At a glance
Alabama is one of 50 health departments funded by CDC's Overdose Data to Action in States cooperative agreement. Their Connect AL app helps Alabamians from all walks of life find the treatment that is right for them.
Creating an app to connect Alabamians to care
Alabamians with substance use disorders and mental health issues face significant challenges and barriers to finding the right care at the right time. The Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH), the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), and VitAL (at the University of Alabama) collaborated to create a mobile application (app) to be part of the solution. The Connect Alabama app enables health care providers, first responders, public safety officers, community leaders, family members, and individuals seeking help to access the most up-to-date information on behavioral health services, treatment, recovery housing, crisis lines, and more.
Connect Alabama is a convenient resource for information and education on treatment, prevention, and mental health. Users can find a local provider with the services locator tool and be linked directly to care by completing the telehealth substance use assessment. The app functions even if the internet or data is not available and will update as service and data become available for the user.
Alabama's mobile app success
Connect Alabama launched in July of 2022 during the first Overdose Data to Action cooperative agreement. The Alabama Departments of Mental and Public Health continue to contract with VitAL to enhance and promote the app, demonstrating the value of CDC's sustained investments through OD2A in States. During the month of January 2025, there were 57 search requests for detox facilities, 15 for faith-based facilities, 69 for medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) providers, 558 for outpatient facilities, 30 for recovery housing facilities, 3 for housing, 9 for medical providers, 111 for co-occurring care, and 428 for residential treatment done through Connect Alabama.