What we treat
Substance use and co-occurring concerns
Northline is a mental health practice first. When substance use is part of the picture alongside depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, or another mental health concern, we can help — with honest conversation, evidence-based therapy, and coordinated referrals when a higher level of care is right.
Where we fit — and where we don’t
Northline is a mental health practice. Our specialty is treating psychiatric conditions like depression, anxiety, ADHD, PTSD, and bipolar spectrum disorders. Substance use is often part of the picture — many of the patients we treat use alcohol, cannabis, or other substances in ways that either drive or worsen a mental health condition. We can help with that side of the equation.
We are not an addiction treatment program. We do not provide medication-assisted treatment (MAT) — no Suboxone, no Vivitrol, no methadone. We do not manage medical detox. When someone needs a formal substance use disorder program or specialty addiction care, we make a warm referral to a program that does that well.
Where we can help
- Substance use alongside a mental health condition — depression, anxiety, ADHD, trauma, or bipolar disorder that shows up together with cannabis, alcohol, stimulant, or other substance use.
- Honest conversations about what a substance is doing for you — and what it’s costing you — without judgment or a script.
- Motivational Interviewing — meeting you where your motivation actually is, rather than assuming you’re “in denial.”
- CBT approaches for substance use — identifying triggers, developing coping skills, and building routines that support the changes you want to make.
- Treating the mental health condition — because unmanaged depression, anxiety, or ADHD often drives substance use, and addressing the underlying condition is often the first step.
- Care coordination — if you’re already in a substance use program, we can work alongside them on the psychiatric side.
When we refer out
Some situations need a level of care we don’t provide. When that’s the case, we’ll help you get there. This includes:
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) — Suboxone (buprenorphine), Vivitrol (naltrexone), methadone, or other opioid or alcohol MAT programs.
- Medical detox — for alcohol, benzodiazepine, or opioid withdrawal, which can be dangerous without medical supervision.
- Inpatient or residential treatment.
- Intensive outpatient (IOP) or partial hospitalization (PHP) programs for substance use.
- Formal opioid treatment programs.
We maintain referral relationships with Connecticut’s specialty addiction programs — including Stonington Institute, Rushford, and others — so we can get you to the right level of care quickly.