Patients attend either up to 8 hours per week (OP), or up to 18 hours per week (IOP) for substance abuse treatment services at our Union City and Newark offices in NJ. Patients enrolled in our program attend group counseling sessions, weekly individual sessions, and are monitored during collection of random urine samples for laboratory testing. Recurring didactic and processing group session topics include:
- Aftercare/Relapse prevention.
- Alumni & Peer groups.
- Communication.
- Employment/Work Readiness.
- Finances.
- Grief & Loss.
- Parole.
- Stages of Recovery.
- 12 Steps.
- Yoga & Meditation.
Patients attending for OP or IOP services may also have the opportunity to attend one or more of the two Anger Management sessions run during the week.
Group sessions for the OP and IOP program are held Mondays through Thursdays during the day (9 am – 1:30 pm) and in the evening (4:30 pm – 7:30 pm). A limited group schedule is run on Fridays and Saturdays (9 am – 12:00 pm). The condensed evening program as well as the Friday and Saturday group sessions are reserved for patients whose work, school, or childcare responsibilities prevent them from attending the standard daytime program hours.
Treatment patients with GECS typically meet once per week with their assigned counselor for an individualized one-on-one session. The content of individual sessions varies depending on the patient’s needs and goals for treatment. Clinical staff and administrators work with referring State and County agencies, Hospitals, Inpatient programs, and other Treatment Providers in the area to coordinate care and, when necessary, transition patients to another facility if GECS is unable to meet their needs.
Random monitored urine drug screen (UDS) services are provided during all treatment program hours. Instant tests immediately provide verified Positive or Negative results, without levels, for a standard panel of drugs. Laboratory tests provide verified Positive or Negative results, with levels, for a full panel of drugs. Beyond the standard panel, laboratory testing also includes alcohol (ETG/ETS), Fentanyl, and Tramadol panels. Testing for K2/Spice (synthetic marijuana) is available by request. Laboratory testing is designed to rule out false positives and validates all results against incidental or purposeful interference. Laboratory results are returned to GECS, on average, in three to five business days. Breathalyzer tests to confirm alcohol intoxication are also available by request.
Patients who successfully complete substance abuse treatment with GECS are encouraged to remain in contact with our staff at our Union City and Newark NJ offices and their graduate peers as they move forward in their recovery. Many graduating Patients choose to join our informal Alumni network and may return as needed for check-ins with clinical staff, relapse prevention and other group sessions, and/or monitored drug screens.
Clinical services, including family, group, and individual sessions, may be conducted via telehealth when appropriate. Patients interested in using telehealth may speak with their assigned counselor once enrolled to discuss the pros and cons, as well as the technological details, of using telehealth platforms to interact with GECS staff and their peers in treatment. Telehealth use is at the discretion of our clinical team and considers a range of factors including (but not limited to) childcare obligations, drug screen results, participation in treatment sessions, program attendance, and school or work schedules including travel time to our facility. Patients approved for telehealth services must still report to our facility weekly for laboratory services and at least once per month for clinical services, as instructed by our clinical staff.
GECS currently has contracts with Drug Court, IDRC (Intoxicated Drivers Program), NJ State Parole, SAI/BHI (Welfare), and Probation; and maintains a walk-in UDS services provider status with the Division of Child Protection & Permanency (DCP&P). GECS accepts Medicaid, including most Managed Care plans, and is able to assist indigent patients through a grant from the County of Essex Department of Addiction Services. Our staff works with individuals who have private insurance (including Medicare) to meet their treatment needs on a case by case basis. Individuals with questions about their eligibility for services at our facility should call and ask to speak with our administrative staff.
Patients enrolled for OP and IOP services may also enroll in our Anger Management program.