Addiction in New Jersey is a significant issue both from a public health and mental health standpoint. In fact, according to the NJ Department of Health, over 80,000 people entered into a substance abuse rehab program in 2017 alone.
While that is a high number, unfortunately, it’s only a small fraction of the number of people who are suffering. The last 14 months or so have not helped the growing issue either. With many people stuck at home and suffering both mentally and even financially as a result of the covid pandemic, more and more people are looking for ways to numb the pain, both physically and mentally, and just feel better.
There is good news though. The state of New Jersey has a significant amount of detox, treatment, and rehab resources for those who are struggling with both substance abuse and mental health disorders. These ailments are a disease. Nobody should be embarrassed or ashamed to get help for them either. Keep reading to learn how you or a loved one can get help for addiction as well as the programs that we offer at Lifetime Recovery.
Resources for Individuals and Families Dealing With Addiction
Support for Spouses of Addicts
It’s late and your spouse has been gone for some time. Later, you discover the empty pill and beer bottles hidden in the depths of your garage...
Read MoreSupport for Children of Addicts
The most vital aspect to understand about drug and alcohol addiction is that it’s not simply just a matter of choice...
Read MoreSupport for Parents of Addicts
When people develop drug or alcohol addictions, the effects of substance dependence extend to their families. Parents of...
Read MoreSupport for Siblings of Addicts
Not only does the addicted individual suffer, but those around them are also often subjected to the negative consequences...
Read MoreHow Addiction Affects Your Health
Addiction-Related Health Complications
According to an article from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), more than 23 million adults in the U.S. deal...
Read MoreHow Alcohol Affects the Heart
Excessive and problematic alcohol use can lead to the development of serious cardiovascular issues. These...
Read MoreHow Drugs Affect the Brain
In the case of any substance abuse struggle, the damaging effects all stem from their effects on the brain...
Read MoreHow Drugs Affect the Lungs
Substance abuse affects the lungs more often than any other organ in the body...
Read MoreThe Stages of Addiction
The majority of individuals do not wake up randomly one day and decide they are going to develop an addiction...
Read MoreWhat Are Some Common Signs of Addiction?
People display both behavioral and physical signs when they are suffering from addiction. If someone you love is not looking or acting like themselves, it could be a clear indication.
Behavioral Signs Of Addiction
- Obsessing over the substance
- Hiding drugs or substances
- Denying that they are using
- Wanting to stop but not being able to
- Changes in priorities
- Losing interest in hobbies or activities
- Struggling at work or school
- Ignoring any side effects or ailments as a result of substance abuse
- Severe mood swings
- Ignoring or neglecting family members and friends
- Ignoring or neglecting personal hygiene
- Lying or stealing
- Unexplained financial issues
Physical Signs Of Addiction
- Drastic weight loss or gain
- Bloodshot eyes
- Insomnia
- Dilated pupils
- Personal hygiene problems
- Slurred speech
- Looking disheveled or unkempt
- Poor coordination
- Nausea or vomiting
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Anxiety
While many people who are suffering from addiction get the help they need on their own, even more, people either convince themselves they don’t have a problem or simply ignore the signs. Sometimes they understand that they have a problem, but they can’t stop for whatever reason. Unfortunately, in these cases, it often falls on the friends or family of those suffering to figure out a way to get them the help they need and get them to go to treatment.
If you have a family member or loved one who you fear is struggling with addiction, it’s important to try and get them the help they need. Many who suffer from addiction won’t go to treatment on their own and frequently need the help and support of those around them to get them to go. While this can be a difficult thing to do, it’s important to know that you don’t have to do it alone. There are rehab resources and addiction resources aimed to help you out.
At Lifetime Recovery it is our goal to get everyone the treatment that they need. We will talk you through the entire process and help you get your family member or loved one the help they need to get on the road to recovery.
What Are The Steps In The Addiction Recovery Process?
- Admissions
- Detox (if necessary)
- Treatment program(s)
- Aftercare or sober living
The recovery process is a long one, and in some cases, it never truly ends. However, there are certain steps someone going through treatment goes through to help make it a successful process.
The first step in the overall recovery process is to enter into a detox program. For your body and mind to truly recover from addiction, it can’t have any substances of abuse in it. The only way to do that is to detox so your body can rid itself of everything that’s toxic. While on-site medical detox services are not part of our offerings, our knowledgeable team can guide you to distinguished clinics for this critical care.
Because of the nature of the detox process and its toll on the body both physically and mentally, it is important to detox under the care and supervision of trained medical professionals. This should be done at either a medical facility, a dedicated detox center, or a treatment facility that also offers detox treatment. Attempting to self-detox at home can be incredibly dangerous or even life-threatening.
Once detox has been completed, the next step is to enter into a treatment program. At Lifetime Recovery, we offer a variety of treatment programs. When coming to Lifetime Recovery, we will sit down with the person who is entering treatment and create a custom treatment plan designed specifically for their needs. After determining which treatment option is best for them, we will enter them into one of the following treatment programs that we offer:
Partial Care Services (PCS)
Partial care treatment allows the person in treatment to come to the facility just to get their treatment and then to return home to their normal life every day once their treatment obligations have been completed. This type of treatment is ideal for someone who is looking to get help for their addiction but simply is not able to commit to living in a facility while they undergo treatment due to obligations in their life such as work, school, or even caring for their children.
During partial care treatment, the person undergoing treatment will spend about 20 hours a week at the facility where they will participate in group counseling and individual therapy sessions and have access to educational and community support services, psychiatric care, and medical and laboratory services.
Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOP)
Just like partial care, intensive outpatient treatment also allows the person undergoing treatment to come to the facility for treatment and then return home at the end of the day. Unlike partial care though, intensive outpatient treatment requires the person undergoing treatment to spend more time at the facility throughout the day and week.
Those entering intensive outpatient treatment will undergo intensive counseling and psycho-education for their substance abuse problem. These sessions will take place 3 to 5 times a week for a minimum of 3 hours a day.
Medically-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Medically-assisted treatment is designed for those who are suffering from alcohol addiction or opioid addiction. During medically-assisted treatment, the person in the program will undergo a medical detox to remove all the harmful substances from the body.
During treatment, the person undergoing treatment will be provided FDA-approved medications to help treat the severe withdrawal symptoms associated with alcohol or opioid addiction and get them on the path to recovery. These medications include:
- Suboxone
- Methadone
- Vivitrol
Co-Occurring Disorders
Many people suffering from addiction are also suffering from mental health disorders as well. Some developed an addiction as a result of their mental health disorder, while others developed a mental health condition as a side-effect of their illicit drug use. There is a treatment for co-occurring disorders for those who find themselves suffering from both. Treating both issues simultaneously is beneficial for several reasons, including:
- Helps those in treatment address their triggers, both mentally and physically
- Provides an additional layer of support
- Allows the person in treatment to address their mental health issues in a positive way
The Need For Rehab Resources In New Jersey
Addiction treatment options are necessary at Lifetime Recovery due to the following statistics. In 2019 alone, there were 98,628 treatment admissions and 98,482 discharges reported by substance abuse treatment providers to the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services. The increase in overdose and addiction seems to have stemmed from the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
The virus itself has added to an individual’s addiction and the stress surrounding it, resulting in isolation and making it more challenging to get help. By July 2020, the overdose rates have risen by 17% compared to 2019. Between January and the end of June in 2020, almost 1,600 New Jersey residents sadly lost their lives to the disease of addiction.
The above statistics continue to triumph despite increasing demand for rehab resources and addiction resources early on in the pandemic. Despite a good amount of providers expanding treatment services, many treatment centers were instead limited by the crisis. There has been researched evidence that has demonstrated a correspondence between economic downturn, social upheaval, unemployment, and increasing alcohol drug use and addiction rates.
As the pandemic continues to soar, expanding access to addiction treatment is pivotal. On a positive note, telehealth is on an upsurge, and providers are adjusting to accommodate their treatment centers in being socially distanced. The Department of Human Services (DHS) also dedicated $25 million in federal funds to assist treatment providers in covering coronavirus-related costs. The DHS made supervisorily changes geared to improve access to treatment care.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also committed $7.1 million to be able to fund numerous efforts aimed to reduce overdose deaths in New Jersey. In New Jersey alone, there have been rising overdose and employment rates indicating that the state can lose a total of 3,200 people by the end of December 2020. This amount would represent the highest annually in the last eight years of a total of overdoses.
Nationwide, the overdoses have increased by 13% in the first six months of 2020 alone. The rates have skyrocketed as high as 60% in the places that were hit the hardest by the opioid epidemic. Due to COVID-19, it was stated by addiction and mental health experts that “People have met their tipping point.” Individuals might likely begin engaging in alcohol and drug use to escape from economic and pandemic-related stress and could conclude to be some of the most disturbing statistics the nation has witnessed in years.
By providers discovering new and fresh ways to meet the rehab resources and addiction resources needed for those in treatment, the demand for new services will be met. Expanding staff, implementing strict COVID-19 protocol, and utilizing telehealth can ultimately assist treatment centers in providing a “new population with new needs.” Lifetime Recovery continues to be one of the ideal providers because we discover what works best for each client and in turn, implement it.
How Much Does Treatment Cost?
The cost of treatment varies depending on the type of treatment program you enter. While many insurance providers now cover the cost of treatment at least partially, depending on your insurance provider, what they cover, and if they are considered “in-network” or not, you still might incur some out-of-pocket expenses.
At Lifetime Recovery, it is our goal to get you the help that you need at little to no cost you. We will work with both you and your insurance company to ensure that you get the help you need at a price that you can afford.
Are You In Need of Addiction Treatment In New Jersey?
While many people have taken the first step in the recovery process and begun treatment, there are still many people out there who haven’t. They might not think that they have a problem, or they might be too afraid or embarrassed to ask for help.
Contact us today if you or someone you know could benefit from addiction treatment. We have rehab resources and addiction resources here in New Jersey and want to help you down the path to a sober, happy, and healthy life.