Opioids are pain killers that can be highly addictive if abused and/or misused, and are in the form of heroin or prescription drugs (e.g., Vicodin, Percocet, Oxycontin). According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) deaths from Opioid overdoses has quadrupled since 1999 in the United States. In Connecticut, since 2013, there has been an unprecedented level of opioid use, causing a huge toll in terms of dependence, addiction, overdose and death.
TREATMENT OPTIONS AND SERVICES IN CONNECTICUT
The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) has a wide array of addiction related resources to assist residents of Connecticut, family members, and social service providers dealing with this issue:
- Statewide toll-free number connecting residents seeking treatment and services to local walk-in assessment centers. Residents can call 1-800-563-4086, 24 hours a day, to connect them or a loved one to an assessment center in their area, or visit the website for a location: http://www.ct.gov/dmhas/walkins
- Opioid Overdose Prevention/Naloxone (Narcan) Initiative: Naloxone (narcan) is the antidote to an opioid overdose. Pharmacists who have been trained and certified are now able to prescribe and dispense naloxone/narcan to individuals from a pharmacy. A list of Naloxone Prescribing Pharmacists in Connecticut is available by clicking this link. In addition to certified pharmacists, Connecticut law allows other prescribers, including physicians, surgeons, Physician Assistants (PAs), Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), and Dentists to prescribe, dispense and/or administer the medication.
- Note: A Voluntary Recall Notice was announced on a commonly used medical device used to deliver overdose reversal medicine, Naloxone (Narcan), see the Connecticut Department of Public Health notice: http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?A=4820&Q=587392 , and some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the recall: http://www.ct.gov/dph/lib/dph/communications/faqs_related_to_naloxone_and_mad_300_recall_final.pdf
- Medication Assisted Treatment Options: Which includes Methadone Clinics, Facts about Buprenorphine, Pain Management and Addiction Resources, and much more: http://www.ct.gov/dmhas/cwp/view.asp?a=2902&q=335224
- Advocacy and Support Services: Links to Connecticut Regional Mental Health Boards and other supports, http://www.ct.gov/dmhas/cwp/view.asp?a=2908&q=334692
- Tools and Strategies for Health Care Providers Treating Clients with Chronic Pain and Reducing Opioid Use: Sign up for free, PainNet
National Resources for Treating Abuse and Addiction
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Injury Prevention & Control: Prescription Drug Overdose: https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/
- SAMHSA Opioid Overdose Prevention Toolkit: http://store.samhsa.gov/product/Opioid-Overdose-Prevention-Toolkit-Updated-2016/SMA16-4742
For additional resources found in the Connecticut 2-1-1 Community Resources Database:
- Inpatient Drug Detoxification
- Outpatient Drug Detoxification
- Central Intake/Assessment for Substance Abuse
- Methadone Maintenance for Heroin Dependent Individuals
- General Assessment for Substance Use Disorders
- General Assessment for Substance Use Disorders * Opiate Use Disorder
- Drug Dependency Support Groups
- Needle Exchange/Distribution Programs
NOTE: Medication Drop Boxes are located in the lobby of some local police departments to assist residents with a no questions asked, safe disposal site for old/unused medications and medicated lotions. Needles and other sharp objects are not accepted. For a list of available city/town locations, visit the 2-1-1 database: Medication Disposal Sites.
