Substance Abuse and Overdose Statistics in Danbury, CT
Nearly 2/3 of the drug overdose deaths in Danbury from 2015 to 2022 involved fentanyl.1
There were 253 suspected drug overdose emergency department visits in the Danbury Health Department from Feb 2021 to Jan 2022.2
For the period Feb 2021-Jan 2022, the 30-39 age bracket experienced the highest number of suspected drug overdose emergency department visits in the Danbury Health Department.2
70% of Danbury residents who died of drug overdose from 2015 to 2022 were White.1
Levels of Substance Abuse Care
Various levels of addiction treatment are available to meet different needs. Some Connecticut residents start with inpatient treatment and work their way through the continuum of care, while others begin their recovery at a less-intensive level.
Medical Detox
Detox is often a first necessary step before you can begin other formal treatment programs. It is the process of safely and comfortably removing drugs or alcohol from your system. It occurs in a supervised setting, such as a hospital or inpatient rehab facility.
Inpatient Drug and Alcohol Rehab
During residential treatment, you live at a rehab facility and receive 24/7 supervised care. Treatments typically include individual and group therapy, as well as medication and recreational therapy.
Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs)
PHPs allow you to receive treatment at a hospital while living at home. Services are similar to inpatient programs, but you return home during non-treatment times.
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs)
IOPs allow you to attend counseling several days each week while spending the rest of your time fulfilling other obligations such as work or school.
Standard Outpatient
Standard outpatient is the least intensive treatment option. It involves one to two hours of treatment per week. This low-supervision level is appropriate for highly motivated people with a strong support system.
Relapse Prevention
Relapse prevention, also referred to as aftercare, begins once you complete a rehab program. It includes ongoing support through continued therapy, support groups, and other care programs.
How to Pay for Substance Addiction Treatment in Danbury, Connecticut
Private Insurance
The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act requires all insurance providers to cover substance abuse treatment to some extent. Connecticut residents should contact their provider to learn about specific coverage, including required copays or deductibles.
Connecticut Medicaid
Medicaid is a government program that pays for health services for low-income individuals. The Medicaid programs in Connecticut are HUSKY A, HUSKY C, and HUSKY D. Children and their caregivers with a family income of less than 185% of the poverty level, as well as pregnant women whose income is less than 250% of the poverty level are eligible for HUSKY A. Individuals who are aged, blind, or disabled may be eligible for HUSKY C. Single adults whose income is below 56% of the federal poverty level may qualify for HUSKY D.2 Under these programs, Connecticut residents can receive coverage to pay for substance abuse treatment services.
Connecticut Medicare
Connecticut Medicare is the federal health insurance program that provides coverage for Connecticut residents who are 65 and older and for certain disabled residents. If you are eligible for Railroad Retirement or Social Security benefits, you qualify for Medicare. You can use this program to cover the cost of addiction treatment services, however, not all rehab facilities accept this method of payment.
Sliding Scale Rehabs
Sliding scale rehabs charge each Connecticut resident what they can afford based on their income. Proof of income is usually required to qualify. These options are not always advertised, so it’s important to inquire about them.
TRICARE in Connecticut
Connecticut TRICARE (East region) is a government program that offers health insurance coverage to military personnel, veterans, and their dependents. TRICARE coverage includes addiction treatment services, such as rehab and medication-assisted treatment.
IHS-Funded Drug Rehabs
Drug rehab services funded by the Indian Health Service provide free addiction treatment to Alaskan Natives and Indigenous people in the U.S.
Traveling to and Within Danbury, CT
Will you be traveling for addiction treatment in Danbury or visiting a loved one undergoing treatment at a Danbury drug and alcohol rehab? Here are some valuable tips to guide your travel plans:
- Regional airports in the area include Danbury Airport, Westchester County Airport, and New Haven Airport. However, for more flight options, New York’s La Guardia is just 48 miles from Danbury.
- HARTransit offers several public transportation options in Danbury, including routes on the City Bus during weekdays and Saturdays, and routes on LOOPs during evenings and weekends.
- Danbury is not very walkable or bikeable, but services such as Lyft and Uber are available to get around town by car.
- For overnight accommodations, you can choose from more than a dozen hotel chains that have locations in Danbury.
- Locals consider the northeast part of Danbury to be the safest area of the city.
- For entertainment, Danbury offers downtown shopping, unique restaurants, and theaters featuring Broadway productions.
- For the outdoorsy, Danbury is home to Candlewood Lake, which offers fishing, swimming, and boating.
- Popular day-trip opportunities from Danbury include Hartford, New Haven, and New York City.
Connecticut Alcohol and Drug Laws
Connecticut policy makers have passed the following laws to govern substance use and abuse and protect its citizens:1
Naloxone Access: In 2018, Connecticut lawmakers increased access to Naloxone (an opioid overdose antidote). Pharmacists and practitioners in Connecticut can distribute this medication to public organizations and provide it to people without a prescription. The end goal is to prevent deaths from overdose.
Good Samaritan Laws: These laws protect Connecticut residents who seek or receive emergency medical care for an overdose. It gives them immunity from legal repercussions for the use or possession of illegal substances, to encourage them to call emergency services in the event of a possible overdose.
Health Insurance Laws: As of 2017, Connecticut law requires most group and individual insurance policies to provide medically necessary detox and other recovery services to those who are diagnosed with substance use disorder. The laws also prohibit insurance policies from requiring prior authorization for opioid antagonists.
Limits on Opioid Drug Prescriptions: Since 2017, Connecticut lawmakers have passed laws to reduce the maximum quantity of opioids that can be prescribed to minors. The laws also increase the amount of education provided to patients about opioid risks.
Resources
- Clinton, H. (n.d.). Drug Overdose Deaths in Connecticut Data Dashboard, 2015 to 2022. Portal.Ct.Gov. Retrieved December 8, 2022, from https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/heather.clinton/viz/SUDORS_Dashboard_final2/OverdoseDashboard
- Connecticut Department of Health. (2022). Connecticut Drug Overdose Emergency Department Visit Report . Office of Injury and Violence Prevention. https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DPH/Injury-Prevention/Opioid-Overdose-Data/EpiCenter-Opioid-Publications/Opioid_Publication_CT_20220131.pdf
- Connecticut Department of Public Health. (2022). Suspected Drug Overdoses, March 2022-May 2022. In gov. Connecticut Department of Public Health EpiCenter Syndromic Surveillance System. https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DPH/Injury-Prevention/Opioid-Overdose-Data/Syndromic-Surveillance-Maps/Drug_ED_Maps_Mar_2022toMay_2022.pdf
- Hardaway, L. (2022, June 16). Police find bags of fentanyl, cocaine in Danbury apartment. News Times. https://www.newstimes.com/news/article/Police-find-500-bags-of-fentanyl-100-grams-of-17247345.php