The US Government estimates that more than 17 million Americans have an alcohol abuse issue. In severe cases, alcohol withdrawal can result in delirium tremens--commonly known as the D.T.s. If not properly treated, this condition can be fatal.
Common alcohol withdrawal symptoms include "the shakes," which are comprised of uncontrollable tremors, insomnia, irritability, delusions, nausea/vomiting, high blood pressure and increased blood rate. Fortunately, the State of New Jersey offers several options for detoxification and has many treatment programs.
Low Cost, Year-Long Treatment Programs
Alcohol detoxification is only the first step in the treatment process. It is necessary to understand the addiction and to learn how to live effectively without alcohol use to overcome alcohol addiction successfully.
Teen Challenge is one of the most established and most successful programs in the world. It provides both residential treatment and out-patient care. It is for men and women and, despite its name, is for teens and adults. The residential program offers a structured, well-developed graduated training program that is faith based.
The one-year program also offers academics, life-skills instruction, work detail, and recreation. The induction phase and lasts for six months and then the training phase completes the program for the next six months. Personal and group counseling sessions are also available. After detoxification and learning to live without alcohol, residents are encouraged to develop positive relationships within the community and to restore family relationships.
At the end of the program, residents are assisted in a job search and obtaining employment. You qualify to participate in New Jersey if you are 18 or older and ready to deal with your alcohol addiction. The cost of the year-long program is approximately $600, as of 2010, to offset the cost of accommodation, counseling and the treatment program. There is one center in New Jersey for males and there are three Teen Challenge Centers for females in nearby Brooklyn, New York, and in West Babylon, New York.
Newark Men's
49 Brookdale Ave.
Newark, NJ 07106
973-374-2206
director@tcnewark.org
Website: teenchallengebrooklyn.com
Email: dbolger@teenchallengebrooklyn.com
Free Residential Treatment Program
At no charge whatsoever, the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center offers a faith-based residential rehabilitation program that provides a healthy environment, food, clothing, work therapy, leisure activities, life skills training, resources and group and individual counseling.
The only criteria for admittance is that the person be willing to participate actively in the program while working toward recovery. The program runs for about six months. The Salvation Army has been providing opportunities to become sober and change lives for the better for many years and there are four locations to choose from in New Jersey.
Newark
65 Pennington St.
Newark, NJ 07105
973-589-0370
Jersey City
248 Erie St.
Jersey City, NJ 07302
201-653-3071
Paterson
31 Van Houten St.
Paterson, NJ 07505
973-742-1126
Trenton
436 Mulberry St.
Trenton, NJ 08638
609-599-9804
Private Alcohol Recovery Center
You may have seen the TV show "Intervention" on A&E, where Sunrise Detox Intervention has been featured. Sunrise Detox does not provide outpatient detox because it can result in serious medical consequences, sometimes, even seizures. The residential program provides daily activities that include group therapy, and each resident is assisted in developing an effective support system. The average stay for alcohol detoxification is two to five days.
Following an intake assessment, you will be guided to a comfortable private or semi-private room. Residents may wear their own clothing and laundry facilities are available. The treatment team usually consists of a nurse, doctor, therapist and case manager. This team develops an individualized treatment plan as well as an aftercare plan with the resident's collaboration.
Sunrise Detox works with a number of insurance companies that may cover the cost of your treatment.
Sunrise Detox, New Jersey
1272 Long Hill Rd.
Stirling, NJ 07980
1-877-743-9197
Alcohol Recovery Aftercare
For anyone who has had an alcohol addiction, it is important to maintain sobriety after successfully completing a detoxification program. An effective recovery program consists of accountability, adequate support, an understanding of the addiction and developing effective coping methods to deal with personal difficulties and stress.
Alcoholics Anonymous holds in-person meetings as well as online meetings to support and encourage its members free of charge.
Real Time Online AA Meetings
www.aaonline.net
Central Jersey AA Intergroup
P.O. Box 4096
Trenton, NJ 08610
609-298-7795
centraljerseyintergroup.org
Twelve Step Recovery
Alcoholics Anonymous was the first to develop a 12-step recovery program. The principles, which are universal, include affirmations that those struggling with alcohol addiction are powerless and that they need to take a moral inventory of themselves. They vow to make amends, if at all possible, to people they have hurt or wronged due to their addiction, and they look to a higher power to help them overcome their addiction.
You may view the complete Twelve Steps by accessing the resource section below.
