Detox Centers in Bristol, Connecticut

Located just 20 miles southwest of Hartford, the suburban city of Bristol, Connecticut is home to many people affected by substance use disorders—like many others in Connecticut and the U.S. Opioid misuse, in particular, is a substance-related public health concern in Bristol.

In 2020, 36 people in Bristol died from a drug overdose.¹ Many of these overdoses were thought to involve a potent synthetic opioid called fentanyl.¹ In 2015 and 2016, fentanyl was involved in 52% of drug-related deaths that occurred in Bristol.¹ In 2019 and 2020, that percentage rose to 89%.¹

Drug overdoses are also high in Hartford County as a whole, where Bristol resides. In 2021, there were 45.3 drug overdose deaths in Hartford County per 100,000 residents.² In 2019 and 2020, the rates of drug-related deaths in Hartford County per 100,000 residents were 39.7 and 43.3.²

Bristol is home to 2 drug and alcohol rehab centers—both offer only outpatient rehab programs that include counseling, behavioral therapy, and medication management services.³ Of the 170 addiction treatment centers in Connecticut, the number of treatment centers in Bristol makes up just over 1%.⁴

In total, there are 19 drug and alcohol rehab centers within 10 miles of Bristol in nearby towns, including Plainville, New Britain, and Waterbury, CT.³ Detox is offered at 3 of these facilities, residential rehab programs at 5 facilities, and outpatient rehab at 16 facilities.³ Co-occurring mental health and substance use treatment is available at 18 of these rehab centers for Bristol residents with a dual diagnosis.³

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid addiction is also widely available near Bristol to help those who have become physically dependent on opioids. Four of the 19 treatment centers near Bristol offer MAT using methadone, and 17 offer MAT using buprenorphine.³ MAT using naltrexone is available at 17 facilities for those who need help recovering from alcohol and/or opioid use disorder.³

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are community-based support groups for people who have expressed a desire to stop using drugs and alcohol.⁵ Groups like AA and NA are free, anonymous, and readily available. Support groups have shown that people can achieve long-term recovery and abstinence.⁵

Bristol is home to a large number of AA groups that meet 7 days a week at all times of the day.⁶ The majority of AA meetings in Bristol take place at Bristol Recovery Club on 67 West Street.⁶ Some of these groups are limited to specific genders.⁶ An updated schedule of all AA meetings in and near Bristol is available on the official website of the Alcoholics Anonymous Connecticut General Service Committee.⁶

Eight NA meetings take place in Bristol.⁷ Many of them take place at the same AA meeting venues, including Bristol Recovery Club on 67 West Street and Bridge Community Church on 43 School Street.⁷ Bristol residents who want to attend an NA meeting can view an updated meeting schedule on the official NA website.⁷

Sources:

1. DataHaven. (2021, August). Bristol 2021 equity profile.
2. Connecticut Department of Public Health. (2022, August 15). Connecticut Department of Public Health drug overdose monthly report.
3. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). Treatment options.
4. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). Find facility.
5. S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022, March 11). Recovery-oriented mutual self-help groups.
6. Alcoholics Anonymous Connecticut General Service Committee. (n.d.). Meetings.
7. Narcotics Anonymous. (n.d.). Find a meeting