Addiction is a chronic and progressive disease that worsens over time. This condition can lead to adverse effects, such as social isolation, financial issues, developing physical health conditions, worsened psychological symptoms, and life-threatening emergencies like overdoses.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), 10 percent of US adults have drug use disorder at some point in their lives. Unfortunately, 75% of these individuals never receive the help they need.
Oftentimes, people avoid going to treatment because they are afraid to lose their jobs or take time off of work. While you cannot work a job during an inpatient program, outpatient drug treatment provides you with the flexibility you need to continue tending to your responsibilities. If you are considering attending outpatient treatment in New Jersey, you must know how to find the best program for you.
When is Outpatient Drug Treatment the Best Option?
Outpatient drug treatment centers in New Jersey are designed to provide you with the same services as inpatient treatment, with more flexible scheduling. Instead of living at the facility, you will participate in treatment sessions during the day and return home at night. Typically, outpatient meets 3-5 times per week for a few hours each day depending on your needs.
Outpatient addiction treatment is best suited for individuals who require professional addiction treatment but do not need 24/7 supervision. If you have outside obligations that you cannot put on hold, like school, work, or children, outpatient might be your best option. These programs often work with you to determine the best treatment schedule that fits your other responsibilities.
Before choosing outpatient, ask yourself the following questions:
- Does your current living situation support sobriety? Is there drug or alcohol use in the home?
- Do you have a strong support system at home to help you stay sober?
- Do you have work, school, or children that you cannot take time off from?
- Do you have any co-occurring disorders that require intensive treatment?
- Can you regularly travel from your home to the facility for treatment?
If you have co-occurring mental health conditions that require extensive treatment, you should attend a dual-diagnosis inpatient treatment program. While outpatient is effective for many people, having a mental health condition and an addiction makes it important that you receive the most intensive form of care. If you do not suffer from any co-occurring disorders and have a strong support system at home, you would benefit from outpatient substance abuse treatment.
How Do I Find the Right Outpatient Drug Treatment for Me?
There are several routes you can take when you are looking for an outpatient facility that meets your needs. If you have health insurance, you should contact your provider to get a list of in-network programs. They will provide you with all of the local outpatient treatment programs that accept your insurance, allowing you to narrow down your options based on your needs.
Another way to find an outpatient center is by researching local programs, looking at the services they offer, reading their testimonials, and touring each facility. This will give you an idea about whether outpatient is right for you.
Things to consider when choosing an outpatient drug treatment in New Jersey:
- Does the treatment schedule meet your needs?
- Do they offer sober living or require you to live at home?
- Do they accept your insurance or offer payment plans?
- What qualifications do the staff members have?
- Do the amenities they offer sound beneficial to you?
- Is the location of the facility ideal?
- Do they provide individualized treatment planning and aftercare services?
Qualities to Look for in an Outpatient Addiction Treatment Center
Seeking treatment can be life-saving, so you want to make sure you choose the best outpatient drug treatment center possible. Qualities to look for include:
Flexible Scheduling
One of the main reasons people choose outpatient treatment over inpatient treatment is the opportunity to continue going to work, school, or caring for children. If you have a busy schedule, you should always look for an outpatient facility that offers flexible scheduling. Many programs have options to attend either day or night sessions to work around your responsibilities at home.
Payment and Insurance Options
Another thing to look for in an outpatient drug treatment is whether they accept your insurance. If you do not have insurance, you should determine whether the program offers payment plans. For example, many facilities offer a sliding scale fee option that only requires you to pay what you can afford based on your finances.
Individualized Treatment Planning
Another important thing to consider is whether the facility offers individualized treatment planning. Individualized treatment planning ensures that the services you receive during treatment are tailored to your specific needs, rather than wasting time with a one-size-fits-all approach that may not provide you with what you need. Most outpatient programs that use individualized treatment planning will have an in-depth initial assessment that is performed immediately after you arrive at the facility.
Relapse Prevention Planning
Lastly, the best outpatient drug treatment centers in New Jersey will always provide patients with extensive relapse prevention planning. Relapse prevention plans include services and tools that help you maintain your sobriety by avoiding and managing triggers to abuse substances. This typically includes continued attendance at therapy, alumni support groups, referrals to sober living programs, and recommendations for local 12-step groups to attend.
Start Treatment at the Best Outpatient Drug Treatment Center in New Jersey
If you or a loved one suffers from a drug use disorder, it’s time to seek help. Drug addiction can significantly negatively impact your life, often leading to jail, institutions, or death. Attending professional addiction treatment will provide you with the support and tools you need to maintain long-term sobriety and live a healthy life.
If you or a loved one are interested in starting treatment or learning more about your outpatient program options in New Jersey, please contact us today.
