Treatment Options - Wellspring Center for Prevention

Treatment Options Overview

To help you explore treatment options for yourself or your loved one, we have provided the information below, so you can explore various options on your own. This information is also available as a pamphlet issued by Middlesex County Office on Addictions and Mental Health Planning.

Middlesex County 2018 ATOD DIRECTORY

When most of us think of addiction treatment, we think of a “28-day program” or “detox.” Treatment is provided on a much richer and varied continuum. In fact, some clients do not need a formal detoxification program, and for some an intensive outpatient program may be more appropriate than a residential program, particularly if the client has a job and a stable home environment. This determination is best made by a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC), and will normally be done as part of an initial assessment, no matter which provider you call first.

No matter where you or your loved one enters treatment, this should not be the only stop. Those who are most successful are engaged in the treatment process for months or longer. This may mean a few days in a detoxification program, followed by a week or two in a residential program or a couple of months in an intensive outpatient program and then a few more months seeing a counselor once a week in a traditional outpatient program. Along the way, certain medications may be prescribed and mutual support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous may be recommended. Remember, it took a long time to reach the point where you are now; it will take a long time to get back to where you want to be. Addiction is not like a broken leg, it is much more like diabetes and will require an overall change in lifestyle and continuous monitoring.

Keep in mind that the cost of treatment and its location is not necessarily an indication of its quality. There are programs in New Jersey just as effective as those advertised in Florida and California. If you have insurance coverage, check with your provider regarding their policies. Most offer less coverage than you would expect. If you do not have insurance, many treatment providers contract with local counties and the state to provide scholarships. If you have any questions, please call Wellspring at 732-254-3344 to speak with an Information & Referral Specialist.

12-Step Programs (Community-based and free)

Includes programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Al-Anon, or Ala-Teen
Typically very useful for patients trying to achieve recovery, and for family members affected by substance abuse
Allows opportunity for contact with individuals with many years of recovery
Offers support and strategies for a successful recovery

Outpatient Care

Includes individual counseling with a therapist who has training/experience with substance abuse
May also include a Psychiatrist or Addictionologist to determine if medication would be helpful to achieve and maintain sobriety
Does not include the medical treatment of complicated withdrawal symptoms

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

Structured treatment that teaches about the concepts of addiction and recovery
Usually encourages participation with 12-step programs
Typically consists of 3-5 days per week and an average of 3-4 hours of treatment per day for a set number of sessions or period of time
Many programs are structured so individuals may continue to live and work in their community

Substance Abuse Partial Hospitalization

Structured treatment sometimes recommended for those who have been unsuccessful in maintaining sobriety despite active treatment at a lower level of care
Typically consists of 5-7 days per week for 6-8 hours each day
May offer an arrangement for sober housing while attending the program

Ambulatory Detox

Provided on an outpatient basis for those that are highly motivated for recovery but need medical treatment for complicated withdrawal symptoms
Appropriate when the individual can be seen by medical professionals often enough to be safely monitored and detoxified

Inpatient Detox

Recommended for individuals that require 24-hour intensive medical care to ensure their safety
Sometimes recommended when the individual is dependent on alcohol, sedatives, and some opiate-based drugs such as narcotic painkillers or heroin
Typically intended for people whose situations are medically-complicated (Because withdrawal symptoms are common when stopping the regular use of most substances, this type of treatment may not be recommended for most people)

Inpatient Acute Care

May be recommended following inpatient detox after withdrawal symptoms have decreased, but medical or psychiatric symptoms that require 24-hour care and daily doctor visits are needed for continued stabilization
Treatment is typically short-term

Inpatient Residential

Usually considered after multiple attempts at other levels of care have failed
Intended for people who do not need medical supervision
May last 28 days or more
Not appropriate for people who are unmotivated for change and recovery
This type of treatment has not been found to be any more effective in predicting long-term sobriety than any other level of care
Should include weekly family therapy

Detoxification (Detox for short) is the process of removing alcohol and other drugs from an individual's system under medical supervision. This can occur in inpatient or outpatient settings, either with or without the assistance of medication. Too many individuals equate detox with treatment. This is not the case. Detox is simply the very first step in the continuum of addiction treatment. Detox cleanses the body, but by itself, it rarely is enough treatment to enable a person to maintain recovery. To increase the chances of success, a person must follow detox with either an inpatient or outpatient treatment program.

When most people think of addiction treatment, they imagine staying a month away from family and friends in a specialty residential program. However, there are many types of inpatient programs that may last anywhere from a few days to over a year. We have grouped them into two broad categories:
Residential – These programs are normally where many people begin treatment. They vary in length of stay and intensity of service depending on the individual's need.
Halfway Houses – These programs are normally for individuals who have completed a detoxification program or residential program. They offer a level of care between the intensity of 24-hour residential care and going home. Here individuals live with others in recovery, typically work or go to school during the day, and receive treatment services in the evening.

While many individuals think they must begin treatment in a residential facility, this is not always the case. Some do just fine meeting individually with a counselor or participating in group therapy, while they maintain their employment and supportive home life. For others, continuing regular treatment in an outpatient setting is a natural extension of the treatment they began in an inpatient setting. We have group these services into two primary categories:
Standard Outpatient Services – Range from once per month to several times per week, but no more than eight hours of treatment in any one week.
Intensive Outpatient Services – Range from three to five days per week for a total of at least nine hours per week.

Co-occurring Services – These programs provide coordinated services for individuals who have both a substance use disorder and other mental health disorder.
Pregnancy and Addiction – These programs take the special needs of expectant mothers into consideration.
Nicotine Resources – These programs provide help dealing with the number one killer in the United States. This addiction can be extremely difficult to handle without comprehensive treatment. Even one of the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous died from emphysema, because he was unable to overcome his addiction to nicotine.
Other Services – Here you will find links to other specialized services.

While some individuals are able to recover from their addiction on their own, many cannot. They do best with a combination of professional therapy, which may include the use of certain medications, and the mutual support found in the company of others recovering from addiction in a completely non-professional setting.
12 Step and Recovery Support – Here you will find links to groups such as Alcoholics and related mutual support (self-help) groups.
Family Support and Education – Here you will find links to additional supportive services for families.

Information & Referral