All You Need to Know About Addiction Treatment in NJ

Like many other chronic diseases, addiction isn’t curable. You can’t take a pill and end all cravings once and for all. It is, however, very much treatable.

With the right therapeutic interventions, you can manage the condition successfully. Sobriety can even counteract some of the disruptive effects drugs and/or alcohol have on brain function.

What should the addiction treatment process look like? How accessible are the treatment services in New Jersey?

Read on to learn more about your recovery options and how Garden State Treatment Center can help you change your life for the better.

Addiction Treatment in New Jersey: Key Facts and Figures

Let’s start with an overview of the treatment availability and perception of care in the state.

Here are key insights from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), the State’s uniform reporting summary, and the state profile from the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services (N-SSATS):

• There are over 380 substance abuse and mental health treatment centers in the state.
• Nearly half (49.9%) of the state’s treatment centers are private, for-profit.
• Only 25.3% of the state’s facilities are accredited by the Joint Commission.
• 97.7% of adult patients in the state participated in the treatment planning, compared to 85.2% nationwide.
• Only 0.1% of those receiving treatment stayed in the rehab center. Around 85% remained in private residences.
• 166,000 adults in the state needed but didn’t receive treatment for illicit drug use, while 307,000 adults needed but didn’t receive treatment for alcohol use.
• 70.8% of all treatment facilities in New Jersey accept private health insurance. 29.8% and 62.4% accept Medicare and Medicaid, respectively.

Whole-Patient, Low-Barrier Addiction Treatment

Before we take a closer look at the available treatment options, it’s important to consider the overall approach.

Every center may adopt a certain treatment approach, but the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) does have its recommendations.

For one, the SAMHSA recommends a “whole-patient” approach to treating substance use disorders (SUDs), where FDA-approved drugs are used along with therapeutic interventions.

The administration also recognizes the importance of low-barrier models of care. Following this model, treatment centers work on reducing the restrictions that keep people from seeking the help they need to overcome their addictions.

So, ideally, you want a provider that sees you as a whole person (rather than an SUD diagnosis) and is willing to meet you where you are with care tailored to your unique needs and challenges.

Treatment and Recovery Options

Addiction treatment doesn’t follow a one-size-fits-all approach. It’s often individualized and adaptable to meet the person’s constantly changing needs.

That said, we can break down the main recovery options into a few categories:

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Patients suffering from alcohol use disorders (AUDs) or opioid use disorders (OUD) might need more than just psychotherapy and peer support. That’s where medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs come in.

The medications used for AUDs are referred to as MOUDs, and the most common options are acamprosate, disulfiram, and naltrexone. They don’t “cure” alcoholism, but they can help patients deal with the withdrawal symptoms as they detox.

Note that naltrexone can also be used to treat opioid addictions, making it a viable MOUD. Buprenorphine and methadone are two other popular MOUDs.

MOUDs work by normalizing the brain chemistry, blocking the euphoric effects, and relieving cravings. Some people use them short-term, while others need to take them for years.

Residential Treatment

Some cases call for a full-time inpatient program, where patients reside in the treatment center for 30, 60, or even 90 days. This rehab option is suitable for individuals who need round-the-clock monitoring and a rigid structure to recover.

Side note: Patients who need more flexibility and less monitoring may opt for a partial care program instead. That’s when they only spend a bit of time inside the treatment center, giving them the chance to address their responsibilities at home, work, or school.

Outpatient Counseling

Some patients need medications. Others don’t. Either way, counseling is necessary for understanding the addiction cycle and the core triggers. Without understanding the nature of the disease, learning to cope with the cravings and avoid relapses becomes tricky.

That’s why outpatient counseling (standard programs or intensive versions) can be essential parts of any treatment plan. But, of course, the counseling services can’t be generic. 

Insights into the Treatment Process

If you’re considering entering yourself into rehab, you may be hesitant and anxious. It’s perfectly normal to wonder what the process will look like and what you’ll need to go through once you make that call.

The process can differ from one center to another and from one patient to the next. However, the typical treatment journey goes through the following phases:

• Initial Evaluation: The admissions team sees if the center’s services are a good fit for your needs.
• Insurance Verification: The team then verifies your insurance benefits and lets you know if there are any out-of-pocket expenses.
• Intake Assessment: Clinicians take a closer look at your unique circumstances to determine the right level of care and craft a tailored treatment plan.
• Medical Detox: Healthcare professionals provide support and help you get through the intense withdrawal symptoms.
• Inpatient and/or Outpatient Rehab: Depending on the treatment plan, you’re directed to a program that offers the right level of care.
• Aftercare: You transition to a follow-up plan designed to help you resist temptations and work towards long-term sobriety.

Addiction Treatment: Your Rights

Being treated for a drug use problem is challenging as is, and there can be stigma around rehab and MAT programs. Thankfully, there are laws in place to protect your rights as you recover and reclaim your life.

For instance, federal laws prohibit employers, landlords, and even healthcare providers from discriminating against an individual just because they’re receiving medication for a substance use disorder.

Laws also prevent discrimination between people on MATs and others who are prescribed medications for any other disability.

You may be entitled to reasonable accommodations in your workplace, including:

• Modified or part-time work schedule
• A leave of absence
• Reassignment to a vacant position that’s better suited to your situation

Why Garden State Treatment Center

Located in the heart of Northern New Jersey in Sparta Township, our center is a premier provider of outpatient and partial care addiction treatment services.

Here’s why our facility is trusted by many:

Team Expertise and Qualification

One of our strengths is our team. From our executives to the group facilitators, Garden State Treatment Center is run by dedicated and compassionate staff members who are constantly chasing more qualifications and industry experience.

Daniel Schaffer, our CEO, has 15+ years of experience in the healthcare industry and holds a JD with a focus on Health Law.

Our medical director is Dr. Michael Ganon. Besides being board-certified in family medicine, Dr. Ganon is also actively pursuing certification in addiction medicine.

As for the clinical director role, we have Melissa Forte, who is a licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor (LCADC), certified clinical supervisor (CCS), and certified grief and loss recovery specialist (CGRS). Forte also holds a Master’s Degree in forensic psychology.

Accreditation and State Licensing

Garden State Treatment Center is a state-licensed provider of a number of addiction treatment services, including outpatient treatment, intensive outpatient treatment, partial care, and co-occurring treatment (SUD plus a mental health issue).

Our center is also accredited by the Joint Commission, one of the most respected accrediting bodies in healthcare.

Evidence-Based Practices

At Garden State Treatment Center, we understand the importance of tailored treatment plans. Still, we don’t underestimate the scientific evidence. Our therapists, counselors, and other healthcare professionals rely on research-backed therapies and treatment approaches.

Some of the evidence-based interventions available at our facility are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and group sessions.

Community Standing and Recognition

Checking listings is one way to validate the reputation of a treatment provider, and our facility is listed on several local and national directories, including:

• Sparta NJ Directory
• New Jersey Substance Abuse Monitoring System (NJSAMS) Treatment Directory
• Addictions.com
• Recovery.com
• Rehab.com

It’s also worth noting that Garden State Treatment Center maintains a 4.9-star rating on Google, from over 220 reviews.

You can check full success stories and testimonials on Google reviews, but here’s a quick glimpse into what former patients have to say about our addiction treatment services:

• “Sometimes you don’t even feel like you are in treatment, you feel like you are home.”
• “During a time that could have been overwhelming, your support and attention provided comfort and reassurance.”
• “I went there to get help for my substance abuse and mental health issues, it’s a dual diagnosis facility, and they gave me everything I needed to get my life back!”
• “From the moment I arrived, I was met with support, structure, and a level of care that made an overwhelming experience feel more manageable.”

Part of an Extended Network

Garden State Treatment Center is actually part of Recreate Behavioral Health Network (RBHN), a multi-state network of SUD treatment providers.

Operating within this network helps us offer a full continuum of care to our patients.

Disorders Covered by Our Addiction Treatment Programs

Because Garden State Treatment Center offers multiple levels of care, its addiction treatment programs cover a wide range of substances, including:

• Alcohol
• Prescription benzos
• Stimulants
• Cocaine
• Heroin
• Meth
• Kratom
• Marijuana

Addiction Treatment FAQs

Take the First Step Towards Recovery

Recovering from addiction won’t happen overnight. It takes commitment and hard work.

But it’s definitely possible. And the first step is admitting you need professional help. The next is accepting it.

Garden State Treatment Center is run by New Jersey natives whose goal is to help people in the community rebuild their lives from the inside out.

For more information on addiction treatment and recovery, give us a call.

Learn more about our treatments:

• Alcoholism
• Antidepressants
• Hallucinogens
• Stimulants
• Relapse Prevention
• Dual Diagnosis
• 12-Step Program
• Aftercare
• Benzodiazepine
• Prescription Drugs
• Inhalants
• Medication Assisted Treatment
• Kratom
• Marijuana
• Opioids
• Glatt Kosher Addiction Recovery