Today’s guide is designed to help you pick the most suitable drug or alcohol rehab in New Jersey. If you choose to kickstart your recovery in one of over 200 of the best New Jersey Rehabs, discover what to expect from inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment.
Whether you are addicted to alcohol, prescription medications, or illicit narcotics, most addictions respond positively to evidence-based treatment.
Background of New Jersey
Although New Jersey is the fifth smallest U.S. state in terms of land area, it is also the most densely populated of all states with 9 million residents.
Known as the Garden State, New Jersey is one of the wealthiest states. 2019 data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicate that almost 10% of households are millionaires. Only two U.S. states have higher median household income.
This Northeast state is home to Princeton University, ocean resorts, creek resorts, and Liberty State Park. You can also find 235 drug and alcohol rehab centers in New Jersey.
New Jersey Substance Abuse Statistics
Like most U.S. states, one of the major public health threats in New Jersey is the availability of prescription opioids.
According to NJ-SAM (New Jersey Substance Abuse Monitoring System), over 98,000 residents of New Jersey were admitted to hospital for addiction treatment in 2019. Ocean, Essex, and Camden counties reported the highest rates of admissions. The data show that:
- 25% of addiction treatment in New Jersey was administered in an outpatient setting.
- 24% of treatment plans involved an IOP (intensive outpatient program).
- 12% of treatment plans involved short-term residential rehab.
New Jersey’s Department of Human Services reports that almost one-third of admissions for addiction treatment were for alcohol abuse. Fortunately, the same data shows that rates of binge drinking in New Jersey are lower than the national average.
Illicit narcotics like cocaine, heroin, and meth are widely available in New Jersey. Some of the cheapest and purest heroin in the United States can be found in The Garden State, selling for just $5. This led to over 41,000 New Jersey residents being admitted for heroin addiction treatment in 2019.
Co-Occurring Disorders
Co-occurring disorder is also described as dual diagnosis. These clinical terms denote an addiction that presents simultaneously with a mental health disorder.
Addictions often associated with co-occurring disorders include:
- Alcohol
- Marijuana
- Meth
- Cocaine
- Crack cocaine
- Heroin
- Fentanyl
- Prescription opioids
- Z-drugs
- Benzodiazepines
Mental health disorders often associated with co-occurring disorders include:
- PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
- Anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Depression
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
2020 data from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) show that:
- 17 million adults in the United States had dual diagnosis of substance use disorder and AMI (any mental illness) in 2020, a sharp increase from the 9.7 million adults in the United States with the same dual diagnosis in 2019.
- 5.7 million adults in the United States had dual diagnosis of substance use disorder and an SMI (serious mental illness) in 2020.
Those suffering from dual diagnosis may find that the mental health condition or the addiction develops first. Every case of dual diagnosis is different. In almost all cases, coordinated dual diagnosis treatment delivers the most favorable outcomes.
Addiction Treatment in New Jersey
If you require drug or alcohol addiction treatment in New Jersey, you can expect a treatment program to draw from these research-backed interventions:
- MAT
- Behavioral Therapies
- Motivational Therapies
MAT
MAT (medication-assisted treatment) is proven effective for treating alcohol use disorder or opioid use disorder.
The following medications are approved by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) for treating alcohol use disorder:
- Naltrexone
- Disulfiram
- Acamprosate
The following medications are approved by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) for treating opioid use disorder:
- Naltrexone
- Buprenorphine
- Methadone
All of the above medications can streamline drug and alcohol withdrawal. Additionally, the medications used in MAT can reduce the intensity of cravings for drugs or alcohol.
When MAT is delivered throughout ongoing addiction treatment in New Jersey, this should inhibit subsequent abuse of alcohol or drugs, promote sustained abstinence, and minimize the likelihood of relapse in recovery.
Your New Jersey treatment team may also administer medications to soothe these symptoms or conditions:
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Seizures
MAT is always most beneficial when delivered in combination with psychotherapies and counseling.
Behavioral Therapies
The most popular behavioral therapies offered in New Jersey drug and alcohol rehab centers are:
- CBT
- DBT
CBT
CBT is the abbreviation for cognitive behavioral therapy, a form of psychotherapy (talk therapy) that is proven effective for treating both addictions and mental health conditions.
During CBT sessions, a therapist will help you to identify your personal triggers for substance abuse. This will help you to become more aware of potential stressors in your ongoing recovery.
Additionally, a psychotherapist will help you to develop healthy coping techniques, enabling you to deal with stress more robustly in everyday life after rehab in New Jersey.
DBT
Dialectical behavior therapy is a form of CBT first used to treat the symptoms of borderline personality disorder. DBT is now commonly used as a treatment for:
- Substance use disorders
- Mental health disorders
- Co-occurring disorders
A qualified therapist will help you to become more tolerant and accepting of emotional distress. During DBT sessions, you will also discover how to use relaxation techniques as a healthy substitute for substance abuse.
Motivational Therapies
Many of the best New Jersey Rehabs offer access to motivational therapies to supplement evidence-based psychotherapies like CBT or DBT. The most common of these are:
- CRA (Community Reinforcement Approach)
- CM (Contingency Management)
- MI (Motivational Interviewing)
CRA (Community Reinforcement)
CRA is an abbreviation for the community reinforcement approach. Often used as one component of outpatient treatment for substance abuse, CRA involves sessions held twice-weekly over a period of six months. This approach calls for regular drug tests.
The community reinforcement approach helps you to:
- Create a sober support system.
- Prevent further substance use.
- Develop healthy interests.
- Connect with vocational development services or counseling services.
CRA can an effective component of treatment for these addictions:
- Opioids
- Cocaine
- Alcohol
CM (Contingency Management)
CM (contingency management) is a type of motivational therapy that incentivizes positive behaviors like negative drug screens with small gifts like vouchers.
Contingency management is especially effective for treating these addictions:
- Alcohol
- Opioids
- Meth
- Marijuana
- Cocaine
- Prescription stimulants
Motivational Interviewing
MI – motivational interviewing – is a form of motivational therapy that consists of a collaborative dialogue between you and a licensed therapist.
Rather than approaching the conversation as an expert, the therapist guides you to make behavioral changes based on your personal values and goals.
Through engaging with sessions of motivational interviewing, you could:
- Develop superior coping mechanisms.
- Boost your motivation to make lifestyle or behavioral changes.
- Strengthen your commitment to implementing those changes.
Addiction Treatment: Levels of Intensity
According to ASAM (American Society of Addiction Medicine), there are five distinct levels of addiction treatment as follows:
- Early intervention services.
- Outpatient treatment.
- IOPs (intensive outpatient programs) and PHPs (partial hospitalization programs).
- Inpatient treatment (residential rehab).
- Intensive inpatient treatment.
These are the most common forms of inpatient rehab, also known as residential rehab:
- 30-day inpatient rehab in New Jersey
- 60-day inpatient rehab in New Jersey
- 90-day inpatient rehab in New Jersey
Inpatient treatment in New Jersey is typically recommended for:
- Moderate and severe addictions.
- Dual diagnosis.
- For those with unstable home environments.
You remain at a New Jersey drug and alcohol rehab from detox to discharge.
Studies show that most milder addictions respond equally well to outpatient treatment. Most New Jersey rehabs offer the following outpatient programs:
- OP: outpatient program
- IOP: intensive outpatient program
- PHP: partial hospitalization program
Outpatient treatment in New Jersey is typically recommended for:
- Mild addictions.
- Stepping down from residential rehab in New Jersey.
- An affordable and flexible approach to recovery from addiction in New Jersey.
Activities in New Jersey
Although there is no cure for addiction, most substance use disorders respond well to treatment. The recovery process is a series of events like detox, rehab, and aftercare leading to ongoing recovery and sustained sobriety.
At a New Jersey rehab center, you can access the pharmacological treatments and behavioral interventions highlighted above, as well as individual counseling and group counseling.
Most of the best New Jersey rehabs will also offer the following supplementary therapies and activities:
- Nutritional therapy
- Exercise programs
- Animal-assisted therapy
- Acupuncture
- Music therapy
- Art therapy
- Mindfulness
- Meditation
- EMDR therapy
- Yoga
- Tai chi
- Surfing
- Cycling
- Hiking
- Climbing
- Biochemical restoration
- Massage
Drug Rehab FAQ
Does New Jersey accept Medicaid?
Yes. NJ Medicaid provides health insurance for low-income residents of the Garden State, as well as for seniors, pregnant women, and dependent children. Over 60% of drug and alcohol rehabs in New Jersey accept Medicaid for addiction treatment.
Are there outpatient options in New Jersey?
Yes. Of the 235 New Jersey drug and alcohol rehab centers, 211 treatment centers offer outpatient treatment for addiction.
What areas have the most treatment centers in New Jersey?
You will find drug and alcohol rehab centers located throughout the state of New Jersey, including in:
- Newark
- Jersey City
- Atlantic City
What can you do in New Jersey?
New Jersey is packed with historic sites and museums. The Garden State is also home to Liberty State Park. Take a ferry from this iconic location to Ellis Island. A coastal region with stunning beachfront hotels, there is plenty of chance to connect with nature if you are initiating your recovery from addiction in New Jersey.