New Jersey drug abuse overview

New Jersey has a population of 9,267,130 people. The most recent data from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that 1,234,000 people over the age of 12 had abused illegal substances in the past month, around 13.32% of the population. 1,131,000 reported marijuana use in the past month and 1,536,000 in the past year. The report also found that 171,000 New Jersey residents had abused cocaine in the past year, 128,000 had abused meth, and 345,000 had abused prescription pain medication. 138,000 people over the age of 18 reported using heroin in the last year. Those reporting opioid misuse including heroin, painkillers, and fentanyl in New Jersey totaled 340,000 people.

Alcohol abuse in New Jersey

Alcohol misuse was also reported in New Jersey with 4,409,000 people over the age of 12 saying they had used alcohol in the last month and 2,093,000 reporting binge drinking. The perceived risk of people over 12 years of age indulging in problematic alcohol use (5 or more drinks twice a week) in a month was 3,810,000 people.

Overdose deaths in New Jersey

In 2021, New Jersey saw a total of 2956 recorded drug-related overdose deaths. This includes those that were accidental or unidentifiable but excludes those that were related to suicide or homicide. This puts the overdose death toll in New Jersey at 31.9 people per 100,000. The total number of alcohol-related deaths (including overdose and all other causes) was 831 or 8.9 per 100,000 people.

Substance use disorders and addiction treatment in New Jersey

The NSDUH report also recorded the total amount of substance abuse disorders in New Jersey and those who currently require treatment. The report found that 1,435,000 were recorded as having a substance use disorder (SUD) and 1,029,000 had an alcohol use disorder. 150,000 people were recorded as having an opioid use disorder including those with painkiller, heroin, and other opioid-based drug use disorders. There are also many who have been diagnosed with or reported a substance, illicit drug, or alcohol use disorder that require rehab treatment and are not receiving it. The report found that 605 people in New Jersey needed treatment for illicit substance abuse, 959,000 required treatment for an alcohol use disorder, and 1,335,000 needed treatment for a diagnosed substance use disorder.

What treatment options are available in New Jersey?

Structured programs like rehabs and treatment centers in this state offer outpatient, inpatient, and residential treatment to people or families dealing with addiction.  Some facilities specialize in taking care of certain groups in society like seniors and teens.

Those attending rehab facilities also get tools to help them lead productive and happy lives after they leave the center. 

Here are some rehabs you can find in New Jersey:

Self-funded rehabs centers in New Jersey

Rehabs centers that accept Medicaid/ Medicare in New Jersey

Addiction treatment for seniors in New Jersey

Addiction treatment for young people and teens in New Jersey

Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) in New Jersey

How do I pay for rehab in New Jersey?

Rehab prices will vary depending on the facility and the kind of treatment you need. Many institutions in New Jersey accept private and military insurance as a form of payment. You can call or visit your insurance provider's website to find out whether or not they cover addiction treatment. 

The New Jersey government also offers the New Jersey Medicaid Program, which provides health coverage to eligible and needy members of the NJ community. 

There are plenty of rehab centers that accept Medicaid and Medicare in New Jersey. If these aren’t in your budget, you can find facilities that offer free or no-cost health care services in NJ. 

Local government assistance in New Jersey

The New Jersey Government has a Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) that oversees community-based behavioral health services to the people of New Jersey. 

The DMHAS has also availed an online Addiction Services Treatment directory, publications, real-time data, and information on Opioid treatment, among other helpful resources for people dealing with addiction.  

This division monitors substance abuse and Treatment services offered by different agencies in the state of New Jersey aimed at helping individuals suffering from alcohol or drug addiction. 

You can also contact ReachNJ (helpline)  to get addiction assistance. This is a call-in line for New Jersey residents seeking substance abuse help. Its answered by trained staff to help NJ residents regardless of their age, insurance cover, or ability to pay. 

All the information you share will be confidential, and you can reach them anytime, day or night.