Regulation updates have left many New Jerseyans concerned about finding local sober living homes.
After all, sober living can be a stepping stone in the recovery process, helping patients transition from rehab and back to their lives. It can also be incredibly beneficial for people who are looking for a drug/alcohol-free place to stay as they finish their outpatient treatment.
At Garden State Treatment Center, we’re dedicated to helping people recover, maintain their sobriety, and recreate themselves. In this article, we will help you find the right sober living program in New Jersey.
Table of Contents
Sober Living at Garden State Treatment Center
We’ll discuss why Garden State Treatment Center (GSTC) stands out in a minute. We’ll also analyze the history of sober living homes, who they’re made for, and what the experience is like for the typical resident.
For now, let’s check out a quick overview of the program:
Clean, Safe, and Serene Housing
Located in a safe, quiet neighborhood in Sparta, our facility provides a judgment-free and substance-free environment. You’ll still find enough structure and accountability to support and protect the progress you’ve made so far.
Besides employing knowledgeable and empathetic staff, we take immense pride in keeping clean, beautifully maintained premises. And we’re glad that many of our patients noticed our efforts and took the time to leave positive reviews online about the facility.
You can find more information about reviews and third-party recognition later in the article.
Recovery-Focused Services
Residing at our residences connects you with resources and programs needed for strengthening a budding sobriety.
All in all, the services provided at GTSC range from group therapy to evening intensive outpatient programs (IOPs).
Ongoing Care Through Alumni Services
The support doesn’t stop just because you’re ready to move out of our quarters. At Garden State Treatment Center, we recognize that recovery is an ongoing process—and a tricky one at that.
The work doesn’t end after your sober living stay, just as it didn’t end when your inpatient rehab was over. To stay sober, you need continuing commitment, self-care, and support.
That’s exactly why we encourage former patients and residents to join our alumni program.
The fellowship connects former clients with the resources and tools they need to rebuild their lives, with periodic follow-ups from dedicated coordinators. And of course, the program includes in-person and virtual meetings.
Our monthly fellowship gatherings are designed to provide support, demand accountability, and double as fun, sober social events. This way, we open the door for building true camaraderie with people who’ve struggled with similar challenges.
As you lean into that community, you realize that you now have access to support 24/7, 360 days a year. Plus, the best part about being a member is that you can both provide and ask for support from fellow GSTC alumni.
Understanding Sober Living Programs
Now that we’ve covered the program at GSTC, we’re ready to break down the typical sober living programs.
History
The sober living programs we see today are more or less an advanced version of the 12-step houses that were popular back in the 1940s.
At some point in time, the term “12-step house” got replaced by “sober living home” or SLH. One theory about the shift in the name is that operators wanted a more inclusive name to accurately represent the holistic approach adopted in their facilities.
State Definition
State legislature defines sober living residences as boarding houses solely catering to people recovering from an addiction with the goal of supporting sobriety.
It’s also worth noting that the Department of Community Affairs for the State of New Jersey acknowledges the need for transitional recovery houses.
Duration
The one-size-fits-all approach is usually not a good match for services related to addiction treatment. After all, patients’ needs and recovery journeys are hardly ever the same. So, it’s hard to predict just how long someone might need to stay at an SLH.
That being said, most patients need at least 90 days before they’re ready for independent living. For other people, the duration of the stay depends on the duration of their IOP program.
Who It’s For
Any individual in recovery can opt for sober living programs whenever they need to strengthen their sobriety. However, the programs can be particularly beneficial for those who:
- Have no (or an unreliable) support network
- Have co-occurring mental health issues
- Are at a high relapse risk for one reason or another (like being in early recovery)
Overall Experience
The experience varies not just from person to person, but also from SLH to SLH. SLHs can actually be split into four main categories. Level one is often peer-run, while level four is a service-provider model with the most structure.
That said, there are a few shared characteristics you’ll likely see at most high-level programs:
Safe Haven
SLHs are, by default, secure, substance-free places. The goal here is to put some distance between the stresses of everyday life and someone who’s in early recovery. This way, they can work on strengthening their recovery without fear or distraction.
24/7 Support
Sober living programs aren’t just physical safe havens. The staff at the facilities are trained to provide support and help residents cope with their cravings.
Residents might also gain crucial life skills that they’ll need as they move out of the facility and try to rebuild their lives.
Peer Support
When residents in the same house share the same hardships, they feel a sense of belonging to a community quickly. And this community nurtures accountability and provides much-needed motivation.
Gradual Reintegration
What makes sober living programs particularly beneficial is that they strike a balance between structure and freedom.
Patients are no longer restricted to the premises of a residential program, but they do have to adhere to a curfew, do chores around the home, and attend meetings. This balance eases the transition from rehab to independent living.
Why Choose Garden State Treatment Center
Garden State Treatment Center is a licensed provider that’s recognized for excellence, focused on evidence-based therapies, and committed to its community.
We’re State-Licensed, JCAHO-Accredited, and LegitScript-Certified
Garden State Treatment Center is a licensed SUD treatment provider in the State of New Jersey. You can find more details about the license on the New Jersey Substance Abuse Monitoring System (NJSAMS).
Besides being state-licensed, our facility is recognized for excellence in substance abuse and behavioral health treatment by the Joint Commission of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).
What does getting accredited by the JCAHO mean? Well, the Joint Commission’s accreditation is an objective evaluation process. Every aspect of a candidate organization is subject to inspection, from organizational compliance to performance standards.
According to the SAMHSA 2020 New Jersey profile, only 25.3% of the SUD treatment providers in the state are accredited by the Joint Commission. So, receiving the JCAHO Gold Seal of Approval is a testament to our operational efficiency, patient outcomes, and community trust.
We also understand that patients need to be confident that they’re choosing a legitimate and compliant provider. That’s why we decided to become LegitScript-certified. This certification shows that our internet and payments ecosystems are safe, transparent, and regulated.
Our Power Is Our People
What truly separates Garden State Treatment Center is the people.
Our multifaceted team is more of a family. And that translates to our clients, who know that every staff member cares about their sobriety and well-being.
Plus, many of our employees are in recovery themselves. So, they understand the challenges, triggers, and immense need for support.
But compassion, dedication, and experience aren’t the only things we look for in employees. Strong qualifications and academic backgrounds are also vital for us. From the housing staff to the clinicians, everyone you’ll meet is trained and qualified.
For instance, our team includes Group Facilitators like Mary Lewis, Alexandra Quast-Cadavid, and William Mahoney.
Mary holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Montclair State University. Meanwhile, Alexandra is using her passion for mental health and addiction counseling to pursue a master’s degree in Counseling.
William (who’s been sober since 1987) has close to 19 years of experience in addiction treatment.
Heading the clinical team is Melissa Forte, a licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor (LCADC), certified grief and loss recovery specialist (CGRS), and certified clinical supervisor (CCS). Notably, Melissa has been in the field since 2017.
The Medical Director, however, is Dr. Michael Ganon. Dr. Ganon is board-certified in family medicine and is actively pursuing certification in addiction medicine.
Our Program Director is Sharon Alexander, who holds an MFT. Sharon also has 4 years of experience in residential programs and understands the levels of care needed for addiction recovery.
We Accept Health Insurance
At Garden State Treatment Center, we want to make recovery accessible to everyone. So, our team is dedicated to helping clients cover their treatment expenses, and we do that in two ways.
First, we accept a wide range of health insurance plans, including (but not limited to) Aetna, Magellan Health, Humana, Tricare, and Meritain Health.
Plus, we offer free, quick, confidential, and zero-commitment insurance benefits checks. To receive a detailed assessment, all you need to do is fill out a short insurance verification form.
Our Team Members Have Ties to the Community
Garden State Treatment Center has roots in New Jersey. It’s also worth noting that many of our team members are actually Jersey natives.
Take, for instance, Christina Scherer, our Family Services Advocate. Christina even got her Bachelor of Science in Health Studies from Monmouth University.
Many of our licensed social workers and therapists are quite a positive resource within the community as well. For one, Anthony Ricci, a primary therapist at GSTC, is particularly passionate about helping veterans and vulnerable populations.
We’re Part of a Larger Network.
Garden State Treatment Center is part of the Recreate Behavioral Health Network (RBHN), a premier SUD and mental health services provider.
RBHN operates clinics in multiple states across the nation and offers a full continuum of care. So, even if GSTC’s sober living program isn’t a good fit for you, the network can still help by referring you to other facilities, including its recovery residences in South Florida.
All of RBNH’s treatment facilities are JCAHO-accredited and staffed with experienced and highly trained teams. High-quality care and respect for every patient’s needs shape the service provided across the network.
Recognition of GSTC’s Staff, Facilities, and Programs
With all these perks in mind, it’s not hard to see why Garden State Treatment Center is highly recommended by the recovery community in New Jersey.
Directory Listings
Listings on local and national directories validate our reputation and direct patients to our facility. Here are some of these listings:
- Recovery.com
- DrugAbuse.com – Aftercare Services and Sober Living Directory
- Addictions.com
- NJSAMS – Addiction Services Treatment Directory
- Sparta NJ Resource Directory
Notable Mentions
Garden State Treatment Center has been featured in a“Best of NJ” article about recovery centers in the state.
We were also included in AddictionResource’s list of the best outpatient providers in New Jersey.
Client Reviews
Many of our clients are happy to talk about their experience at GSTC.
You can check out the 200+ reviews on Google, but here’s a quick insight into what former patients have to say about our staff and housing:
- “If you’re looking for a great transition from an inpatient treatment to sober living, this is the way to go! Staff is incredibly friendly, caring, and thoughtful.”
- “Garden State Treatment Center is a top tier recovery environment. The sober living component offers houses in upscale neighborhoods away from all the noise and distractions you would normally find.”
- “Everyone was super nice, housing was clean and very nice. Great 12 step education and knowledge of substance abuse.”
- “The houses are clean and well maintained. I give this facility a 5 star rating and this is coming from a client who has been to at least 20 different places.”
While it’s rare for two individuals to have the same recovery journey, it can be reassuring to know that a service provider has been constantly delivering quality care.
Find Your Stepping Stone in New Jersey Today
The right sober living program bridges the gap between inpatient rehab and independent living. It can also help provide a stable, supporting environment as you work on your outpatient treatment.
Whether you need help finding the right sober living home or are just curious about the process, feel free to call or send us a message. All communication channels are confidential, and our knowledge team members are always available and ready to answer questions!
