Substance Abuse Counseling in New Jersey

Services

Substance Abuse Evaluations

Our substance abuse evaluation service is intended for individuals (children and adults) mandated to participate in a substance abuse evaluation by their school, employer, or the criminal justice system. The benefit of this service is that it provides you with an alternative to obtaining your mandated evaluation from a substance abuse treatment facility. Since Strength for Change is not a substance abuse treatment facility, this assures you that there is no conflict of interest with regards to the objectivity of the evaluation, its findings, and related follow up recommendations. Your substance abuse evaluation will be scheduled within 72 hours of your initial contact with Strength for Change. Your evaluation will take place in-person at either our in Wayne or Mt. Arlington office locations.

What To Expect

Overview

Our substance evaluation consists of a 1.5-hour clinical interview, drug test, communication with all necessary third parties (school, employer, attorney, etc.), and a letter stating the evaluation findings and treatment recommendations.

All evaluations are conducted by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), or Licensed Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LCADC).

Evaluation Outcomes

After the evaluation, clients receive a letter stating the evaluation findings and related treatment recommendations. Based on the client’s level of substance involvement, treatment recommendations may include any of the following:

  1. No Further Action is Necessary
  2. Extended Evaluation
  3. Individual Counseling
  4. Intensive Group Counseling
  5. Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
  6. Partial Hospitalization
  7. Inpatient Treatment
 

If you are recommended for individual counseling or an extended evaluation, you can receive those services at our practice and begin treatment immediately. If you prefer to receive treatment elsewhere or are recommended for a higher level of care, we will help you find the most suitable treatment provider.

Extended Evaluations

An extended evaluation consists of 6-12 individual sessions (with drug testing) to conduct a more comprehensive substance abuse/mental health evaluation and determine if a client can abstain from alcohol or drug use. An extended evaluation is helpful when a client shows several risk factors for substance abuse, but it is unclear whether they meet the full criteria for a substance abuse disorder at the time of the initial evaluation.

Individual Counseling & Substance Abuse

Individual counseling is scheduled 1-2 times per week depending on the client’s needs, continuing for as long as it takes for the client to demonstrate a drug and alcohol-free lifestyle.  Family members, including parents or spouses (depending on the client’s age), are always part of the treatment process and are periodically invited to participate in the client’s counseling sessions. Drug testing is essential to substance abuse treatment and is conducted routinely throughout treatment.

Help For Family & Friends

Strength for Change recognizes the emotional pain and suffering experienced by the families and friends of a person abusing substances, particularly when that individual denies they have a problem and refuses to seek help.  Strength for Change provides evidence-based counseling services (CRAFT – Community Reinforcement and Family Training) that teach family and friends strategies for encouraging and supporting their loved ones in recognizing their substance abuse problem and seeking the necessary treatment. 

Confidentiality

Whether you are trying to find a therapist or seeking a substance abuse evaluation or treatment in Jefferson and Wayne, NJ, or surrounding areas, your privacy and confidentiality are always our top priority. Evaluation findings and treatment recommendations (including drug test results) are only disclosed to individuals you have given us written permission to communicate with. The only exception to this rule of confidentiality is in cases of child abuse and the risk of suicidal or homicidal behavior.

Fees, Billing, & Insurance

Please get in touch with our office at (973) 668-9577 for a list of fees.

School districts or employers sometimes contract with Strength for Change and pay the cost of a mandated substance abuse evaluation.

Individuals seeking our substance abuse evaluation service are responsible for payment at the time of service. Those with out-of-network insurance coverage are eligible for reimbursement based on their plan. You are encouraged to speak to your insurance provider to determine your policy’s coverage, the protocol for submitting claims, and the expected reimbursement rate.

Contact Us

You can use the form on this page to send us a message. Please also feel free to call or email us anytime.

    We are an out-of-network provider.

    Substance Abuse Evaluation

    To schedule yourself or your child for a Substance Abuse Evaluation, text us at (973) 668-9577 with the message “SAE” and provide us with your name. Include your child’s name if the evaluation is for your child. One of our associates will get back to you within 90 mins and will schedule your appointment within 72 hours. Once you have texted us, fill in the required information below and press the submit button at the bottom of the page. While not required, it would be helpful to receive your information prior to our direct communication in response to your initial text.

    The cost of our Substance Abuse Evaluation is $430. This includes a $65 drug test, 60-90 min clinical interview, letter indicating your evaluation findings, and all necessary communication with whomever mandated the evaluation. Strength for Change is an out-of-network treatment provider. If you have out-of-network insurance benefits, your insurance provider may reimburse you 50-90% of your out-of-pocket cost for services. Since policies and reimbursement rates vary greatly, you are encouraged to speak with your insurance provider to determine the nature of your coverage and possible reimbursement rate.

    For more information regarding fees and insurance, please click our FAQs tab.

    Fill out the form below, and we will be in touch shortly.
    If you are scheduling an appointment for your child, complete SECTION 1. If you are scheduling an appointment for yourself, proceed to SECTION 2.

      SECTION 1
      I understand that Strength for Change is an out-of-network treatment provider and that I am responsible for the full cost of services rendered. Whether I receive any reimbursement from my insurance provider will be determined by the nature of my insurance policy and related terms and conditions.

      YesNo

      Child:

      Mother:

      Father:

      Guardian:

      Not Applicable - Mother and/or father are the legal guardiansApplicable - The legal guardian's information is as follows

      School:

      Prior to my child's scheduled appointment, I give Strength for Change permission to communicate with my child's school for the purpose of obtaining information relevant to my child's mandated substance abuse evaluation.

      YesNo

      School Contact Person:

      If you have filled out section 1, go to the bottom of the page and click the SUBMIT button.

      SECTION 2
      I understand that Strength for Change is an out-of-network provider and that I am responsible for the full cost of services rendered. Whether I receive any reimbursement from my insurance provider will be determined by the nature of my insurance policy and related terms and conditions.

      YESNO

      Your Contact Information:

      Emergency Contact Person:

      I was mandated for a substance abuse evaluation by:

      My EmployerThe Court System

      If Mandated by Your EMPLOYER:

      If mandated by the COURT:

      Prior to my scheduled appointment, I give Strength for Change permission to communicate with my employer or court representative for the purpose of obtaining information relevant to my mandated substance abuse evaluation.

      YesNo