Substance Abuse Stats in New Jersey
It’s no secret that drug abuse is a major problem in New Jersey. These days, opioids are a primary culprit, with heroin making up 45% of all drug treatment admissions in 2017 and other opioids making up another 7%.
35% of all drug abuse treatment admissions were for intravenous (IV) use, which is concerning because IV drug use is riskier than other methods.
In 2017, the rate of drug overdose deaths in New Jersey was much higher than the national rate: 30 deaths per 100,000 people compared to the national rate of 21.7 deaths.
Choosing Between an Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab
When you enter drug treatment in New Jersey, you’ll talk to a treatment team about your goals and history. Part of that conversation is deciding whether inpatient or outpatient is the right choice for you.
The truth is, inpatient and outpatient rehab aren’t mutually exclusive. Many patients begin with inpatient rehab while they go through the hard parts of detox, then switch to outpatient rehab later to continue treatment.
The most important factors are your stability and support system. People with a stable condition and good support system are more likely to succeed with outpatient rehab.
How Long Can Treatment at a Rehab Last?
The simplest way to answer this question is: Rehab lasts as long as it needs to last. It’s common for your rehab plan to change a few times until you find the right length.
Whether your treatment is inpatient or outpatient, research shows that you need to commit for at least 90 days to get the most out of your rehab. Treatment lengths shorter than three months are less effective.
Longer treatments are correlated with better treatment outcomes. Talk to your care provider to see if long-term drug rehab could be right for you.
What to Expect at Rehab
Wondering what your rehab experience in New Jersey could look like? Your treatment plan is customized to your needs, so there’s no way to predict it.
However, many drug rehab programs have common elements such as:
- Regular meetings with a care provider: Long-term monitoring is part of successful treatment.
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy: This kind of therapy teaches you to recognize what makes you want to use so you can avoid those triggers.
- Group therapy: Social support is a huge part of recovery, and it can take an informal approach or a 12 Steps approach.
- Medication-assisted treatment: Also known as MAT, this treatment uses drugs to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
When Would You Need to Go to Detox?
Medical detox is necessary when your substance abuse makes it hard (or even dangerous) for you to detox alone.
For alcohol, it’s especially important to detox under medical supervision. The side effects of alcohol withdrawal can lead to seizures, brain damage, and even death.
Opioid withdrawal can be extremely uncomfortable, although it’s not as dangerous as alcohol withdrawal. Still, many people experiencing opioid detox choose to get medical help.
You’re more likely to need medical detox if you:
- Have used drugs long-term
- Use drugs heavily and often
- Abuse alcohol or opioids
How Long is Detox?
When you’re trying to predict the length of detox, the most important factor is the type of drug you’re detoxing from. Two drugs can have very different detox lengths.
For instance:
- Alcohol or heroin withdrawal both take about seven days
- Cocaine and meth withdrawal can last one to 10 weeks
Other factors that help determine the length of detox include:
- Your drug use habits
- Your mental and physical health
- Your metabolism
It’s important to continue treatment even after detox is over. The best treatment outcomes happen when you choose long-term care. Post-detox symptoms can continue for months.
Sources
- State of New Jersey Department of Human Services: Statewide substance abuse overview <https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dmhas/publications/statistical/Substance%20Abuse%20Overview/2017/statewide.pdf>
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: New Jersey opioid summary <https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dmhas/publications/statistical/Substance%20Abuse%20Overview/2017/statewide.pdf>
- National Insitute on Drug Abuse: How long does drug addiction treatment usually last? <https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/frequently-asked-questions/how-long-does-drug-addiction-treatment>
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: What is medical detoxification? <https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/teaching-packets/understanding-drug-abuse-addiction/section-iii/7-medical-detoxification>
