Home to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota has a population of nearly 800,000 people. Similar to most U.S. states, addiction and the current drug crisis have affected North Dakota residents. Roughly 21% of 2021-2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) respondents aged 18 or older reported past-year substance use disorder (SUD) in North Dakota. Finding free addiction resources in North Dakota is simple. Read on to learn more about what’s available in your state.
Drug Statistics in North Dakota
Research shows North Dakota has high levels of alcohol and drug use problems, including narcotics violations, opioid emergencies, and drug-related crime. The following are statistics about SUD and treatment in North Dakota from 2021 to 2023:
Addiction Nonprofits in North Dakota
North Dakota 211
North Dakota 211 is a helpline that connects residents to health and social support services. They can refer callers to multiple services, including crisis counseling, behavioral health and addiction care, and basic needs like food and clothing, education, housing, employment, and transportation support.
Recovery Reinvented
This organization lists mental health and addiction resources for North Dakota residents. Resources include addiction and crisis helplines, peer support groups, addiction education, treatment locators, opioid treatment programs, Veterans programs, and specialized programs for women.
The Salvation Army Northern Division
This faith-based nonprofit connects North Dakota residents struggling with addiction and homelessness to treatment options and other resources. Their residential treatment center offers a 180-day work-therapy program with group and individual counseling, spiritual direction, and life skills development.
Harm Reduction Programs
Syringe Service Programs
This website is a statewide syringe service program (SSP) locator. SSPs offer multiple safer drug use resources, including syringe and sharp object disposal, STD testing, safe-sex supplies, overdose prevention training, naloxone kits, and fentanyl testing strips. They also refer residents to other services like addiction treatment and housing assistance.
Fargo Harm Reduction Center (HRC)
The Fargo HRC offers a safe space for people experiencing addiction to speak with a harm reduction specialist. They provide various services, such as safer injection education, secure syringe disposal, Narcan distribution and administration training, overdose response training, safer smoking supplies, xylazine and fentanyl test strips, HIV and hepatitis C testing, and safe sex supplies. They also offer referrals to healthcare, addiction, and mental health services.
First District Health Unit
This SSP program has multiple harm reduction services, including safe syringe disposal, safer injection supplies, safe sex kits, Narcan, overdose response education and training, STD testing, and wound care kits. North Dakota residents can also be referred to SUD treatment and immunization updates.
Government Grants & Resources
Community Connect
This organization serves North Dakota residents who are experiencing addiction and mental health conditions. They offer recovery services, care coordination, and peer support. Individuals also have access to employment services, housing assistance, and family support.
North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services
This government website lists local addiction treatment programs for adults and adolescents. Their directory includes detox, low and high-intensity inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), standard outpatient services, opioid-specific programs, and DUI services.
North Dakota Medicaid
North Dakota Medicaid providers accept Medicaid for various addiction treatment services, including medical detox, residential rehab, day treatment, intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), outpatient care, and addiction aftercare. Depending on your specific policy, you may receive partial or full coverage.
College Addiction Resources
University of North Dakota (UND)
UND’s Northern Prairie Community Clinic SUD Program encompasses various evidence-based treatment services for North Dakota residents and surrounding areas. They provide client-centered outpatient addiction treatment, relapse prevention services, referrals, evaluations, individual and group therapy, aftercare, and trauma-focused therapy for adults and adolescents.
Bismark State College
This college offers student resources for addiction treatment, counseling, peer-support groups, safer alcohol-use tools, and addiction education. They also provide parent resources to help those who want to learn more about drug and alcohol use among students.
Minot State University
This university provides counseling services for students experiencing mental health conditions and addiction. Services are free and confidential, and counselors also offer referrals to behavioral health and SUD treatment providers.
LGBTQ+ Resources
University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota has a statewide resource list for the LGBTQ+ community. People can find resources by city and multiple crisis services for support and encouragement.
Community Uplift Program
This community health organization assists LGBTQ+ North Dakota residents aged 18 or older with addiction and mental health services. They connect people with care coordinators and peer support specialists to help them find treatment support, employment, and criminal justice assistance.
Harbor Health Initiative
Harbor Health Initiative lists LGBTQ+-friendly resources and providers. Their directory includes mental health and addiction care, community resources, primary care, BIPOC practitioners, adolescent services, and more. They also provide resources for harm reduction services and hormone access for youth.
Veterans Programs
North Dakota VA Medical Centers
The VA offers substance abuse and mental health care for veterans and their immediate family members. Fargo VA Health Care System offers intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), regular outpatient care, and addiction aftercare services. Veterans with VA coverage can often receive free or low-cost treatment.
North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs
This state website has multiple resources for North Dakota residents and their families. Veterans can learn more about how to find addiction treatment, mental health care, housing assistance, and their eligibility for coverage for different services.
Northeast Central Judicial District’s Veterans Treatment Court
The State of North Dakota Courts has a SUD treatment program for North Dakota Veterans in the criminal justice system. This program aims to promote long-term recovery by connecting Veterans with addiction treatment and social services. Veterans may have access to therapeutic interventions like medical detox, residential rehab, various outpatient programs, and addiction aftercare.
Indigenous & Tribal Programs
North Dakota Prevention
This North Dakota Department of Human Services program provides SUD prevention information, resources, and assistance for Tribal and Indigenous communities. They work to offer a range of culturally competent resources through their Spirit Lake Nation Alcohol & Other Drug Prevention program and the Mountain Plains Prevention and Training Center (PTTC) Network.
Drug Laws in North Dakota
Overdose Prevention & Immunity
This law provides immunity to bystanders intervening in an overdose situation. It protects both the individual experiencing the overdose and those who attempt to offer assistance from criminal prosecution.
Uniform Controlled Substances Act
This law explains the current criminal charges for the possession, distribution, and manufacturing of controlled substances.
North Dakota Medical Marijuana Law
This law describes the rules and regulations for growing, manufacturing, and distributing medical marijuana. It also explains the legal eligibility requirements for patients who possess medical marijuana.