Drug addiction and alcoholism are common issues in America. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), 46.3 million people suffered from a substance use disorder in 2021.[1]
While substance use disorder continues to become more common each year, it still requires extensive treatment to recover. Unfortunately, many people avoid treatment because they are worried that taking time off of work to attend an inpatient program is not feasible. Thankfully, there is an option for individuals who must continue working while receiving addiction treatment.
Outpatient drug and alcohol rehab programs offer addiction treatment while having the flexibility in scheduling to continue working or caring for your family. However, choosing the right outpatient addiction treatment center in New Jersey can be tricky.
When picking an outpatient drug and alcohol treatment center, you should always look for a program that offers individualized treatment planning, clinically proven therapies, flexible scheduling options, a focus on family support, aftercare services, and holistic care.
Qualities to Look For When Choosing an Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Rehab Center in New Jersey
Deciding to enter outpatient drug and alcohol rehab in New Jersey is one of the most important choices you can make. However, finding one that suits your specific needs can prove difficult, especially if you’ve never been to treatment before. Thankfully, there are a few ways you can tell whether an outpatient rehab program will be effective.
When choosing an outpatient addiction treatment center in New Jersey, look for the following qualities:
Individualized Treatment Planning
While some rehab programs use a one-size-fits-all approach, the best ones employ something referred to as individualized treatment planning. To explain, individualized treatment plans outline the services and treatments you will engage in depending on your personal needs.
To create one of these plans, the medical staff will provide you with an assessment that gathers information about your physical and mental health as well as your history of drug and alcohol abuse.
Once this information is collected, your doctors and therapists will be able to make an informed decision on how long you will require treatment, how many days per week you should attend, and what types of therapies you would best benefit from.
Flexibility in Scheduling
Next, you should always choose an outpatient rehab center in New Jersey that offers flexibility in scheduling. This is especially important if you choose outpatient because you have other responsibilities to care for during recovery.
Reputable outpatient treatment programs will assess your needs and outline how many days per week you should attend treatment and for how long. For example, they might suggest 3 to 5 days per week for 30 to 90 days. Then, they will work with you and your daily schedule to determine the best course of action that allows you to receive the help you need while allowing time to work a job or care for children.
A Focus on Family Support
While recovery is a personal journey, it is always best if your support system is involved. Because addiction can affect the whole family, reputable outpatient drug and alcohol rehab centers in New Jersey will provide family counseling to help repair broken relationships and improve the effectiveness of your support system at home.
Evidence-Based Therapies
Another thing to look for when choosing outpatient drug and alcohol rehab in New Jersey is evidence-based therapies. When a treatment center uses evidence-based therapies, that means they are clinically proven to aid the recovery from addiction.
Examples of evidence-based therapies include:[2]
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Motivational interviewing (MI)
- Contingency management (CM)
- 12-step facilitation therapy
- The matrix model
- Family behavior therapy
Holistic Treatment Options
Highly-rated outpatient rehab centers in New Jersey will also offer holistic treatments. To explain, holistic refers to the “whole person”, which means these treatments help people recover emotionally, behaviorally, physically, and spiritually.
Examples of holistic treatments include:
- Meditation and mindfulness techniques
- Breathing exercises and yoga
- Exercise and nutritional counseling
- Massage and acupuncture
- Art and music therapy
Relapse Prevention Planning
Lastly, when choosing an outpatient addiction treatment program in New Jersey you should look for a program that includes relapse prevention planning. Because the program is outpatient, you will be exposed to relapse triggers during your recovery journey. This can make it more difficult to stay sober, however, with proper relapse prevention techniques you can remain focused, accountable, and confident in your sobriety.
Examples of relapse prevention techniques include:
- Having a list of triggers to avoid and manage
- Knowing what coping mechanisms work well for you
- Having people you can call for support in times of need
- Maintaining attendance at recovery support groups like 12-step meetings
- Continuing to participate in individual or group therapy
- Having a plan of action that includes treatment in case you end up relapsing
Find an Outpatient Addiction Treatment Center in New Jersey
If you or a loved one struggles with drug addiction or alcoholism, it’s time to seek help. At Living Room New Jersey, we provide evidence-based treatments on an outpatient basis, ensuring you get the help you need while allotting time to care for outside responsibilities.
To learn more about our outpatient drug and alcohol rehab center in New Jersey, contact us today.
References:
- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): SAMHSA Announces National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) Results Detailing Mental Illness and Substance Use Levels in 2021, Retrieved November 2023 From https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/01/04/samhsa-announces-national-survey-drug-use-health-results-detailing-mental-illness-substance-use-levels-2021.html
- The National Library of Medicine (NLM): Evidence-based practices for substance use disorder, Retrieved November 2023 From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3678283/