Alcohol, drugs and addictions: programs and services

What is substance use disorder?
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual defines “substance use disorder” as the use of alcohol and/or drugs causing clinically and functionally significant impairment, such as health problems, disability, and failure to meet major responsibilities at work, school or home.

Substance use disorder is common and treatable
Like all diseases, Substance use disorder requires the right care. It affects people from all communities and all age groups. Substance use disorder is common, recurrent, and often serious, but they are treatable and many people do recover.

Prevention

DHS works with communities across Minnesota to prevent alcohol and drug abuse before it starts. Two of our initiatives are:

Positive Community Norms is a school and community-based prevention framework making a real, positive impact in the rates of youth alcohol use. Positive Community Norms cultivates true, lasting cultural transformation by involving the students, parents, teachers and the entire community.

Know the dangers.com is a website and outreach effort shining light on the problem of opioids and synthetic drugs. The website offers tools for parents, teachers, and other professionals, as well as resources for youth looking for information, support and services.
Assessment
A chemical dependency assessment includes an interview with a counselor to review a person's chemical use and its impact on their daily life and relationships. The assessment may also include:
- A diagnostic test
- Review of medical, legal, mental health and treatment records
- A physical screening
- Assessment of need for detox services
- Interviews with other people in the person's life.
Assessments should address each person's unique needs.

Check the Getting help page to find out who to call to get an assessment.
Treatment
Treatment services include:
- Inpatient and outpatient programs
- Halfway houses
- Extended care
- Detox centers.
Many insurance policies will pay for chemical dependency treatment. No insurance? People who qualify can get help paying for treatment.

You can search for drug and alcohol treatment programs near you at FastTracker.
Recovery
- Recovery community organizations are non-profit groups led by members of local recovery communities. They provide education about recovery, outreach and peer recovery support services. Minnesota Recovery Connection is a recovery community organization with a mission of strengthening the recovery community through peer-to-peer support, public education, and advocacy.
- Peer-based recovery support services include activities not generally offered by treatment providers. These include recovery coaching, phone support, support groups and social activities. They also help people get housing, transportation, vocational training and jobs.
- Support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are where people can talk about their experiences, strengths and hopes with each other in order to solve the problems they share.
Problem gambling
- Help is available for people who have a gambling problem, and many people qualify for free treatment.
Tobacco addiction
- Tobacco is a highly addictive drug, one that is a leading cause of death in Minnesota. Learn how DHS is helping tackle the problem.
Traditional Healing For Native Communities
Information page (PDF)

Traditional healing is an approach to mental health and substance use disorder treatment designed and delivered by American Indians, for American Indians. Research has found that traditional healing practices to be very successful, having outcomes equivalent to conventional treatment for non-American Indians.

10 Tribal Nations are receiving grants to support traditional healing. Legislation also includes funding for five urban American Indian organizations to be awarded based on a competitive process.

Grantees include seven Anishinaabe nations:
- Bois Forte Band of Chippewa
- Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
- Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa
- Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
- Red Lake Nation
- White Earth Nation
And three Dakota nations:
- Lower Sioux Indian Community
- Prairie Island Indian Community
- Upper Sioux Community
Five urban Indian organizations were awarded grants:
- American Indian Community Housing Organization
- American Indian Family Center
- Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center
- Northwest Indian Community Development Center
- Native American Community Clinic
Contact a grantee for more information about services.
Frequently asked questions