addiction: A Systematic Review of Comparative Studies. Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience. 14(7-8), 8-19.
18. Drugs.com. (2022, June 1). Suboxone.
19. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2022, April 21). Naltrexone.
20. Office of Legislative Research. (2018, June 25). Connecticut’s Opioid Drug Abuse Laws.