Hackensack Meridian Carrier Clinic - Blake Recovery Center

Nature-Based Campus with Animal-Assisted Therapy

The center is set on a 100-acre property bordering the Sourland Mountain nature preserve, giving clients daily access to quiet trails, open fields, and relaxing outdoor lounge areas. The on-site barn and stables support animal-assisted and equine therapy, offering guided interactions that help clients practice grounding skills, reduce anxiety, and build trust during early recovery. Air-conditioned spaces, gardens, and a fitness center add comfort and routine, while a dedicated in-house chef prepares meals that support physical stabilization. This environment helps clients step out of crisis and settle into a manageable rhythm of care.

Detox, Residential Care, and Intensive Outpatient Options

Detox services include 24/7 monitoring, with medications for addiction treatment (MAT) routinely used to reduce withdrawal symptoms and support safety. After detox, clients enter residential treatment, where daily schedules combine counseling, wellness activities, and self-help meetings. Those who do not need 24-hour care — or who are stepping down from residential treatment — can join the intensive outpatient program (IOP), which meets in three-hour evening sessions several times a week. This format supports clients’ ability to maintain work and family responsibilities while receiving care.

Integrated Mental Health Care and MAT

The center treats substance use and co-occurring mental health conditions together, with approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, trauma-related counseling, and relapse-prevention work. On-site physicians, psychiatrists, and nurses track progress using lab tests, vital-sign monitoring, and symptom assessments. Additional services — including hepatitis education, smoking cessation counseling, and metabolic screenings — help address health concerns that often accompany long-term substance use, supporting clients’ physical stability alongside emotional healing.

Practical Support for Life Beyond Treatment

Case managers can help clients access housing support, employment counseling, transportation assistance, and social services. These resources reduce barriers that often interrupt treatment or make early recovery harder to maintain. Education on health, addiction, and relapse prevention builds confidence for navigating daily stressors, while self-help meetings and peer mentorship create consistent community connection. After discharge, clients receive individualized aftercare plans, regular follow-up calls, and the option to join alumni meetings — both virtual and in person.