In Jersey, many drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres are offering various treatment services for addicted people. Heroin, cocaine, and marijuana are among the topmost abused drugs in the state of New Jersey. Treatment services in New Jersey are readily available to assist individuals to recover from a physical addiction to drugs such as alcohol and heroin, from psychological addiction, such as depression and bipolar disorder, and psychiatric addiction, such as alcoholism and drug abuse. Drug treatment services offer effective drug rehabilitation programs, such as Narcotics Anonymous, Sex Addicts Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, dialectical behaviour therapy, and alternative and holistic treatments for addictions. The effectiveness of these programs depends on the kind of addiction a patient suffers from, his mindset, personality, and level of motivation.
Therapy Options
Treatment centres offer a wide array of intensive therapy options, such as inpatient detoxification, residential treatment, outpatient treatment, day treatment, family therapy, and special programs. There are many types of addiction treatment services, including inpatient detox, where the patients live at the treatment centre and receive medical care on a day to day basis, which is a common form of treatment for substance abuse. On the other hand, outpatient treatment is where the patients visit their nearest clinics or doctors only when they feel weak and do not feel comfortable staying at the centre. Inpatient detox is also ideal for those who have had some injuries and cannot take long trips back home. Most addicts choose inpatient treatment, as it is a more effective way of treating the addiction to substance abuse.
Addiction Treatment services also provide comprehensive outpatient services. These outpatient services offer treatment to patients for mental disorders, lifestyle changes, and medication. For individuals who suffer from chronic conditions such as an opioid epidemic and obesity, outpatient services may be difficult to get. In such cases, substance abuse treatment in the rural area might prove to be beneficial, as most of the hospitals and clinics are well equipped to provide comprehensive services.
Substance Abuse Treatment
Substance abuse treatment in the country has been under the scanner, as there have been rumours of deaths caused by the administration of heroin. However, most substance abusers die due to other physical disorders. Some of the mental disorders caused by substance abuse include depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, psychosis, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other behavioural problems.
Methadone is one of the most prescribed medications for heroin addicts. It reduces cravings, eliminates physical and psychological urges, provides relief from withdrawal symptoms, and reduces the risks of relapse. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), there is a lack of quality data on the impact of methadone on the health of its patients. However, the impact on the health of patients using methadone seems minimal compared to those who use other medications. In most of the studies, the mortality rate is low, although it was observed that the use of methadone for long periods led to liver toxicity. The rural population is not targeted in the same way as the urban ones; hence, the government must focus its attention on this matter.
Challenges
The limited resources of the rural areas hinder the provision of adequate treatment. Although the government has made efforts to increase access to medical services and provide medication-assisted treatment, these programs may be inadequate. According to a recent review by a prominent medical journal, opioids are often fatal, even when the dosage is increased. Besides, the prolonged use of heroin can lead to respiratory problems and heart failure, which may complicate the matter.
An opioid crisis that has taken the lives of tens of thousands of people across the United States needs to be nipped in the bud. According to a recent statistical review, an alarming rise in unintentional deaths attributed to prescription painkillers, such as OxyContin, Celebrex, and Vioxx, as well as street drugs like heroin has occurred over the past two years. Also, an estimated 1.2 million people age 12 or older use illicit substances, such as inebriants, every year in states including Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Wisconsin. These problems have become so rampant that the National Institute on Drug Abuse reported that there is an urgent need for substance abuse and addiction treatment programs available in over 30 states. Despite this urgent need, substance abuse programs may not be able to meet the needs of the Rhode Island population because the population is spread out among several municipalities.
In light of the tremendous scope of the problem, the state is taking steps to address the issue. According to the Providence Journal-News, Governor Gina Raimondo has called for a task force that will consist of local law enforcement officers, mental health and treatment professionals, business leaders, and community members to address the issue of substance abuse and addiction. This task force has the intention of preventing further deterioration of the social environment that exists in the Providence Region. The group is also hoping that the task force will develop new addiction recovery programs, which are proven to reduce crime and increase safety and community bond. Last, but not least, the task force is making recommendations to the State’s Attorney General to develop a national platform for combating substance addiction.
