Substance Abuse Statistics in Plainfield, New Jersey
Opioids aren’t the only problem in Union County. Here’s a brief overview of the most recent drug and alcohol facts and figures:2,3
In 2019, Union County saw 132 drug-related deaths.
In 2019, 109 of the 2019 drug-related deaths involved fentanyl, while 49 involved heroin, 56 cocaine, 24 benzodiazepines, 31 fentanyl analogs, and 46 ethanol.
Alcohol was reported as the primary cause for 35% of all Union County treatment center admissions in 2020.
The age ranges of 35-44 and 45-54 accounted for the highest percentages of treatment admissions during this time at 22% each.
Cocaine accounted for 5% of all treatment admissions during this time, while heroin accounted for 37%.
Levels of Substance Abuse Care
Multiple levels of care are available for addiction treatment. Some New Jersey residents move through each of these levels of treatment, while others need only the least intensive care.
Alcohol and Drug Detoxification
Detox is completed under medical supervision in a hospital, inpatient, or outpatient setting. This is the process of safely and comfortably removing drugs or alcohol from your system. Once detox is complete, you can move forward with other treatment services.
Inpatient Drug and Alcohol Rehab
Inpatient rehab, also called residential treatment, involves living at a treatment facility to receive 24/7 care. Services usually include individual and group therapy, medication, recreational therapy, and nutritional counseling.
Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs)
PHPs allow New Jersey residents to live at home while receiving treatment through a hospital. This program usually provides the same treatment services as inpatient care, but you can return home during non-treatment hours.
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs)
IOPs are a step down from PHPs, allowing you to attend a few hours of counseling each week while living at home. This provides time to maintain a work schedule or fulfill other obligations.
Standard Outpatient
Standard outpatient programs involve just one to two hours of treatment per week. This level of treatment involves the least supervision and is appropriate for highly motivated people who have a strong support system.
Aftercare
Also known as relapse prevention, aftercare starts once your rehab program is complete. It includes ongoing support such as 12-step programs, sober living homes, and therapy.
How to Pay for Drug Rehab in Plainfield, New Jersey
New Jersey Medicare
New Jersey Medicare provides health insurance to New Jersey residents who are 65 or older or have certain other health conditions. You are automatically enrolled in this program at age 65 if you are receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board retirement benefits.
Many Medicare options are available in New Jersey that go beyond basic coverage, such as Medicare Advantage Plans and Medigap plans. The New Jersey State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free help with questions regarding Medicare benefits and policies. Not all treatment centers accept Medicare insurance coverage, so always do your research before choosing a provider.
New Jersey Medicaid
New Jersey’s Medicaid program provides health insurance to New Jersey residents who are aged, blind, or disabled, to pregnant women, and to parents/caretakers and dependent children. To be eligible for New Jersey Medicaid, a person must be a resident of New Jersey, be a U.S. Citizen or qualified alien, and meet specific standards for financial income. You must apply for Medicaid coverage in New Jersey, and the rehab program must accept Medicaid as a method of payment.
Sliding Scale Rehabs
Sliding scale rehabs assist New Jersey residents who have limited financial resources to pay for treatment. You will be charged based on what you can reasonably afford to pay. To qualify for a sliding scale rehab in New Jersey, you typically need to provide proof of income.
TRICARE in New Jersey
New Jersey TRICARE (East region) is a government program that provides health insurance coverage for U.S. military personnel, veterans, and their families. TRICARE covers addiction treatment services; however, various plans differ in their coverage.
IHS-Funded Drug Rehabs
The Indian Health Service (HIS) funds addiction treatment for Indigenous people and Alaskan Natives in New Jersey and nationwide. This coverage is provided even if other insurance payment is available.
Travel to and Within Plainfield, New Jersey
Plainfield is a Union County city in the Raritan Valley Region of New Jersey. Due to its location, Plainfield has been dubbed the “Queen City” since it serves as a central hub for both Central New Jersey and New York residents. Plainfield is also somewhat famous for being the birthplace of several well-known athletes and musicians, and it’s home to plenty of interesting and fun things to do. If you’re planning to visit a loved one at a drug or alcohol rehab in Plainfield or are traveling there for addiction treatment, you’ll need to know how to get around.
Here are some travel tips to help get you started:
- Newark Liberty International Airport is the closest major airport to Plainfield.
- There are plenty of hotels to suit all budget types and needs in the area.
- You’ll also have plenty of transportation options in Plainfield, including city buses, trains, and rideshares such as Uber and Lyft. Traditional taxi services are also available, as are car rental services.
- Plainfield is an incredibly walkable city, which means you can accomplish most errands on foot (or by bike). However, you may need to arrange transportation if you’re planning a lot of activities.
- Some of Plainfield’s top attractions include the Drake House Museum, Cedar Brook Park, the Tap Esports Center, the Maison de Pillars, and Seeley’s Pond.
If you or someone you care about needs help in the form of addiction treatment, you have plenty of accredited alcohol and drug rehabs as well as detox programs in Plainfield to choose from, and state-funded treatment centers can provide inpatient and outpatient help for free.
New Jersey Drug and Alcohol Laws
New Jersey policy makers have established the following laws related to substance misuse1,2,3,4,5
New Jersey Good Samaritan Law: New Jersey’s Overdose Prevention Act provides protection from criminal prosecution for New Jersey residents who report or seek help for suspected overdose on illegal drugs. The law encourages people to call 911 immediately, without fear of legal repercussions.
New Jersey Driving or Operating Under the Influence Laws: Under New Jersey Law, if an offender’s blood alcohol content (BAC) is between 0.08 and 0.10, the penalties are a fine of $250-$400, imprisonment for up to 30 days, driver’s license forfeiture until ignition interlock is installed (required for 3 months), a minimum of six hours a day for two days in an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center, and an automobile insurance surcharge of $1,000 per year for three years. Penalties increase for higher BACs and repeated offenses.
New Jersey Naloxone Blank Standing Orders: This law allows adults 21 years or older to use, purchase, and carry cannabis. Recreational users can purchase up to 1 ounce of cannabis, but the law does not permit personal growing of the plant.
New Jersey Drug Courts: This program offers non-violent drug offenders an alternative to prison. New Jersey residents convicted of a drug-related crime may be eligible to complete a supervised drug or alcohol treatment program instead of serving jail time.
Resources
- Crowley-Hughes, Andrea and Kadosh, Matt. (2022, December 13.). Remember Lives, Reducing Stigma: Union County Marks Overdose Awareness Day.
- NJ Cares. (2019.). Drug Related Deaths in 2019.
- New Jersey Department of Human Services. (2021, August). Substance Abuse Overview: Union County 2020.