Rehab in New Jersey
Alcoholism, Drug Abuse, Mental Health, and Treatment in New Jersey
New Jersey summary
Situated between the huge markets of New York and Pennsylvania, New Jersey is considered the crossroads of the east. Since New Jersey has a varied collection of pharmaceutical and chemical firms in all the country, it’s known for doctor shopping, employee theft, and fake phone-in prescriptions. The most seized drugs in New Jersey are cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, marijuana, and ecstasy.
Although cocaine is the most preferred drug in the state, heroin poses the highest narcotic problem in New Jersey due to its low price, high purity, and availability. While marijuana is the most readily available and most widely used substance in all of New Jersey, there are more admissions to state treatment centers for heroin than cocaine, marijuana, and all other drugs combined.
However, New Jersey also has a robust structure for alcohol and drug treatment, including over 100 different drug and alcohol treatment and rehabilitation centers, which accept Medicaid health insurance. This, combined with progressive laws, provides those with drug abuse, addiction disorders, and other substance abuse issues both coverage and hope.
New Jersey statistics
- New Jersey state population: 8.6 million
- New Jersey residents who abuse alcohol and/or drugs: 179,000 people use illicit drugs in 2013, but there were only 65,553 treatment admissions in 2014
- Number of people in New Jersey with a mental illness: 11,852
- Although New Jersey’s primary drug problem is with cocaine and crack cocaine, heroin also presents a huge problem
- In New Jersey, alcohol and marijuana are easy to obtain, especially for teens
Alcoholism in New Jersey
State laws governing alcohol in New Jersey are among the most complex in the United States. Some towns are dry, while others allow the sale of alcohol 24 hours a day. No matter the law, alcohol is widely available to teens, and ranks the number one drug of choice. Kids as young as 7th grade are using alcohol. Many students are failing classes and 30% of 15-20 year olds in 2000 died due to car accidents where drinking was involved. It’s estimated that over 40% of those who drink before the age of 13 will abuse or become dependent on alcohol sometime later in their life.
A huge problem when it comes to alcohol abuse is that most people don’t realize that they’re addicted. Plus, withdrawal symptoms are difficult to make it through on one’s own, ranging from mood swings, anxiety, irritability, nightmares, depression, and fatigue, to insomnia, headaches, increased heart rate, muscle tremors, convulsions, and hallucinations. Such symptoms of alcoholism withdrawal quickly turn people back to drinking. It is recommended that alcoholics should attempt to quit only within the confines of a treatment center with the support of the licensed facility team.
Once someone has detoxed from alcohol, it’s important to address the psychology of why they reached for a drink in the first place. Taking the space to see and sort through addictive behavior in a treatment center allows a person the best chance at a successful recovery.
New Jersey has a plethora of treatment centers for those struggling with alcoholism. One such luxury rehab private facility is Enlightened Solutions a private rehab facility in Egg Harbor, New Jersey. Enlightened Solutions specializes in the treatment of substance, drug and alcohol abuse. Jennifer Hansen, one of the founders of Enlightened Solutions, went from a $300-a-day heroin habit to recovery. Their program is unique because it builds on the client’s previous work in a holistic way for long-term stability and growth.
Guided Life Structures is a private rehab located in Somerville, New Jersey that also specializes in the treatment of substance, drug and alcohol abuse. They offer medically-assisted detox, and Buprenorphine and Vivitrol specifically for opiate and alcohol abuse.
In addition to formal treatment centers, people living in New Jersey can find 12-step program meetings (like Alcoholics Anonymous) in their local communities, free of charge.
Drug Abuse in New Jersey
Treatment options for drug abuse include both luxury as well as state-run and other payment-assisted facilities. One such luxury rehab facility, Recovery Centers of America at Lighthouse, is a private rehab center located in Mays Landing, New Jersey. Recovery Centers of America at Lighthouse specializes in the treatment of substance, drug and alcohol abuse. They offer medically-assisted detox, a full range of evidence-based treatment modalities, creative arts therapy, and 24-hour care with luxury accommodations.
Legacy Treatment Services is a private rehab center located in Pemberton, New Jersey. Legacy Treatment Services specializes in the treatment of mental health, substance, drug and alcohol abuse with a treatment center for opiate addiction, alcohol addiction, and mental health and substance abuse. In addition to medically-assisted detox, they also offer psychotropic medications to help clients stabilize so they can heal.
Mental Health in New Jersey
Mental illnesses are biologically-based brain disorders/medical conditions that disrupt a person’s feelings, thought processes, and daily functioning in the world.
Sequoia Recovery is a private rehab facility located in West Orange, New Jersey specializing in the treatment of mental health, substance, and drug and alcohol abuse. On top of medically-assisted detox and clinical therapies, they also offer Creative Arts Therapy and Experiential Therapy. Experiential Therapy allows clients to move their bodies and clear trauma, memories, and emotions in a quick and effective way.
Overlook Medical Center - Behavioral Health is a private rehab center located in Summit, New Jersey that specializes in the treatment of mental illnesses like bipolar disorder, clinical depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, schizophrenia, and more. They offer psychotropic medication as well as a variety of therapy modalities including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Experiential Therapy, Eating Disorder Treatment, Nutrition Therapy, and Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT), Animal Therapy, and Couples Therapy.
How do you pay for drug rehab In New Jersey without insurance?
The cost of rehab varies. Both private and public insurance policies cover substance abuse treatment to differing degrees. Basically, certain facilities accept certain forms of insurance, while others may not. Contact your insurance provider and ask about substance abuse disorder treatment options in your area. You can also research treatment providers in your area and ask what kind of insurance they accept.
If you lack insurance, look for sliding scale programs, consider payment plans and other financing options, and explore SAMHSA grants, which can help fund your treatment. Here is a list of addiction treatment centers in New Jersey that provide free, sliding scale, and affordable addiction treatment.
New Jersey has a number of treatment facilities that accept Medicaid and are available only to certain low-income individuals and families who fit into an eligibility group recognized by federal and state law. Medicaid sends payments directly to the drug rehab center where you seek treatment. Depending on state's rules in New Jersey, you may also be asked to pay a small part of the cost (co-payment) for some addiction treatment services.
Medicaid expansion in the state has made insurance for treatment available to many more people but the need continues to grow. It was estimated that in 2013, 179,000 people used illegal drugs in New Jersey, yet only a fourth of them got treatment.
There are over there are over 100 different drug and alcohol treatment and rehabilitation centers which do accept Medicaid health insurance in New Jersey so there is a great deal of help available to people struggling with drug and alcohol addiction.
What is inpatient rehab like for drugs and alcohol?
Much depends on the individual coming into rehab, their diagnosis and situation. In general, alcohol rehab programs require a minimum stay of 28-30 days at the rehab facility. A person may stay 60-90 days, and almost never longer than 3 months. Long-term inpatient alcohol rehab can last from three months to a year.
Depending on the facility, drug rehab itself will vary, but with a safe space provided to detox and address the issues that began the addiction in the first place, recovery is always possible.
Although experiences at rehab facilities vary based on the individual, one of the most important elements to have in place is a solid aftercare program prior to leaving the facility. This can include a plan for a sober living facility, local 12-step program meetings, and ways to continue to participate in both individual and group therapy (where possible).
New Jersey: Looking Ahead
Like many other states, New Jersey has a substantial substance abuse landscape. New Jersey residents struggle with alcohol, heroin, cocaine/crack cocaine, and prescription drug addiction, as well as other substance abuse disorders. There is also a treatment gap, with many more people addicted than being treated for addiction.
That said, New Jersey is also a strongly progressive state in many ways, with a lot of people taking action towards assisting people in recovery. A three-prong approach is needed and being worked towards, with education, legislation, and law enforcement working together. Small gains are being made, such as the use of a nasal spray of naloxone called Narcan, which instantly reverses the effects of an opiate overdose. It has been distributed to law enforcement officials statewide.
New Jersey has and will continue to provide opportunities for those seeking treatment to do so quickly and affordably. Whether to address an alcohol addiction, mental health issue, or drug addiction, where help is needed, help will be provided.