Month: May 2024

New Jersey, the Garden State, is known for its diverse culture, bustling cities, and picturesque
landscapes. But New Jersey has been significantly impacted by the nationwide opioid (pain pills
+ heroin + fentanyl) epidemic. Heroin is a major problem and the rate of heroin overdose deaths
in New Jersey is three times the national average. NJ has lost nearly 20,000 people to drug
overdose since 2001. Other commonly abused drugs in New Jersey include cocaine, marijuana,
and prescription opioids. Drug-related crime is also a significant problem, with an estimated
70% of violent crime in the state linked to drug activity.

The opioid crisis in NJ is driven primarily by fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid. In 2017,
Fentanyl accounted for as much as 50% of all overdose deaths in NJ. Addiction to heroin is a
major issue with an estimated 150,000 people in New Jersey addicted to heroin. The state has
seen a 7X increase in admissions to drug treatment programs over the past decade or so.
There are many drug rehab centers in New Jersey that treat people suffering from an addiction
to opioids and opioid withdrawal. Opioid withdrawalk can be excruiciating. However, it is not
dangerous, like alcohol withdrawal.

Alcohol is the second most used drug in New Jersey. Thousands of people seek treatment for
alcohol in New Jersey every year. Although legal alcohol abuse can lead to dangerous
consequences. Alcohol withdrawal can lead to seizures and stroke. So it is important to seek
treatment for stopping alcohol use.

Cocaine is the next most used substance in New Jersey following opioids. Efforts to reduce
cocaine consumption remain an issue, in cities, though, cocaine remains a typical drug. Its
addictive character and accessibility make it a persistent challenge for authorities and health
professionals. For marijuana and cocaine, there are no official detox protocols. So coming off of
marijuana and cocaine requires more work.

Like alcohol, benzos like Klonopin, Xanax, and Ativan come with dangerous withdrawal
symptoms. Benzos are often prescribed for genuine psychological issues but abuse can lead to
dangerous consequences. Benzo withdrawal can lead to seizures and stroke. So, it is important
to seek treatment for stopping alcohol use.

Data on substance abuse treatment in New Jersey yield a range of options. Thousands of
individuals in the state seek substance use disorder treatment annually. Treatment programs
range from outpatient detox inpatient to residential rehabilitation, to MAT.

The most modern way of treating addiction is Outpatient Detox. It has become more popular of
late as it lowers the barriers to accessing treatment. Most people find it difficult to check out of their daily life in order to access treatment. Outpatient Detox is available for all substances –
alcohol, opiates (kratom, oxycodone, oxycontin, tramadol, Percocet, fentanyl, heroin),
benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan) and anesthetics (ketamine). The most acute phase
of addiction treatment, detoxification, can be accessed from home.
The Center for Network Therapy is a pioneer in outpatient detox and has been providing this
level of care since 2013.

Polysubstance abuse is highly prevalent in New Jersey and it involves the simultaneous use of
multiple substances. Polysubstance abuse raises the risk of overdose and poses a greater
danger to physical and mental health. Consequently, detoxification is the starting point of
treatment, and, in New Jersey, outpatient detox is an effective alternative to inpatient detox as it
helps integrate the home environment into treatment. The Center for Network Therapy has 3
detox facilities in New Jersey – West Orange, Middlesex and Freehold – offering Outpatient
Detox since 2013.

Why do Individuals Abuse Multiple Substances at Once?

One of the key reasons is to enhance the high from using one substance – for example co-
abusing benzodiazepines with opiates helps to achieve a higher high.

Adolescents and young adults abuse multiple substances due to peer pressure and the urge to
experiment – prevalence is higher among adolescents and young adults.

Sometimes people use multiple substances to counter withdrawal symptoms from one
substance by using another – anxiety from opioid withdrawal may lead to abuse of
benzodiazepines.

Some medications to address mental health issues are not effective – consequently,
Individuals suffering from depression, anxiety, PTSD or bi-polar disorder.

It is quite possible that New Jersey leads the nation in the concurrent co-abuse of multiple
substances. This is because NJ lies at the crossroads of the drug trade to New York after
emanating the southern borders. Towns such as Red Bank, Colts Neck, Morristown, Short Hills,
Bedminster, Summit, Westfield, Long Branch, and Mendham are particularly affected.

Examples of Polysubstance Abuse:

1. Using cocaine, a stimulant, after binging on alcohol to counter alcohol’s central nervous
   depressant effects, to enable continued consumption of alcohol.
2. Benzodiazepines along with opiates to obtain a higher high.

Common Substance Use Disorders.

Substance use disorders are characterized by compulsive use of substances despite negative
consequences:

• Alcohol use disorder (AUD) – excessive drinking and a pattern of alcohol consumption
  resulting in impairment or distress. NIAAA defines heavy drinking as follows: for men,
  consuming five or more drinks on any day or 15 or more per week and for women,
  consuming four or more on any day or 8 or more drinks per week. Heavy alcohol use
  leads to dependence and withdrawal symptoms when use is stopped abruptly.
• Opioid use disorder (OUD) is the problematic use of opioids – it includes prescription
  painkillers such as oxycodone, percocet, tramadol and illegal drugs like heroin and
  fenatnyl. Although some of these medications are prescribed to treat severe pain, it can
  lead to dependence.
• Cocaine is a stimulant and cocaine use disorder is compulsive use of cocaine despite
  health and legal issues. There is no official detox protocol for cocaine so coming off of
  cocaine becomes difficult.
• Cannabis use disorder is defined by problematic use leading to impairment throughout
  various aspects of life. Although cananbis is increasingly being viewed as a harmless
  substance and efforts are underway to categorize cannabis as less harmful than other
  drugs, it is not the case as it can lead to psychosis.
• Methamphetamine use disorder is the misuse of methamphetamine with accompanying
  physical and mental health issues.
• Benzodiazepine is offifically used to treat various psychological issues such as anxiety
  and insomnia. But abuse is not uncommon in New Jersey. Benzo use disorder is the use
  and abuse of prescription medications like Klonopin, Valium or Xanax leading to
  addiction and dependence.

Causes of Polysubstance Abuse.

Polysusbtance abuse is likely more prevalent in New Jersey as compared to other
regions in the nation. Development of polysubstance abuse could be caused by:

1. Biological Factors: Genetic predisposition and altered brain chemical composition might
   raise susceptibility to polysubstance abuse.
2. Psychological Factors: Mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, or trauma can cause
   individuals to seek self-medication with several substances.
3. Environmental Influences: Polysubstance abuse might be connected to exposure to
   substance abuse in the household or social circle and access to alcohol and drugs.
4. Social Pressures: Peer pressure, societal norms, and cultural influences may bring about
   polysubstance abuse, especially for young people.
5. Co-occurring Disorders: The complex nature of the conditions places individuals at increased
   risk for polysubstance abuse with associated mental health disorders and drug abuse issues.

Polysubstance Detox

Addressing polysubstance abuse requires addressing the root cause and supporting
behaviors. The starting point is always detox, and detox from polysubstance abuse is
much more complicated that detox from a single substance.

Firstly, detox from polysubstance abuse takes longer than detox from a single
substance. The reason is that individuals have to weaned off from one substance before
attempting to detox them from another substance. It is also more complicated as
withdrawal from multiple substance have to be managed at the same time.

Psychotherapy, such as Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI),
dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) along with various other psychotherapeutic methods might
help individuals address the root causes and develop coping methods.

Fortunately for New Jersey residents, the Outpatient Detox option is available, as the
Center for Network Therapy pioneered the outpatient detox modality of care for all
substances of abuse and has been providing outpatient detox since 2013.

Click here for treatment and support for dealing with polysubstance abuse and recovery.