Paid options for treatment are great, but sometimes, those with financial struggles also need help with addiction recovery. In this post, you’ll discover some low-cost to no-cost option for substance abuse treatment within the state of Connecticut. Although drug overdose deaths have been steadily declining in the great Constitution State, Connecticut still suffers from high percentages of drug abuse, particularly opioids. According to the state’s Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, opioids take the top spot as the reported drug of choice by people seeking help. On top of these things, business researchers revealed in a 2018 report that CT poverty rates are rising, as compared to other states. An article in Hartford Business showed that 10% of residents in the state have incomes below the minimum wage. With poverty and substance abuse being some of the top problems in Connecticut, it is no wonder a lot of people are finding ways to get free addiction treatment. Below, you will see a great list of options you can take when finding substance abuse help for a minimum fee or even for free.

Free Addiction Treatment Resource: Connecticut

There are various programs, both handled by the state government and private organizations that seek to help people battling addiction problems. In CT, there are state-funded programs, local meetings, online groups, as well as a low-cost treatment for people to get started with substance abuse recovery.

How to Start Your Search for Free Treatment Resources and Programs

Getting started with free addiction treatment sounds easy, but there are common problems that many encounters along the way. Issues that patients may include the lack of slots, the program not being a good fit, or other life-related circumstances that may stop the individual from attending. Here is a simple guideline that will hopefully direct you to the right free treatment program:

1. Scan through the free treatment options in the list below: Before jumping on to any addiction treatment program, it is essential to look over the possible options. Being aware of the free services provided by the state will help you think about the right kind of help that you need.
2. Choose 2-3 options that may be a good fit: After having knowledge of all the possible choices in substance abuse help, get more information on the 2-3 programs that seem like a great fit for you. Get contact numbers and ask questions such as scheduling or requirements.
3. Prepare accordingly: If the program requires you to submit personal information, attend an onboarding session, and other pre-program events, do so accordingly especially when slots are limited.

Once you understand this process, it will be easier for you to find an addiction treatment program that will be according to your needs. Take a look at the several options for Connecticut below.

Free Addiction Treatment Programs in Connecticut

State-Funded Programs

As previously mentioned CT has its own state-funded Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS). They serve as a database for people to find available substance abuse treatment programs within their towns or cities. There are also available crisis hotlines for people in need during emergency situations, as well as information-related programs to prevent or recovery from substance abuse. To know more about DMHAS, you may contact your regional hotline, or visit their main website.

Local Meetings

Local meetings are also a great source of support for people who want to gain encouragement and advice from others going through the same journey.

Find Support Locally

There are two main kinds of support groups that cater to substance abuse problems: One kind is hosted by non-religious groups, and others are programs usually started by churches within the state.

Local AA Meetings

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a national nonprofit organization that serves as a connecting body to help people suffering from alcoholism to get support from each other. Connecticut has a main website where residents can find a local AA meeting closest to them. To know more, you may visit Alcoholics Anonymous Connecticut Area 11.

Local NA Meetings

Like AA Connecticut, Narcotics Anonymous (NA) CT also has their own main website to find information on support groups. NA is a nonprofit organization to find peer support for people suffering from narcotic abuse. There are also virtual meetings available for residents in the state if you do not find a group closest to your community.

Faith-Based Meetings

Some individuals prefer a spiritual approach when dealing with substance abuse and other co-occurring mental health problems. Many Christian churches in Connecticut offer free support groups that regularly meet to read the Bible, pray for each other, and share life experiences. Some church-based meetings are hosted by the following:

• Truth Baptist Church (South Windsor, CT)
• Hartford City Church (Manchester, CT)
• Stanwich Church (Greenwich, CT)

Many of these churches also hold virtual meetings as a recent adjustment to pandemic-related concerns.

Online Self-Help Forums

If video calls may still be too much to get started in peer support, there are also self-help forums you can visit to get to know others who are going through addiction recovery. This website provides a great list of active online forums where you can seek support for your substance abuse issues. Reddit also has its own subtopic for addiction recovery, if you are already on the platform.

Other Options / Paid Options

Scholarships

If you are also planning to get back to school, scholarships are a great path to receive free treatment. Many colleges and universities offer counseling, support groups, and treatment referrals for students struggling with substance abuse. Getting into a scholarship program is the challenging part, but it can be done through creating a solid essay to get the grant. You can also take a look at the list of scholarship offerings in the state in Scholarships.com, Unigo.com, and Collegescholarships.org.

Loans

Personal loans can be applied for various reasons. Aside from daily expenses, they can also be used for medical treatment such as substance abuse rehab. Connecticut has some companies that offer low-interest rates such as the American Eagle Credit Union. Wallet Hub also features a list of good personal loan lenders in CT.

Insurance

You may not be aware of your health insurance’s full policy regarding substance abuse treatment, so it is great to ask what kinds of services do they cover under addiction-related health problems. It may be possible to get full or partial cost of rehab, certain outpatient services, or even counseling sessions under your health insurance. You can verify your insurance with well-known rehab centers for free. If you currently do not have insurance but have the financial capacity to pay monthly premiums, you can also go about this route and apply for insurance to get into a high-quality rehab as well.

12-Step Programs and Non-Religious

For many who are not yet familiar with the whole rehabilitation process, the specific programs within each center are mostly under either 12-Step or Non-12 Step protocols. The 12-Step program is a spiritual-based treatment approach that allows the individual to admit their powerlessness over their addictions. Submitting to a Higher Power allows them to find faith as their source of strength and meaning in life. 12-Step is a popular treatment approach as it is one of the most effective in retaining sobriety. Other non-religious programs are available in established treatment centers to cater to varying needs. These include:

• Counseling
• Psychotherapies
• Nutrition and Fitness
• Meditation
• Nature Therapy

Among many others. Your insurance may cover outpatient treatment for any of these choices if you cannot afford the full cost of rehab. Otherwise, you can also pay out-of-pocket for an outpatient program of your choice.

Friends and Family

You can also reach out to trusted family and friends to sponsor your addiction recovery. Sometimes, the least we expect to help us end up being there during our most challenging moments. Reach out to them through a call, an email, or a message, expressing your desire for change and how they can help.

Recovery Advice When Money Is Scarce

Addiction recovery can be a long, winding road for many, and the challenge all the more becomes real when you don’t have the financial resources to get treatment. Thus, a logical path for individuals who are strapped on cash would be this way:

1. Get free treatment as soon as you can. There is no shame in getting help, and receiving treatment as early as possible helps you prevent the life-threatening consequences of addiction.
2. Save up for premium treatment. Based on the resources and strategies mentioned above, you can either take out a loan, apply for a grant, find a sponsor, or any other income-generating means to help you save for addiction treatment. You can do this in case you feel that free programs aren’t right for you.
3. Get informed about your insurance policies. Your provider may not mention substance abuse coverage, but there are other services that you can have in relation to getting treatment. These can include lab work, mental health counseling, or psychotherapies. Get to know or negotiate with your provider as needed.

The lack of finances shouldn’t stop you from getting sober. With these tips and resources, you can take that single step towards a better you. Sources:

• Portal.ct.gov - “DMHAS Annual Report Shows Heroin as Most Frequent Drug Reported in Admissions for Substance Abuse Treatment”.
• Hartfordbusiness.com - “New data: CT only state to see a poverty rate rise in 2018”.
• Portal.ct.gov - “Programs and Services”.
• Portal.ct.gov - “Regional Directory”.
• Ct-aa.org - “Alcoholics Anonymous - Connecticut Area 11”.
• Ctna.org - “Connecticut Region of Narcotics Anonymous”.
• Truthbaptistchurch.org - “Life Groups”.
• Hartfordcitychurch.com - “Hartford City Church”.
• Stanwichchurch.org - “Life Groups”.
• Reddit.com  - “You can recover”.
• Scholarships.com - “Connecticut Scholarships”.
• Unigo.com - “Scholarships in CT for College”.
• Collegescholarships.org - “A List of Grants and Scholarships in Connecticut”.
• Americaneagle.org - “Personal Loans”.
• Wallethub.com - “2020 Best Personal Loans in Connecticut”.