After Nearly 150 years, Hartford Dispensary is Laying Down New Roots

April 20th, 2026

MANCHESTER, CT – October 03, 2018 – The Hartford Dispensary, one of Connecticut’s leading addiction treatment organizations and oldest nonprofit agencies, announced today that it is changing its name to Root Center for Advanced Recovery.


“In response to the exploding opioid crisis, we have grown to include 10 locations across Connecticut, and have expanded our addiction and mental health services,” said President & CEO Steven Zuckerman. “As we continue to grow and add services to meet our communities’ needs, we wanted a new name— to acknowledge that we are and will continue to expand beyond what we have been known for.”


The Root Center for Advanced Recovery name pays homage to one of the Hartford Dispensary’s founders, Dr. Joseph E. Root, who treated patients who could not afford private medical care from his Pearl Street office. The Hartford Dispensary was established in 1871 as Connecticut’s first outpatient medical clinic.


After 100 years of providing diverse medical services, the organization’s leadership saw a critical unmet need and in 1971, created a program exclusively focused on treating heroin addiction. Over the past 47 years, the organization has remained focused on this mission and become one of the leading opioid treatment organizations in the country.


Today, the Root Center for Advanced Recovery offers addiction treatment services that include medication assisted treatment, intensive outpatient counseling, and mental health services for nearly 6,000 patients per day. In addition, the organization is adding services for adolescents and to treat a diverse array of emerging addictions.



Headquartered in Manchester, the Root Center for Advanced Recovery has clinics in: Bristol, Hartford (3 locations), Manchester, New Britain, New London, Norwich, Torrington, and Willimantic. In addition, the Root Center is actively working to add new locations across the state to serve more communities and to further partner with other medical professionals who are facing growing addiction challenges with their patients.


Recent Posts

Rooted & Real Podcast: Always On: Social Media and the Mind

May 12, 2026
In this episode of Rooted and Real, we get honest about the highs, the lows, and the unseen impact of scrolling, comparing, and staying constantly connected. From validation and anxiety to the feeling of being hooked on our screens and struggling to put them down—and how all of this is affecting kids growing up in a digital world—nothing is off limits. If you’ve ever caught yourself reaching for your phone without thinking or wondered how it’s shaping your mental health (or the next generation’s), this conversation is for you. 🎧 Tune in, reflect, and get real with us. Special thanks to our guest, UCONN Professor and Digital Media Expert, John Murphy, for all of his excellent insight on this episode! 

Root Center Hosts Author Event

May 12, 2026
Join us for an inspiring evening with author Matt Grace as he visits our clinic to share the story behind his upcoming memoir, God Doesn’t Relapse: Sex, Drugs, and the Life That Almost Killed Me. With more than 20 years of sobriety and thousands of hours mentoring individuals and families, Matt brings a powerful message of hope, healing, and lasting transformation. This special event will include a live discussion on addiction, recovery, faith, and the journey to rebuilding a life with purpose. Guests attending the event will have the exclusive opportunity to pre-order the book and receive a sponsored copy when it is released . Whether you are personally in recovery, supporting a loved one, or simply looking for encouragement, this evening is for you. 📍 6 Business Park Drive, Suite 103A, Branford, CT 📅 Thursday, July 9 🕕 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Reserve your spot today.

Root Center hosts first Paint Night

May 11, 2026
Join us for a fun and creative Paint Night hosted by Connecticut artist Hillary Hany! Whether you're a seasoned painter or picking up a brush for the first time, this relaxed, welcoming event is the perfect way to unwind and express yourself. Date: July 23 Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Cost: Just $15 per person All materials and lite refreshments will be provided—just bring your creativity! The featured design for the evening will be announced soon, so stay tuned for a sneak peek. Location: Root Center – Branford Clinic Stony Creek Medical Center 6 Business Park Drive, Suite 103A Grab a friend or come solo and meet new people while enjoying a laid-back night of painting and fun. Spots are limited, so be sure to reserve yours today! Get your tickets here !
Show More