Opiate Use in New Jersey

Injection drug use is associated with high risk for transmission of bloodborne infections, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B and C. Since 1993, the proportion of persons admitted to New Jersey addiction treatment centers for illicit drug use who reported injecting drugs has increased, reversing a decline that began in approximately 1980 (1; Community Epidemiology Work Group, unpublished data, 2000). This report summarizes an analysis of trends in injection drug use among persons admitted to New Jersey addiction treatment programs during 1992–1999; the findings suggest substantial increases in injection use among young adult heroin users throughout the state of New Jersey and an increase in heroin use among young adults who reside in suburban and rural New Jersey. 

New Jersey’s Alcohol and Drug Abuse Data System (ADADS) provided data for this report, including demographic information, client reports of substance use before entering addiction treatment in New Jersey, and whether the client usually injected drugs (ADADS, unpublished data, 1999). Data were analyzed for clients admitted to drug rehab during 1992–1999 who reported using heroin and/or cocaine; admissions to inpatient detox programs were excluded. For this analysis, clients were categorized as 1) heroin users who did not use cocaine, 2) cocaine users who did not use heroin, and 3) users of both heroin and cocaine. To examine geographic patterns of heroin use and injection drug use, New Jersey cities, boroughs, and townships were categorized as either 1) urban areas including major cities (i.e., Newark, Paterson, Jersey City, Elizabeth, Camden, and Trenton) and other urban centers and surrounding areas (e.g., Atlantic City, New Brunswick, East Orange, and Hoboken) or 2) suburban and rural areas (Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University, unpublished data, 1994).

If you require help locating a detox program or drug rehab call 1-800-99-DETOX. 

Bookmark to:

Detox, short for detoxification, is the first step in drug rehabilitation and addiction treatment of drug and/or alcohol abuse. The term detox refers to the detoxifying of the residual toxins left in the human body as a result of taking drug(s) and/or alcohol. Alcohol and drug detox, from a medical prospective, is the process of medically managing the body’s physical withdrawal from alcohol or drug(s) to minimize the possible side effects and help prevent potentially harmful consequences. There are a variety of methods for the actual medical process of alcohol and drug detox.

Over time, drinking alcohol or using a drug eventually causes a physical dependence. The actual stopping of drinking alcohol or using drugs, results in what is known as withdrawal. Detox (withdrawal) without medical supervision and assistance is potentially very dangerous and should not be attempted. Alcohol and or drug detox can result is severe consequences, such as a seizure, nausea, hallucinations, high blood pressure and anxiety.

The length of time required for detox from alcohol or drug depends on the process being utilized. In general, alcohol detox, when done in a medical environment, can take anywhere from 3 to 5 days. For a drug detox such as heroin, opiates, methadone or benzodiazepines the time can range from 5 to 7 days of medically supervised detox. The medical process of detox from alcohol or drug usually includes administering a variety of substances to relieve the withdrawal symptoms and minimize the potentially harmful consequences. For alcohol, these potentially harmful consequences can include the delirium tremors (aka the DTs), convulsions, nausea, headaches, shakes and insomnia.
Detox is the first step of drug rehab and addiction treatment. As long as there is alcohol or drugs in a person’s body and as the body goes into withdrawal the result is a craving for more alcohol or the substance. Also, until a person is mentally and physically stabilized, they are not prepared to participate in a addiction treatment program. Most addiction treatment centers have there own detox facilities. Others have affiliations with detox programs for their patients to use. There are licensed detox facilities in most areas of the United States. Some are hospitals or clinics. Detox can sometimes be done on an outpatient basis under a doctor’s care. For most people, detox is best accomplished on an inpatient basis.
For additional information call 1-800-99-DETOX.

Bookmark to:

Inpatient Drug Rehab

Inpatient drug rehab is one of many methods whose ultimate goal is long-term abstinence from drugs and alcohol. Those who attend an inpatient drug rehab use the new tools they have learned to help them re-enter society and lead responsible, successful drug and alcohol free lives.

Inpatient drug rehab centers offer support and structure for men and women seeking help for problems with drugs or alcohol. Participants reside on location for the course of the addiction treatment; lengths of stay vary and may be individualized. Care at an inpatient drug rehab is provided 24 hours a day 7 days a week; this is only one of the benefits of attending an inpatient drug rehab.

Outpatient Drug Rehab

An outpatient drug rehab is a program designed to provide long-term abstinence from drugs and alcohol. Outpatient drug rehab programs use a broad verity of techniques. These techniques include a wide range of approaches including problem-solving groups, specialized therapies such as insight-oriented psychotherapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and 12-step programs. Similar to other drug rehabs, the individual may stay in the program for several months or longer. Those who attend an outpatient drug rehab do not live at the drug rehab as they would an inpatient drug rehab.

Outpatient drug rehab programs vary in the types and intensity of services offered. Low-intensity outpatient drug rehab programs may offer little more than drug education and counsel. Other outpatient drug rehab models, such as intensive day treatment, can be comparable to residential programs in services and effectiveness, depending on the individual’s characteristics and needs. All in all, the ultimate goal of an outpatient drug rehab is to help the individual recover from drug addiction so that they may re-enter society and lead responsible, successful drug and alcohol free lives.

Bookmark to:

Detoxification is a process whereby individuals are systematically withdrawn from addicting drugs in an inpatient or outpatient setting, typically under the care of a physician. Detoxification or detox is sometimes called a distinct addiction treatment modality but is more appropriately considered a precursor of addiction treatment, because it is designed to treat the acute physiological effects of stopping drug use. Medications are available for detoxification from opiates, nicotine, benzodiazepines, alcohol, barbiturates, and other sedatives. In some cases, particularly for the last three types of drugs, detoxification may be a medical necessity, and untreated withdrawal may be medically dangerous or even fatal.

Detoxification is not designed to address the psychological, social, and behavioral problems, associated with drug addiction and therefore does not typically produce lasting behavioral changes necessary for recovery. Detoxification is most useful when it incorporates formal processes of assessment and referral to subsequent drug addiction treatment. 

Some people think there is a difference between a drug detox program and an alcohol detox program. The truth is aside from the actual substance, there is no difference in the actual detox services provided. It is important to ask questions regarding any detox program you choose. Educate yourself on;

Is the detox program located within the drug rehab itself?  It should be.

Is the detox program licensed and accredited?  It should be.

What are the credentials of the entire staff working in the detox program?  They should be masters level and above with nurses being RN’s

For additional information on drug detox programs or alcohol detox programs go to www.recoveryconnection.org.  or call 1-800-99-DETOX.

Bookmark to: