Opioid Addiction Treatment in Connecticut
Compassionate, Evidence-Based Care for Opioid Addiction
Opioid addiction has become one of the most pressing public health challenges facing Connecticut and the nation. At High Watch Recovery Center, we understand the devastating impact opioid dependence can have on individuals and families. Since 1939, as the world's first 12-Step treatment center, we've been helping people break free from the grip of opioid addiction and reclaim their lives through comprehensive, compassionate care.
Located on 300 wooded acres in Kent, Connecticut, our residential treatment facility provides a serene, supportive environment where healing can begin. We integrate evidence-based addiction medicine with the time-tested principles of the 12 Steps, offering a holistic approach to recovery that addresses the physical, psychological, and spiritual aspects of opioid addiction.
What Are Opioids and Why Are They So Addictive?
Opioids are a class of drugs that include prescription pain medications like oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and fentanyl, as well as illegal substances like heroin. These substances work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, blocking pain signals and releasing large amounts of dopamine, which creates feelings of euphoria and relaxation.
The addictive nature of opioids stems from how they alter brain chemistry. With repeated use, the brain becomes dependent on these substances to regulate mood and manage pain. Over time, tolerance develops, meaning higher doses are needed to achieve the same effects. This cycle can quickly spiral into physical dependence and addiction, making it extremely difficult to stop using without professional help.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, opioid-involved overdose deaths have increased significantly over the past two decades, with Connecticut experiencing higher-than-average rates compared to national figures. The Connecticut Department of Public Health reports that opioid-related deaths remain a leading cause of accidental death in the state, underscoring the critical need for accessible, effective treatment.
What Are the Signs of Opioid Addiction?
Recognizing opioid addiction early can be lifesaving. Common signs include taking opioids in larger amounts or for longer than prescribed, unsuccessful attempts to cut down or stop use, spending significant time obtaining or using opioids, experiencing intense cravings, and neglecting responsibilities at work, school, or home. Physical symptoms may include drowsiness, confusion, constipation, slowed breathing, and needle marks for those who inject opioids.
Behavioral changes often accompany opioid addiction, such as social withdrawal, mood swings, financial difficulties, and engaging in risky behaviors to obtain drugs. Many individuals also experience tolerance, requiring increasingly larger doses to achieve the desired effect, and withdrawal symptoms when attempting to stop, including muscle aches, anxiety, insomnia, nausea, and sweating.
If you or someone you love is exhibiting these signs, seeking professional treatment is essential. Opioid addiction is a medical condition that requires specialized care, and recovery is possible with the right support.
How Does High Watch Treat Opioid Addiction?
At High Watch Recovery Center, we offer a comprehensive continuum of care designed to address every stage of opioid addiction recovery. Our approach combines cutting-edge medical interventions with the proven spiritual foundation of the 12 Steps, creating a powerful pathway to lasting sobriety.
Medically Supervised Detoxification
For most individuals seeking opioid addiction treatment, detoxification is the essential first step. Opioid withdrawal can be extremely uncomfortable and, in some cases, medically complex. Our medically supervised detox program provides 24/7 medical oversight, ensuring safety and comfort throughout the withdrawal process. Our compassionate medical team administers medications to ease withdrawal symptoms, stabilizes vital signs, and provides emotional support during this challenging phase.
Residential Treatment Program
Following detox, clients transition into our residential treatment program, which serves as the foundation of recovery. Our minimum 21-day program can be customized to meet individual needs, with many clients benefiting from extended stays. During residential treatment, clients participate in individual therapy, group counseling, 12-Step education and meetings, psychiatric evaluation and medication management for co-occurring disorders, family therapy sessions, and experiential therapies including our unique equine-assisted learning program.
Our clinical team specializes in dual diagnosis treatment, recognizing that many individuals struggling with opioid addiction also face co-occurring psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, trauma, or bipolar disorder. We address these interconnected conditions simultaneously, providing integrated care that treats the whole person rather than just the addiction.
Specialized Programming
High Watch offers several specialized programs tailored to unique populations and needs. The Hilltop, our partial hospitalization program, provides a step-down level of care for men who have completed residential treatment. This program bridges the gap between 24/7 residential care and independent living, offering continued clinical support while clients adjust to increased autonomy.
Our extended care program allows clients who have completed at least 45 days of treatment to continue their recovery journey at High Watch for several additional months. This extended time in a structured, supportive environment significantly improves long-term recovery outcomes, with 95% of our extended care participants successfully completing the program.
For women seeking transitional support, Eden Hill offers sober living in a structured environment for four to six months. This program helps translate skills learned in treatment into real-life experience, building confidence and sustainable recovery practices.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Hope House, our intensive outpatient program, is centered around our fully working farm on over 100 acres of land. This program is available to clients who have completed residential treatment and provides continued therapeutic support while participants begin reintegrating into daily life. The farm setting offers unique opportunities for healing through connection with nature and meaningful work.
Why Choose High Watch for Opioid Addiction Treatment in Connecticut?
High Watch Recovery Center stands apart as Connecticut's premier opioid addiction treatment provider for several compelling reasons:
- Historical Legacy and Expertise: As the world's first 12-Step treatment center established in 1939, we have over 85 years of experience helping individuals overcome addiction. This rich history informs our approach and has helped thousands of people achieve lasting recovery.
- Comprehensive Dual Diagnosis Care: We recognize that opioid addiction rarely exists in isolation. Our specialized dual diagnosis treatment addresses substance use disorders alongside co-occurring mental health conditions, providing integrated care that leads to better outcomes.
- Accreditation and Recognition: High Watch is Joint Commission accredited and a member of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP). We've received the prestigious "Clinical Site of the Year" award from Sacred Heart University for our commitment to educating healthcare professionals.
- Evidence-Based and Holistic Approach: We combine the latest advances in addiction medicine, including medication-assisted treatment when appropriate, with the spiritual principles of the 12 Steps. This integrated approach addresses the neurobiological aspects of addiction while supporting emotional and spiritual healing.
- Serene, Supportive Environment: Our 300-acre campus in the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut provides a peaceful setting conducive to healing. Away from the triggers and stressors of daily life, clients can focus entirely on their recovery.
- Continuum of Care: From detox through extended care and sober living, we offer a complete spectrum of services, ensuring continuity of care and ongoing support throughout the recovery journey.
What Can I Expect During Opioid Addiction Treatment at High Watch?
Your recovery journey at High Watch begins with a comprehensive assessment conducted by our admissions team and clinical staff. This evaluation helps us understand your unique situation, including your history of opioid use, any co-occurring conditions, medical needs, and personal goals for recovery. Based on this assessment, we create a customized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
If medically necessary, you'll begin with our detox program, where our medical team provides around-the-clock care to ensure your safety and comfort during withdrawal. Once medically stable, you'll transition to our residential program, where you'll engage in a structured daily schedule that includes individual therapy sessions, group counseling, 12-Step meetings and education, psychiatric care when needed, family therapy, experiential therapies, and time for personal reflection and spiritual development.
Throughout your stay, you'll be surrounded by peers who understand your struggles and a compassionate staff dedicated to your success. Our peaceful campus offers opportunities for healing through connection with nature, participation in our equine-assisted learning program, and engagement in the recovery community.
As you progress in treatment, we'll work with you to develop a comprehensive aftercare plan that may include step-down programs like The Hilltop or Hope House, connection to 12-Step communities in your home area, ongoing therapy or psychiatric care, sober living arrangements if needed, and strategies for relapse prevention and long-term wellness.
How Long Does Opioid Addiction Treatment Take?
The duration of opioid addiction treatment varies based on individual needs, but research consistently shows that longer treatment stays correlate with better long-term outcomes. At High Watch, our residential program has a minimum stay of 21 days, though many clients benefit from 30, 60, or 90-day programs. Some individuals choose to participate in our extended care program, remaining at High Watch for several months to build a stronger foundation for recovery.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, treatment lasting fewer than 90 days is of limited effectiveness, and longer treatment durations significantly improve recovery rates. The National Institute on Drug Abuse recommends that individuals remain in treatment for an adequate period, typically at least three months, to see a significant reduction in substance use and improvements in functioning.
Following residential treatment, many clients transition to step-down programs such as partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient care, or sober living, which provide continued support while gradually increasing independence. This continuum approach helps prevent relapse and supports the development of sustainable recovery skills.
Your treatment team will work with you to determine the appropriate length of stay based on factors including the severity of your addiction, presence of co-occurring disorders, previous treatment history, available support systems, and personal progress in treatment.
Take the First Step Toward Freedom From Opioid Addiction
Opioid addiction is a powerful disease, but recovery is possible. At High Watch Recovery Center, we've witnessed countless individuals transform their lives, breaking free from the grip of opioid dependence and discovering a new way of living grounded in the principles of recovery.
You don't have to face this battle alone. Our compassionate team is ready to help you begin your journey toward lasting recovery. Whether you're struggling with prescription pain medications or heroin, whether this is your first time seeking treatment or you've tried before without success, we're here to support you every step of the way.
Located in the heart of Connecticut, High Watch has been leading individuals from the darkness of addiction to the light of recovery since 1939. As the world's first 12-Step treatment center, we combine our rich legacy with cutting-edge addiction medicine to provide the most effective treatment available.
If you or someone you love is struggling with opioid addiction, don't wait another day. Contact High Watch Recovery Center to speak with our admissions team. We can answer your questions, verify your insurance, and help you take the first step toward the life you deserve.
โI wasnโt sure when I arrived if I would do the program, now I am positive I have a new chance to make the years I have left to be sober, useful and enjoyable. I am very lucky to have spent three weeks at High Watch.โ
-Bill R.
