Alcohol and Drug Use Statistics in Perth Amboy, NJ
The opioid and substance use disorder crisis in the U.S. affects Perth Amboy and the rest of Middlesex County. The following statistics illustrate the extent of drug and alcohol misuse and overdose in Middlesex County and the Metropolitan substate region where Perth Amboy is location:2,3
Close to 2,000 residents were admitted for alcohol abuse treatment in 2020.
Nearly 2,200 residents were admitted for alcohol abuse and heroin abuse treatment in 2020.
Approximately 56% of residents admitted for drug abuse were White, 19% were Black, and 21% were of Hispanic origin.
Almost 9% of adults 12 years and older reported using illicit drugs in the past month between 2016 and 2018.
Close to 12% of adults 12 years and older reported using marijuana in the past year between 2016 and 2018.
Nearly 2% of adults 12 years and older reported using cocaine in the past year between 2016 and 2018.
Less than 1% of adults 12 years and older reported using heroin in the past year between 2016 and 2018.
Close to 47% of adults 12 years and older reported using alcohol in the past month between 2016 and 2018.
Levels of Substance Abuse Care
Multiple levels of care are available for addiction treatment. Some New Jersey residents move through each of these levels of treatment, while others need only the least intensive care.
Alcohol and Drug Detoxification
Detox is completed under medical supervision in a hospital, inpatient, or outpatient setting. This is the process of safely and comfortably removing drugs or alcohol from your system. Once detox is complete, you can move forward with other treatment services.
Inpatient Drug and Alcohol Rehab
Inpatient rehab, also called residential treatment, involves living at a treatment facility to receive 24/7 care. Services usually include individual and group therapy, medication, recreational therapy, and nutritional counseling.
Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs)
PHPs allow New Jersey residents to live at home while receiving treatment through a hospital. This program usually provides the same treatment services as inpatient care, but you can return home during non-treatment hours.
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs)
IOPs are a step down from PHPs, allowing you to attend a few hours of counseling each week while living at home. This provides time to maintain a work schedule or fulfill other obligations.
Standard Outpatient
Standard outpatient programs involve just one to two hours of treatment per week. This level of treatment involves the least supervision and is appropriate for highly motivated people who have a strong support system.
Aftercare
Also known as relapse prevention, aftercare starts once your rehab program is complete. It includes ongoing support such as 12-step programs, sober living homes, and therapy.
How to Pay for Drug Rehab in Perth Amboy, New Jersey
New Jersey Medicare
New Jersey Medicare provides health insurance to New Jersey residents who are 65 or older or have certain other health conditions. You are automatically enrolled in this program at age 65 if you are receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board retirement benefits.
Many Medicare options are available in New Jersey that go beyond basic coverage, such as Medicare Advantage Plans and Medigap plans. The New Jersey State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers free help with questions regarding Medicare benefits and policies. Not all treatment centers accept Medicare insurance coverage, so always do your research before choosing a provider.
New Jersey Medicaid
New Jersey’s Medicaid program provides health insurance to New Jersey residents who are aged, blind, or disabled, to pregnant women, and to parents/caretakers and dependent children. To be eligible for New Jersey Medicaid, a person must be a resident of New Jersey, be a U.S. Citizen or qualified alien, and meet specific standards for financial income. You must apply for Medicaid coverage in New Jersey, and the rehab program must accept Medicaid as a method of payment.
Sliding Scale Rehabs
Sliding scale rehabs assist New Jersey residents who have limited financial resources to pay for treatment. You will be charged based on what you can reasonably afford to pay. To qualify for a sliding scale rehab in New Jersey, you typically need to provide proof of income.
TRICARE in New Jersey
New Jersey TRICARE (East region) is a government program that provides health insurance coverage for U.S. military personnel, veterans, and their families. TRICARE covers addiction treatment services; however, various plans differ in their coverage.
IHS-Funded Drug Rehabs
The Indian Health Service (HIS) funds addiction treatment for Indigenous people and Alaskan Natives in New Jersey and nationwide. This coverage is provided even if other insurance payment is available.
Traveling to and Within Perth Amboy, NJ
If you are planning to seek help from a drug and alcohol rehab in Perth Amboy, NJ, or to visit friends or family there, you may find the following travel tips valuable:
- Perth Amboy is about 30 miles southwest of New York City and an hour’s drive away.
- New Jersey (NJ) Transit offers rail and bus services to and from Perth Amboy to many cities in the region, from the Perth Amboy Station located downtown between Elm Street and Market Street.
- Perth Amboy has hot, humid summers with wet, cold winters.
- Many highways run through Perth Amboy, including Route 440, Route 184, CR 616, Route 35, and CR 501.
- You may be able to run most errands on foot in Perth Amboy. The most walkable neighborhoods include State Street, Southwestern Perth Amboy, and Downtown.
- Fast and convenient transportation options within Perth Amboy include taxis as well as ride-share options like Lyft and Uber.
- Perth Amboy has plenty of hotel options for your stay with budget-friendly options, such as Knight’s Inn, Quality Inn, Raritan Hotel, Hotel Executive Suites, and Circle Motor Lodge.
- The Perth Amboy Waterfront, Hummingbird Garden, Propriety House, and Outerbridge Crossing are fun places to explore during your stay in Perth Amboy.
New Jersey Drug and Alcohol Laws
New Jersey policy makers have established the following laws related to substance misuse1,2,3,4,5
New Jersey Good Samaritan Law: New Jersey’s Overdose Prevention Act provides protection from criminal prosecution for New Jersey residents who report or seek help for suspected overdose on illegal drugs. The law encourages people to call 911 immediately, without fear of legal repercussions.
New Jersey Driving or Operating Under the Influence Laws: Under New Jersey Law, if an offender’s blood alcohol content (BAC) is between 0.08 and 0.10, the penalties are a fine of $250-$400, imprisonment for up to 30 days, driver’s license forfeiture until ignition interlock is installed (required for 3 months), a minimum of six hours a day for two days in an Intoxicated Driver Resource Center, and an automobile insurance surcharge of $1,000 per year for three years. Penalties increase for higher BACs and repeated offenses.
New Jersey Naloxone Blank Standing Orders: This law allows adults 21 years or older to use, purchase, and carry cannabis. Recreational users can purchase up to 1 ounce of cannabis, but the law does not permit personal growing of the plant.
New Jersey Drug Courts: This program offers non-violent drug offenders an alternative to prison. New Jersey residents convicted of a drug-related crime may be eligible to complete a supervised drug or alcohol treatment program instead of serving jail time.
Resources
- Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner. (n.d.). Dashboard.
- Department of Human Services. (2021). New Jersey Drug and Alcohol Abuse Treatment: Substance Abuse Overview 2020 Middlesex County.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (n.d.). 2016 -2018 NSDUH Substate Region Estimates – Tables.