Illinois is the fifth-largest state in the country. Chicago is the third-largest city in the country. And two-thirds of the population of Illinois is concentrated in Cook County and the six “collar” counties that surround it (the Chicago metropolitan area).
Chicago is a distribution center for both legal and illegal commodities in the Great Lakes Region due to its location and transportation substructure. Chicago is the largest trucking center in the nation, which makes it a focal point for the flow of drugs into the Great Lakes Region and throughout the Midwest.
The opioid crisis in Illinois has revealed itself in the form of several public health problems. A study of the extent of the problems shows evidence of the seriousness of the opioid crisis. Like many states, Illinois has experienced a sizable increase in overdose deaths, and they are mainly blamed on opioid overdose fatalities. Of the 2,278 statewide drug overdose deaths in 2016, over 80% were opioid-related.
In 2016 the Illinois Department of Public Health reported a 44% increase in drug-related overdose deaths than were reported in 2013. It is also an increase of 32% of the opioid-related deaths reported in the previous year.
The number of Emergency Medical Services runs that required the administration of Naloxone three times increased by 75%. Naloxone is a medication designed to reverse an opioid overdose in emergency situations quickly. The increase is attributed to the presence of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids in the substances being used.
The type of drug threat in Illinois varies by region. The main threat to the Northern District of Illinois is:
If you think there isn’t a problem swirling around you, check these facts from where you live.
It is time to consider your situation or that of the person close to you who may be one of those statistics listed above. It’s important to remember that, even though you may be part of the statistics, you are a unique individual with your own needs and requirements.
In case you are thinking that going it alone, “cold turkey,” is a suitable solution, I can tell you it is not. You may be able to get through withdrawal, but the chance of long-term recovery is very slim. You need to realize that addiction is a chronic brain disease, and, like any other disease it takes time and continuous monitoring to deal with it.
First, you will need an assessment by a qualified medical professional to discover which level of care is the best and most practical place for you to start. Consider these issues and discuss them with a professional.
If you have been dependent on a substance or substances for a long time and your tolerance continues to increase, you will most probably need a detox. Most people do. A medically supervised and assisted through medications is the best way to get the addictive substance out of your body. Withdrawal symptoms can be very painful, emotionally and physically. You will need 24-hour monitoring and medication in some cases.
If you have a substance use disorder (SUD) and a co-occurring mental or medical condition, you have a dual diagnosis. This is something you might not even be aware of now, but your initial assessment may reveal your comorbid condition. This might make it necessary for you to live at a medical center or hospital. It doesn’t usually happen but may be needed depending upon how severe your issues are.
If you have relapsed after completing a treatment program, then you may need a different level of care. Many times, people complete an outpatient program and later relapse. It happens. Perhaps a higher level of care (more restrictive) is needed. Think of it as a modification of treatment which is often done with other diseases.
If your substance use is seriously harming your ability to function and you have a long history of use, a residential or inpatient program may be your best choice. If you have struggled with quitting and repeatedly relapsed, you need a more structured program. In residential treatment, you live at the facility in a drug-free environment, away from the triggers and distractions that cause a relapse.
If you can’t possibly live away from home, there are outpatient programs that will allow you to live away from the treatment facility. These are more appropriate for people who have less serious SUD and have a supportive group of family and friends. There are, however, some very intensive outpatient programs that offer a high level of care if your problem is severe.
Since 2009, certain changes in the state system have had an impact on the CCHHS (Cook County Health and Human Services). The Illinois budget in 2016 included significant cuts to Medicaid and other publicly funded mental health services. This will continue to affect behavioral health services and the people who live with serious mental illness. Some of the effects are:
Due to the challenges and opportunities presented, the Illinois legislature has identified seven key priorities for improving and maintaining the public mental health system. The priorities composed the basis for a strategic plan, and they are the following:
Many more newly insured and other people with behavioral health conditions are pursuing care with the CCHSS as a result of the changes. Many of these people were unable to get services in the community and are seeking care through emergency departments.
Footprints to Recovery is a treatment center that offers a broad range of treatment programs and therapy options. By having a variety of options, you and your counselor are able to design a program specifically for you. Programs include:
Detox is not a treatment program on its own. The purpose of detox is to prepare your body for a treatment program. Patients who don’t follow up detox with a rehab treatment typically restart their drug or alcohol use disorder soon after.
Opioid and alcohol withdrawal causes extreme symptoms such as profuse sweating, nausea, and vomiting. Cocaine and marijuana withdrawal usually presents with emotional issues including depression and irritability. Severe depression can lead to suicidal actions if not monitored.
Withdrawal symptoms can last from a few days to a few months. This is why medically assisted treatment (MAT) is an important part of the detox and may be needed as you enter the treatment program.
This is for patients who need a structured, safe treatment program but don’t need 24-hour medical supervision and assistance. PHP gives you all the benefits of a residential program and some of the convenience of an outpatient program. You will have sessions with your therapists in individual and group therapies. Sessions are generally 6 hours a day for 5 days a week. Medical staff is on hand should it be necessary.
The intensive outpatient level of treatment is for people who are obligated to carry on other parts of their life. The patient can continue to go to work, attend classes, and attend to family responsibilities while still receiving a high level of care. It also allows you to practice the skills you are learning in therapy in real-life situations. You will attend IOP 3 to 5 days a week, for about 3 hours a day.
Outpatient is a good starting level for individuals whose SUD is not severe, who don’t have a long history of substance abuse, and have a supportive social network. You typically attend sessions for 3 hours a day, 1 or 2 times a week.
Footprints to Recovery is experienced in dual diagnosis treatment. If you have a SUD and co-occurring mental health or physical health issue, they must be treated simultaneously. If they aren’t addressed at the same time, each disorder can cause a relapse in the other.
You and your therapist will decide on any alternative treatments. The ones chosen will depend on how long you have had a SUD and how severe it is. We use a unified system with evidence-based therapies. Some treatments might include:
At Footprints to Recover, we offer a thorough catalog of evidence-based therapy choices. You will work with your counselor to create a program just for you. Most commonly used therapies include:
Sobriety is something you will need to work at forever. Footprints to Recover has programs to help you succeed at living a sober life. These programs are immensely valuable in helping you get on with your life and avoid a relapse.
Recovery Homes—This program is also sometimes referred to as independent living or sober homes. Recovery housing is a carefully structured, drug-free environment. All members of the house are required to contribute to the upkeep and do chores. Members usually work at an outside job but report back to the home each day. The recovery home helps you transition from a formal program and into the real world with all its demands.
Alumni Community—The Alumni Community at Footprints to Recovery provides the opportunity for our alumni, friends, and family to get together to provide support for each other. Footprints also promotes community service activities. People who are involved in some type of aftercare are most likely to stay abstinent.
After deciding to go for treatment, we know that paying for treatment is probably your main concern. It is one of the reasons people put off getting treatment. We have financial advisors at Footprints to Recovery who can work with you to devise a way to get you on the course to recovery. Here are some of the options:
Schaumburg holds an unshakeable place in Chicago’s Golden Corridor. The corridor is a stretch of suburbs northwest of the city that is known as a manufacturing and economic powerhouse. There are several Fortune 500 company headquarters. Schaumburg itself is home to more business than any other place in Illinois except for Chicago.
Schaumburg is a village in Cook County and DuPage County in Northeastern Illinois. In 2018, Money magazine ranked the Village of Schaumburg the Best Place to Live in Illinois and 9th-best in the country.
Schaumburg is best known for the Woodfield Mall. The Mall is the second most visited attraction in Illinois and is the Village’s top employer. And if that’s not enough retail, Schaumburg has one of the only two IKEA stores in Illinois.
The Village of Schaumburg was incorporated in 1956, but the history dates back to the mid-19th century when settlers began to arrive from the eastern U.S. and Germany. Many of the German settlers came from Schaumburg-Lippe, a small princely state that is now in Lower Saxony, Germany. In 1850 the township officially became named Schaumburg.
Now is the time to make the commitment. Help yourself or someone you care about. Nobody sets out to be addicted to alcohol or drugs. We know that. We can help you get back on the path you initially envisioned. It is never too late.
We have admissions specialists at Footprints to Recovery who are waiting to talk to you 24 hours a day. Contact us here. We can take it from there.
