How to Choose an Alcohol Rehab in Illinois

Start With the Level of Care You Need

Level of care should follow a full assessment. Each level of care has its own set of services. The higher the intensity, or level of care, the more support services are offered to help people manage their recovery from alcoholism. The lower the level of care, the less intense the treatment and support is. It's important to have a thorough assessment to understand what level of care you need.

The intensity or level of care that you need will be based on your symptoms and circumstances. The intensity of treatment is determined by an assessment done at the beginning of treatment, as well as during the course of treatment as needed. You may begin with intensive outpatient therapy but then move to a higher level of care, such as residential treatment.

Treatment often requires more than just an evaluation. It may be helpful to have a full assessment that's comprehensive and includes all areas of your life, such as relationships with family and friends, employment status, general health and legal problems. This information can help you determine what care is right for you. An assessment may also include a physical exam by a medical professional to check overall health.

For many people, outpatient treatment works well, particularly if there are no significant medical, psychiatric, or family problems that would benefit from intensive intervention and support.

A residential program can provide a person with the continuous care that they need when they have many problems in their life or when there are medical complications due to alcohol withdrawal.

Other levels of care include partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient treatment programs. They offer most of the services provided in residential settings but allow the person to live at home and go to work. This can be an effective alternative if it's clear that a person needs more than counseling or self-help group support, but not as much help as a residential program provides.

Some people may need to start their treatment with withdrawal management, a medically supervised process where staff helps you get through the early stages of detoxification. Once your body is stable, you can begin the next phase of care.

Checking an Illinois License

Part 2060 sets standards for licensed Illinois substance use disorder treatment and intervention services.

A license issued by IDHS/SUPR authorizes an organization to provide substance use disorder treatment or intervention services within the state of Illinois.

Confirm state licensure before enrolling in treatment.

State licensing ensures the treatment program has met basic quality and safety standards set by the state.

Ask which care levels the treatment center provides: The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) has created criteria for each level of care offered in substance use disorder programs and can help guide you to the right level of care. A licensed treatment facility will be able to tell you whether they provide detoxification, intensive outpatient treatment or residential rehabilitation.

Signs of Evidence-Based Treatment

Signs of higher-quality alcohol care include treatment by health professionals with advanced degrees, experience, and credentials in addiction treatment. These providers have at least some training in addiction counseling, psychology, social work, or medicine. They can be found in both specialty programs and general medical settings like hospitals, clinics, primary care offices, and psychiatry practices.

Here are the five signs of quality alcohol care:

1. Health professionals with advanced degrees and credentials in addiction treatment

2. Treatment that is based on a comprehensive assessment of each person's unique needs

3. A customized treatment plan based on the results of the assessment

4. Evidence-based treatments, including behavioral counseling and medications approved by the FDA for treating AUD

5. Continuing recovery support after initial treatment ends, as part of an ongoing care plan

The NIAAA recommends that people seek treatment from licensed or certified professionals who are experts in addiction treatment. They should also have experience treating alcohol use disorder.

Questions to Ask a Program

When you contact a program, ask about credentials, availability of services, and other information.

Licensing: Is your treatment program licensed by the state? What about your counselors?

Accreditation: Do you have accreditation from The Joint Commission or CARF?

Availability: Are you accepting new patients? How soon can someone start treatment after calling in?

Treatment Approach: What are your treatment approaches? What levels of care do you offer?

Mental Health Services: Does your program offer integrated mental health services for people who need them? Do you have a medical doctor on staff or on call?

Relapse Management: What is the approach if there is a relapse while in treatment? Are there penalties for this?

Recovery Support: How long is treatment, and what are options for ongoing recovery support services after completing treatment?

Medication: Is medication an option as part of the treatment plan?

Red Flags

Paid patient referrals and cure promises are two examples of red flags that indicate a treatment center is more interested in profit than recovery.

Other warning signs include the following:

• Failure to follow state and federal licensing requirements
• A facility where counselors are not certified or licensed as addiction professionals by the state in which it is located
• Any facility that claims they can cure you or make you healthy again, or that uses herbal therapies or unapproved medications

Watch for programs that promise the person can quickly get back to normal with a minimum of effort. Some recovery programs claim their program will make you healthy after you've completed treatment.

Vague fee answers and guaranteed results: If they don't provide a clear explanation of how much treatment will cost, either because the costs vary widely or for other reasons, steer clear.

Patient brokering pays third parties to find, refer, or procure patients for a financial fee or other valuable consideration.

"Best," "Top," and "Luxury" Rehab Claims

Some addiction health services providers make claims about being a best or top provider, or that they offer the most luxurious care. These terms have no standardized meaning. There is little scientific evidence showing that these features are associated with better outcomes.

There are many options for receiving alcohol treatment in Illinois. Finding one that works can be confusing and overwhelming. While you should try to learn as much as possible about a program before choosing it, do not rely on marketing materials, advertising claims, or endorsements from celebrities or influencers. They may be misleading. Instead, consider the credentials, treatments provided, customization, continuing support, and other key signs of quality care.

Marketing labels like best or luxury do not always mean high-quality care. In fact, these terms may be used to confuse consumers into believing that a program will offer more than it does.

The NIAAA Alcohol Treatment Navigator has some additional questions to ask.

Using Official Directories

The Illinois Helpline and FindTreatment list both licensed programs and licensed facilities.

It is important to keep in mind that the state does not license or regulate recovery support or mutual aid programs such as AA, NA, SMART Recovery, etc.

If you have been referred by your insurance company, your insurance may limit your choice of treatment facilities. Contact your managed care plan to determine which facilities are covered under your plan.

Statewide Helpline specialists connect callers with local alcohol and drug treatment programs, using an official directory of providers licensed by the state to offer substance use services.

Federal FindTreatment directories show state-licensed programs that have registered with SAMHSA and meet minimum criteria for licensing. This does not guarantee treatment will be available at all times or to all who apply for services.

After finding a listed program, it's important to contact the program directly.

Call the facility and speak with someone who is familiar with all of the services offered.