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Paths to Recovery for BPD and Addiction in New Jersey

Written by
On August 1, 2025

Treatment for BPD and Addiction in New Jersey

BPD, or borderline personality disorder, can push emotions to intense places. When drugs or alcohol are added to the equation, the results can be dangerous. If this mix goes untreated, it can lead to ER visits, shattered relationships, and even self-harm.

Take a look at BPD and addiction with us, and let’s explore their intersection. We’ll examine the overlap of the co-occurring disorders, warning signs, and evidence-based therapies that can lead to long-term recovery. With the right help, you can replace chaos and emotional instability with consistency and resilience, allowing you to move toward lasting, holistic wellness.

How BPD and Addiction Interact

Borderline personality disorder can take feelings of normal intensity and magnify that intensity in just seconds.[1] A single trigger, however small, can launch an individual into a spiral of rage, despair, or even panic. Substance use is often seen as a route to quick relief, since it feels like alcohol smooths out anxiety, like opioids numb the emotional pain, and like stimulants chase away all the unpleasant, intense emotions with sheer euphoria.

Over a long enough timeline, or with enough reinforcement, the brain forms a link between mood swings and intoxication, so they only feel like a single problem.[2] Self-harm or reckless spending often happens in conjunction with harmful behavior like binge drinking or going on drug binges.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Warning Signs of BPD and Addiction

Early intervention can make a world of difference. It can prevent overdoses, self-injury, and extensive inpatient stays.

Here are some potential symptoms of borderline personality disorder and substance use disorders, and if you find yourself experiencing two or more, it’s time to look into a dual-diagnosis treatment center such as Ikon Recovery in New Jersey.[3]

Intense and highly variable moods which may be followed by drinking or drug use to calm down.

Anger that is inappropriate and often intense.

Unstable family and friend relationships and rapid mood flips whenever loved ones leave.

Repeated threats of self-harm or suicide, especially after substance binges.

Legal or work trouble from impulsivity while high or hungover.

Multiple detox admissions without follow-up therapy for emotion regulation.

Evidence-Based Treatment Options in New Jersey

Integrated care will always start with a comprehensive dual-diagnosis evaluation and biopsychosocial assessment. Licensed clinicians will screen for mood swings, self-harm profile, substance type, potential withdrawal risks, and any preexisting medical issues like liver or kidney damage, or infections from IV drug use.

Holistic Therapies

Holistic therapies are the true backbone of treatment for  BPD and addiction in New Jersey. Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are two of the most popular modalities for treating BPD and addiction. These skill groups will meet 3-5 days per week, depending on the level of care, to discuss and practice emotional regulation tools, distress tolerance strategies, and interpersonal effectiveness.[4]

Between therapy sessions, clients will use diary cards to track daily progress and urges, and lean on coaching lines for in-the-moment support. CBT even helps clients reframe their thought process, shifting thoughts from “Nobody wants to hang out with me” to “They’re all busy or at work, I’ll find something else to do for now.”

The loved ones of someone with BPD and addiction are going to be some of the most critical support structures for those in recovery. Loved ones are going to be the first ones to learn your BPD triggers, your substance use cues, and your boundary-setting scripts during formally structured family therapy sessions.

Explore Additional Specialty Treatments

We offer extensive specialty treatments to customize your entire recovery:

Executive Program
Vivitrol Treatment
Aftercare
Trauma-Informed Care
Dual Diagnosis
Recovery Capital
Alumni Services
Sober Living

Different Levels of Care to Match Your Needs

Detox Placement

When substances like opioids, benzodiazepines, or heavy, long-term drinking are involved, a short inpatient stay for medical detox is typically needed.[5] This allows 24-hour monitoring of vitals, as well as medication to control cravings and boost comfort levels, while the body clears the rest of the substances.

Partial Hospitalization

Partial hospitalization programs, or PHPs, are similar to residential BPD treatment in that they feature a full day of recovery education and therapy, but clients return home in the late afternoon or early evening. This allows for substantial structure while promoting independence and creating opportunities to practice coping skills.

Intensive Outpatient Treatment

Intensive outpatient programs, IOPs for short, contain maintenance levels of all the same therapy, counseling, and education found in inpatient and PHP care. The difference is that in an IOP, the client will only visit the treatment center about three times each week.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment is typically best for people who have completed a more intensive treatment program and now need less frequent ongoing care. Outpatient treatment usually occurs for less than 9 hours per week, meaning it is a flexible option that provides an opportunity to maintain daily routines while still receiving necessary support.

Trust a Proven Expert in BPD and Addiction in New Jersey

The mood swings and substance cravings that come with the struggles of BPD and addiction can be treated, but they need to be treated together. This means working with a treatment center that can create a comprehensive, integrated, personal treatment plan. A plan that marries psychotherapy, like DBT, with medication management and ongoing relapse prevention and education.

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Frequently Asked Questions About BPD and Addiction in New Jersey

Will insurance cover both BPD and addiction treatment?

If a licensed clinician documents medical necessity, most private plans and NJ FamilyCare pay for integrated care, including medication management and DBT.

How long does DBT usually last?

DBT will typically last longer than any single treatment program you’re part of. Many people repeat cycles or join alumni groups for ongoing practice.

Is medication always required for BPD?

Not always, but in most cases of dual diagnosis, there will be some medication component. Some clients use mood stabilizers or antidepressants for the short term while mastering DBT skills.

Sources

[1][3] Borderline Personality disorder. (n.d.). National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/borderline-personality-disorder

[2] Kienast, T., Stoffers, J., Bermpohl, F., & Lieb, K. (2014, April 18). Borderline personality disorder and comorbid addiction: Epidemiology and treatment. Deutsches Arzteblatt international. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4010862/

[4]Mattingley S;Youssef GJ;Manning V;Graeme L;Hall K; (n.d.). Distress tolerance across substance use, eating, and borderline personality disorders: A meta-analysis. Journal of affective disorders. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34986376/

[5]U.S. National Library of Medicine. (1970, January 1). 4 physical detoxification services for withdrawal from specific substances. Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment [Internet]. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64116/