Connecticut

It should be noted that these pages are not intended as an academic reference. The data collected is from State and Federal sources.

Connecticut Addiction Treatment Statistics

51,983 people were admitted to Connecticut drug and alcohol treatment programs in 2010, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Heroin and alcohol in combination with another drug were the most abused substances, followed by alcohol and marijuana. Men accounted for 71.7% while women accounted for 28.2% of those admitted to Connecticut drug rehab centers in 2010.

The majority of Connecticut drug and alcohol rehabs treat only substance abuse while about 33% provide substance abuse and other mental health services.   In 2006, there were 209 substance abuse treatment facilities. Only 25% of all Connecticut drug rehab programs offer detox program. Nearly two-thirds of Connecticut drug rehab facilities offer treatment free of charge to clients without insurance.

Alcohol Addiction in Connecticut

Among the substances most commonly abused in Connecticut, alcohol abuse continues to be a primary problem. Over one-third of admissions to Connecticut rehab facilities in 2010, involved alcohol abuse.

There were 9,211 admissions for alcohol rehab alone and another 10,703 people admitted to treatment for alcohol combined with a secondary drug.  Young adults (18-25) continue to be underserved in treatment for alcohol dependence.

Commonly Abused Drugs in Connecticut

Drug abuse is a national epidemic and the numbers are continuing to rise. Heroin is becoming the cheaper replacement for opiates as states continue to crack down on the “pill mills” making the cost of opiates too expensive.

Heroin
The majority of those who entered treatment did so for heroin abuse accounting for 11,697 admissions. The largest single age group suffering from heroin addiction was 21-25 year olds, 65% of which were White. Heroin is most often used in conjunction with alcohol, cocaine, crack, marijuana, and other drugs. From 1992 to 2006 heroin admissions increased from 22% to 41%.
 
Marijuana
Marijuana ranks second as the most commonly abused drug. There were 8,350 people who entered drug rehabs for marijuana addiction in 2010. Marijuana remains a widely used substance in Connecticut. The majority of marijuana in Connecticut comes from Mexico or the Southwestern United States via Boston or New York City.
 
Cocaine
In 2010, a total of 4,617 individuals entered drug treatment for cocaine abuse whether smoked or ingested by other means.
 

Prescription Drugs
Prescription drug abuse continues to be a problem in the state of Connecticut. This includes instances of individuals misusing their prescribed medications, as well as individuals abusing medications for recreational purposes not prescribed to them. Vicodin and OxyContin are the most popular prescription drugs abused in Connecticut. Opiates, other than heroin, sent 2,569 people to treatment in 2010. That figure nationally, continues to grow.  Medical detox and treatment are needed to halt prescription drug addictions.

Connecticut Drug and Alcohol Fatalities, Injuries and Drug Court Statistics

• In 2006, over half of the federally sentenced drug offenders in Connecticut had committed an offense involving cocaine or crack cocaine, though numbers are volatile. 54% of the federally sentenced defendants in Connecticut involved crack cocaine.
• There were 5,015 driving under the influence (DUI) arrests in the state in 2006.
• There were 319 drug arrests by DEA agents in Connecticut with a total of 14,904 drug abuse violations in 2006.
• As of 2007, there were 4 Connecticut drug courts.
• In 2007, the last published report, 444 persons died as a direct result of drug use where as 309 individuals died from motor vehicle accidents and another 149 died from firearm incidents. The percentage, 12.7 % per 100,000 was consistent with the national average.

Connecticut Drug and Alcohol Addiction Resources

• Alcoholics Anonymous (go to the AA main page, click on find a meeting, follow link to state pages, click on Connecticut)
• Narcotics Anonymous
• Alanon and Alateen Family Group