What is Substance Use Disorder (SUD)?

Substance Use Disorder (SUD), also called drug addiction, is a disease that affects a person’s brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medication. 

Substances such as alcohol, marijuana and nicotine are considered drugs. When addicted, a person may continue using the drug despite the harm it causes.

The use of prescription medication and opioid-based drugs has increased significantly to become a big concern in Connecticut. This includes taking medications in higher doses than prescribed, for a purpose other than that for which it was prescribed or taking a medication that was prescribed for another person or obtained off the streets.

Opioid overdose is often characterized by a decrease in breathing rate which, if not quickly addressed, may lead to death.

In Connecticut, residents are more likely to die from unintentional drug overdose than a motor vehicle accident. Most deaths are linked to overdose of prescription opioid painkillers and illicit opioids (street drugs).

Prevent SUD

Overdose Prevention

There are many ways to help prevent an overdose, including educating people on the signs of an overdose, how to administer naloxone and other safeguards, such as not using alone.

Peer Navigators are persons with lived experience who can educate people and help access services including drug treatment. They can be found in many settings from hospitals to community-based organizations.

Opioids and Prescription Drug Overdose Prevention has information on the Naloxone + Opioid Response App (NORA), education opportunities, risk factors, and more.

The Opioid Overdose Prevention/Naloxone (Narcan) Initiative helps get naloxone to those who need it in order to avoid opioid overdose. Naloxone is a prescription medication that reverses opioid overdoses. Learn more.

LiveLOUD provides information about OUD and helps connect individuals and their loved ones to resources and support.

Opioid overdose is often characterized by a decrease in breathing rate which, if not quickly addressed, may lead to death

Harm Reduction

Harm Reduction is an approach grounded in meeting people where they are, and reducing negative effects and consequences of substance use.

LiveLOUD offers many harm reduction resources, including how to test and where to find naloxone (Narcan), where to find help, a harm reduction toolkit, and more.

Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is a prevention and early intervention initiative designed to increase the identification of adults for substance use problems. SBIRT identifies adults who are at moderate to high risk of developing physical health, psychiatric and psycho-social problems related to substance misuse.

Certified Sober Living Homes are alcohol- and drug-free residences where unrelated adults who are recovering from a substance use disorder voluntarily choose to live together in a supportive environment during their recovery.

Fentanyl test strips are a tool that can be used to prevent an opioid overdose. Many illicit drugs contain fentanyl, which can be lethal. The strips can tell you if there is fentanyl in a drug but they cannot tell you how much is mixed in. Contact your local SSP or local health department for more information about where to get the strips.

Screen for SUD

Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) is a prevention and early intervention initiative designed to increase the identification of adults for substance use problems. SBIRT identifies adults who are at moderate to high risk of developing physical health, psychiatric and psycho-social problems related to substance misuse.

CCAR, or the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery, is a centralized resource for those thinking about recovery, new to recovery, in long-term recovery, or for friends and family of those with SUD.

Treat SUD

Access Line
1-800-563-4086 is a 24/7 Access Line to help those in need access treatment for substance use disorders. Those in Connecticut may call to help them find residential detox and help with transportation.

Support & Resources
CCAR, or the Connecticut Community for Addiction Recovery, is a centralized resource for those thinking about recovery, new to recovery, in long-term recovery, or for friends and family of those with SUD.

MAT Programs
Medication Assisted Treatment, or MAT, can be helpful for those with SUD who are looking to recover and need medication to help them on their journey. Learn more about MAT, including clinics that provide MAT statewide.

In-patient & Out-patient Treatment
 State Operated Inpatient Treatment Facilities for persons with severe addiction and or psychiatric problems.

For Addiction Services Bed Availability and a list of withdrawal management services, please visit CT Addiction Services.

General Resources

Connecticut Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services (DMHAS)
DMHAS has general information about various types of mental illness, addiction and substance use.

Drug Free CT
Drug Free CT is a wealth of information for people in Connecticut to help with the understanding, prevention, and recovery from substance use disorders.