In Illinois, synthetic opioid deaths have increased by 2,736 percent since 2013, according to the Illinois Department of Health, and heroin overdoses have increased by 80 percent. If you’re not sure what a synthetic opioid is, it’s one that was created in a lab. The most common synthetic opioid is fentanyl, and it’s commonly mixed with heroin. While you might think that the combination would give a better high, it really doesn’t. Instead, it increases the risk of an overdose. This is because fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine, according to the CDC. The good news is that if you’re addicted to opiates or another substance, you can get help at a treatment center, like Illinois Recovery Center in Swansea.
Table of Contents
- The Scope of Addiction in Illinois
- Types of Addiction Treatment Available in Illinois
- Quality and Accreditation: Choosing the Right Treatment Center
- Questions to Ask When Choosing the Right Drug Rehabilitation Center
- The Role of Counseling and Behavioral Therapies
- State-Funded and Private Treatment Options
- The Importance of Aftercare and Continuing Care in Illinois
- Overcoming Barriers to Treatment
- Conclusion
The Scope of Addiction in Illinois
Illinois has a population of 12.6 million, which makes it the fifth-largest state in the country. Of those 12.5 million people, 3 million of them live in Chicago, and 8.2 million or two-thirds of the population live in Cook County. Cook County and Chicago are known as major transportation hubs, and because of that, there are a lot of drugs that enter and leave the area. The illicit substances that are trafficked through Chicago and Illinois include heroin, cocaine, marijuana, diverted pharmaceuticals, crack and methamphetamine. Of those drugs, there is a high availability of fentanyl, heroin, diverted pharmaceuticals and cannabis. Methamphetamine, cocaine and other synthetic drugs have a moderate availability in the greater Chicago area. Thankfully, if you’re addicted to opioids or another illicit substance, you can get treatment in Illinois.
Types of Addiction Treatment Available in Illinois
The addiction treatment centers in Illinois offer a range of services, including detox and inpatient and outpatient treatment programs. Many treatment centers also offer medication-assisted treatment and specialized programs for certain demographics.
Detoxification
Detoxification is when the individual stops using their drug of choice and lets the substance leave their body naturally. This is often accompanied by palliative care and monitoring. However, some drugs, like alcohol and opioids, can have extremely unpleasant and sometimes dangerous side effects. When this is the case, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is recommended, and instead of letting the substance naturally leave the body, a replacement medication is given in place of the individual’s preferred substance.
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment is often recommended for individuals who are severely addicted, at a high risk of relapsing or have a history of relapsing. Residential treatment programs offer 24/7 care because the individual lives inside the treatment center for the entirety of the program. Individuals find this type of program beneficial because they aren’t exposed to drugs or triggers, and they can focus on their recovery and sobriety.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment is a less intense form of drug addiction recovery. This is because the individual can still live at home while receiving counseling, therapy and MAT. In these programs, the individual goes to the drug treatment center to receive all of their drug rehabilitation treatment. Once they are finished with their therapy and counseling, they return home to eat and sleep. Outpatient treatment works well for individuals who have work, school and family obligations that would make it extremely difficult to enter an inpatient treatment program.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment is often given to individuals with opioid and/or alcohol addictions. Both of these substances can lead to severe and sometimes life-threatening withdrawal symptoms. Thankfully, medications, like buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone, acamprosate and disulfiram, can help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings. It’s important to note that buprenorphine, methadone and naltrexone are typically used for opioid withdrawal. Acamprosate, disulfiram and naltrexone are often used for alcohol withdrawal. When entering treatment, the medical providers will explain the treatments to you and recommend the most appropriate MAT therapy.
Specialized Treatment Programs
Specialized treatment programs often include treatment modalities that are specifically designed for certain demographics of individuals or for certain co-occurring disorders. Common specialized treatment programs include those for men, women, teenagers and members of the LGBTIQA+ community. Some programs may also specialize in holistic approaches, nature therapy and religion-based treatment.
Quality and Accreditation: Choosing the Right Treatment Center
When choosing a treatment center, it’s best to look for centers that are licensed and accredited by the state in which they operate. Being licensed and accredited means that the treatment center meets certain benchmarks for adherence to policies, procedures and standards of care. There treatment centers typically offer an individualized treatment approach that’s backed by science.
When choosing a treatment center, it’s also a good idea to make sure that the staff are properly licensed, accredited and experienced. For example, if you’re receiving treatment for alcohol abuse disorder, you’ll want to make sure you’re talking to a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor. Other titles for counselors and therapists include Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Addictions Counselor and Certified Co-occurring Disorders Counselor. If the treatment center offers MAT therapy, make sure you’re being evaluated and treated by the appropriate medical personnel, like doctors, registered nurses or nurse practitioners.
Questions to Ask When Choosing the Right Drug Rehabilitation Center
In addition to making sure the facility is accredited and all the staff members are qualified and licensed, you should ask questions.
- What types of programs does your treatment center offer?
- Do you offer evidence-based approaches, holistic approaches or 12-step programs?
- What types of addictions does your rehabilitation center specialize in treating?
- Once I finish my initial program, what are the next steps?
- Do you offer an aftercare program for continuing sobriety?
- What is your success rate and how many people relapse after completing your program?
- What types of therapy and counseling are offered?
- Do you offer detox and MAT therapies?
The Role of Counseling and Behavioral Therapies
Counseling and behavioral therapies form the core of many addiction treatment programs. This is because they help address the underlying causes of addiction, such as past trauma and unhealthy family dynamics. Therapy also helps individuals address their own emotional and mental states and habits that may have led them down the path of addiction.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps individuals recognize unhealthy through and behaviors so that they can change their thinking and actions. It’s effective for treating a range of substance use disorders as well as co-occurring disorders.
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) – Dialectical Behavioral Therapy is an expansion of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. It helps people manage their thoughts, actions and emotions while teaching them how to be mindful, tolerant and accepting. This type of therapy is great for individuals with co-occurring disorders and borderline personality disorder and for those who struggle with emotional regulation.
- Family Therapy and Support – Family therapy and support is integral when it comes to treating addiction. Family therapy can help the other members of the family understand the addiction treatment process. It can help families cope with past addiction and move forward while addressing any family dynamics that may have come about as a result of the addiction.
- Group Therapy and Peer Support – Group therapy is also extremely beneficial for helping individuals overcome their addictions. It is a safe space where individuals can share their stories and listen to the stories of others. They also offer accountability and a long-term support system that can last well beyond the initial treatment program.
State-Funded and Private Treatment Options
When individuals decide to get treatment in Illinois, they can choose between state-funded and private treatment centers.
State-Funded Treatment Centers
State-funded treatment centers are partially or fully supported by various government agencies. They usually receive funding via Medicaid reimbursement and Federal substance abuse block grants as well as from state general funds. In Illinois, state-funded treatment centers receive some financial assistance from the Illinois Department of Human Services.
These treatment centers offer a range of addiction services at a lower cost than their private drug rehabilitation counterparts. Treatment options may include detox, MAT, therapy and counseling in either an inpatient or outpatient setting. It’s important to note that the treatment options may be limited, and there is often a waiting list to enter the program.
Private Treatment Centers
Private treatment centers are not financially assisted by any government agency. However, they may have private donors to help them meet their financial obligations. This means that they are often more expensive than the state-funded treatment centers. However, many do take insurance and some may offer payment programs. These treatment centers often have a shorter waiting list.
Private treatment programs usually offer a greater number of services and an individualized approach to drug rehabilitation. They may also offer certain luxury services, like private rooms, spa services and alternative therapies, including acupuncture, massage and yoga.
When it comes to choosing between state-funded treatment or a private treatment center, it’s best to consider how you will pay and the types of services you’d like at your treatment center. If you have a limited income and no insurance, a state-funded treatment center may be your best option. However, if you have insurance or can raise funds with help from your family, you may choose to go to a private drug treatment center.
The Importance of Aftercare and Continuing Care in Illinois
Once you’ve completed your initial treatment program, it’s important to enroll in an aftercare program. While inpatient and outpatient treatment programs are great for providing individuals with the tools they need to get sober and prevent a relapse, most people still need help after the program. The good news is that there are many options to help people continue their sobriety journey, like halfway houses, sober homes and step-based programs, like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.
- Northern Illinois Recovery – Located in Crystal Lake. Offers sober living, aftercare and 12-strep programs.
- Illinois Recovery Center – Located in Swansea. Offers sober living homes and relapse prevention plans.
- Care Addiction Center – Located in Geneva. Offers Aftercare and an alumni program.
Overcoming Barriers to Treatment
It is possible to get treatment in Illinois. Many people avoid going to drug treatment because they’re worried that they’ll be judged or stigmatized for having an addiction. This can lead to feelings of shame or guilt and a reluctance to get help. The truth is that addiction is a chronic disease, much like having high blood pressure or diabetes, and like a chronic disease, substance use disorder needs to be treated and managed. To overcome the fear of stigma, it’s important to build a supportive network. You can start with your friends and family and branch out into community groups that help people recover from addiction and avoid relapsing.
Some individuals worry about a lack of transportation to the treatment center or not being able to care for their children, and still, others worry that they won’t be able to miss work or attend school. The truth is that many treatment programs can work around your schedule, especially if you choose an outpatient program. Some treatment centers even offer sober rides that can help you get to and from the drug rehabilitation center.
Conclusion
If you’re dependent on opioids, alcohol, cocaine or another substance, a drug treatment center in Illinois can help you. Many treatment centers, like Illinois Recovery Center, offer a variety of programs, including inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization and relapse prevention.
To get started on your journey to sobriety, please give us a call today!