Drug & Alcohol Rehab for Young Adults in New Jersey

Addiction Treatment Program for Young Adults in NJ

Young adulthood is a high-pressure, high-change stage of life. Between ages 18 and 25, people are making huge transitions in identity, relationships, school, work, and independence. When drugs or alcohol start to take over during this period, it can derail everything fast and make recovery feel harder to picture.

At SOBA New Jersey, we offer a recovery track built specifically for young adults. It was originally developed to support college students, but it has grown into a program for young adults from all backgrounds who need focused care for addiction and co-occurring mental health challenges.

This program is not about forcing young adults into a one-size-fits-all plan. It is about giving them the safety, structure, and clinical support they need to get stable, understand what is driving the substance use, and build real life skills for staying well long after treatment.

Why Young Adults Get Addicted to Drugs and Alcohol

Consider the following from a National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS) study:[1]

• 7.10 million 12- to 20-year-olds report drinking in the last 30 days.
• 11.72 million 18- to 25-year-olds report binge drinking in the last 30 days.
• 11.89 million 18- to 25-year-olds used drugs in the last 30 days.

The statistics reveal a troubling pattern: millions of young adults turn to substances as they attempt to navigate the pressures that come with starting college, finding employment, building relationships, and taking on new responsibilities. College students and young adults from all backgrounds encounter alcohol and drugs precisely when they’re most vulnerable – as they’re trying to establish their independence and identity.

Nearly half of all alcohol users engage in binge drinking behavior, indicating widespread misuse among young adults.[2] Marijuana remains the most commonly used illicit substance, with 61.8 million people reporting use in the past year. The rise of nicotine vaping presents a new challenge, with 5.9 million people trying it for the first time in 2023 – more new users than any other substance. Additionally, opioid misuse continues to affect millions, with 8.9 million people reporting misuse in the past year.

These substance use challenges frequently intersect with mental health concerns, creating complex treatment needs. In 2023, 58.7 million adults experienced mental illness, while 4.5 million youth faced major depressive episodes. Among these young people, one in five also struggled with substance use disorders. This overlap between mental health and substance use highlights a critical need for treatment approaches that address both challenges simultaneously.

Signs of Addiction in Young Adults

It is not always obvious when substance use has crossed the line, especially in a culture where partying looks normal. But there are clear warning signs that someone is struggling.

Common signs include:

• Using more often or in larger amounts than intended

• Needing substances to relax, sleep, feel normal, or feel confident

• Pulling away from friends, family, hobbies, or responsibilities

• Missing classes or work, or falling behind without caring

• Declining grades, job performance, or motivation

• Increased secrecy, defensiveness, or lying about use

• Mood swings, irritability, or emotional numbness

• Risky decision-making while using

• Using despite negative consequences

• Feeling unable to stop even when wanting to

If these patterns are showing up, treatment can help before things progress further.

Why Young Adults Need Treatment Options Created Specifically for Them

Young adults are dealing with different pressures than older adults. They are learning how to live independently while managing school, work, relationships, finances, and identity at the same time. When addiction enters that picture, it often affects every part of life quickly.

Treatment needs to reflect that reality. Young adult recovery works best when it includes:

• Age-relevant peer support. Being around people in the same life stage makes it easier to open up and feel understood.

• Help with real-life rebuilding. Young adults often need support re-stabilizing school plans, early career direction, strained family ties, or finances.

• Skill building, not just crisis management. Many young adults have never learned healthy coping tools yet. Recovery can be the first place they build them.

• Support for co-occurring mental health. Treating anxiety, depression, trauma, or mood disorders alongside addiction is essential at this age.

• A focus on identity and purpose. Young adulthood is about forming a future. Recovery needs to help someone picture and build one.

Generic rehab programs can feel out of touch for young adults. A specialized track meets them where they are and focuses on what they actually need to move forward.

SOBA New Jersey understands that and provides an addiction treatment program for young adults. This program helps them truly understand what they’re going through and what to do to move forward. It also supports them as they begin their recovery journey.

Young Adult Drug Treatment Program in New Jersey

At SOBA New Jersey, young adults receive personalized care grounded in evidence-based treatment and practical life rebuilding. The goal is not just stopping substances. It is helping young people get stable and then grow into recovery with real structure and support. Here is what that looks like here:

Phase One

Phase One is where young adults begin their journey with us. As new members settle in, they’ll begin to develop new routines and patterns of healthy decisions as they start working with their primary therapist and case manager. Each client at SOBA College Recovery works closely with dedicated case managers who guide them toward healthy behaviors and productive lives. These professionals help repair the damage caused by substance use, meeting regularly with clients to address critical life areas such as academics, employment, legal matters, family relationships, and financial concerns. Case managers serve as vital support structures, showing clients how to accomplish their goals and exceed their own expectations.

Phase Two

Phase Two helps our clients start preparing for life after treatment. This phase is where they will begin to develop their autonomy and perform necessary daily and weekly functions in addition to the clinical drug and alcohol addiction treatment they receive. They will begin to complete activities ranging from shopping for their own groceries to enjoying leisure and adventure activities of their choosing. They’ll also work with a 12-step Sponsor and attend 12-step meetings.

Phase Three

At this point in their treatment, sober living has become second nature for the young adults in treatment. Through comprehensive case management and personalized care planning, clients receive support in returning to education, securing meaningful employment, and discovering renewed purpose. By addressing every facet of life through sober residential living and life skill development, the program creates a foundation for lasting success and fulfillment.

Therapies and supports

Young adults in treatment at SOBA benefit from a wide range of approaches, such as:

• Individual therapy

• Group therapy

• CBT and DBT skills

• Trauma-informed care

• Mindfulness and stress-regulation work

• Life skills and relapse prevention planning

• Case management support for school, work, legal issues, or family dynamics

Everything is matched to the person, not forced into a preset formula.

The Importance of Ongoing Care

Recovery does not end when residential or intensive treatment ends. Young adults return to environments filled with social pressure, stress, and triggers. The transition from structured care back to daily life is one of the most important phases of recovery.

Ongoing care helps young adults keep their footing while they rebuild life outside treatment.

At SOBA New Jersey, continued support may include:

• Step-down levels of care

• Alumni and peer connection

• Help coordinating outside therapy or psychiatry

• Support finding sober community and recovery resources

• Planning for school or work transitions

• Relapse prevention check-ins and accountability

Young adults who stay connected to recovery supports consistently do better over time. They are less likely to isolate, more likely to reach out early when things feel shaky, and more likely to keep building the life they started in treatment.