Illinois Summary:
Like many places in the Midwest, the state of Illinois is very concerned about incidents of binge drinking and drunk driving across the state. Prescription drug abuse, heroin use, meth labs, marijuana and cocaine are also serious problems affecting Illinois. Due to an ongoing state budget dilemma, access to mental health treatment for residents remains an issue at both a local and statewide level.
However, Illinois also has a number of treatment options for substance abuse, drug addiction, alcoholism and mental health issues. Many different facilities throughout the state offer care, including luxury facilities in downtown Chicago that offer treatment and high-quality care for working professionals. Additionally, payment-assisted rehab centers seek to provide treatment for low-income residents or those with financial need.
Quick Illinois statistics:
- Illinois state population: 13 million
- Roughly 7% of residents in Illinois report using illicit drugs
- An estimated 5 million adults in Illinois are classified as having poor mental health, with 2.1 million people living with a serious mental illness
- Commonly abused drugs in Illinois include cocaine, heroin, marijuana, prescription drugs and methamphetamines
Alcoholism in Illinois
Alcohol abuse is a major concern in Illinois, as some of the highest rates of binge drinking in the Midwest occur in Illinois. An estimated 20% of people - or one in five residents - engage in binge drinking. Drunk driving is also a big issue in Illinois. In 2013, 39% of fatal car crashes in the state were alcohol-related, compared to a national average of 31% that year.
Illinois has a wide array of options for those seeking treatment for alcoholism. One such rehab facility is Rosecrance - Harrison Campus in Rockford , Illinois, which provides quality treatment of the highest standards. Situated on ten acres of park-like grounds, the Rosecrance - Harrison Campus has open living and recreational space, outdoor dining, a chapel, a fitness center and a Serenity Walking Path. The facility provides treatment for alcoholism, drug addiction and for those suffering from both substance abuse and mental health issues at the same time. Rosecrance offers holistic therapy and a family program, as family dynamics often have a huge influence on addiction triggers and family members can be an important source of support for those in rehab.
For those seeking a payment-assisted treatment facility, Serenity House Counseling Services is a nonprofit rehab center located in the Chicago suburb of Addison . Serenity House provides both inpatient and outpatient treatment options, including an intensive outpatient program for those who need to live at home due to work or family obligations, but are still seeking an individualized treatment program. The facility is open to adult men and women suffering from chemical dependence or substance abuse. Serenity House accepts health insurance and Medicaid.
Drug Abuse in Illinois
In Illinois, marijuana remains one of the most widely available - and most abused - drugs in the state. Illinois also sees high usage of cocaine, heroin and "club drugs" like ecstasy, which are primarily distributed among Polish, Eastern European, Israeli and Russian immigrants in large metropolitan areas like Chicago. Unfortunately, state-supported treatment for substance abuse is on the decline. Compared to other states in the Midwest, Illinois has some of the lowest rates of state-funded treatment admissions.
That said, Illinois still boasts a variety of both luxury and payment-assisted facilities for drug abuse and addiction treatment. Positive Sobriety Institute is a luxury treatment center in the heart of downtown Chicago, located directly along Lake Michigan. This facility specializes in treating healthcare workers and other professionals struggling with drug abuse through intensive partial and outpatient programs, independent living and mandatory aftercare. Positive Sobriety Institute also accepts non-professionals, but is primarily tailored to the needs of professionals like physicians, pharmacists, lawyers and executives. This population frequently desires treatment for substance abuse in a stigma-free environment.
Chestnut Health Systems - Adult Chemical Dependency in Bloomington (central Illinois) is a payment-assisted rehab facility geared towards treating substance abuse, drug addiction and alcoholism. The facility provides treatment for opiate addiction, including Medically Assisted Detox and Buprenorphine Detox and Treatment. Buprenorphine is a drug similar to methadone that's been shown to help in treating opiate addiction long-term. Chestnut Health Systems also offers gender-responsive treatment for men and women, allowing them to focus on issues relevant to their strengths, needs and barriers.
Mental Health in Illinois
Comprehensive and adequate mental health care is a growing issue in Illinois. From 2009 to 2012, the state cut $113.7 million in funding from mental health services. Cook County Jail is now the largest mental health provider in Illinois, as many of those admitted to jail have a mental illness. Several mental health facilities have closed in recent years, which has resulted in people seeking treatment at places like hospital emergency rooms.
However, the state of Illinois does provide some treatment options for those suffering from a mental illness. In addition to providing treatment for substance abuse, Positive Sobriety Institute is a luxury facility in downtown Chicago that also offers co-occurring disorders treatment, as many who struggle with alcoholism or drug abuse also have a mental health problem like depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.
One payment-assisted treatment option for mental health issues in Illinois is the Saint Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center - Outpatient facility in Chicago . Saint Mary specializes in treating mental illness such as clinical depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and others. The facility has an outpatient program and offers many types of therapy, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), trauma therapy, group or couples therapy and Eating Disorder Treatment for those struggling with anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating and harmful eating patterns. Saint Mary accepts adults, young adults, teenagers and children and has bilingual (Spanish-speaking) therapists and staff.
How much does an inpatient alcohol detox rehab facility cost in Illinois?
The cost of rehab and alcohol detox centers varies depending on the facility and what types of health insurance it accepts. Many treatment centers in Illinois accept Medicaid, which is required to cover the basic conditions of drug and alcohol dependence recovery. To be eligible for Medicaid, patients must be either under the age of 19, pregnant, a parent, or an adult within a certain low-income bracket. Those who earn less than 133% of the federal poverty level are automatically eligible for Medicaid.
Compared to outpatient programs, inpatient alcohol detox programs can cost more, depending on length of stay. Many facilities offer an inpatient-to-outpatient treatment option, in which someone participates in a 30- or 90-day inpatient program and then transitions to outpatient treatment (in some cases they move to a halfway house or sober living community).
What are the best rehab centers in Illinois?
The state of Illinois is home to some of the best and top-rated rehab facilities in the U.S. The well-known Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation has a treatment center in Chicago, which provides expert care in a high-quality environment. Hazelden is founded on the 12-Step model for addiction and recovery and helps patients address all aspects of substance abuse in mind, body and spirit. The foundation's Chicago location is an outpatient facility that also offers a structured sober living home and a Teen Intervene program for youths dealing with substance abuse.
Gateway Foundation has multiple locations across Illinois, including facilities in Springfield , Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, as well as in Southern Illinois. Gateway treats men, women, adolescents and teens and specializes in helping those with alcoholism, substance abuse and drug addiction. Gateway accepts a larger number of health insurance plans and also accepts Medicaid and military health insurance coverage.
Illinois: Looking Ahead
Due to cuts in state funding for mental health services, Illinois lags behind other states in the Midwest in terms of access and treatment for residents struggling with mental health problems. However, due to the passing of the Affordable Care Act, some residents now have an easier time paying for mental health services. Many of the issues surrounding state-funded treatment for mental health and substance abuse revolve around Illinois' state budget, so it is unclear what types of access and funding residents will receive for these services in the future.
However, many facilities and foundations are doing their part to provide treatment for Illinois residents, regardless of financial need. Law enforcement and other officials are also working to crack down on the use of heroin and drug trafficking in the state, as areas of Chicago have become known as a "gateway" to the Midwest for drug smuggling. Despite the state's problems with combating substance abuse and providing mental health treatment, help is out there for those struggling with addiction or a mental illness. Resources are available for those in need.
