Every resource on Caregiver Connection is reviewed by our team before it's listed. We focus on resources that directly support family members supporting a loved one through substance use disorder in Pennsylvania — including support groups, peer networks, community organizations, and educational tools. We prioritize resources that are free, currently active, and welcoming to families.
We do not accept paid placements, and inclusion on this site is not an endorsement of any organization.
If you know of a resource we should consider, share it with us.
Caregiver Connection is focused on support for you — the caregiver or family member — not on comprehensive treatment listings for your loved one. There are other tools that do that well, including Treatment Atlas and SAMHSA's national helpline.
Here's what you generally won't find here, and why:
- For-profit intervention or mediation firms — we can't independently verify their services or practices, and families have reported negative experiences with predatory providers in this space.
- General grief groups that are not focused on substance use loss — they may be referenced in the Resource Library but are clearly labeled, since research shows families can face stigma in grief groups that aren't specific to accidental overdose or addiction loss.
- Individual 12-step meetings like Al-Anon or Nar-Anon and other large national or international mutual support groups like SMART Recovery — these programs maintain their own meeting locators, which are more current and detailed than anything we could replicate. We link to those tools directly in our Resource Library.
If something isn't listed here, it doesn't mean it doesn't exist or that it isn't helpful. It means we either haven't found it yet or it falls outside our focus. If you know of something we're missing, share it with us.
Not necessarily. Our resource catalogue focuses on resources we've been able to verify, and some areas of Pennsylvania — especially rural communities — have fewer local options. But there are still ways to find support.
Our Resource Catalogue includes virtual and statewide resources you can access from anywhere, including online support groups, educational programs, and hotlines. And if you know of a local resource we haven't listed, share it with us.
Caregiver Connection is completely free to use. We don't accept payment for included listings and we review and approve all resources internally. We do not accept advertising or sponsored placements. This site was created as a public resource by the Douglas W. Pollock Center for Addiction Outreach and Research at Penn State Harrisburg, through a contract from the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.
We do not require you to create an account, log in, or provide any personal information to use this site. If you submit a contact form or resource suggestion, we'll only use the information you provide to respond to your message or review your submission. We do not share your information with any third party.
We review and update the resources on this site on a regular basis, but organizations change their offerings, schedules, and availability over time. If you find a listing that's outdated or a link that's no longer working, please let us know.
A Certified Family Recovery Specialist (CFRS) is someone with lived experience as a family member of a person with substance use disorder. They've completed specialized training and certification to help other families navigate the system — from understanding treatment options to finding support for themselves. If you're not sure where to start, connecting with a CFRS can be one of the most helpful first steps. Some community organizations and recovery hubs in Pennsylvania have a CFRS on staff.
Find a CFRS in your area by texting CONNECT to 55753.
Every county in Pennsylvania has a Single County Authority — a local office(s) that coordinates drug and alcohol services, including access to publicly funded treatment, assessments, and referrals. Many families don't know these offices exist or that they may be eligible for services through them. Our Family Advisory Board recommends your local SCA as a useful place to start if you are looking for help navigating local SUD services.
Find your county's office by selecting county or counties in the Resource Catalogue.
Narcan (naloxone) is a safe, life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdoses (e.g., from fentanyl, heroin, or prescription pain medications) by restoring breathing and can be given as an easy-to-use nasal spray. In Pennsylvania, anyone—including family members—can carry and use Narcan, and it can be obtained at pharmacies without a personal prescription under a statewide standing order or for free through community programs, mail-to-home options, or vending machines. You do not need medical training to use it, but learning how to recognize an overdose and respond is strongly recommended, and we link to free Narcan administration trainings in our Resource Catalogue.
Contact your Single County Authority (SCA) for more information about accessing free Naloxone. Find your county's office by selecting county or counties in the Resource Catalogue.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out now.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988. Free, confidential, available 24/7.
- Pennsylvania Get Help Now Hotline — Call 1-800-662-4357. Free, confidential, bilingual (English/Spanish).
- Medical Emergency — Call 911.
Caregiver Connection was developed by the Douglas W. Pollock Center for Addiction Outreach and Research at Penn State Harrisburg, in partnership with a Parent Advisory Board of family members with lived experience. It was built with input from families across Pennsylvania who told us what they needed — and what was missing.