Addiction is a common issue in the United States, particularly among professionals with demanding, high-stress jobs. If you’re struggling with substance abuse problems, check your employee handbook to see if your company offers an employee assistance program. These programs are a free, confidential way to get the help you need. Our employee assistance programs for addiction in New Jersey provide a valuable resource for individuals grappling with substance abuse within their professional lives.
Moreover, reach out to Greenbranch Recovery. We are an elite outpatient alcohol and drug rehab recovery center in New Jersey and one of the only recovery centers in New Jersey with substance abuse treatment programs specifically tailored for professionals.
What Is an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?
An employee assistance program helps workers get the support they need to deal with personal challenges. EAPs are sponsored by the employer, so they’re typically free and confidential. The goal of an EAP is to help employees resolve the issues that are negatively affecting their health, well-being or job performance.
Employee assistance programs are designed to help employees stay happy and healthy, both at work and at home. They often include support for substance abuse, mental health challenges, financial struggles and more. Employers benefit, too — employee wellness leads to higher productivity, fewer accidents and mistakes, lower health insurance costs and reduced call-out rates.
Types of Employee Assistance Programs
When setting up an EAP, employers usually choose from a few common delivery models:
- External EAP: These programs are administered by a separate provider to ensure privacy and confidentiality. Programs may offer multiple contact methods, including phone, email, online chat and video chat. Once an employee reaches out, the certified employee assistance professional will connect them to the appropriate resource.
- Management-sponsored EAP: For this structure, the company hires an in-house EAP team, allowing employees to get in-person assistance at any time. In some cases, the company contracts out to a third-party vendor to establish an on-site presence. On rare occasions, the company might use a peer-assistance model.
- Blended/mixed-model EAP: This type of program is a hybrid that involves elements of external and management-sponsored programs — employees can get assistance from in-house and offsite resources.
- Member assistance programs: These EAPs are usually sponsored by workers’ unions rather than an employer. Benefits and EAP services vary by a union.
- Fee-for-service EAP: The employer pays an EAP vendor only for the services employees actually use. The employer may set limits, particularly when it comes to counseling sessions.
- Fixed-fee EAP: The employer pays the EAP vendor a flat fee; this fee stays the same whether or not employees take advantage of the benefits.
Benefits of EAPs in New Jersey
Every EAP is different; employers set the terms, usually in partnership with the EAP vendor. That means the EAP substance abuse services available to you may vary. Some typical benefits are:
- Counseling sessions
- Mental health services
- Referral services to addiction treatment or substance abuse rehab programs
- Legal services
- Work-related training
- Retirement assistance
- Trauma Interventions for workplace conflict
- Grief services
- Assistance with finding care for family members
How You Can Benefit From an EAP
When you’re struggling with substance abuse issues or addiction, it can be difficult to see a way forward. You might not know where to start — and that’s where an EAP can help.
With an EAP, you don’t have to navigate the recovery process alone. All you need to do is make the first call — from there, an EAP representative will help you figure out the next step. They’ll also direct you to the resources that can help along the road to sobriety.
Many professionals put off seeking substance abuse treatment because they’re afraid it will impact their career or their standing in the company. EAP services are confidential, so you don’t need to worry about privacy. The recovery process often requires you to enter rehab; if that’s the case, you can ask your EAP to find an outpatient program that coordinates with your work schedule. If you require inpatient addiction treatment, the EAP adviser may be able to provide resources to help you navigate this process with your employer. Some EAPs offer legal and professional services that ensure you’re treated fairly under employment law and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Don’t go through the process of recovery alone. There are people who can help you with the struggle you’re facing. Get in touch with one today.
If you have coverage of any kind from a major insurance provider, your treatment is likely covered. We promise to keep your information confidential.
How To Use an EAP in New Jersey
When you’re ready to seek help with substance abuse, follow these simple steps:
1. Find the Contact Information for Your EAP
This information is usually located in your employee handbook. If you’re not sure, your company’s Human Resources department will be able to point you in the right direction.
2. Contact the EAP
Call the phone number for your EAP; most are available around the clock. Depending on your company’s program, you might also be able to stop into the EAP office, send an email or start an online chat session.
Don’t worry if the EAP representative asks for your name and company name — the EAP typically uses this information to verify you’re eligible. It won’t share your name with your employer or let them know you called.
During this initial call, the representative will ask you to explain the problem. They may also ask follow-up questions; your answers help them identify the most effective substance abuse resources. Typically, you’ll come away from the call with a clear next step. The representative may:
- Schedule a substance abuse counseling session
- Refer you to a rehab center, treatment program or therapist
- Recommend local support groups or 12-step meetings
- Help you find educational resources
3. Make a Plan
After your initial call, you’ll likely work with the EAP to come up with a long-term plan. After all, it takes time to recover from addiction and substance use disorder.
The plan will vary based on the severity of your alcohol or drug abuse. If you’re in the early stages of alcohol or drug addiction, the EAP representative might recommend that you start by using up the free counseling sessions included in your benefits package. For more severe situations, they may refer you to an inpatient rehab program immediately.
4. Discuss Costs and Insurance
EAPs are free, but only to a certain point. If the representative makes a referral or recommendation that isn’t covered by your company’s benefits, they’ll also explain any associated costs. In many cases, the EAP will try to find programs that are covered by your insurance. When that’s not an option, they can direct you toward financing options.
How Greenbranch Recovery Can Be Your Go-To for EAP and Recovery
Here at Greenbranch, we understand the unique challenges professionals face when dealing with drug or alcohol abuse. That’s why we offer a discreet addiction treatment program that’s designed specifically to meet your personal and professional needs. Our goal is to help you overcome addiction — in many cases, without the need to leave your job.
Our rehab program for professionals uses an outpatient model. You’ll come to our facility in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, for an average of 3-12 hours per week. We take care to schedule sessions outside of work hours so you can minimize time out of the office.
If you need a more intense form of addiction treatment, such as a partial hospitalization program, we can help you work through the process of taking leave from work under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Your EAP adviser can also provide helpful resources.
During each rehab session, you’ll be supported by a team of highly experienced, caring treatment professionals. Through individual counseling, group sessions and family therapy, you’ll discover coping strategies and learn how to thrive without alcohol or drugs — both at home and at work.
Outpatient Treatment Programs for Professionals
Before you receive treatment at Greenbranch, we’ll assess your unique situation and develop a custom treatment plan. Based on your needs, we’ll recommend a course of action.
We offer three different types of outpatient rehab programs:
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): The PHP is the most intense type of outpatient therapy we offer at Greenbranch. Depending on your situation, it might be the start of your recovery journey or the next step after an inpatient rehab program. Despite the name, the program doesn’t happen in a hospital — you’ll spend 3-6 hours per day, 5 days per week in treatment at our facility.
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): If you have a strong support system at home, an IOP can be an effective way to start the recovery process. It takes about 12 hours per week; scheduling is flexible to accommodate your work schedule. An IOP usually lasts for 90 days and includes counseling, support groups, education and skill-building programs.
- General Outpatient Program (GOP): Typically, this program is the last step in the rehab and recovery process. It involves 1-3 hour-long sessions per week at our facility in New Jersey. Many people enter the GOP after completing a PHP and/or IOP; the regular sessions are designed to help prevent relapse as you transition out of more intense therapy.
If drugs or alcohol are affecting your performance at work, call your EAP today for immediate support. You can also call Greenbranch Recovery, the leading addiction treatment center in New Jersey, directly at 609-622-5101 to schedule an assessment and find out how we work with EAPs to support you on the road to recovery.
