Supports and services are available for people who want help quitting or cutting back on drinking alcohol. Decreasing the amount you drink or stopping drinking can improve your health and wellbeing.
Addiction and Substance Use Support
General Support
- Find an addiction facility near you. (Statewide)
- Call the Access Line at 1-800-563-4086 or click here to learn about residential detox facilities in Connecticut.
- Attend an AA meeting. (Statewide & online)
- People who have been affected by a loved one’s alcohol use can attend an Al-Anon or Alateen meeting. (Statewide & online)
- CT Community for Addiction Recovery offers a range of recovery support services. (Hartford, Statewide & online)
- The DMHAS Behavioral Health Recovery Program (Statewide & online)
- Certified Sober Living Homes (Statewide)
- CCAR Virtual Support Meetings (Online)
- CCAR Telephone Recovery Support (Telephone)
- CCAR Recovery Community Centers (Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, Waterbury & Windham)
- CCAR Young People & Family Services (Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, Waterbury, Windham & online)
College Students
If you are a college or university student, you can seek out resources and support on your campus through your health services office. Contact your school health services today to find out what your options are.
LGBTQ+
- Aware Recovery Care of Connecticut: (In-home)
- Gays and Lesbians in Alcoholics Anonymous (GAL-AA): (Statewide & online)
- Root Center for Advanced Recovery: (Statewide locations)
- SAMHSA LGBTQI+ Resources: (Online & phone)
- TransSober: (Online)
Non-English Speakers
- Hartford Healthcare Spanish- and Polish-Speaking Services: (New Britain & Southington, CT)
- Institute for the Hispanic Family: (Hartford, CT)
- Nadzieja Polish Speaking Only AA Meeting: (Trumbull, CT)
- New Britain General Hospital – Polish Substance Abuse – (New Britain)
- Spanish Rehab Facilities: (Statewide)
Women
- Altruism House for Women: (New London, CT)
- Eden Hill Recovery Retreat: (Canaan, CT)
- High Watch Recovery Center: (Kent, CT)
- Liberation Programs:(Fairfield County)
- McDonough House: (Danbury, CT)
- Mountainside: (Canaan & Wilton, CT)
- Perception House: (Willimantic, CT)
- Retreat Behavioral Health: (New Haven, CT)
- Turnbridge Women’s Mental Health Recovery Center: (New Haven, CT)
- Women for Sobriety Support Groups: (Farmington, CT & Online)
- Women’s Alcohol & Drug Rehab Centers In Connecticut: (Statewide)
If you or a loved one want to stop drinking but need help to do it, call the Access Line 800-563-4086.
If you are chemically dependent on alcohol and suddenly stop drinking, convulsions or seizures can occur within six to 48 hours. This can become dangerous if not medically treated.
If you are a heavy drinker and want to quit, consult a trained medical professional or a facility that specializes in alcohol and drug treatment, and be honest about your usual alcohol intake. You can also contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for information on support and treatment facilities in your area.
Thinking about cutting back on your own? Learn tips, tricks, and strategies to cut back or quit drinking alcohol.
Learn MoreTalking to Your Doctor
Your doctor may be able to help you with medications or other treatment to help you quit drinking. Three medications are currently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to help people stop or reduce their drinking and prevent relapse: naltrexone (oral and long-acting injectable), acamprosate, and disulfiram. All of these medications are non-addictive, and they may be used alone or combined with behavioral treatments or mutual-support groups.
If you decide to talk with your doctor, be open about your alcohol use and give as many details as you can. This can help them see if you have AUD or if you’re at risk for it. It will also help them choose the best care for you.
If you’re worried or embarrassed about telling your doctor about your alcohol use, it may be a good idea to bring someone with you who’s close to you. They can provide details about your drinking that you might be uncomfortable sharing. You can also write down any questions you have about your alcohol use and any health problems it might be causing.