Addiction affects people from all walks of life. In 2022, the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) revealed that about 28% of adult respondents aged 18-25 and 17% aged 26 or older reported substance use disorder (SUD) in the past year. Finding addiction treatment can feel overwhelming, but there are several free substance abuse resources in New Jersey to guide you to the help you need. Keep reading to learn more about treatment resources in New Jersey.
Drug Statistics in New Jersey
Like many places across the nation, New Jersey residents have experienced addiction’s effects. Research sheds light on how addiction and the opioid epidemic seemingly affected New Jersey residents. Here are some statistics about substance use and treatment in New Jersey:
Addiction Nonprofits in New Jersey
Prevention Links
This organization connects Union County residents with health and social services. They provide a 24/7 helpline and multiple community resources, including family success centers, recovery services, and prevention programs.
New Jersey 211
This hotline offers referrals and resources for social services. New Jersey residents have access to free SUD treatment referrals, mental health referrals, homeless services, and rent payment assistance.
Damon House
This New Brunswick nonprofit provides holistic residential and outpatient treatment for New Jersey residents struggling with alcohol and drug addiction. They offer multiple therapeutic interventions, such as counseling, psychiatric, and medical care. They won’t turn anyone away who lacks finances, offer income-based sliding scale fees, and sometimes free treatment.
Harm Reduction Programs
Harm Reduction Centers
New Jersey’s Harm Reduction Centers (HRCs) promote safer substance use by providing naloxone kits, sterile injection materials, safe-sex supplies, and STD testing. They also offer education on safer substance use and overdose prevention.
New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition
This organization supports individuals practicing safer drug use. They provide harm reduction supplies, such as naloxone, sterile syringes, fentanyl test strips, and safe smoking and snorting supplies. New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition also offers safer drug use education and a list of resources for healthcare, addiction treatment and support, housing assistance, mutual support groups, and more.
North Jersey Community Research Initiative (NJCRI)
This community-responsive organization has comprehensive HIV/AIDS care and harm-reduction services. New Jersey residents can access medical care, addiction treatment, counseling, psychiatric services, syringe exchange services, STD testing, homelessness assistance, LGBTQ+ support, and much more.
Government Grants & Resources
New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS)
This organization connects people struggling with addiction to hotlines, treatment, drug screening, and naloxone training.
PerformCare
PerformCare connects New Jersey families with substance abuse treatment resources. They provide a list of free support groups, government assistance, and treatment programs for those in need.
Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey (CSPNJ)
This behavioral health agency has multiple community wellness centers offering employment, housing, behavioral health, and financial development services statewide. New Jersey residents benefit from holistic substance abuse treatment through CSPNJ’s community wellness centers, wellness respites, and supportive services programs.
College Addiction Resources
Jersey Shore University Medical Center
This university program offers multifaceted addiction treatment approaches, including outpatient specialty services, adolescent addiction services, and a dual diagnosis intensive outpatient program (IOP). They also provide in-office medication-assisted treatment (MAT) and substance abuse and psychiatric evaluations.
Rutgers Addiction Research Center
Rutgers University has various addiction care services, such as a treatment hotline, an intensive outpatient program (IOP), co-occurring disorder care, treatment programs for people who have been incarcerated, and a recovery and well-being center. New Jersey residents can soon access short-term residential rehab, intensive inpatient services, IOPs, outpatient services, and individual, group, and family counseling through their Center for Recovery and Wellbeing.
William Patterson University
William Patterson lists addiction treatment and counseling resources for New Jersey residents seeking recovery. Their resource page includes free and low-cost treatment programs, outpatient counseling, peer support groups, and adolescent treatment programs.
LGBTQ+ Resources
The Pride Center of New Jersey
This organization provides a safe, accepting space for members of the LGBTQ+ community. They offer a wide directory of wellness resources and services, including crisis hotlines, mental health care, SUD treatment, sexual healthcare, education, and housing.
Hudson Pride Center
This social services center supports New Jersey LGBTQ+ residents seeking mental health assistance, specialty health and wellness services, HIV prevention and education, and peer support groups. They refer people to LGBTQ+-affirming counselors and cover treatment costs for youth and young adults aged 13 to 24, regardless of finances.
Bergen County LGBTQ+ Alliance
This organization connects members of the LGBTQ+ community with free resources and assistance. They offer various types of mental health care and have programs for people who identify as men or women, youth, seniors, and transgender and non-binary individuals. They also connect Bergen County residents with their affiliated programs, pride activities, and essential information for the LGBTQ+ community and allies.
Veterans Programs
New Jersey VA Medical Centers
The VA provides access to behavioral health and substance abuse treatment for veterans and their families. East Orange Campus of the VA New Jersey Health Care System offers multiple levels of care, including inpatient treatment, intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), standard outpatient care, and an opioid treatment program. The VA also offers a 24/7 crisis line where veterans can find immediate assistance.
NJ Vet2Vet
This helpline assists Veterans who are experiencing a crisis. Veterans and their families can call, text, chat online, or email a support specialist for immediate assistance. They will listen, offer guidance, and connect you to local social support services. They also follow up with you until you find the help you need.
New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
This government resource offers information on various Veteran services, including behavioral health and addiction treatment. Their website lists Veterans Service Offices (VSOs), and has information on benefits and government resources for mental health, homelessness, assistance programs, employment, and more.
Indigenous & Tribal Programs
New Jersey Commission on American Indian Affairs
This government organization lists health, business, and federal resources where New Jersey indigenous communities can find assistance. The Office of Minority and Multicultural Health may connect you with mental health and addiction services.
Drug Laws in New Jersey
Overdose Prevention Act
This law protects anyone attempting to assist someone who is overdosing and the person experiencing the overdose from criminal persecution. It further specifies the criminal offenses both people involved cannot be arrested, charged, prosecuted, or convicted for.
New Jersey Controlled Dangerous Substances Law
This New Jersey legislature describes the codes, regulations, and statutes for the possession, manufacturing, and distribution of controlled substances.
Involuntary Commitment and Guardianship Laws for Persons with a Substance Use Disorder
This law explains the requirements for involuntary commitment of someone suffering from SUD to receive care in a hospital, short-term care facility, psychiatric facility, or specialized psychiatric hospital.