Union County, New Jersey, is located in the north-central part of the state. The 2019 census recorded a population count of 556,341. There are 21 municipalities in the county. It is the seventh most populated county in the state. It is the birthplace of professional athletes, actors, architects, and writers.
Like most of the state, Union has an ever-growing drug problem. Addiction, drug-related hospitalizations, and overdoses seem to never end. In 2019, there were 177 deaths due to drugs. The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that 90 percent of the overdose deaths in New Jersey involved opioids in 2018.
The addiction and overdose epidemic affects people throughout the country, and Union, New Jersey, is not left out. Heroin abuse remains a public health issue from the rising number of hospitalizations and overdose deaths it causes. Prescription opioids and alcohol are two other top substances in the area.
However, the state and county are working hard together to combat the drug problem in the county. Read on to learn more about drug addiction and rehab in Union, and where to find help.
Union Drug Rehab Statistics
Substance abuse treatment admissions for drug-related causes in the county are reported here, starting with the highest number. As the data indicates, heroin is a primary drug of choice in the area followed closely by alcohol.
- Heroin – 1,469
- Alcohol – 1,162
- Marijuana – 508
- Cocaine – 177
- Other opiates – 142
Most Commonly Abused Substances
The most commonly abused substances in Union are:
- Heroin
- Cocaine
- Alcohol
- Marijuana
Union Drug Rehab History and Rankings
Addiction treatment from a drug rehab center is the safest place to start down the road to becoming addiction-free. There are several fully licensed and accredited facilities in the area with proven treatments for those struggling with drug or alcohol addictions.
Union County offers an intervention program called “Operation Helping Hand 24/7/365,” which gives law enforcement the opportunity to offer people accused of low-level drug offenses the option to meet face-to-face with a peer recovery coach. Union is the only county in the state to provide this service.
Addiction treatment can be effective for people struggling with heroin, alcohol, or opioid use disorder. Evidence-based treatment plans can help an individual learn how to manage addiction and find new ways of handling triggers. Summit Behavioral Health is a short 15- to 30- minute drive from anywhere in the county.
Prescription drug addiction can start at home in the medicine cabinet. To curtail this, the state has a program called Project Medicine Drop, where prescription medicine can be dropped in secure boxes located inside police headquarters in many cities. Union County residents who wish to discard prescription drugs not in use anymore can find a participating law enforcement agency listed here. The state provides more information about drug abuse and rehab on its NJCares website.
Quick Treatment Facts
For addiction treatment to be efficient, it should be readily available, tend to the physical, psychological, and spiritual needs of the patient, and last long enough be effective, which is usually 90 days. The American Society of Addiction Medicine’s continuum of care is a process that professional addiction treatment centers employ.
Drug and alcohol addiction recovery is a lifetime process that needs adjusting as the individual meets specific goals along the way. Relapsing is not uncommon for many people, and it’s also not an indication of failure.
Aftercare and support groups provide strong encouragement, educational opportunities, and the chance to make new friends who understand the complexities of addiction. Today is the best day to start the journey to becoming addiction-free. All it takes is one phone call.
