100% Confidential
Trenton Addiction Treatment & Mental Health Resources Guide
Dr. Rostislav Ignatov, MD
Chief Medical Officer
Trenton faces significant behavioral health challenges that reflect broader statewide patterns in New Jersey. In 2023, the state reported 2,816 unintentional overdose deaths, down from 3,171 in 2022—the first meaningful decline in over a decade, though overdose rates remain among the highest nationally. Within Mercer County, Trenton residents make up a substantial portion of treatment admissions, with thousands of individuals accessing detoxification, residential, and outpatient services each year.
Trenton’s treatment landscape includes access to local community health centers, county crisis screening services, peer recovery programs, and outpatient counseling. Public coverage is available through NJ FamilyCare (Medicaid), which includes comprehensive mental health and substance use disorder benefits. New Jersey has continued integrating behavioral health into managed care programs to improve coordination and reduce barriers.
This guide is designed to help Trenton residents navigate available addiction, mental health, and recovery resources both within the city and across Mercer County, highlighting how residents can connect with community supports, statewide services, and recovery programs like The Haven Detox – New Jersey.
Mercer County treatment admissions (2023): Mercer County recorded approximately 2,100 substance-use treatment admissions in 2023, with Trenton accounting for a majority of those cases. This is an increase from 2022, when there were 1,847 substance use treatment admissions.
Among Mercer County residents admitted to treatment, opioids (38%) and alcohol (31%) were the leading primary substances, followed by cocaine (10%) and cannabis (9%).
New Jersey recorded 2,816 overdose deaths in 2023, compared with 3,171 in 2022—the first broad decrease across all racial and ethnic groups in nearly ten years.
A Rutgers/New Jersey State Policy Lab report found that ≈42% of New Jersey high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, with similar levels of emotional distress among middle school students.
Kids Count data show that 10.7% of New Jersey children (≈168,000) were reported to have anxiety and/or depression in 2020, up from 7.6% in 2016, marking a sharp increase over just four years.
According to the 2021 New Jersey Student Health Survey, approximately 11.8% of high school students statewide reported having attempted suicide in the past 12 months, underscoring the severity of the youth mental health crisis.
Trenton is supported by a combination of statewide and local behavioral health resources that provide access to addiction and mental health treatment. New Jersey has expanded its crisis response network through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and Mobile Crisis Outreach Response Teams (MCORTs), which are operational statewide to handle non-life-threatening behavioral health and substance use crises. These teams can be dispatched for in-person evaluations, de-escalation, and linkage to follow-up care when needed.
For children and adolescents, Children’s Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (CMRSS) are available in Mercer County, providing on-site intervention for youth up to age 21. These services focus on stabilizing crises in the community to avoid inpatient or more restrictive placements.
In Trenton, residents have access to psychiatric emergency screening services, outpatient counseling, peer-led programs, and recovery-oriented community support. Local community health centers and county-operated screening services ensure 24/7 psychiatric evaluations, crisis stabilization, and referral to detoxification or outpatient care. Walk-in access is available at several sites, and mobile teams help extend reach into neighborhoods where transportation is a barrier.
The New Jersey Medicaid program, NJ FamilyCare, provides comprehensive coverage for behavioral health and substance use treatment for Trenton residents. Covered benefits include outpatient counseling, inpatient psychiatric care, residential rehabilitation, crisis intervention, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. NJ FamilyCare also includes supportive services such as peer recovery programs, family therapy, interpreter assistance, and non-emergency medical transportation when medically necessary.
To ensure equitable access, New Jersey has established policy standards for timely care:
Residents can use the NJ FamilyCare online provider directory to search for in-network behavioral health providers, confirm which clinics are accepting new patients, and filter by specialty services such as bilingual counseling or culturally tailored care. This tool helps Trenton residents connect with appropriate services quickly and with reduced administrative delays.
The Haven Detox – New Jersey, located in Blackwood, NJ, delivers comprehensive treatment services for individuals throughout the state. The facility provides both medical detoxification and residential treatment in a supportive, recovery-focused environment designed to encourage healing and comfort.
Programs at The Haven Detox integrate evidence-based therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy with residential amenities, including recreational spaces and professionally prepared meals, to enhance the treatment experience. To further individualize care, The Haven Detox also offers GeneSight® genetic testing, enabling clinicians to identify the most effective medications tailored to each client’s unique needs.
Trenton is supported by a broad range of behavioral health resources designed to meet the needs of residents across all ages, from children to older adults. Local community health centers and county-supported programs provide 24/7 crisis screening, stabilization, and referral to the appropriate level of care for individuals experiencing mental health or substance use emergencies.
The Mercer Hub, part of the NJ4S program and operated in collaboration with Catholic Charities, provides school-based mental health prevention and intervention services, offering brief support in both schools and community settings for students and families.
Trenton residents benefit from a variety of peer-driven recovery resources designed to support long-term recovery and reduce relapse risk. The Mental Health Association in New Jersey (MHANJ) operates the Peer Recovery WarmLine (877-292-5588), which is staffed by trained peer specialists offering lived-experience guidance, nonclinical emotional support, and help navigating local treatment and recovery systems. Peer recovery is also formally recognized by the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) as part of the state’s treatment continuum, enabling residents to request peer- or family-run support as a core component of their care plans.
Community-based organizations in Trenton, working in collaboration with the City of Trenton Department of Health and Human Services, also provide peer groups, recovery coaching, life-skills workshops, and family-inclusive programs. These services help residents transition from clinical care into community recovery networks, reinforcing both personal stability and social connection.
For individuals in Trenton completing inpatient or intensive outpatient treatment, sober living homes offer structured, substance-free environments that promote accountability and support recovery. Several Oxford Houses operate in Mercer County, including Trenton, where residents live together in democratically run households, share responsibilities, and hold each other accountable for maintaining sobriety.
Additional transitional housing resources are available through directories such as the Sober House Directory and ChooseHelp, which list certified recovery residences across Trenton and surrounding Mercer County communities. These homes typically require adherence to sobriety rules, including participation in mutual-aid meetings, random drug and alcohol testing, and engagement in work, school, or outpatient treatment. Such structures help bridge the gap between formal treatment and independent living, reducing the risk of relapse and promoting long-term recovery.
Trenton offers a wide variety of recovery meetings that reflect the city’s diverse population and open speaker services welcoming all residents. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings are available daily across Mercer County, including open and closed sessions for speaker-led discussions, step studies, and closed meetings designed for those seeking a more private environment. Spanish-speaking residents can also access culturally and linguistically relevant AA meetings, ensuring that support is inclusive and accessible.
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) also has a strong presence in Trenton and surrounding communities, with meetings available in multiple neighborhoods and in both English and Spanish. Online directories allow residents to filter meetings by type, location, and focus, including LGBTQ+-affirming groups and bilingual meetings—ensuring that people can find a recovery space that reflects their needs. Together, AA and NA provide peer-led networks that complement formal treatment by offering ongoing accountability, mentorship, and ongoing fellowship for individuals at all stages of recovery.
When choosing a treatment program in Trenton, it is important to ensure the program includes a comprehensive assessment covering substance use history, co-occurring mental health conditions, and family or social support systems. Many providers in New Jersey integrate dual diagnosis screening, so that conditions like anxiety, PTSD, or depression are treated alongside addiction.
Key features to look for include:
These elements increase the likelihood of successful outcomes by ensuring care is both individualized and grounded in research.
A strong continuing care plan in Trenton begins during treatment rather than at discharge, ensuring recovery supports extend well beyond the initial program. Effective providers schedule follow-up appointments, provide relapse-prevention coaching, and offer step-down care such as intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), outpatient therapy, or peer recovery check-ins. These services help maintain momentum and stability after higher levels of care.
Family involvement also improves recovery outcomes. Many New Jersey treatment programs incorporate family therapy and education to strengthen communication, establish healthy boundaries, and support relapse prevention. For those unable to involve family safely, peer groups or individualized recovery coaching can offer alternative sources of support.
Trenton’s behavioral health system emphasizes recovery through both immediate treatment and long-term support. Aftercare planning typically begins while an individual is still in treatment, with services such as relapse-prevention coaching, scheduled check-ins, and step-down care like outpatient therapy or peer recovery check-ins. Structured recovery residences, including Oxford Houses in Mercer County, provide sober housing options that reinforce accountability and stability during early recovery.
Family engagement is another critical component. Many programs incorporate family therapy or structured educational sessions to strengthen support systems, improve communication, and reduce relapse risks. For those without family involvement, peer support groups and community-based networks help ensure individuals are not isolated in their recovery journey.
Finally, statewide programs such as Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) and Mobile Crisis Outreach Response Teams (MCORTs) provide rapid re-entry pathways if symptoms worsen or relapse occurs. These initiatives allow Trenton residents to quickly access continued treatment, resuming ongoing care, reflecting New Jersey’s commitment to coordinated, continuous behavioral health services.
Residents of Trenton, NJ can access immediate crisis intervention and placement into treatment through public behavioral health systems and community providers.
Insurance verification in Trenton is supported by NJ FamilyCare and its managed care partners (Horizon NJ Health, Amerigroup, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna Better Health, and WellCare). These plans cover inpatient and outpatient behavioral health care, crisis stabilization, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT). For uninsured or underinsured residents, Mercer County and nonprofit organizations provide financial assistance, sliding-scale fees, and linkage to county-funded services. Case managers and intake staff often help with benefit verification and prior authorizations to minimize delays in starting care.
Most behavioral health facilities in Trenton and Mercer County provide same-day crisis assessments with individualized treatment recommendations. Intake specialists coordinate “warm handoffs” between crisis units, detox programs, and longer-term residential or outpatient care to reduce gaps in treatment. Providers also maintain communication with families, schools, and referring physicians to support treatment engagement and continuity of care.
In Mercer County, most providers schedule assessments within a few days, but crisis services like PESS (609-396-HELP) offer same-day evaluations. For those needing immediate admission into detox or residential care, The Haven Detox – New Jersey (856-677-5226) operates a 24/7 helpline to arrange confidential assessments and rapid placement.
Yes. NJ FamilyCare (New Jersey’s Medicaid program) covers counseling, psychiatric services, residential care, crisis intervention, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) at no cost for eligible residents. Managed care plans such as Horizon NJ Health, Amerigroup, and UnitedHealthcare Community Plan also extend these benefits. Copayments for behavioral health have been eliminated, making it easier to get care when it’s needed.
Residents can still access help. Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), such as Henry J. Austin Health Center, provide services regardless of insurance status. The 988 Lifeline and NAMI NJ Helpline are always free. For those seeking private care, The Haven Detox – New Jersey offers confidential insurance verification and can guide families through available payment options.
NJ Transit offers reduced fares for seniors, people with disabilities, and income-eligible residents. Medicaid members may also qualify for non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT). Some recovery programs and treatment centers, including The Haven Detox – New Jersey, help coordinate rides to ensure residents can access care without interruption.
Support is available 24/7. Residents can call or text 988 at any time to connect with trained crisis counselors. For urgent psychiatric evaluation, PESS operates around the clock. Families seeking immediate treatment guidance can also call The Haven Detox – New Jersey’s 24/7 helpline (856-677-5226) for admission support and crisis placement.
Yes. Families play a vital role in recovery. NAMI NJ and Al-Anon groups provide education, peer support, and coping strategies for loved ones. The Haven Detox – New Jersey also includes family support and communication as part of its treatment planning, helping families stay connected and involved throughout the process.
Yes. Trenton and Mercer County have peer-led youth programs, college wellness partnerships, and statewide initiatives designed for ages 18–25. NAMI NJ’s Young Adult Programs connect young people with mentors and peer groups, while colleges such as Mercer County Community College run campus-based wellness initiatives.
If you are experiencing a medical or psychiatric emergency, call 911 immediately or go to the nearest emergency department.
New Jersey Department of Human Services. Managed Care Contract Standards: Timeliness of Behavioral Health Services. Trenton, NJ: NJ DHS; 2023. Accessed September 19, 2025. https://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/dmhas/home/
Let’s talk about what’s going on — no judgment. (We’ve been there before ourselves). No one will know you inquired and there is no commitment to call.
24/7 Support
No Commitment
100% Private
There’s no catch. Checking your insurance is simply a way to see what your plan covers — it doesn’t lock you into treatment, notify anyone, or cost you anything. You get answers upfront to decide what makes sense for you.
Protecting your privacy matters! No information or notifications are ever sent to your employer or family — whether you check your insurance online or call. Everything is handled through secure, encrypted systems that meet strict medical privacy laws. You stay in control of your information!
Luckily, most insurance policies cover treatment here. Depending on the healthcare you’ve already had this year, costs could even be zero. Instead of worrying, let’s just find out what your plan covers.
Most likely. We work with major providers like Cigna, Aetna, and United Healthcare, public insurances like Tricare and tribal plans, and even smaller plans like Surest Bind and Harvard Pilgrim. The quickest way to know for sure is to check online or call. It’s a quick, private way to understand what is covered upfront.
Verifying your insurance isn’t a commitment to start treatment — it’s simply a way to see what your options are. Knowing your coverage ahead of time helps you make more informed, confident decisions. It also helps flag a spot, so you’re able to get right in if you ever do decide you’re ready.
You need your policy number to check your specific policy online. If you want general information, just call. You likely have questions beyond insurance anyway. Reaching out now helps you figure out the right fit if or when you’re ready. You don’t have to put off the call until you’re in crisis. Calling is not scary, I promise!
