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.4
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:4
- 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.5
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 disability6. Medicaid eligibility is based on your income, which must meet a certain percentage of the poverty level in New Jersey.7 CHIP is for children and adolescents.
Alcohol and Drug Use Statistics in Elizabeth, NJ
Here are some eye-opening stats related to substance abuse in Elizabeth and Union County:1,2
In 2020, 1,184 Elizabeth residents received substance abuse treatment.
In 2020, 142 people died from drug or alcohol misuse, an increase of 24%.
Fentanyl, heroin, alcohol, and cocaine caused the highest number of deaths.
Over 46% of Elizabeth treatment admissions were for heroin and other opioids.
New Jersey Drug and Alcohol Laws
New Jersey policymakers have established the following laws related to substance misuse:1,2,3,4,5
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.
Levels of Substance Abuse Care
Multiple levels of care are available for addiction treatment. Some New Jersey residents move through each of these levels, 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 care, involves living at a 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 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 care per week. This level of treatment involves the least supervision and is best 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.
Traveling for Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Elizabeth
Attractions: Whether you are visiting a loved one or plan to enter a drug or alcohol rehab in Elizabeth yourself, you can enjoy fifteen or more culinary cultures. There are culturally diverse places of worship too. If you like history, take the Hamilton tour or visit Liberty Hall. Sports events, shopping, theater, music, art, day spas, parks, water parks, museums, and much more will fill your schedule with fun, healthy adventures.
Hotels: If you need to rent a room, you can choose from nine hotels and numerous Air BnB and VRBO options.
Getting There: Elizabeth is just fifteen miles from New York City, making it easy for people to access multiple modes of transportation. The Newark Liberty International Airport is three miles from Elizabeth. Once you arrive, you can rent a car, hail a taxi, take a train, or ride the bus to your destination.
Getting Around: Every place in Elizabeth is accessible via multiple transportation options, including two train systems, bus lines, Lyft, Uber, or by renting a bike. If you decide to walk, you will encounter friendly residents and find navigating the streets easy.
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.
- New Jersey Department of Human Services. 2022. Christie Administration Promotes ‘Good Samaritan Law’.
- County of Union, New Jersey. 2022. Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services.
- New Jersey. 2022. New Jersey Family Care.
- New Jersey Department of Human Services. 2022. New Jersey’s Medicare Information and Referral Sources.
- New Jersey Department of Human Services. 2022. NJ Medicaid.
- Elizabeth Destination Marketing Association. 2022. Elizabeth: It All Starts Here.
