MIDDLETOWN - With heroin overdoses in Connecticut mounting in recent months, a crisis call center in Middletown will no doubt become busy now that the state has rolled out a new 800 number.
Advanced Behavioral Health in Middletown has worked closely with a number of state agencies, including the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, to arrange for services for those fighting a wide variety of addictions. The call center, which until yesterday only handled opiate addiction services for central and north central Connecticut, will now field calls from the entire state.
"We were having internal discussions and I was also hearing from people at the opiate forums that they wanted more information about how to access services," said Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., who is the commissioner of DMHAS. "So it made sense to employ an 800 number."
Those battling addiction, or those who know someone who is, are encouraged to call 800-563-4086.
"It's a very rewarding job," said Samuel Moy, Ph.D., who is the president and CEO of Advanced Behavioral Health. "Sometimes it can be a challenging job because folks really, when they're desperate for help, want basically what they want. And, sometimes, there's a process."
Callers to the hotline will be directed to one of 42 walk-in centers across the state.
"People can walk in, without an appointment, and have an assessment and then be linked with the appropriate level of care," said Delphin-Rittmon.