Addiction Treatment Across Ocean County, NJ
Ocean County by the numbersOcean County residents accounted for 6,599 substance use treatment admissions in 2022. Suspected overdose deaths in the county fell from 245 in 2020 to 168 in 2023 — a 31% drop from the peak.
How Does Rehab Placement Work for Ocean County Residents?
True Pathway Center is a referral and placement resource, not a treatment facility. When you call, a placement advisor listens to what is going on — the substance, how long it has been a problem, any mental health concerns, and what insurance you carry — and then we connect you with licensed programs that fit. Our office sits on Hooper Avenue in Toms River, the county seat, which puts it within a short drive of most of Ocean County.
Many callers need a residential level of care. Inpatient rehab in programs we refer callers to typically means living on site for a period of structured care: medical monitoring, individual and group therapy, and discharge planning so the step back home is not a cliff. Placement advisors can also explain when a shorter detox stay or an outpatient program is the more realistic first step.
What Does Ocean County's Treatment Data Show?
According to the New Jersey Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Ocean County residents accounted for 6,599 treatment admissions in 2022, representing 3,653 unduplicated clients. Alcohol was the primary drug at admission 42% of the time, and heroin 38% of the time. Other opiates, cocaine, marijuana and stimulants made up the rest.
The direction of travel is encouraging. Suspected overdose deaths in Ocean County peaked at 245 in 2020, and by 2023 the count had fallen to 168. That progress is real, and it came from people getting help, naloxone in more hands, and families acting early. The county still averages about 5 fatal or non-fatal overdoses per day, so the window to act is now. The full year-by-year series and town-level table live on the Ocean County overdose data page.
Toms River: Rehab Placement in the County Seat
Toms River is home to our office and is the county's largest source of treatment admissions. In 2022, Toms River Township residents accounted for 1,338 admissions — 20% of the county total — or about 14.0 admissions per 1,000 residents, based on a 2020 population of 95,438. Toms River does not have a separate town page because it is covered here and across the rest of the site.
Toms River residents also have harm-reduction options close to home: the county's first harm-reduction vending machine opened outside Suburban Health Clinic on July 31, 2026, stocked 24/7 with naloxone and test strips, and the Prevention Resource Network mobile unit visits Toms River on Tuesdays from 10 AM to 2 PM.
Which Ocean County Towns Do We Serve?
Placement advisors work with callers from every corner of the county. Each town page below includes local admission data, nearby resources and directions to our office.
Northern Ocean County:
- Brick — 6 miles
- Lakewood — 10 miles
- Jackson — 15 miles
- Point Pleasant — 12 miles
Central Ocean County:
- Beachwood — 5 miles
- Berkeley Township — 8 miles
- Manchester — 8 miles
- Lacey Township — 13 miles
Barrier Island & Shore:
- Seaside Heights — 7 miles
Southern Ocean County:
- Barnegat — 19 miles
- Stafford Township — 24 miles
- Little Egg Harbor — 32 miles
Does Insurance Cover Rehab in Ocean County?
Usually, yes — and New Jersey law gives many residents a stronger position than they realize. Under P.L.2017, c.28, for the first 180 days per plan year, insurers may not require prior authorization or utilization management for substance use treatment at in-network facilities. During that period, medical necessity is determined by the covered person's physician, psychologist or psychiatrist, not the insurance company. The law applies to fully insured New Jersey plans, the State Health Benefits Plan and the School Employees' Health Benefits Plan.
Some plan types, including self-funded employer plans, are excluded — self-funded employer plans follow different rules — a placement advisor can tell you which kind you have in one call. Read the plain-English breakdown on our insurance page, or call (732) 527-3250 to Verify Your Insurance — Free.
Getting to Our Office Beside Ocean County Mall
Our office is at 1217 Hooper Ave, Toms River, directly beside Ocean County Mall at Hooper and Bay Avenues. It is a business office for in-person consultations with a placement advisor — no treatment takes place there.
From the Garden State Parkway southbound, take Exit 82 for Route 37 East, follow Route 37 to the Hooper Avenue jughandle, and head north on Hooper Avenue to Bay Avenue. From Brick, Brick Boulevard (County Route 549) becomes Hooper Avenue and leads straight to the mall. From the barrier island, Route 37 West crosses Barnegat Bay into Toms River. NJ Transit routes 67, 137 and 319 and Ocean Ride serve the area; check current schedules. Most callers simply start with a phone call — no trip needed.
Our office
1217 Hooper Ave, Toms River, NJ 08753 — Directly beside Ocean County Mall (Hooper & Bay Aves). In-person consultations are by appointment; most callers never need to make the trip.
Ocean County locations we serve
Northern Ocean County
Central Ocean County
Barrier Island & Shore
Southern Ocean County
Frequently Asked Questions
Is True Pathway Center a rehab facility?
No. True Pathway Center is a referral and placement resource. Placement advisors verify your insurance and connect you with licensed inpatient programs that fit your needs. Nobody stays, detoxes or receives care at the Hooper Avenue office.
How long is inpatient rehab?
It varies by program and by person. Licensed programs in our referral network typically offer short-term residential stays and longer residential options, followed by step-down care. A placement advisor can explain what your plan covers and what length of stay fits your situation.
Can I be fired for going to rehab in New Jersey?
Federal laws such as the Family and Medical Leave Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act offer protections to many workers who seek treatment for a substance use disorder, though eligibility depends on your employer and situation. Talk to HR or an employment attorney about your specific case.
Is it safe to stop drinking on my own?
Withdrawal from alcohol or benzodiazepines can be dangerous and should be medically supervised. If you drink heavily every day, talk to a doctor or call a placement advisor before stopping, so withdrawal happens in a setting with medical oversight.
Do I have to visit the office to get placed?
No. Most callers handle everything by phone, any time of day. In-person consultations at the office beside Ocean County Mall are available for those who prefer them. When you're ready, we're available 24/7.
Sources
- Ocean County suspected overdose deaths, 2019–2022: Ocean County Overdose Response Plan, 2024 update (NJ Cares historic data)
- Ocean County averages 5 fatal or non-fatal overdoses per day (ODMAP): Ocean County Overdose Response Plan, 2024 update
- 168 suspected overdose deaths (2023); 66 (Jan–Jul 2024); Narcan administrations: Jersey Shore Online, citing NJ Attorney General data
- 31% decline from the 2020 peak (245 → 168): Calculated from Ocean County Overdose Response Plan and NJ Attorney General data
- Ocean County treatment admissions, 2022 (substance, level of care, referral source, municipality): NJ DMHAS Substance Abuse Overview 2022 — Ocean County
- 2020 Census populations: U.S. Census 2020 (via Ocean County, NJ reference; Census QuickFacts)
- Admissions per 1,000 residents: Calculated from NJ DMHAS 2022 admissions and 2020 Census population
- NJ P.L.2017, c.28 — no prior authorization for the first 180 days: NJ DOBI Bulletin 17-05
- Toms River harm reduction vending machine (launched July 31, 2026): Prevention Resource Network (VNA of Central Jersey)
- PRN mobile harm reduction schedule; Asbury Park fixed site: NJDOH — Public Registered Harm Reduction Centers
- NJ Transit 67, 137, 319; Ocean Ride: Greater Mercer TMA — Ocean County Bus Service
- Ocean County Mall, 1201 Hooper Ave: Simon — Ocean County Mall