Substance Use Conditions

Substance use conditions occur when the continuing use of alcohol and/or drugs causes significant impairment. This includes health problems, disability, and failure to meet major responsibilities at work, school, or home. Effective medications exist for treating opioidalcohol, and nicotine addiction and lessening the symptoms of many other mental disorders. Some medications may be useful in treating multiple disorders.

With much research and input from top addiction authorities, addiction medicine doctors, neuroscientists and experts from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the American Medical Association (AMA) classified addiction as a disease in 1987. In 2011, the American Society of Addiction Medicine joined the AMA, defining addiction as a chronic brain disorder, not a behavior problem (or simply the result of making bad choices). Addiction is a disease just like other chronic diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911

BH LINK

Located at 975 Waterman Ave East Providence, RI. BH Link provides immediate access to behavioral healthcare in a community-based, 24/7 facility. If you or someone you love is going through a mental health or substance use crisis, there is information, there is compassion, there is help - call 988.

RI Safe Stations logo

Rhode Island Safe Stations

Are you, or someone you know, living with addiction? RI Safe Stations are your connection to recovery.

  • Free and Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week
  • Visit any of the fire stations listed
  • Speak with the trained staff on duty
  • Immediately get connected to treatment support and services.

The communities that offer 
Safe Stations are:

  • Bristol
  • East Providence
  • Pawtucket
  • Providence
  • Smithfield
  • Tiverton
  • Woonsocket

Click here to see the full listing of fire stations open 24/7 to assist you in getting help.

 

Block Grant Information

BHDDH submits a combined application to Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) every other year. This application outlines the state’s plan to monitor grant-funded Mental Health (MH) services and Substance Use, Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services (SUPTRS) throughout Rhode Island.

The Rhode Island Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals invites your feedback on the state’s combined Block Grant (BG) application for federal fiscal year 2024-2025.

For more information on the federal granting agency, https://www.samhsa.gov/grants. To access any of Rhode Island’s MH or SUPTRS block grant applications or reports, visit Welcome To WebBGAS (samhsa.gov).

Username: citizenri
Password: citizen

Once you have logged in, click on "View an Existing Application."

All comments and feedback can be sent to Stephanie.Harrington@bhddh.ri.gov.

Find Treatment Anywhere in the U.S.

Find treatment anywhere in the United States on this map courtesy of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), or on this site, which can also assist you in finding treatment anywhere in the USA.

 

Buprenorphine Hotline

People with moderate to severe opioid use disorder (OUD) can access telehealth service for initiation of buprenorphine treatment 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call Rhode Island’s Buprenorphine Hotline at 401-606-5456.

 

Centers of Excellence for Opioid Use Disorders

The Centers of Excellence (COE) were created by the Governor's Overdose Prevention and Intervention Task force and are a cornerstone piece of Governor Raimondo's plan to combat the opioid crisis. These Centers provide assessments and treatment for opioid dependence, offer expedited access to care and serve as a resource for community-based providers.

A multi-disciplinary staff, including peer professionals, work together to provide patient-centered care that addresses all of an individual's treatment needs. COEs also provide counseling, vocational support, as well as FDA-approved medications for the effective treatment of opioid use disorders (methadone, buprenorphine products and naltrexone). You do not need an appointment to be treated at a COE and you do not stay overnight. Click here for a list of COEs.

Youth and Young Adult Services:

State Youth Treatment is being implemented by The Seven Challenges Program which is funded through a four-year grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Seven Challenges is the counseling component of an outpatient program and can be delivered in a variety of settings for youth and young adults ages 12 -25 who are diagnosed with a substance use and/or co-occurring disorder (substance use and mental health disorder). Settings may include a school or home, community health site, outpatient service, as well as a group home. The Seven Challenges program is currently being implemented at Comprehensive Community Action Program (401) 467-9610 in both Cranston and Coventry, as well as Family Service of Rhode Island's (401) 331-1350 Providence location. For more information please contact Project Director Trisha Suggs at the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals at 401-462-2773.

Other Resources:

The Family Task Force: Families Promoting Public Awareness, Policies and Practice in Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, Response, and Recovery

535 Centerville Road
Suite 202
Warwick, RI 02886
401-467-6850

The Samaritans of Rhode Island
(401) 272-4044 or (800) 365-4044
A suicide prevention resource for Rhode Islanders, The Samaritans will be the “agency of choice” for individuals, families and other community stakeholders who seek information relating to suicide prevention, grief support, education and resources.

Prevent Overdose RI
This website was born out of Governor Raimondo's executive order to create new task force and develop a publicly-visible dashboard website to address the current opioid overdose epidemic.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
(800) 273-TALK; (800) 273-8255; TTY: 1-800-799-4889
24-hour, toll-free, confidential suicide prevention hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. Your call is routed to the nearest crisis center in the national network of more than 150 crisis centers.

Disaster Distress Helpline
1-800-985-5990
TTY: 1-800-846-8517
Stress, anxiety, and other depression-like symptoms are common reactions after any natural or human-caused disaster. Call this toll-free number to be connected to the nearest crisis center for information, support, and counseling.

MakeTheConnection.net
Supported by the US Department of Veterans Affairs
MakeTheConnection.net is an online resource designed to connect Veterans, their family members and friends, and other supporters with information, resources, and solutions to issues affecting their lives..

Veteran's Crisis Line
1-800-273-8255 press 1
TTY: 1-800-799-4889
Connects veterans in crisis (and their families and friends) with qualified, caring Department of Veterans' Affairs responders through a confidential, toll-free hotline, online chat, or text.

SAMHSA's National Helpline
1-800-662-HELP (4357) TTY: 1-800-487-4889
Also known as the Treatment Referral Routing Service, this Helpline provides 24-hour, free and confidential treatment referral and information about mental and/or substance use disorders, prevention, and recovery in English and Spanish.