Substance Abuse Counseling in New Jersey

Services

Substance Abuse Evaluations

Our substance abuse evaluations are designed for individuals (school-age children and adults) mandated for an evaluation by their school, employer, or the criminal justice system. This is a quick response service and your evaluations will be scheduled within 72 hours of your initial contact with our office.

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:

No Further Action is Necessary
Extended Evaluation
Individual Counseling
Intensive Group Counseling
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Partial Hospitalization
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.

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