While the current opioid and addiction epidemic is affecting the entire country, there are certain areas that are being hit harder than others. Those areas tend to be diverse areas with large populations, like Chicago.Â
Illinois, as a state, had a rate of 17.2 opioid overdose deaths per 100,000 people in 2017. That’s significantly higher than the national rate of 14.6 deaths per 100,000 people. Of all the cities in Illinois, the numbers say Chicago was the hardest hit. Data shows that there was a 270% increase in opioid analgesics overdose in Chicago from just 2015 to 2016 alone.Â
That’s why treatment centers and education are so vital. While we can’t necessarily prevent drug and alcohol addiction, providing the services needed for those who suffer from drug and alcohol addiction in and around Chicago can go a long way in lowering the number of drug and alcohol-related deaths a year.Â
If you, or someone you know, is suffering and lives in the Chicago area, keep reading to learn more about how you, or they, can get the help needed to fight addiction.
Looking For Addiction Treatment Services in Chicago IL?
With Chicago having such a high rate of overdose deaths, it’s no secret that obtaining illicit substances is pretty easy. In fact, just in 2016 alone, there were 44,438 drug reports for items seized by Chicago law enforcement. The most commonly abused drugs in Chicago include:
With drugs so readily available, especially within the last 10 years, the need for treatment facilities has never been greater. Luckily the Chicago area has many options available, including detox, inpatient rehab, as well as outpatient facilities.Â
Typically, before entering an inpatient or outpatient treatment center, someone suffering from an addiction will undergo detox to rid their body of the toxins. If the treatment facility that you choose doesn’t include detox, it is imperative to go to a dedicated detox facility or hospital to undergo the detox process. Self-detoxing can be very dangerous and potentially life-threatening.Â
How Do I Pick The Right Treatment Center?
Just like everything else in life, when it comes to picking the right treatment facility, there are several factors to keep in mind. Those factors include:
- Treatment Type
- Inpatient or Outpatient
- Location and Amenities
- Length of Treatment
Treatment Type
Before doing anything else, you first need to know what type of treatment you need. Each treatment center specializes in treating different types of addictions, such as alcoholism or even people that suffer from multiple addictions. Even treatment facilities that handle all types of addiction treatment have a better success rate when it comes to treating some addictions over others. That’s why when it comes to picking the right facility for you, it’s important to make sure that you pick one that has the best track record of taking care of your needs.
Inpatient or Outpatient
After determining the right type of treatment, you then need to decide if you are going to go to an inpatient or outpatient facility for treatment.Â
While historically, inpatient treatment has a higher success rate, it is not for everyone. Outpatient treatment is typically more cost-effective and less disruptive to your everyday life. However, because you aren’t being monitored around the clock, the chances of relapse are greater since you don’t have anyone making sure that you are staying clean and sober.
It is important to consult with a treatment professional as well as being honest with yourself before deciding between inpatient and outpatient treatment. While the lack of disrupting your everyday life might sound appealing, you have to be honest with yourself and decide if you can go through successful treatment while still living at home and having temptations constantly surrounding you.
Location and Amenities
If you decided on going the inpatient treatment route, it’s important to take location and amenities into consideration. Different treatment centers offer a wide range of amenities. Some provide just the basics needed to comfortably complete treatment, while others rival or even exceed some of the nicest five-star hotels in the world.Â
The best way to go about choosing a facility based on amenities is by deciding what you need and what you don’t need as well as what you can afford. The more luxurious the facility, the higher the cost will be.
Also important is the location of the facility. While finding a facility close to home might be ideal for some people, it’s not the right fit for everyone. Some people might like the comfort of knowing they are close to home. They might also only have the means to travel to the facility that is nearest to them. For others, they might want to be as far from home and temptation as possible and will want to go to a facility that is in another city or even another state.Â
Length of Treatment
After determining what type of facility you want to go to and where you want it to be located, the final factor is the length of the treatment program. While most treatment professionals recommend 60 to 90 day treatment, the length of treatment can vary based on the individual. It is important to consult with a doctor or other treatment professional to find out the best length of time for you.
Mental Health and Addiction Treatment
For many people, substance abuse and addiction isn’t the only problem. Many people who suffer from substance use also suffer from co-occurring mental health or behavioral disorder. This is known as a dual diagnosis.Â
Individuals with a dual diagnosis require an integrated treatment plan that addresses both disorders as interconnected mental health issues. When it comes to mental health, and it’s connection to addiction, there are several mental health and behavioral disorders that repeatedly present themselves alongside addiction. Those include:
- ADD/ADHD
- Bipolar Disorder
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Depression
- Eating Disorders
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- OCD
- PTSD
- Schizophrenia
Unfortunately, not just in Chicago, but in all of Illinois, the correlation between substance abuse and a mental disorder has never been greater. Between 2013 and 2106, opioid overdose deaths in the state increased by a whopping 82%. During that same timeframe, suicides increased by almost 25%. Luckily, the state of Illinois has created laws in order to protect those that might suffer from co-occurring disorders and provide them adequate treatment options.Â
One thing that they have specifically done is for employers with more than 50 employees; the state has mandated certain minimum benefits be covered for serious mental illnesses and substance use disorders. Public Act 99-480 extends that mandate to the state employee health insurance program, county, and municipal plans, as well as Medicaid and CHIP plans.
What Does Addiction Treatment Entail?
We briefly touched earlier on detoxing before treatment, but that is just the beginning of the entire addiction treatment process. There is also the treatment itself and everything that goes along with that.Â
It’s important to know how the entire process works, from detox to the different treatment options.Â
Detox
Before beginning treatment for your addiction, your body needs to rid itself of the toxins associated with the substance of abuse. This is known as the detox process. When going through detox, it is important to do so at either a hospital or a designated detox facility. The detox process can be very dangerous if done without proper medical care and supervision. The detox process can take up to 7 days to complete depending on the substances and the patient. After the detox process is complete, the next step is addiction treatment.
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment is just like it sounds. It is a facility in which a person lives for the duration of their addiction treatment. Inpatient treatment centers revolve largely around both group and individual therapy.
Most residential treatment programs last from 28 to 90 days, depending on the specific needs and preferences of the participant. Inpatient facilities provide doctors, nurses, and therapists who all work together to help the patients not only fight addiction but learn how to live a sober life once they leave treatment.Â
In some cases, inpatient treatment will be court-ordered. Inpatient treatment is ideal for someone who wants to get clean and sober but doesn’t feel that they can do so while continuing to go about their daily lives.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment allows participants to live at home outside of treatment hours. This allows them to continue to go about their normal daily routine without much interruption. Those who choose outpatient treatment attend group and individual therapy sessions each week just like they would if they were in an inpatient center, They can even meet with a psychiatrist for medication to manage withdrawal, cravings, and any existing mental health issues. However, since a person who chooses outpatient treatment is not living in a treatment facility during the addiction treatment process, it can be considered less intensive.Â
Outpatient treatment also costs significantly less, however many insurance companies will help cover the cost for both inpatient and outpatient treatment.
Here are some of the more popular types of therapy that are associated with addiction treatment:
- Individual therapy – Individual therapy takes place one-on-one with the patient and the primary therapist that they have been assigned. These sessions happen 1 to 2 times a week and is where the treatment plan is developed and followed
- Group therapy – Group therapy consists of a group of patients who all meet with a licensed therapist at the same time. Group therapy allows patients to not only share their stories but also hear what others have gone through. Group therapy is a great way to learn things that might have worked for other people and apply them in individual therapy sessions.
- Family therapy – Family therapy sessions may include participation from anyone significant in the patient’s life, such as a spouse, significant other, parent, or sibling.Â
- Holistic therapy – Holistic therapy focuses on not only the physical and mental components of addiction but the spiritual side as well. Examples of holistic therapy include acupuncture, yoga, reiki, and massage.
Whether you choose inpatient or outpatient treatment, as you can see, a major component of your treatment revolves around both individual and group therapy. Fighting addiction is just as mental as it is physical. You have to re-teach your brain to not only not want the substance anymore, but you also have to learn what triggers those urges so that you can successfully fight them. Therapy is a key component in making that happen.
Here are some of the more popular types of therapy that are associated with addiction treatment:
- Individual therapy – Individual therapy takes place one-on-one with the patient and the primary therapist that they have been assigned. These sessions happen 1 to 2 times a week and is where the treatment plan is developed and followed
- Group therapy – Group therapy consists of a group of patients who all meet with a licensed therapist at the same time. Group therapy allows patients to not only share their stories but also hear what others have gone through. Group therapy is a great way to learn things that might have worked for other people and apply them in individual therapy sessions.
- Family therapy – Family therapy sessions may include participation from anyone significant in the patient’s life, such as a spouse, significant other, parent, or sibling.Â
- Holistic therapy – Holistic therapy focuses on not only the physical and mental components of addiction but the spiritual side as well. Examples of holistic therapy include acupuncture, yoga, reiki, and massage.
Whether you choose inpatient or outpatient treatment, as you can see, a major component of your treatment revolves around both individual and group therapy. Fighting addiction is just as mental as it is physical. You have to re-teach your brain to not only not want the substance anymore, but you also have to learn what triggers those urges so that you can successfully fight them. Therapy is a key component in making that happen.
Beginning the Journey to Recovery
When it comes to getting addiction treatment, it’s important to remember that you are not alone in your journey. At Footprints Recovery, it is our job to help you learn the ways to live a clean and sober life that you can enjoy living. We will work with both you and your insurance company to make sure you get the treatment you need at a price you can afford. Contact us today to learn more about our treatment options and what programs we offer.Â
Questions about treatment options?
Our admissions team is available 24/7 to listen to your story and help you get started with the next steps.
