Illinois drug abuse overview

Illinois has a population of 12,671,469 people. The most recent data from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) found that 1,980,000 people over the age of 12 had abused illegal substances in the past month, around 15.63% of the population. 1,854,000 reported marijuana use in the past month and 2,554,000 in the past year. The report also found that 261,000 Illinois residents had abused cocaine in the past year, 122,000 had abused meth, and 407,000 had abused prescription pain medication. 144,000 people over the age of 18 reported using heroin in the last year. Those reporting opioid misuse including heroin, painkillers, and fentanyl in Illinois totaled 425,000 people.

Alcohol abuse in Illinois

Alcohol misuse was also reported in Illinois with 5,658,000 people over the age of 12 saying they had used alcohol in the last month and 2,660,000 reporting binge drinking. The perceived risk of people over 12 years of age indulging in problematic alcohol use (5 or more drinks twice a week) in a month was 4,793,000 people.

Overdose deaths in Illinois

In 2021, Illinois saw a total of 3585 recorded drug-related overdose deaths. This includes those that were accidental or unidentifiable but excludes those that were related to suicide or homicide. This puts the overdose death toll in Illinois at 28.2 people per 100,000. The total number of alcohol-related deaths (including overdose and all other causes) was 1611 or 12.7 per 100,000 people.

Addiction treatment in Illinois

The NSDUH report also recorded the total amount of substance abuse disorders in Illinois and those who currently require treatment. The report found that 1,999,000 were recorded as having a substance use disorder (SUD) and 1,231,000 had an alcohol use disorder. 309,000 people were recorded as having an opioid use disorder including those with painkiller, heroin, and other opioid-based drug use disorders. There are also many who have been diagnosed with or reported a substance, illicit drug, or alcohol use disorder that require rehab treatment and are not receiving it. The report found that 943 people in Illinois needed treatment for illicit substance abuse, 1,168,000 required treatment for an alcohol use disorder, and 1,868,000 needed treatment for a diagnosed substance use disorder.

Illinois addiction statistics

  • Illinois' rate of 17.2 deaths per 100,000 residents is almost 20% higher than the national opioid overdose death rate
  • More than 27,000 people in Illinois were arrested for DUI in 2017
  • About 6.5% of Illinois residents who sought treatment for drugs in 2017 were using methamphetamine

How can I pay for addiction treatment in Illonois?

Illinois has multiple treatment options including detox, inpatient care, outpatient rehab, and a range of therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medically assisted treatment (MAT). 

Most of these services have multiple payment options such as Medicaid, insurance cover, and payment plans. Additionally, there are state-funded/free rehab options for those who do not have the finances to support private rehab.

How long does rehab treatment take in Illinois?

Your rehab treatment can take anywhere between a month to three months, depending on the program and the help you need. While most people believe it takes 90 days for the brain to shake off the influence of a drug, some people might need more time to overcome their addiction.

One thing you shouldn't do is compare your treatment with anyone else. Some people can manage their drug use in a 60-day program, while others may need extended care even after completing a 90-day program.

What treatment options are available in Illinois?

With the treatment options available at Illinois rehabilitation centers, you can lead a productive life without finding the need to seek relief in drugs or alcohol.

Addiction is a mental and psychological disease, so numerous treatment options are beneficial in helping individuals suffering from substance abuse. The purpose is to help them develop new and healthy coping mechanisms at the treatment facility that they can use for the rest of their lives.

Illinois rehab centers offer inpatient and outpatient treatment for people struggling with addiction. While each facility may have various programs and structures, there are some core treatment options that they all find helpful.

Here are some treatment options used in Illinois rehab centers that help with addiction :

Rehab for alcohol addiction in Illinois

If you have an alcohol addiction and are struggling to manage it, there are rehab centers in Illinois that specifically deal with this type of addiction. They include: 

  • Symetria Recovery

  • Mcneal Hospital-Behavioral Health Services

  • Lake County Substance Abuse Program

  • Human Resources Development Inst

  • Jesse Brown VA Medical Center

  • Lake county Health Department 

  • Center for Addictive Problems

How do I pay for rehab in Illinois?

Several people want to seek addiction treatment but cannot because of the high costs of rehab. The cost of your addiction treatment depends on your location, the rehab facility, and the length of time your treatment will take. 

Most rehab facilities In Illinois accept self-payment for treatment using cash or credit cards. If paying in cash will be too expensive for you, Medicaid in Illinois covers almost the full cost of rehab. You first have to qualify for Medicaid to access state-funded programs or rehab centers that accept Medicaid.

Private insurance can also help you pay for drug rehab in Illinois if you can afford it. For uninsured people, you can look for rehab centers that offer sliding scale payment plans, making rehab treatment more affordable to most middle or low-income individuals.

Government assistance for addiction treatment in Illinois

Illinois has dozens of drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers funded through the State of Illinois Department of Human Services. Most of these rehab facilities are funded by the state to offer substance abuse disorder services to the people of Illinois.  Especially those who can’t afford it. 

The Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (DASA) is the lead agency addressing the state's social and economic consequences of alcohol and other drug abuse. They offer early intervention, outpatient treatment,  detoxification services, and residential aftercare for those in need.

Specific groups of people are given priority when it comes to substance abuse treatment services in Illinois. They include pregnant injecting drug users, pregnant and postpartum women, and children. They also offer counseling and case management for individuals with gambling disorders.

You can contact DASA at 1-866-213-0548 for more assistance.