Addiction Treatment FAQs
Admitting that you have a problem and making the decision to go to treatment for substance abuse is a big step. You are making a major life decision to change how you live your life. Making the decision to go to treatment can also be a scary and overwhelming time.
If you or a loved one are thinking about going to treatment to address your substance abuse or addiction, below are some helpful frequently asked questions and answers to help ease your mind about the entire process. If you are looking for addiction treatment programs in Illinois, Northern Illinois Recovery Center is an excellent option.
Jump to Section
Before Treatment
This is not only one of the most important questions of the recovery process, but it can also be one of the toughest to answer.
If you are reading this page, then chances are you have already answered this question. If you are still on the fence though, here are a few things to consider:
- Have you tried to quit on your own but have been unsuccessful?
- Do you have trouble envisioning your life without drugs or alcohol in it?
- Has your substance use negatively impacted your life in a significant way either personally, professionally or both?
- Do you experience withdrawal symptoms?
- Do you know that you need to make a change but aren’t sure how?
- Do you not like the person that you are when you are on drugs or alcohol?
If you answer “yes” to one or more of those questions then the time is right to enter into a drug or alcohol treatment program and get the help that you need.
Everyone’s situation is different. Therefore, treatment is not a “one-size-fits-all” program. The length of time you spend in treatment will vary based on a variety of factors including:
- The severity of your addiction
- The treatment program you choose (inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, etc)
- The types of substances you are addicted to
- If you are battling any co-occurring disorders or require dual diagnosis treatment
At Northern Illinois Recovery, we offer 30, 60, and 90-day treatment programs. However, in some cases, treatment might be needed for longer than 90 days.
Before starting treatment you will sit down with a treatment professional for an evaluation. Based on that evaluation they will determine the recommended length of time that you should be in treatment, as well as the treatment program that will work best for you and your needs.
As is the case with many things in life, cost is often a factor when deciding if we are going to do something. While cost can be an important factor when deciding on going to addiction treatment, it is also important to consider the alternative. After all, can you really put a price on your health, happiness, and overall well-being?
The good news is that many major private insurance companies cover the cost of treatment for drug and alcohol addiction and mental health disorders. While the amount covered can vary based on the provider and the insurance plan that you have, treatment might be covered at little to no out-of-pocket expenses for you.
At Northern Illinois Recovery, we are proud to work with Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield, Humana, and United Healthcare as in-network providers.
If you don’t have one of these providers, don’t have insurance, or don’t want to use your insurance, we are still happy to work with you to get you the help that you need. We will work with you before treatment begins to make sure that you can get the help you need at a price you can afford.
Many people who suffer from addiction also suffer from mental health conditions. Oftentimes, their substance abuse issues are the result of using drugs or alcohol as a way to medicate themselves for their mental health condition.
If you are suffering from a mental health condition and substance abuse issues, you don’t have to worry about going to two different places for treatment. At Northern Illinois Recovery we offer co-occurring and dual diagnosis treatment programs for those suffering from addiction as well as mental health conditions such as:
- Bipolar disorder
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD)
- Depression
- Anxiety Disorders
- Schizophrenia
During Treatment
The short answer to this is yes. Detoxing should always be done before beginning any type of treatment program so that you can rid yourself of the substances you were abusing. Detoxing also starts the healing process for both the body and the brain.
When detoxing, it is important that you do so under the care and supervision of trained medical professionals. This can be done at a local medical facility, a dedicated detox center, or a treatment center that also offers detox services. Attempting to self-detox can be dangerous and can increase the chances of a relapse.
At Northern Illinois Recovery, we know the importance of detox. That’s why we offer an alcohol and drug detox center in Illinois. This makes the entire process easier because once you have successfully completed your detox you don’t have to go find a new place to begin your treatment program.
The overall experience you have during treatment will vary greatly based on the type of treatment you undergo.
If you enter into an inpatient program you will live at the facility for the duration of your treatment and will have a structured daily schedule that you must abide by. If you enter into an outpatient or partial hospitalization program, you will be expected to come to the facility for your treatments and then return home each day.
Regardless of the treatment program that you participate in, treatment will consist of a variety of different therapy sessions and other skill-building classes all centered around getting you the help that you need for your substance use disorder.
If you are entering into our inpatient treatment program you will need to make sure you bring everything you might need to live at the facility for the duration of your treatment program.
Contact us today for a full list of items that you should bring with you to treatment as well as items that are prohibited.
Not every type of therapy works for every person and their situation. At Nothern Illinois Recovery, we offer a variety of different therapy options in order to help our clients with their unique needs.
We offer:
- Individual Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Family Therapy
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Holistic Therapy
- Yoga Therapy
- Dual Diagnosis Therapy
- Relapse Prevention
- Peer Support Groups
You might be worried that you might not fit in or get along with the other people who are in treatment with you. After all, you don’t know any of these people.
If you are worried that you might not fit in, it’s important to remember that just like you, everyone who is in treatment is there for the same reason: to get healthy and sober. In fact, it is that common bond and goal that can bring those in recovery together and create life-long friendships and support systems.
After Treatment
Can I Continue To Get Help After Treatment?
While treatment is a vital step in the recovery process, finishing treatment does not signify the end. Maintaining your sobriety is something you have to work on every day for the rest of your life.
At Northern Illinois Recovery, we understand that recovery is a lifelong journey and doesn’t stop just because you have finished treatment. That’s why we offer continued aftercare support to every single one of our clients. It is important to us to continue to help them in their sobriety journey for weeks, months, or even years after they have finished treatment.
As part of our aftercare program, we offer the following:
- Ongoing therapy and counseling
- Support group meetings
- Sober Living facilities
Family Members, Friends, and Loved Ones
What Types of Services Do You Offer For Family Members and Loved Ones?
When a person is suffering from substance abuse or addiction, their suffering can affect far more than just themselves. Oftentimes, friends, family members, and loved ones are also adversely affected by their drug and alcohol use.
While treatment options are available for the person suffering from a substance use disorder, that’s not always the case for the family members and loved ones of the person.
At Northern Illinois Recovery Center, we understand that addiction affects far more than just the person directly suffering. That’s why we offer family therapy programs so that not only can the person suffering from addiction get the help that they need, but so can their family members and loved ones as well.
Licensed Physician and Surgeon
Dr. Beth Dunlap, a board-certified addiction medicine and family medicine physician, and is the medical director at Northern Illinois Recovery Center. She is responsible for overseeing all the integrated medical services at both campuses. Beth completed medical school, residency, and fellowship at Northwestern University, where she continues to serve on the faculty as a member of the Department of Family and Community Medicine. She has extensive experience in addiction medicine at all levels of care, and her clinical interests include integrated primary care and addiction medicine, harm reduction, and medication-assisted treatment.
© 2023 Northern Illinois Recovery.