Recovery Centers of America at Raritan Bay launched a substance use disorder program for first responders and military personnel June 8 at its treatment center in South Amboy.
Sheriffs from Middlesex, Atlantic and other New Jersey counties; New Jersey state troopers; representatives from the Police Benevolence Fund; South Amboy law enforcement, firefighters and other New Jersey first responders collaborated with RCA to support and assist the launch of the program, dubbed the RESCU program.
RESCU will provide a specialized therapy curriculum, counselors and residential beds within a completely separate unit at RCA at Raritan Bay to help active and retired first responders, correctional officers, and military service members overcome addiction to drugs and alcohol.
Treatment includes private group therapy sessions, peer support groups, specific programming for first responder families, and individualized treatment led by a clinical team. The RESCU unit includes a separate lounge, separate group rooms, separate bedrooms, meals, and a clinical schedule that maintains physical separation from non-first responder patients.
RESCU’s advisory board includes representatives from diverse first responder organizations within the state.
“As an active-duty firefighter and EMT for over 30 years, and with 20 years of experience in law enforcement, I am proud to sit on the First Responders Advisory Board for the RESCU Program at RCA Raritan Bay,” said Cumberland County firefighter Robert Curry, who is an advisory board member. “Our board brings together both the unique perspective of first responders and the first-hand experience of these critical public servants. This ensures that the needs of this valued group of men and women are addressed during treatment, to help ensure the success of long-lasting recovery.”
In addition to RESCU, RCA will also offer first responder-specific Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings along with special targeted family programming for RESCU patients and families called Badges to Recovery.
