If you’re struggling to moderate your alcohol intake to the point of negatively affecting your daily life and interfering with regular functions, you’re not alone. The same goes for people who have developed a dependency on prescription drugs, heroin, opioids, and other addictive substances.
Drug and alcohol addiction cases in Illinois have been a serious concern for years, and reliable treatment facilities play a significant role in bringing those numbers down.
For people searching for drug and alcohol rehab in Alton, East Alton, and Wood River, knowing how treatment works can take much anxiety out of their decision to seek help. Read more about substance use statistics in Illinois, what an SUD is, and what treatment entails.
Relevant Illinois Drug and Alcohol Use Statistics
To understand the enormous responsibility that a trusted center, such as the Illinois Recovery Center, takes on, look at these Illinois-based drug and alcohol use statistics:
- More than 1 in 10 adults in Illinois were diagnosed with a substance use disorder in 2020, amounting to 10.2%.
- There’s a high SUD prevalence among young adults (18–25 years), equating to 12%.
- Since 2013, Illinois has faced a concerning increase in synthetic opioid overdose deaths (3,341%).
- 65% of Illinois adults with a substance use disorder don’t receive treatment. This indicates an elevated need for better access to structured addiction treatment in every part of the state.
- Urban areas have over 3 times more addiction treatment providers per 1000 residents than rural locations.
What Is Drug and Alcohol Addiction (Substance Use Disorder)?
Substance use disorder (SUD) is a mental condition in which individuals can’t limit or quit their consumption of highly addictive substances, despite their tangible harmful impact. Drug or alcohol addiction alters a brain’s regular functions, tampering with its natural reward system.
Unfortunately, a leading reason why it’s hard for a person with addiction to seek help is the stigma surrounding this predicament.
Some people still believe that a person with addiction doesn’t have a strong enough will to quit. Yet, SUDs are recognized as medical conditions that need specialized intervention and treatment.
What Are Some Signs of a Substance Use Disorder?
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), 11 behavioral criteria hint at a substance use disorder.
The number of signs you’ve shown in the last 12 months indicates the severity of the addiction (2–3 for mild, 4–5 for moderate, and 6 or more for severe). This section doesn’t offer a diagnosis, but it can be an early warning sign that you or a loved one needs professional help.
- Always feeling like you need to take the drug
- Having strong cravings that overpower any rational thought
- Needing to increase your doses to have the same effect
- Using the drug in risky situations, as in driving under the influence
- Repeatedly trying and failing to quit
- A hindered performance at work or school due to drug use, or a lack of interest in hobbies and recreational activities you normally enjoy
- Suffering from withdrawal symptoms when trying to cut back on your alcohol or drug intake
- Spending significant time obtaining, using, or recovering from the effects of the drug
These are a few general signs to look out for; an addiction specialist will be able to tell for sure if the condition is indeed a substance use disorder.
Seek professional help as soon as you notice any of them, no matter how mild they might seem. If left unchecked, SUD symptoms could escalate, with serious complications that could affect your mental and physical health.
The symptoms of different SUDs vary according to the substance being used. A few examples of substance use disorders are:
- Alcohol use disorder (a.k.a. Alcohol addiction or alcoholism)
- Methamphetamine use disorder
- Cocaine use disorder
- Opioid use disorder
- Cannabis use disorder
Individuals can also suffer from two disorders simultaneously, known as a polysubstance use disorder.
Drug & Alcohol Rehab in Alton, East Alton, & Wood River: How Treatment Works
Starting the recovery journey can feel daunting, but you don’t need to worry. A well-established rehab facility offers a safe, welcoming environment and friendly staff to help you achieve sober living.
Here’s what to expect at a treatment facility:
Initial Assessment
An addiction specialist will first evaluate your condition based on your medical records, behavior in the previous 12 months, and several psychological and physiological tests. Your friends and family may be contacted, too, to answer questions about your relationship with drugs or alcohol.
Based on whether your case is mild, moderate, or advanced, healthcare professionals will determine the best treatment approach.
Detox
Next, you’ll go through detox, which is an abstinence period that can last from a week to a month or more, depending on the level of addiction. Medical detox may be an option, featuring FDA-approved meds to reduce intense cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
In certain mild cases of substance use disorder, a person can undergo detox as part of an outpatient program in a treatment center, then go back home.
Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) refers to the use of safe, non-addictive medications to work alongside counseling, which makes SUD treatment more effective.
The percentages of pharmacological treatment and behavioral therapy used in a program aren’t equal; the mix varies from one person to another based on their specific needs. In other words, it’s a whole-person approach.
Examples of FDA-approved medication-assisted treatments include:
- For alcohol: Naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram
- For opioids: Methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone
Behavioral Therapy
Across different treatment plans, behavioral therapy is essential in helping patients understand their addiction problem from a psychological and mental point of view.
Counseling focuses on the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and actions. It also addresses how identifying and then correcting harmful thinking patterns can enable people to beat their addiction.
In individual therapy or group therapy sessions, psychologists use various evidence-based strategies to tackle addiction from its psychological roots:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Family therapy
- Contingency management
- Motivational interviewing
Dual-Diagnosis
Did you know that substance use disorders and mental disorders often happen at the same time? According to studies, almost 50% of people diagnosed with a serious psychiatric illness also have a substance use disorder, which is known as co-occurring disorders.
In dual-diagnosis treatments, healthcare professionals address both conditions simultaneously. Substance abuse treatment without diagnosing and tackling an underlying mental disorder increases the chances of a relapse in the future.
A few examples of co-occurring disorders are:
- Anxiety disorders and alcohol use disorder
- Major depressive disorder (depression) and opioid use disorder
- Bipolar disorder and cannabis use disorder
Relapse Prevention and Aftercare
A well-structured treatment program has one final stage that aims to preserve all the hard work you’ve done during therapy: aftercare and relapse prevention. Odds of a relapse after recovery are quite high, estimated to be 65%–70% in the 90 days following treatment.
The goal of aftercare programs is to limit the chances of a relapse: identifying early warning signs, recognizing triggers, building a supportive network, and managing cravings in a healthy way.
Sober living events, support groups, and monthly therapy sessions teach these skills and more. Fellowships like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) provide invaluable aid and encouragement for recovering addiction patients.
Your individual needs will dictate which relapse prevention plan works for you. Keeping those factors in mind, your care provider will recommend what to do after graduating from a treatment program.
What Levels of Care Are Available in Drug and Alcohol Rehab?
In well-regarded rehab centers, such as the Illinois Recovery Center, addiction treatment is available across levels of care that vary in intensity.
In residential treatment, patients live at a rehab facility for 24/7 care by a medical team. This program works best for cases of severe or moderate substance use disorder.
Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) are less intensive, offering structured treatment during the day and allowing individuals to go home in the evening.
Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) provide more liberty for less severe cases, who need to complete only 9–15 hours of treatment per week. Finally, standard outpatient treatment plans require one or two therapy sessions weekly, each session one or two hours long.
Wrapping Up: Find Drug & Alcohol Rehab in Alton, East Alton, & Wood River
Addiction feels like you’re stuck in an endless loop: trying to cut back, facing painful withdrawal symptoms, then taking the drug again to feel better. Meanwhile, your relationships, academic life, career, and lifestyle struggle.
At Illinois Recovery Center, we’re committed to helping patients in Alton, IL break this toxic cycle and take back ownership of their lives. Our compassion-guided addiction treatment strategies focus on correcting negative beliefs, building strong coping skills, and managing stress.
Plus, our multidisciplinary staff is prepared to safely steer you through medical detox to counseling, behavioral therapy, dual-diagnosis treatment, and other components of rehab. We tailor every detail to meet patients’ individual needs, supporting long-term sober living.
Contact us if you have questions about admissions, what your private health insurance covers, Medicare or Medicaid coverage, or the full scope of our services.
