Depression & Substance Abuse Treatment

Depression & Substance Abuse Treatment Near You in New Jersey

Many people with depression also deal with a substance use disorder (SUD) like alcohol use disorder. Co-occurring mental health disorders and SUDs require an integrated, dual diagnosis treatment approach. At Rubicon Recovery Center, we provide drug and alcohol addiction treatments and dual diagnosis care for individuals from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. Learn more about our coordinated substance use and depression treatment near you in New Jersey.

Key Takeaways

• Depression is a mood disorder that causes symptoms that affect everyday functioning and well-being, such as feelings of sadness or anxiety, isolation from loved ones, mood swings, extreme fatigue, changes in sleep or appetite, and more.
• Depression is a strong risk factor for substance abuse because many people use substances to self-medicate or temporarily relieve their symptoms.
• Treating depression and substance use together involves an integrated treatment approach, which offers more benefits and provides better outcomes than the outdated sequential treatment approach.
• Insurance coverage for depression/substance use treatment will depend on your specific plan and benefits, but it is often covered partially under federal mental health parity laws.
• Rubicon Recovery Center provides dual diagnosis care for individuals with depression and SUDs from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

What Are Depression Symptoms?

Depression, also called major depression, major depressive disorder, or clinical depression, is a mental health disorder known as a mood disorder. People with depression often experience symptoms that affect their functionality and overall quality of life, including:

• Persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, or hopelessness
• Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
• Isolation from friends and family
• Mood swings or irritability
• Loss of interest in daily life
• Extreme fatigue or lack of energy
• Insomnia or trouble sleeping
• Lack of motivation
• Difficulty concentrating
• Unexplained weight loss or weight gain
• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

Often, professional treatment is necessary to help a person with depression feel and live better.

Understanding the Connection Between Depression and Substance Abuse

In people with depression, substance use or abuse is common. When symptoms like sadness, irritability, and insomnia are affecting how a person feels and acts, many individuals turn to substances like drugs or alcohol to self-medicate or to feel better temporarily.

Although patients may feel better in the short term, this self-medication can alter mood-regulating neurotransmitters, aggravating or worsening depression symptoms long-term. Substance use can also reduce the effectiveness of antidepressant medications and standard therapies, complicating treatment. To address both depression and substance use simultaneously, an integrated, dual diagnosis treatment plan is necessary. This approach is used over the more outdated sequential treatment approach because it prevents conflicting treatments, improves psychiatric symptoms, helps break the self-medication cycle, and reduces relapse rates.

How Do We Treat Depression at Rubicon Recovery Center?

At Rubicon Recovery Center, we know that co-occurring disorders require an integrated treatment plan from a coordinated team. Therefore, we partner with our sister center, Rubicon Mental Health Center, to provide dual diagnosis care for co-occurring disorders like depression and SUD. We can treat both mental health and substance use disorders, provided a patient comes into treatment primarily for an SUD.

Our dual diagnosis treatment considers the fact that mental illness and addiction are deeply intertwined, so it is based on a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach. The treatment team includes several medical professionals, including therapists, psychiatrists, advanced psychiatric nurse practitioners, and addiction counselors, who work together to create tailored treatment plans. Our treatment plans combine both evidence-based and holistic therapies to help heal the whole person. They include:

• Individual therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and motivational interviewing
• Family counseling
• Group therapy
• Holistic therapies, such as breathwork, mindfulness, and meditation

This combination of behavioral and holistic therapies helps to address all aspects of a person, including their physical, mental, and spiritual health, providing a strong foundation for lasting recovery.

What Are the Levels of Care for Depression?

At Rubicon Recovery Center, we aim to meet patients where they are, whether they need daily structured support or check-ins a few times a week. That’s why we offer three levels of outpatient programs, which include:

• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): This program runs for 5 or 6 days per week, 6 hours a day. It generally lasts 30 to 45 days.
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): This program runs for 3 hours a day, with patients attending 3 to 5 days per week. It typically lasts for 10 to 12 weeks.
• Outpatient Program (OP): This program runs for 2 to 3 days a week, 1 hour a day. The program length varies, but it frequently lasts for several months.

Our OP program is typically reserved as a step down of care for past or current clients, while PHP and IOP are open to everyone. When you come to Rubicon Recovery Center, our team will perform a comprehensive clinical assessment to gauge your level of need and place you in the right program.

Does Insurance Cover Depression Treatment at Rubicon Recovery Center?

If you’re considering dual diagnosis treatment at Rubicon Recovery Center, you may be wondering about the cost and insurance coverage. If you have health insurance, the good news is that most plans cover depression treatment because mental health care is classified as an essential benefit under federal mental health parity laws. However, your coverage and potential out-of-pocket costs will vary based on your plan and benefits.

At Rubicon Recovery Center, we accept most major insurance providers, including Aetna, Anthem, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, and more. To help you better understand your coverage, we offer a quick insurance verification process. Just fill out our online form or call 908-274-0015 to share your Member ID. One of our staff members will assess your coverage and explain your benefits to you, so there are no surprises down the road.

Why Choose Rubicon Recovery Center for Depression and Substance Abuse Treatment?

While entering treatment for a mental health or substance use disorder can be overwhelming, it helps when you know what to expect. At Rubicon Recovery Center, our facility features 3 large group rooms, 12 clinical offices, a conference room, and a lounge area, providing plenty of space for healing and interaction. Other benefits of our facility include:

• Three levels of programs that are rooted in a three-fold disease model that addresses physical, mental, and spiritual health
• Tailored treatment plans that combine both evidence-based behavioral therapies and holistic methodologies
• Convenient outpatient design that is more flexible than inpatient options
• Medication management services from medical professionals
• Long-term aftercare support, including continued counseling, relapse prevention tools, and more
• Semi-private supportive housing options with 24/7 staffing
• A compassionate team of licensed addiction counselors, mental health professionals, case managers, and support staff who are dedicated to helping their patients thrive

To learn more about our patients’ experiences at Rubicon Recovery Center, read our alumni testimonials.

Find Help for Depression and Substance Abuse Near You in New Jersey

Access integrated, dual diagnosis treatment for depression and substance use disorder at Rubicon Recovery Center. We serve individuals from New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania with evidence-based treatments for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. During our programs, we go beyond diagnosis or substance use to consider real-life pressures, such as family life, work, and financial circumstances, that can impact recovery. If you’re interested in obtaining integrated SUD and depression treatment near you in New Jersey, contact us today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Depression Treatment

What are the signs of depression?

Signs of depression include persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, or hopelessness; isolation from friends and family; mood swings; loss of interest in daily life; extreme fatigue; changes in sleep or appetite; and more.

Does depression cause substance abuse?

While depression does not directly cause substance use, it is a strong risk factor. Many people with depression use substances to self-medicate or get short-term relief from their symptoms, which can lead to a dependence or addiction.

Can depression and addiction be treated together?

Yes, depression and addiction can and should be treated together using an integrated treatment approach. This provides better outcomes than sequential treatment.

Does insurance cover depression treatment?

Whether insurance covers depression treatment will depend on your plan and benefits, but it is often covered at least partially because of federal mental health parity laws.

How long does depression treatment take?

There is no set treatment length, as each patient is different. The length of treatment will be determined by the program type, the patient’s needs, the patient’s treatment goals, and other factors.

Will I need medication to treat depression?

You may need medication, such as antidepressants, as part of your treatment plan. We can provide medication management services when clinically appropriate.

What substances are commonly abused by people with depression?

Substances that are commonly abused by people with depression include alcohol, marijuana, central nervous system stimulants, such as Adderall or cocaine, and prescription sedatives like benzodiazepines.

What insurance providers does Rubicon Recovery Center accept?

The insurance providers we accept include:

• Aetna
• Anthem
• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Carelon Behavioral Health
• Cigna
• Luminare (CoreSource)
• Government Employees Health Association (G.E.H.A.)
• Humana
• Meritain Health
• TRICARE East
• UnitedHealthcare