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Connecticut is affected by the opioid epidemic sweeping across the country. In 2016, 917 people died from drug overdoses, a 25% increase from the year before
Deaths from fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid often found in the street supply of heroin, rose from only 14 in 2012 to 466 in 2016. The percent increase of fentanyl-involved deaths in one year alone (2015-2016) was 155%.
The increase in opioid abuse is also reflected in past-year heroin use data for Connecticut among people aged 12 and older, which went from 0.56% in 2013-2014 to 0.87% in 2014-2015 (by comparison, the national average was 0.3% and 0.33%, respectively).
Even though rates of drug overdose and heroin use have gone up, the number of people receiving medication-assisted treatment for opioid addiction appears to have gone down. In 2013, 15,509 people were receiving methadone in opioid treatment programs, according to single-day counts. While this was an increase from 11,849 in 2011, it decreased in 2014 to 14,072. The number of people receiving buprenorphine for opioid addiction decreased from 980 people to 544 people from 2013 to 2015.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that Connecticut is one of the top ten states in opioid-related deaths. Here are more eye-opening statistics about substance abuse in Connecticut:
Approximately 14,000 individuals in Connecticut are arrested for a drug offense every year. Connecticut's judicial system takes two primary factors into consideration when sentencing someone for drug possession: the type of drug and previous crimes committed. A judge assesses whether the drug is a controlled or illicit substance, as well as if the crime was a first or repeated offense.
Although medical marijuana was legalized in Connecticut in 2012, possession of marijuana for recreational use is still illegal. Penalties are categorized by possession amount and number of previous offenses.
| Number of Offenses | Amount of Marijuana Possessed | Penalty | Sentencing |
|---|---|---|---|
| First offense | Less than ½ oz. | Civil penalty | No imprisonment; fine up to $150 |
| Subsequent offense | Less than ½ oz. | Civil penalty | No imprisonment; fine up to $500 |
| First offense | ½ oz. — less than 4 oz. | Misdemeanor | Imprisonment up to 1 year; fine up to $1,000 |
| Subsequent offense | ½ oz. — less than 4 oz. | Felony | Imprisonment up to 5 years; fine up to $3,000 |
| First offense | 4 oz. or more | Felony | Imprisonment up to 5 years; fine up to $2,000 |
| Subsequent offense | 4 oz. or more | Felony | Imprisonment up to 10 years; fine up to $5,000 |
After the third offense for possessing less than one-half ounce, violators lose their license for 60 days and must attend drug education at their own expense. If a person is found with more than one-half ounce near a school or daycare center, they could face an additional two years of prison added to their original sentence.
To combat fast-rising abuse rates, Connecticut's narcotic possession penalties have become tough and unforgiving—no matter how much you're caught with.
| Type of Offense | Maximum Penalty and Sentencing |
|---|---|
| First offense | Imprisonment up to 7 years; fine up to $50,000 |
| Second offense | Imprisonment up to 15 years; fine up to $100,000 |
| Third offense | Imprisonment up to 25 years; fine up to $250,000 |
Addiction is a progressive disease that can be treated. Connecticut has implemented a number of harm reduction laws that promote safety, education and protection for its residents.
Harm reduction laws encourage safe practices that promote public safety. Although drug abuse can't be 100 percent prevented, harm reduction laws can help people avoid infection or injury should they choose to use drugs.
Connecticut provides its residents with several resources throughout the state, including methadone treatment centers, clean syringe access centers, counseling services and HIV testing.
Fatal overdoses are now the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. Many overdoses can be prevented by calling for help, but some people hesitate to call 911 for fear of being arrested for their own drug use.
Connecticut has a Good Samaritan law that protects people from being charged or arrested for drug abuse or possession if they call 911 for an overdose. The law applies to someone's own overdose as well as another person's.
Public Act 16-43 was signed into legislation in 2016. This law expands on Connecticut's efforts to address the rising rates of opioid abuse.
The law addresses several areas, including:
The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reports that there were 1,038 accidental drug intoxication deaths in 2017, equaling nearly three overdose deaths per day.
Connecticut has one of the highest rates of opioid-related overdose deaths in the country. In 2012, Connecticut was safely ranked 50th in the nation for opioid-related deaths. Three short years later, the state found itself 12th. Experts believe that increasing quantities of illicit fentanyl and high prescribing rates of other opioid painkillers, such as OxyContin and Vicodin, are largely to blame for this deadly increase.
Opioid-related deaths more than quadrupled, from 5.7 deaths per 100,000 people in 2012 to 24.5 per 100,000 in 2016. The national average in 2016 was 13.3 deaths per 100,000.
Heroin-related deaths increased 359 percent, from 98 deaths in 2012 to 450 in 2016.
In 2017 there were 677 fentanyl-related overdose deaths in Connecticut, compared to only 14 a mere six years earlier.
Opioid drug abuse has also been linked to increased rates of neonatal abstinence syndrome, a condition resulting from maternal opioid use, and transmission of HIV and hepatitis C through intravenous drug use.
In addition to opioid drugs, cocaine and crack cocaine are responsible for a significant number of overdose deaths in Connecticut. From 2012 to 2017, 2,907 accidental drug-related deaths involved cocaine. In 2017, there were 347 cocaine overdose fatalities, a number that was 230 percent higher than the 105 deaths in 2012.
Other forms of illicit drug abuse in Connecticut include methamphetamine, marijuana, synthetic cannabinoids and a variety of hallucinogens.
Beyond opioid painkillers, other prescription drugs that end up diverted from the legal supply chain in Connecticut are also problematic, increasing the risks of addiction and overdose within local communities.
Many people abuse prescription stimulant medications and central nervous system depressants, such as:
Although it is a legal drug, alcohol destroys the lives of countless Connecticut residents each year:
Connecticut is committed to fighting the opioid epidemic. In 2017, for the third consecutive year, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy signed legislation targeted at reducing this crisis. Additional efforts include:
In 2015, Connecticut pharmacists became able to prescribe naloxone to those who might need it.
Types of substance abuse treatment can vary from 24/7, live-in programs to once-a-week therapy sessions. Programs can also differ in terms of what features they offer, what kind of treatment philosophy they follow, and the experience and qualifications of their staff.
Other factors to take into consideration when researching programs include:
If you are seeking treatment for opioid addiction, you may also want to see if the program offers medication-assisted treatment.
Call us to get more information about rehab centers in Connecticut and how to enroll in a program.
When reviewing the cost of rehabilitation in connecticut, look at the expense as an investment in your life and the lives of your family. Most rehabilitation centers are able to take partial payment through any company or private insurance plan you have. If you wish to discuss your eligibility and the price of treatment in CT, dial us at at no cost to get all the answers to your questions.
Whether your CT inpatient-residential illicit and prescription drug recovery with take ninety days or 3 months, making the call today improves your chances of getting and staying healthy. Deciding on a rehab center that can meet your own needs before you ever arrive at the clinic can also help a great deal. When you're ready to book treatment, our phone line advisors can help you find the right spot so you get a good start.
One of the things you have to think about when choosing a drug or alcohol addiction treatment program is the cost. Generally, you can expect to pay more if you choose a longer program, want a private room, or enroll in a luxury facility. Make sure to consider whether or not these things will really enhance your treatment experience and are worth the extra cost. There may be other things you can give up in order to save some money.
Most Connecticut rehab centers accept private health insurance. If you are uninsured, many programs offer sliding scale fees and accept cash or self-pay.
Paying for rehab without insurance is possible. You can see if the program uses a fee schedule based on your ability to pay or ask about other payment plans offered.
Other options you might employ to finance your treatment include health care credit cards, personal loans, crowdfunding, and borrowing from savings or friends and family.
State-funded rehab programs are also available. However, they may have waiting lists and fewer amenities than private programs. The Salvation Army and Catholic Charities also offer low-cost programs.
Connecticut's Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse (DMHAS) directly funds a number of drug and alcohol programs in the state, monitoring and licensing drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs. Here are other things to consider:
One hallmark of Connecticut's substance abuse programs is the response to special needs, including individuals with co-occurring disorders, addictions to opioids or alcohol, and a full range of detox and therapy programs. Consider the following essentials of treatment:
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