Like the rest of the country, Illinois is no stranger to the addiction problem we’re facing. For decades, Illinois residents have struggled with drug epidemics, crack issues, and drug dealer gangs that have terrorized their cities’ torn families apart. When it comes to Illinois addiction treatment options, there are many. Still, the toxic environment cultivated in many of its hubs makes it less than the ideal scenario to rehabilitate.
Illinois Substance Abuse Statistics
According to the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), at least 5% of all deaths are directly or indirectly related to the use of alcohol and drugs. The impact alcohol and drugs have on Illinois communities are devastating.
17%
of all deaths among Illinois residents are due to tobacco-related deaths.
40%
of all accidental deaths are related to the use of alcohol.
80%
of all drug overdoses involved opioids in 2018.
15%
of residents aged 12 or older used illicit drugs in the past year.
Addiction Services in Illinois
Illinois has various programs that address the addiction problem. Different programs and organizations provide services for those struggling with addiction. However, many state-funded programs have a rigorous selection process that makes them a bit challenging for individuals to access.
Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (DASA)
DASA is part of the Illinois Department of Human Services. This organization allows residents to access services through different agencies across the state. Some of the addiction services DASA provides include:
- Psychiatric evaluation
- Intervention services
- Case management
- Outpatient and residential treatment
- Individual counseling services
- Intensive outpatient treatment
- Detoxification
The state also offers extended care services to provide support to those transitioning to life after rehab. These programs have shown that drug use drops considerably after spending six months at an Illinois state treatment center.
Harm Reduction Laws
Similar to other states, Illinois has different laws to minimize the impact of substance abuse. Following the templates of other harm reduction laws, in Illinois, they have:
- 911 Good Samaritan Law: this law protects drug offenders who call 911 in an overdose event. The person making the call can avoid charges for drug possession to help save someone’s life.
- Rescue Drug Law: this law made it legal for non-medical individuals to administer naloxone in the event of an opiate overdose.
- HIV Counseling and Testing: this law opened 37 state-funded programs for those with HIV and at risk of infection. Overall, these programs hope to reduce the rates of HIV transmission by offering counseling and teaching methods to protect oneself.
Tips for Choosing the Right Rehab Program in Illinois
When choosing a rehab program in Illinois and elsewhere, it’s essential to pay attention to the details that make a drug and alcohol addiction center trustworthy. Of course, to attend these state-funded programs, most people need to meet a set of requirements. Many Illinois treatment centers also accept Medicaid to cover some of the cost of addiction treatment.
Accreditations
In the first place, make sure the rehab center in Illinois you’re looking at has all the proper accreditations. With this in mind, certifications are important for the entire staff, including therapists and clinicians. In short, they must have their licenses, certifications, and other related credentials. To be sure, you want to look for centers with:
- Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARD)
- The Joint Commission Accreditation
- DMHAS Accreditation
- LegitScript Certification
Evidence-based Approaches
While alternative therapies like meditation, yoga, acupuncture, and more can benefit the healing process, they cannot treat addiction alone. Also, look for treatments using evidence-based approaches that focus on behavioral therapy, medication treatment, and other treatment methods. Choosing evidence-based treatment also helps ensure your insurance policy will cover at least some of the treatment.
Payment Options
Some addiction treatment options in Illinois are publically-funded and operated by not-for-profit corporations. However, many treatment centers also accept private, state, and federal insurance. Furthermore, you can always ask about their payment options as some centers may offer payment arrangements, rehab scholarships, and more. Finally, a reliable addiction treatment center will help you find a way to fund your treatment. The idea is to make help accessible and look past the money.
Length
Stay clear from any treatment center that promises a cure for addiction over a weekend or a week. Drug addiction recovery is often a long-term process that incorporates different types of therapies. So, make sure you stay away from any weekend or short-fix programs.
Overall, the length of treatment can be anywhere from 30 days for short-term recovery programs, 90-days for longer treatments, and over 180 days for long-term treatment programs. A high-quality treatment center will not force you to fit into a specific timeline. Instead, they’ll work with you to help you find the best route. This includes helping you choose between an inpatient or outpatient addiction treatment center.
Illinois Treatment Options to Consider
In reality, there isn’t a single path to addiction recovery. A comprehensive treatment plan incorporates various therapies and approaches that help someone understand their addiction and address any co-occurring disorders. So, make sure to ask for the different programs and treatment services they offer.
Drug and Alcohol Detox Programs
Most drug and alcohol addiction recovery journeys start with detox. Because many of these substances cause physical and mental withdrawal symptoms, it’s paramount to have medical assistance and support to do so with comfort. Choosing to detox at a treatment facility also prevents relapse.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Occasionally, those who stop alcohol or opioids may need a medication-assisted program to start their rehab journey. Various FDA-approved medications help reduce cravings and lessen the dependence on these highly addictive drugs. However, keep in mind that MAT alone isn’t enough to treat addiction. It needs to be paired with supportive services and therapy to help the recovery process.
Personalized Behavioral Therapy
In essence, most substance abuse treatments incorporate individual therapy and group therapy sessions throughout the treatment. Both use a combination of different behavioral therapies, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). In addition, treatments include motivational interviewing (MI), contingency management (CM), and other behavioral therapy forms that address addiction’s many variables.
Dual Diagnosis Programs
Finally, most people with a substance abuse problem also have a co-occurring mental health condition. Anxiety, depression, psychosis, and personality disorders all co-occur with substance abuse. Dual diagnosis programs treat these conditions simultaneously to promote a better and prolonged recovery.
Should I Travel Outside of Illinois for Addiction Treatment?
There’s no doubt that Illinois offers plenty of resources for addicts and their families looking for help. However, sometimes a change of scenery is necessary. For anyone who’s currently living in a toxic environment prone to abuse, substance misuse, and other triggers, going away for treatment may help.
Research shows that a change of scenery can provide a clean slate for people. It also means individuals can seek treatment in an environment that promotes recovery. Residential addiction treatment programs are trigger-free, drug-free, and help people build a community of sober friends and companions that will become critical in their recovery.
In our Boynton Beach drug rehab center, we receive people from every city in Illinois and across the country. We often receive individuals seeking addiction treatment from big cities like Chicago, Joliet, and Rockford. As you know, these cities don’t offer the peace and calmness of smaller towns. Thus, many looking for addiction treatment prefer to escape the big cities’ buzz to avoid temptation, toxic environments, and the party scene.
Finding Addiction Treatment
So, if you or someone you know is struggling with addiction, please know that there’s help available. At Lighthouse Recovery Institute, we receive patients from all over Illinois all the time. We work with your health insurance provider to help find out what they will cover. In short, our addiction specialists will work with you to create a comprehensive treatment plan that addresses the core of your addiction. If you need help finding addiction treatment, contact us today to start the process.
