The Discovery Institute recognizes dependence as a comprehensive disorder that impacts every aspect of an individual’s behavior, belief system, and lifestyle. This disorder has significant consequences for oneself, family, and society as a whole. Discovery understands that this condition affects individuals in multiple ways, which necessitates a treatment approach that addresses all underlying issues contributing to addiction. Our primary focus is on empowering individuals to seek and implement changes in their behavior, attitude, and lifestyle.
Discovery’s holistic treatment initiatives are designed to be all-encompassing, as addiction affects various facets of an individual’s life. This approach allows us to not only address addiction but also tackle related issues that are specific to each individual’s needs.
ABOUT DISCOVERY INSTITUTE
Founded in 1970 as a state-operated facility, the Discovery Institute is now a private nonprofit organization that offers medical detox and a range of residential, outpatient, and intensive outpatient programs (IOP) for adults struggling with substance abuse or co-occurring mental health disorders. Our facility, located on 10 acres in Central New Jersey, also operates a separate 16-bed sober living facility for men. We take pride in being one of the 28 residential facilities in New Jersey that provide on-site detox programs.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Clients at the Discovery Institute begin with an initial phone evaluation followed by an in-person interview with a staff psychiatrist. Our programming is both holistic and highly structured. Clients engage in 12-step support meetings, daily psychoeducational seminars and lectures, and group and individual therapy with their primary counselor. Our holistic offerings include yoga, nutritional counseling, and emotional counseling.
Our program adopts a collaborative approach to understand addiction and is led by a community of peers who are themselves in recovery. With guidance from our professional staff and clinicians, residents are responsible for their own recovery journey. It is important to note that our center also conducts random urine tests and drug screenings.
For individuals transitioning from inpatient care, we offer an intensive outpatient program (IOP) that provides nine hours of treatment per week, as well as a traditional outpatient track that meets once or twice a week. Both options are suitable for residents of Discovery Institute’s sober living homes as they reintegrate into the community.
Before completing the program, each client works together with their primary counselor to develop a continuing care plan (CCP), which outlines aftercare treatment, place of residence, and local support meetings.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
Our treatment teams consist of psychiatrists, medical staff, and master’s level clinicians and counselors. The aptitude of our staff has been appreciated by the individuals who had experience with them.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
Our two-story facility, as depicted in the published pictures on our website, includes an exercise room and simple bedrooms furnished with single beds, drawers underneath, and night tables. During the initial 72-hour “black-out period,” residents have limited communication with loved ones. Transportation is provided for outpatient clients. Overall, those who provided feedback appreciated the quality of our facility.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
Feedback from alumni is predominantly positive. Alumni, on the whole, found treatment to be highly effective. However, some were dissatisfied with the quality of meals, accommodations, and holistic options. One individual who credited the center with saving their life described it as a “bare bones facility that cares for the individual.” Another alum mentioned the “awesome” nurses but expressed difficulty in setting up aftercare due to the counselor being too busy. There was one dissatisfied alum who had negative feedback without providing further details.
Reviews from secondary sites varied. On Google, 23 reviewers gave an average rating of three stars out of five. While one reviewer criticized the center’s ability to address addiction issues, others praised the staff as encouraging and sympathetic.
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
Out of the six reviews received by Best-rehabs.com, five were positive. The majority of respondents gave perfect five-star ratings for the family programming and counseling options. However, one reviewer expressed dissatisfaction with counseling and rated the holistic offerings more moderately.
According to an anonymous reviewer, we teach all the necessary skills to live a drug-free life. Another reviewer commended our staff for being caring and kind. Nevertheless, one parent noted a poor treatment plan, citing an instance where their child was not medicated with a mood stabilizer during their stay, resulting in adverse behavior.
FINANCING
Fees at the Discovery Institute are determined on a sliding scale. We accept private pay and insurance coverage from leading providers such as United Healthcare, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and Aetna. Additionally, we receive funding from county, state, and federal resources to enhance accessibility to our services.