New Jersey Addiction Resources, Helplines & Recovery Support

Crisis Lines — When You Need Help Right Now

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988. Available 24/7, national, free. | NJ HOPELINE: 1-855-654-6735. NJ-specific crisis support, 24/7. | SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357. Free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral. | NJ 211: Dial 2-1-1 for health and human services referrals. | Mercer County Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services: (609) 989-6560.

Naloxone (Narcan) — Free and Available in New Jersey

Naloxone365: Anyone age 14 or older can obtain free naloxone at over 650 participating pharmacies across New Jersey — no prescription required. Text or call 1-877-4NARCAN, or request a free kit by mail through the NJ Department of Health portal (nj.gov/health). Mercer County Harm Reduction Centers also distribute naloxone, sterile syringes, and fentanyl/xylazine test strips. Note: Naloxone reverses fentanyl but does NOT reverse xylazine — if xylazine is suspected, call 911 immediately even after naloxone administration. Source: NJDOH (nj.gov).

New Jersey Good Samaritan Law

New Jersey's Good Samaritan Law (N.J.S.A. 2A:62A-1) protects individuals who call 911 to report an overdose from arrest, charge, or prosecution for drug possession at the scene. This protection applies to the person who calls, the person experiencing the overdose, and others present at the time. Call 911 during an overdose. The law protects you. Source: New Jersey Legislature.

Insurance Appeals — If Coverage Is Denied

NJ CHAMP Insurance Appeal Hotline: 1-888-614-5400. If your insurer denies coverage for addiction treatment, CHAMP advocates help with the appeals process under NJ's Mental Health Parity Act. NJ Dept. of Banking and Insurance (DOBI) complaints: 1-800-446-7467 or online at nj.gov/dobi. Under the NJ Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act (A2031/S1339), state-regulated insurers must cover substance use disorder treatment under the same terms as any other medical condition. Source: nj.gov/governor.

Recovery Support — After Treatment

Narcotics Anonymous (NA): na.org — find meetings across Mercer County and NJ. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): aa.org — NJ Central Office: (973) 744-2322. SMART Recovery: smartrecovery.org — evidence-based, non-12-step peer support. Trenton Health Team Harm Reduction+ Resource Finder: trentonhealthteam.org — interactive map of all recovery and harm reduction resources in Mercer County.