Regional Health Systems’s Merrillville Behavioral Health program is located at their health center in Merrillville, Indiana. The regional health system serves several locations throughout northern Indiana and East Chicago. Merrillville is conveniently located near Chicago and is a lively spot for residents and visitors.
The team here recognizes that addiction is a lifelong disease and getting sober can be challenging. However, like other chronic diseases, there are steps you can take that make the process easier. Addiction can be managed and getting the right help in your recovery journey can make this possible. They offer mental health care, counseling, psychiatry services, primary care, and addiction treatment at this location.
The breadth of these services ensures that you receive wraparound addiction care, including outpatient and residential treatment options and a comprehensive approach using customized and coordinated care to address various aspects of your needs. The goal is to ensure that all facets of your life are considered as they treat and support your successful recovery. They have a high program completion rate of 82%, which supports their belief that your recovery can be successful.
The residential treatment program can be up to 28 days in their facility. A halfway house is also available in which you’ll receive comprehensive physical and mental health screening to determine if you have a substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health condition. Co-occurring disorders are called dual diagnosis and require specialized care for successful treatment.
Your treatment program will target gender specific and family issues using culturally competent and evidence-based treatment. Your program also considers community reintegration, providing you with the support of strategies and tactics to make that successful. Clinically managed residential services are for adults only. Once you have graduated from the residential program, you may be referred to their intensive outpatient program that continues with medication assisted treatment for alcohol and opioid addiction.
They treat and support pregnant women or women with children as well as adolescents in the outpatient programs. They provide full family support and education about your addiction, recognizing that substance use disorders affect the whole family and your loved ones. Your discharge planning will include relapse prevention and family support to promote sustainable recovery.
Our Methodology
Private insurance refers to any kind of healthcare coverage that isn't from the state or federal government. This includes individual and family plans offered by an employer or purchased from the Insurance Marketplace. Every plan will have different requirements and out of pocket costs so be sure to get the full details before you start treatment.
Self-pay involves paying for treatment out of your own pocket. You can use savings or credit, get a personal loan, or receive help from family and friends to fund your treatment. If you don't have insurance or your insurance plan doesn't cover a specific program, self-pay can help ensure you still get the care you need.
Financial aid can take many forms. Centers may have grants or scholarships available to clients who meet eligibility requirements. Programs that receive SAMHSA grants may have financial aid available for those who need treatment as well. Grants and scholarships can help you pai for treatment without having to repay.
Sliding scale payments are based on a client's income and family size. The goal is to make treatment affordable to everyone. By taking these factors into account, addiction recovery care providers help ensure that your treatment does not become a financial burden to you or your family, eliminating one barrier to care.
Medicare is a federal program that provides health insurance for those 65 and older. It also serves people under 65 with chronic and disabling health challenges. To use Medicare for addiction treatment you need to find a program that accepts Medicare and is in network with your plan. Out of pocket costs and preauthorization requirements vary, so always check with your provider.
Medicaid is a state based program that helps lower-income individuals and families pay for healthcare. Medicaid covers addiction treatment so those enrolled can use their coverage to pay for rehab. When a program accepts Medicaid the client often pays very little or nothing out of their own pocket.
Military members, veterans, and eligible dependents have access to specific insurance programs that help them get the care they need. TRICARE and VA insurance can help you access low cost or no cost addiction and mental health treatment. Programs that accept military insurance often have targeted treatment focused on the unique challenges military members, veterans, and their families face.
Regional Mental Health’s outpatient mental health counseling is provided for individuals, couples and families of all ages by their professional staff of psychologists, clinical social workers, mental health counselors and psychiatrists. These programs provide help to adults and children having trouble effectively managing their lives through the various stages of change and development. Leaving home for the first time, getting married or divorced, coping with a loss and handling stress are a few of the life cycle events emphasized in these programs.
Regional Mental Health Center’s Inpatient Psychiatric Unit is a 16 bed locked hospital unit for adults with acute psychiatric symptoms that require a high level of care. The unit is staffed by psychiatrists, RNs, psychologist, psychiatric technicians, an activity therapist, and a dietician. The average length of stay is seven days, with the goal being to provide a safe, highly structured, therapeutic setting to assist our clients in being able to transition to a lower level of care. An in-house pharmacy is also available.
Persons who require high-level support but who do not wish to leave their homes or communities may enroll in an intensive outpatient program (IOP). Clients typically commit to a minimum of nine treatment hours across three therapeutic sessions per week, but many programs offer up to 20 hours of care weekly. Most intensive outpatient rehabs provide a combination of psychotherapy, recovery education, and holistic care. Medication assisted treatment (MAT) is widely available for those in alcohol or opioid recovery.
Clients receiving support in a rehab aftercare program have completed inpatient care and may also be preparing to exit formal outpatient care. Outpatient services are typically categorized as rehab aftercare, but these services often continue beyond the cessation of formal treatment. Rehab aftercare services are designed to promote life-long recovery through comprehensive, wraparound care, which may include medical, mental health, and social services. These programs are usually created in collaboration with the client's case manager and care team.
12-step programs are addiction recovery models based on Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). A number of substance abuse programs (including some drug and alcohol rehab centers) use the 12 steps as a basis for treatment. Beginning steps involve admitting powerlessness over the addiction and creating a spiritual basis for recovery. Middle steps including making direct amends to those who've been hurt by the addiction, and the final step is to assist others in addiction recovery in the same way. 12-Step offshoots including Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA), Dual Recovery Anonymous (DRA), Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA) and Gamblers Anonymous (GA).
Consists of group homes and community-based apartments. Group homes provide 24 hour supervised residential care, either as a transitional step for individuals being discharged from more restrictive settings, or to avoid a placement in a more restrictive setting. Services offered within the program include room and board, milieu therapy, therapeutic activities, and education in activities of daily living, case management and linkage with other services. Community-based apartments are managed by Regional. There is not 24 hour staff on site, but there is a strong case management component to provide in-home support for successful independent living.
A partial hospitalization program (PHP) can provide intensive rehab on a short-term basis. While PHP treatment typically requires a commute, telehealth may be available. PHP treatment costs can vary but are often covered by most insurance. The program duration can vary to meet your specific needs and require you to meet for a minimum of 20 hours a week for an average of 90 days. PHP Treatment services often include relapse prevention strategies, medication management, individual and group counseling, and other behavioral therapy interventions.
When you receive 24-hour clinical care in Indiana, you'll be under constant supervision from highly trained medical staff. Nurses, doctors, and addiction specialists provide medications and other treatment to address withdrawal symptoms and any additional medical needs. Common medications that are prescribed include valium and Librium to relieve alcohol withdrawal, and anti-depressants to relieve cocaine withdrawal. For opioid abuse, doctors may prescribe methadone or naltrexone to manage cravings and clonidine to treat high blood pressure.
Drug and alcohol addiction often takes a heavy toll on one’s body. Over time, a physical dependence can develop, meaning the body physiologically needs the substance to function. Detox is the process of removing drugs and/or alcohol from the body, a process that can be lethal if mismanaged. This program assists clients who are physically dependent on drugs and/or alcohol that requires detoxification. Detoxification lasts 1-5 days.
The goal of treatment for alcoholism is abstinence. Those with poor social support, poor motivation, or psychiatric disorders tend to relapse within a few years of treatment. For these people, success is measured by longer periods of abstinence, reduced use of alcohol, better health, and improved social functioning. Recovery and Maintenance are usually based on 12 step programs and AA meetings.
For long-term recovery from drug addiction, drug rehab in Indiana is often key. This treatment gives individuals who are struggling with a substance use disorder the tools to manage their disorder and achieve long-term sobriety.
Many of those suffering from addiction also suffer from mental or emotional illnesses like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, or anxiety disorders. Rehab and other substance abuse facilities treating those with a dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder administer psychiatric treatment to address the person's mental health issue in addition to drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
A combined mental health and substance abuse rehab has the staff and resources available to handle individuals with both mental health and substance abuse issues. It can be challenging to determine where a specific symptom stems from (a mental health issue or an issue related to substance abuse), so mental health and substance abuse professionals are helpful in detangling symptoms and keeping treatment on track.
Opioid rehabs specialize in supporting those recovering from opioid addiction. They treat those suffering from addiction to illegal opioids like heroin, as well as prescription drugs like oxycodone. These centers typically combine both physical as well as mental and emotional support to help stop addiction. Physical support often includes medical detox and subsequent medical support (including medication), and mental support includes in-depth therapy to address the underlying causes of addiction.
Indiana provides substance abuse treatment programs for individuals with substance use disorders. With a range of care levels, including outpatient, inpatient, and partial hospitalization programs, you'll be able to find the right treatment for you. Programs usually include a substance abuse evaluation, evidence-based therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and group therapy address substance abuse and enhance coping strategies. By offering personalized treatment plans and a supportive environment, these programs strengthen your ability to maintain your recovery.
Adult rehab programs include therapies tailored to each client's specific needs, goals, and recovery progress. They are tailored to the specific challenges adult clients may face, including family and work pressures and commitments. From inpatient and residential treatment to various levels of outpatient services, there are many options available. Some facilities also help adults work through co-occurring conditions, like anxiety, that can accompany addiction.
Young adulthood can be an exciting, yet difficult, time of transition. Individuals in their late teens to mid-20s face unique stressors related to school, jobs, families, and social circles, which can lead to a rise in substance use. Rehab centers with dedicated young adult programs will include activities and amenities that cater to this age group, with an emphasis on specialized counseling, peer socialization, and ongoing aftercare.
Recovery is most successful when clients feel accepted and validated by their peers and treatment providers. Facilities that offer LGBTQ-inclusive programming are committed to creating a safe space where everyone can grow and recover without fear of judgment or discrimination. They will have dedicated policies in place to create a safe and supportive environment that fosters free expression.
Serving in the military is both mentally and physically challenging, and can result in trauma that persists even after combat ends. Military programs are tailored to the specific and often complex needs of active duty personnel, veterans, and military families. Clients often access these programs through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Teen programs are designed to address the unique pressures teens face, pressures that can drive them to experiment with dangerous, addictive substances. They need programs that meet them exactly where they are and give them tools for long-term recovery. Therapy can help teenagers understand and work through underlying issues so they can reclaim the life ahead of them.
Men face specific challenges and concerns when seeking addiction treatment. Gender-specific recovery programs help them tackle these issues head-on in an environment that's focused, targeted, and distraction-free. It also gives them the opportunity to connect with and learn from other men who have been through a similar journey and can offer support for the next step.
Rehabs for women provide a safe, nurturing space for female clients to heal. These treatment programs consider the specific obstacles that women can face during recovery and place a special emphasis on mental, social, physical, and reproductive health. They explore how each woman's experience has shaped the trajectory of their substance use, addressing issues such as sexual abuse and past trauma.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a therapy modality that focuses on the relationship between one's thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It is used to establish and allow for healthy responses to thoughts and feelings (instead of unhealthy responses, like using drugs or alcohol). CBT has been proven effective for recovering addicts of all kinds, and is used to strengthen a patient's own self-awareness and ability to self-regulate. CBT allows individuals to monitor their own emotional state, become more adept at communicating with others, and manage stress without needing to engage in substance abuse.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is a modified form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), a treatment designed to help people understand and ultimately affect the relationship between their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. DBT is often used for individuals who struggle with self-harm behaviors, such as self-mutilation (cutting) and suicidal thoughts, urges, or attempts. It has been proven clinically effective for those who struggle with out-of-control emotions and mental health illnesses like Borderline Personality Disorder.
Group therapy is any therapeutic work that happens in a group (not one-on-one). There are a number of different group therapy modalities, including support groups, experiential therapy, psycho-education, and more. Group therapy involves treatment as well as processing interaction between group members.
In individual therapy, a patient meets one-on-one with a trained psychologist or counselor. Therapy is a pivotal part of effective substance abuse treatment, as it often covers root causes of addiction, including challenges faced by the patient in their social, family, and work/school life.
Rapid Resolution Therapy™ (RRT) is an innovative and holistic approach developed by Dr. Jon Connelly, founder of The Institute for Survivors of Sexual Violence. Unlike other approaches to trauma treatment that require an individual to experience painful emotions while reliving the trauma, RRT clears the negative effects of traumatic events effectively, quickly, and gently. In this uplifting approach to treatment and healing, negative habits and painful emotions are replaced by positive actions, energy, and a feeling of well-being.
Whether a marriage or other committed relationship, an intimate partnership is one of the most important aspects of a person's life. Drug and alcohol addiction affects both members of a couple in deep and meaningful ways, as does rehab and recovery. Couples therapy and other couples-focused treatment programs are significant parts of exploring triggers of addiction, as well as learning how to build healthy patterns to support ongoing sobriety.
Research clearly demonstrates that recovery is far more successful and sustainable when loved ones like family members participate in rehab and substance abuse treatment. Genetic factors may be at play when it comes to drug and alcohol addiction, as well as mental health issues. Family dynamics often play a critical role in addiction triggers, and if properly educated, family members can be a strong source of support when it comes to rehabilitation.
Vocational Rehabilitation services provide information and skill building to train and assist severely and persistently mentally ill individuals in obtaining and maintaining community-based employment. Staff helps individuals locate types of employment that best fit both employer and applicant needs and provide job coaching to work with and train the employee on-the-job as well as monitor the employee’s job progress. When an employee is referred by the program, employers can be confident that the new employee is prepared and receives ongoing support to maintain employment.
Experiential therapy is a form of therapy in which clients are encouraged to surface and work through subconscious issues by engaging in real-time experiences. Experiential therapy departs from traditional talk therapy by involving the body, and having clients engage in activities, movements, and physical and emotional expression. This can involve role-play or using props (which can include other people). Experiential therapy can help people process trauma, memories, and emotion quickly, deeply, and in a lasting fashion, leading to substantial and impactful healing.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is a way of getting nicotine into the bloodstream without smoking. It uses products that supply low doses of nicotine to help people stop smoking. The goal of therapy is to cut down on cravings for nicotine and ease the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal.
To function properly, your body must have nutritional balance. Addiction throws off this balance by depleting your body of essential nutrients. Nutrition therapy aims to restore this balance by providing a healthy diet that supports healing and long term sobriety.
Residential Setting 
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The Joint Commission, formerly known as JCAHO, is a nonprofit organization that accredits rehab organizations and programs. Founded in 1951, the Joint Commision's mission is to improve the quality of patient care and demonstrating the quality of patient care.
Joint Commission Accreditation: Yes
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Established in 1992 by congress, SAMHSA's mission is to reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness on American's communities.
SAMHSA Listed: Yes
State Licenses are permits issued by government agencies that allow rehab organizations to conduct business legally within a certain geographical area. Typically, the kind of program a rehab facility offers, along with its physical location, determines which licenses are required to operate legally.
State License: Indiana
8555 Taft Street
Merrillville, IN 46410
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They don't care about mental health and I have read a lot of reviews telling that. This could be a good center for other rehabilitation programs, but I just felt like my problem isn't that important.
December 3 2025 Monday I'd like to highly recommend regional mental health center in Merrillville Indiana as well as tri City mental health center in East Chicago Indiana which later became regional mental health center as outstanding amazing facilities provide thorough care of their clientele they have wonderful friendly knowledgeable medical services and staff doctors and nurses
Called today to schedule a couple appointments and I will now be seeking my help and medical care elsewhere just due to how rude and vicious and mean the people answering the phone are.
Dawn Nowak was caring and compassionate helped me when I needed treatment she was easy to talk to didn't judge my situation and made me feel better about myself. I highly recommend her she is from crisis mobile unit. She really cares client centered.
Dawn Nowak is an amazing woman, she is truly genuine, attentive and professional! I am glad Dawn is passionate about helping people in need, Thank you for making a difference!!!
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