Expert Insights
In 2020, nearly 1,200 Elizabeth residents received substance abuse treatment. It’s great that people are getting the help they need. But what are we doing to prevent substance use disorders, before they develop?
The Elizabeth Police Department has stepped up with their L.E.A.D program. Kudos to the officers who are devoting time to this effort, which is designed to deter youth from drug use. Each year, they meet with over 2,000 fifth graders to teach them about the risks of substance abuse and train them how to make healthy choices.
As substance abuse and overdose deaths continue to rise, we need more programs like this to intervene and prevent problems before they start.
~ Kerry Nenn
Paying for Drug Rehab in Elizabeth
Those seeking substance abuse treatment should not let financial struggles or lack of insurance be a deterrent. There are options available for everyone.
Low-Cost and Free Drug Rehab Centers in Elizabeth
The Union County Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Services program receives funding from state resources to help Union County residents pay for care. People there can connect you with state-funded treatment centers that can provide inpatient and outpatient services for adolescents, adults, and family members.
State-funded services include methadone clinics, inpatient and outpatient detox, inpatient rehab, partial and intensive outpatient programs, and residential rehabs. In Elizabeth, the following receive funding from government resources:
- Prevention Links
- Bridgeway Rehabilitation Services
- Trinitas Regional Medical Center
The Union County Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Department can tell you which Elizabeth alcohol rehabs offer scholarships, which offer sliding fee scales, and if there are any local grants for which you can apply.
Private and Publicly Funded Insurance
Many accredited Elizabeth drug rehabs accept private insurance, such as Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Amerihealth, Aetna, Cigna, and Humana, among others. This means your insurance will pay for all or for a portion of your addiction treatment. Private insurers allow you to choose from various insurance plans so you can find the one that meets your financial, physical, mental health and substance abuse treatment needs.
For example, the New Jersey Family Care program is publicly funded, and many residents qualify for no-or-low-cost plans. The program includes CHIP, Medicaid, and Medicare plus extension options. Various factors play a role in determining the cost, such as all sources of income, the number of people living in your household, and whether you have a disability.
All three programs typically pay for all inpatient and outpatient drug rehabs in Elizabeth. However, there are eligibility requirements for each. For example, Medicare is for people over 65 or those under 65 with a disability. Medicaid eligibility is based on your income, which must meet a certain percentage of the poverty level in New Jersey. CHIP is for children and adolescents.
Resources
- New Jersey Department of Human Services. 2021. New Jersey Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment: Substance Abuse Overview 2020 Union County.
- New Jersey Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner. 2022. Statistics Dashboard.
- County of Union, New Jersey. 2022. Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.
- New Jersey. 2022. New Jersey Family Care.
- Elizabeth Destination Marketing Association. 2022. Elizabeth: It All Starts Here.
