3 Essential Programs to Look for
in Illinois Drug Rehabs

Are you struggling with drug addiction? Have a loved one who is hooked on drugs? If so, then you are not alone. Addiction to alcohol, cocaine, heroin, opioids, among other substances, is responsible for thousands of deaths in America every year, with overdose deaths three times the figure in 1990. Apart from the danger to life, drug addiction destroys careers, friendships, marriages, and even self-worth. 

According to numbers published by the National Center for Drug Abuse, about 11.7% of Americans aged 12 and above are illegal drugs users. That translates to more than 38 million people in the country. The good news is you do not have to be part of these statistics. It is possible to overcome your drug dependency and live a happy, healthy life. 

How can you do this? By getting help in one of the many Illinois drug rehabs.

Now, when it comes to drug addiction treatment, there is no one-size-fits-all. The right treatment is usually based on how bad your addiction is, how much care you need, your lifestyle, and most importantly, your budget. 

That said, there are three categories of drug rehab programs in Illinois that you can try when you want to beat your addiction successfully. Let us cover each of them in-depth: 

1. Residential Treatment Programs

One of the most common drug rehab programs is residential, otherwise known as inpatient, treatment. This type of recovery program requires you to check yourself into a rehabilitation center full-time for a set period, usually a couple of weeks or months. 

The goal of residential recovery programs is usually to enable 24-hour monitoring of patients struggling with addiction under controlled conditions. In most cases, addiction becomes hard to get over because you probably have easy access to drugs, keep detrimental company around you, or have no one to keep you accountable. 

When you are in an inpatient program, your access to drugs is completely cut off, and you have people to supervise and take care of you around the clock. Moreover, you are often put on medication and therapy to help you deal with withdrawal symptoms which usually kick in as soon as you stop using drugs. 

So, what is the biggest benefit of residential drug rehab?

For starters, it is a great program if you want to maintain long-term recovery. While outpatient programs (which we shall cover in a few) are still beneficial, choosing inpatient can be a better option for you- or your loved one- if you have struggled with addiction over a long time. It is also a great choice if your addiction leans more towards severe. 

That said, residential rehab treatments will vary with the facility. However, the most common components in the treatment include: 

• Professional medical help with detox and withdrawal
• Maintenance care during your stay
• Individual therapy sessions to get to the root of the addiction, for example, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Family or couples therapy for your support system
• Post-treatment life preparation 
• Follow-up sessions lasting months or years after the program

2. Outpatient Treatment Program

Outpatient therapy or rehab is a form of drug rehabilitation that allows you to stay at home and attend treatment according to a laid-out schedule. It is an ideal option for accessing alcohol or substance abuse treatment without disrupting your work, school, or other day-to-day responsibilities. 

When taking this type of treatment, you will have to visit a treatment center, mental health clinic, or therapist on specified days and times during the week. 

But how do you know whether it is right for you?

You should consider outpatient rehab to treat your addiction if you:

• Have mild to moderate addiction to alcohol or other substances. 
• Have a great support system on the outside, whether friends or family. 
• Can attend regular counseling sessions. 
• Are highly motivated to attend sessions without fail. 
• Have a low risk of withdrawal with medical complications. 

Outpatient drug rehab comes in different formats and intensities, but the general focus is on education, providing a network of support, and therapy. If this form of outpatient rehab meets your needs, you will enjoy other benefits, including greater flexibility, affordability, and access to family.

So, what are some types of outpatient rehab? Outpatient rehab programs vary depending on the substance to which someone is addicted, the intensity of the addiction, and the stage of recovery. Specifically, there are three common outpatient options:

High-Intensity Outpatient Treatment

It is also referred to as partial treatment or day program/ hospitalization and is the highest level of outpatient drug rehab. Typically, you will have to attend sessions five times a week or for the entire week and up to six hours daily. 

Intensive Outpatient Program 

This type of outpatient program has a treatment plan with defined and measurable milestones to gauge progress. It might require multiple sessions for a few hours each week, but the time commitment required weekly reduces with every completed milestone. 

Continuing Care

It includes continuing care groups such as Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) that offer support resources to help you recover from your drug or substance problem.

Often, these groups are therapist-led, and sessions are conducted every week. You can find gender or age-specific groups that offer continuing care. Some groups focus on a specific aspect of recovery. 

3. Behavioral Therapy 

This is yet another program you can look for when picking a drug rehab in Illinois. It is a treatment method that helps you change your addiction to drugs and other substances by offering incentives to abstain and modify your attitudes and behaviors related to drug abuse.

Behavioral therapy also enhances your life skills so you can handle stressful circumstances and environmental cues that may lead to a burning need to use drugs and prompt another cycle of compulsive abuse.

Some of the behavioral therapies that are effective in treating drug abuse are:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Individual, Group & Family Therapy
• Contingency Management (CM)
• Motivational Interviewing (MI)
• Matrix Model
• 12-Step Facilitation Journey

Choose Your Preferred Method of Illinois Drug Rehabs and Start Your Journey to Recovery

Now that you now know the three programs to look for if you are considering getting into an Illinois drug rehab, what remains is to figure out the one you feel will work for you and get started on the journey to recovery.

All of these options are safe and effective. But remember, you must be willing to deal with your addiction to see results.