Spectrum Health Care, Inc.
74-80 Pacific Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07304
Hours
Mon - Fri: 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Spectrum Health Care, Inc. is a private, non-profit, CARF accredited agency under the New Jersey Department of Health, Division of Addiction Services. Located in Jersey City and serving residents of Hudson County, SHC provides a complete range of coordinated opioid treatment services in a professional and dynamic out-patient care setting.
Our mission is to provide comprehensive opioid therapy to those seeking treatment, in and around Hudson County, without separation from family, community and employment.
Our philosophy supports culturally competent care through quality service delivery in an ongoing effort to support the recovery efforts of all those seeking treatment. Our values guide our committed and qualified staff in caring for the challenges, needs and goals of all those engaged in our treatment services.
Our service approach is based upon medically sound, field recognized and accepted practices supported by research and evidence-based practices regarding the use of opioid treatment. SHC offers short-term (30 day) detoxification services as well as Methadone Maintenance services.
SHC’s program offers a service continuum providing assessment, evaluation, and diagnosis; medical consultations; individual and group counseling; co-occurring needs; medication management; pharmacotherapy; drug screenings and referral services.
Person- and family-centered services, orientation, treatment and transitional planning are conducted in order to provide individualized care based upon an individual’s strengths, needs, abilities and preferences.
SHC offers and provides referrals to support services, including but not limited to: legal; educational; vocational; healthcare; mental health; housing; financial assistance; life span issues; domestic violence; abuse issues (victim, perpetrator, child, elder); parenting skills; family reunification; family counseling; advocacy groups; self-help groups; recovery and wellness.
SHC’s professional team advocates for the elimination of discrimination and stigma too often associated with substance abusers. SHC ensures equal access to treatment for all adult persons in need regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation and financial means.
Since 1984, SHC has served as the voice of recovery for our community.
Over the years, SHC has been a local and statewide catalyst for
change and growth to promote the well-being of those affected
by substance abuse as well as the advancement of those professionals
dedicated to this field.
SHC strives to bring respect, healing and integrity to those
we serve and are grateful to be a successful and accessible
source for recovery and renewal for this community!
Case management /services coordination provide goal oriented and individualized supports focusing on improved self-sufficiency for the clients through assessment, planning, linkages, advocacy, coordination, and monitoring activities. Successful service coordination results in community opportunities and increased independence for the client.
This service works with individuals in the development of an individual service plan which is prepared with the client identifying their strengths, needs, abilities and preferences. For the duration of the client's treatment, staff assists and evaluates them to foster competence and confidence, enabling them to function at an optimal level.
Group counseling provides an opportunity to share experiences, learn perspectives, and experiment with new behaviors in a safe and supportive environment. Counseling groups are led by one or more professional substance abuse and/or mental health counselors.
The IOP program provides a wide range of clinically intensive treatment services. Client and family receive education and information regarding symptoms, effects, and treatment of mental illness, medications, substance abuse, co-dependency and its effect on substance abuse treatment, the implementation of self-care rehabilitation (including, but not limited to, Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon, Narcotics Anonymous, Nar-Anon, Alateen) and community agencies/resources available during treatment services.
The IOP program provides a wide range of clinically intensive treatment services primarily focused on women's issues such as parenting, domestic violence, health and mental health issues, self-esteem, etc. in an environment of mutual respect and support.
Educate clients on the signs of alcohol poisoning, opiate overdose, bystander intervention techniques, how to respond in situations involving a medical emergency, and address misperceptions of alcohol and other drug use behaviors and trends.
Counseling (both group and individual) at Spectrum includes skills development. New, healthy ways of reacting to stressors are discussed. Part of developing abstinence is developing skills to prevent future use. Refusal skills (such as shutting down a negative interaction with a user before use occurs) are included. Trigger management skills also, (for example, engaging in an alternative activity during craving instead of using illicit drugs), are also discussed. Skills for management and recognition of emotions are also included (For example, being able to identify and label emotions, rather than have negative emotion take control, causing an impulsive reaction).
Relapse prevention is an important component of drug and alcohol treatment. Specific interventions include identifying specific high-risk situations for each client and enhancing the client's skills for coping with those situations, increasing the client's self-efficacy, eliminating myths regarding drug and alcohol's effects, managing lapses, and restructuring the client's perceptions of the relapse process.
Assertiveness can be defined as communication in which one expresses oneself in a direct and honest manner in interpersonal situations, while simultaneously respecting the rights and dignity of others. Assertiveness training is based on the principle that all have a right to express their thoughts, feelings, and needs to others, as long as it is done so in a respectful way. When an individual doesn't feel like they can express themselves openly, the individual may become depressed, anxious, or angry, and their sense of self-worth may suffer.
Anger management concerns recognizing the triggers for anger as early as possible and expressing these feelings and frustrations in a cool, calm and collected way. Individuals often have learned behaviors as to how to deal with stress and strong emotions, so anger management is about unlearning ineffective coping mechanisms and re-learning more positive ways to deal with the problems and frustrations associated with anger.
Clients entering Spectrum are immediately connected with 12 step supportive meetings in the community. These 12 step meetings help clients develop connections with other clients in a peer support environment. While groups run by counselors are an integral component in treatment, 12 step meeting provide opportunity for clients to identify with others, informally. Additionally, clients at Spectrum are helped to develop a non-using support network. This network is characterized by a positive influence upon client. The emphasis is on quality of support rather than quantity. One only needs one close non-using friend, community group or healthy activity, to have positive outcome. Staff help explore and discover supports in collaboration with clients.
Urine screening is performed for the health and safety of the client. Results of urine testing can ensure that the client is on the proper dose of medication taken regularly and to determine if other drugs and/or alcohol is evident which may mean the client is in need of interventions including a higher level of care.
As part of the assessment process, clients may identify other needs besides their drug and alcohol use problems. The issues identified might be lack of money for food and medications, a safe place to live, parenting needs, help with a disabled child, and other life needs/stressors. Staff will assist the client to obtain the needed services through a referral process.
Staff will work with the individual client to identify their transportation needs and to assist with obtaining transportation to treatment and other health related appointments.
If a history or presenting Mental Health issue is identified, coordination of Mental Health Care services shall be incorporated into the client's treatment planning. Based upon his/her needs, services may include routine care with a mental health practitioner, or referral to higher levels of care such as acute psychiatric and detoxification inpatient care; partial hospitalization programs; outpatient programs; integrated case management services; residential services; or consultation and education/traumatic loss programs.
HIV Services staff are responsible to educate individuals about HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases including, but not limited to the following information: testing procedures; confidentiality; reporting; follow-up care; medical management; counseling; partner notification; risk reduction; social responsibilities; transmission modes; and treatment options.
As part of our comprehensive approach to treatment, Spectrum has collaborated with NJCRI (New Jersey Community Research Initiative) to offer clients free Rapid HCV Testing, along with linkage to new curative treatment with St. Michaels Hospital.
Medication assisted treatment is treatment for addiction that includes the use of medication along with counseling and other support. Treatment that includes medication is often the best choice for opioid addiction. Medication assisted treatment is evidence based best practice. The most common medications used in treatment of opioid addiction are Methadone, Buprenorphine (Suboxone) and Naltrexone (Vivitrol).
Since methadone is a controlled substance, there is a possibility for abuse and an addiction to form. When participating in a medication assisted treatment program, you will be monitored by qualified professionals who will ensure that you are taking the medication as prescribed to prevent abuse from occurring.
Suboxone is also an opioid, and all opioids have the potential to cause physical dependence or addiction. Unlike opioid prescription painkillers and heroin, which are "full opioid agonists," Buprenorphine (Suboxone) is a "partial opioid agonist." That means that the Buprenorphine (Suboxone) attaches to the same receptors in the brain that the other opioids attach to, but it produces less euphoria than a full opioid agonist.
Naltrexone (Vivitrol) is an antagonist or blocking medication. Antagonists attach to opioid receptors, but do not cause the release of dopamine. They are non-addictive and do not lead to physical dependence. Antagonists create a barrier that blocks opioid molecules from attaching to opioid receptors. Naltrexone (Vivitrol) blocks opioid receptors in the brain for one month at a time, helping patients to prevent relapse to opioid dependence, following detox, while they focus on counseling. Patients must detox before starting Naltrexone (Vivitrol).
The length of treatment can vary from patient to patient. The decision to discontinue therapy with these medications after a period of maintenance should be made as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. It is up to you, your doctor, and your therapist or counselor to decide on the appropriate length of treatment.
If you are taking any other prescription medications for physical or psychological reasons, make your physician aware prior to starting these medications. It is possible for these medications to negatively interact with other medications; therefore, it is important to discuss the use of other medications to avoid any adverse interactions.
Every individual who takes methadone is going to take it for a different length of time. If during your treatment, you wish to no longer take methadone or want to switch to a different medication, your treatment provider can assist you in tapering off methadone or prescribe another medication that can meet your needs. This process is necessary to prevent patients from experiencing adverse effects or withdrawal during this process. To learn more about ceasing the use of methadone or changing prescriptions, it is important to have a conversation with the doctor.
Spectrum groups are required for all patients, even those working (though some make 12 step groups, outside clinic) Evidence based means that they are proven to work. Just as for another illness, a person would have a behavioral piece to treatment, in addition to medication, (methadone), groups are behavior treatment for addiction.
At Spectrum, safety is the top priority. And it is important for a client to be ready, to safely have take home bottle privileges. After 3 months of negative drug screens (for illicit substances) and compliance with other requirements of program, a client becomes eligible for take homes. Keep in mind that this is dependent upon client meeting other program requirements (regular program and group attendance, keeping appointments).
This is a myth about methadone. The lifestyle that is involved in substance abuse is the true cause of some of these negative effects. While using illicit opioids, a person is not taking care of their physical state (visiting the doctor, getting proper nutrition). Often, as a person is successfully stabilized, they will attribute these negative effects to methadone.
Clients can encounter challenges when they try to come off any medication quickly, including methadone. The saying "slow and steady" has served many clients well when and if the time comes to come off methadone. Clients are encouraged to get fully stable first and have success in treatment. When any process is rushed, it has less chance to be successful. Give it time it deserves.
Detoxification allows your body to go through withdrawal from opiates over a period of time instead of abruptly. SHC offers detoxification programs with the use of Methadone or Buprenorphine (Suboxone).
Maintenance is a comprehensive treatment program that involves the long-term prescribing of Methadone or Buprenorphine (Suboxone) as an alternative to the opioid on which the client was dependent.
Spectrum Health Care, Inc.
74-80 Pacific Avenue
Jersey City, NJ 07304
Hours
Mon - Fri: 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
In the event of an unscheduled closing due to weather or any unforeseen emergency event, please contact: SHC Message Center: 201-451-2544 or SHC Emergency Contact: 551-200-0400
If you have questions about SHC Treatment Services or other public inquiries, please contact us at anytime SHC Message Center: 201-451-2544
If you need to speak with SHC to report an emergency matter, outside of routine business hours:SHC Emergency Contact: 551-200-0400.
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