According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), there are over 48 million Americans aged 12 and older who struggle with a substance use disorder (SUD). About 28 million of these people are men, and over 20 million are women.
That’s millions of lives and families suffering from the effects of SUD.
What makes addiction a difficult disease to overcome is that it looks different for everyone. Women, in particular, can face many challenges that can make the prospect of recovery seem like a herculean task.
But help is available—and even closer than you think. For families in Southern Illinois, Illinois Recovery Center (IRC) is always ready to provide humane and expert care to help women overcome addiction and get the life they deserve back.
If you or any of your loved ones are living with an alcohol or drug addiction, it helps to understand that recovery is possible with the right support.
Here’s everything you need to know.
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Women and Addiction in Illinois
Addiction is a national health concern, and Illinois is not an exception. While treatment options are becoming more available, substance misuse continues to affect communities, including St. Clair County and the greater Swansea area.
In a previous survey by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, they found that 17.2% of all Illinois residents have used illicit drugs.
Although mostly prevalent in men, the rate of addiction in women is just as alarming. In a report by America’s Health Rankings, 11% of females aged 18 to 49 in Illinois reported abusing drugs, ranking 31st among US states.
Women account for roughly 30% to 40% of the state’s non-fatal overdoses in Illinois, and SUD has long become a leading cause of pregnancy-related death.
Stimulants, pain relievers, sedatives, tranquilizers, and other prescription psychotherapeutics are the most common substances abused. Others admitted to misusing cocaine, heroin, inhalants, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine.
Why Women Need Specialized Treatment
Addiction can affect anyone from any background. Women’s experience with addiction, however, is vastly different from how most people experience it.
Studies have shown that females who use drugs typically become dependent on the substance faster than males, a phenomenon we call telescoping.
They’re also subjected to stronger SUD symptoms and are more at risk of developing other co-occurring disorders like depression and anxiety than the opposite gender.
The stigma surrounding drug abuse affects women on a more personal level, causing many to delay seeking treatment. Concerns about their children, partners, and jobs can easily make the idea of rehab overwhelming.
For many, the thought of leaving their families to get help is already troubling enough.
These barriers can pose serious consequences for many aspects of someone’s life. Without structured support, addiction can not only hurt the individual’s health, but also their relationships and career.
This is why accessible and specialized care matters. What you want is a rehab center that understands the complex reality of women struggling with SUD.
Illinois Recovery Center offers premier gender-informed treatment programs for women and their families in Swansea and throughout Southern Illinois.
We serve St. Clair County and the surrounding towns and communities, including Chicago, Belleville, Centralia, Edwardsville, Collinsville, Shiloh, Fairview Heights, O’Fallon, and Granite City.
Benefits of Women-Specific Treatment In Addiction
There are plenty of reasons to seek out women-specific treatment for alcohol and drug addiction.
Women need care that feels safe, respectful, and designed to address the unique effects and issues addiction has brought in their lives.
A gender-responsive treatment environment recognizes that women’s mental health, stress levels, relationships, and hormonal factors all affect their responsiveness to intervention. One-size-fits-all approaches may overlook this.
Sensitive topics like past trauma, domestic violence, post-partum depression, and dysfunctional family dynamics are problems many women can’t comfortably share in a mixed setting.
By creating a space where they can share their experiences openly and honestly, female patients can communicate their story in a way that allows experts to provide the right level of care.
Engagement is a major predictor of long-term recovery. And when women feel they’re understood, they’re more likely to be willing to respond to therapy.
Specialized programs also generally involve trauma-informed care, continuous mental health support, and encourage close family collaboration in the treatment.
At Illinois Recovery Center, treatment starts with a comprehensive clinical assessment to understand the whole picture. Licensed counselors and staff work closely together to design holistic, individualized care plans for women.
Infusing treatment structure with compassion, IRC’s focus is to provide effective, safe, and ongoing support for women struggling with substance use disorder.
For many patients, this thoughtful approach, which places their needs first, can make all the difference in their journey.
Drug Rehabilitation Center for Women in Swansea, Illinois
Located at 1450 Caseyville Avenue in Swansea, Illinois, Illinois Recovery Center brings healing close to your home.
Swansea’s serene suburban environment makes for a perfect sanctuary where women can focus on their recovery and be away from stressors and triggers.
IRC provides multiple levels of care. Whether you require medical detox, residential treatment, or outpatient intervention, you can rest assured that you’ll receive support that evolves with your needs.
Committed to the highest quality of care, a licensed team of professionals guides every aspect of the programs. Interventions are evidence-based and backed by scientific research.
Here’s a closer look at how Illinois Recovery Center walks you through every stage of your recovery and the people behind it.
Streamlined Admission Process
Taking that first step toward overcoming addiction can feel intimidating. This is especially true for women juggling their work, personal, and family life.
For this reason, IRC strives to make the admission process as simple and as supportive as possible.
The admissions team, led by Director of Admissions Angie Isam, will provide a thorough review of your or your loved one’s current situation. They’ll answer all your questions about admissions, treatment options, timelines, and what a day in rehab will look like.
Angie personally understands the difficulties women experience during SUD treatment, as someone who once shared the journey herself.
Drawing from her knowledge of the impact of addiction, Angie brings empathy, compassion, hope, and a genuine desire to support patients.
To ensure transparency, IRC handles insurance verification upfront, so families understand the coverage, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket costs before admission. This also prevents financial surprises, which can add another layer of burden.
Once admitted, the patient will undergo a comprehensive medical and clinical evaluation, as well as an assessment of their substance use history.
From there, IRC’s licensed counselors will design a personalized intervention plan addressing the SUD, co-occurring disorders (if any), and other factors that could influence treatment.
A Safe and Supportive Environment
Illinois Recovery Center is led by people who deeply understand how addiction can severely impact someone’s mental health.
With that in mind, IRC ensures every patient feels safe throughout the process.
This is especially important for women who have experienced trauma, have lived in unstable households, or have been through a turbulent patch in their lives.
Providing a campus-style treatment approach, IRC is set on a verdant 12-acre lot in Swansea. All facilities are secure, ready, and equipped to cater to each patient’s daily comfort and wellness.
Living on site comes with numerous benefits.
The residential and inpatient programs are supervised 24/7, with staff always monitoring your well-being, offering guidance, and always prepared to help in emergencies.
For some women, knowing that help is always around, paired with a consistent routine, can make a world of difference in their sense of safety.
Evidence-Based Programs
Addiction treatment works best when interventions match the individual’s unique circumstances. That includes their clinical needs, personal story, and stage in their recovery.
There are no quick fixes in SUD, and Illinois Recovery Center only employs evidence-based practices.
For women who have gone through a period of heavy alcohol or drug use, IRC offers medical detox to manage withdrawal symptoms.
Residential inpatient treatment is also offered for ongoing medical and emotional support.
Compared to men, withdrawal in female users who abstain from drinking or using can be more intense and, therefore, dangerous. Medication may be administered to help alleviate withdrawal and mitigate the risk of fatality.
Katie Krueger FNP-BC, alongside Britany Wildermuth and Molly Conley, spearheads the medication-assisted treatment (MAT) team. She’s a board-certified nurse practitioner and Director of Nursing at IRC.
Equipped with 14 years of experience in emergency medicine, Katie’s life work now focuses on creating a safe, non-judgmental setting for women trying to overcome chronic addiction.
After medical detox and residential inpatient treatment, patients can transition to partial hospitalization (PHP) or intensive outpatient programs (IOP). These care options allow for more independence, especially for people who need to work while healing.
Focused on teaching and strengthening coping skills, PHP and IOP help women keep their pace in recovery while navigating the outside world.
For those further along in their journey, standard outpatient and ongoing aftercare are given as a form of continued support and relapse prevention.
Across all levels of care, Illinois Recovery Center integrates science-backed therapies, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), family therapy, individual counseling, and group therapy.
With this holistic continuum of SUD care, IRC shows its commitment to ensuring women receive the support they deserve.
Credibility and Accreditation You Can Trust
The addiction treatment industry has seen a massive surge in recent years. As such, when choosing a rehab center, research the provider’s credentials to avoid substandard care and malpractice.
Illinois Recovery Center is accredited by The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).
As one of the most reputable healthcare accrediting bodies in the US, the JCAHO evaluates safety protocols, quality, and effectiveness of treatment in drug and alcohol rehab centers.
Being recognized by the organization means IRC passed rigorous standards for patient care, risk management, and performance enhancement.
In addition to the JCAHO, LegitScript certified the Illinois Recovery Center for its compliance with all applicable laws surrounding its services. This means patients are protected from potentially dangerous and counterfeit treatment services.
Getting LegitScript’s certification is a lengthy and careful process. The certification is also not a one-time transaction. The company will continue to evaluate and monitor healthcare services to ensure ongoing compliance.
For women and their families looking for reputable addiction treatment facilities, these credentials and accreditations serve as your safety and quality assurance.
Another way to determine whether a drug rehabilitation facility is legitimate is to look at directory listings.
Among the most trusted independent addiction treatment directories, you can find Illinois Recovery Center on platforms like Alcohol.org, Psychology Today, and Recovery.com. IRC is consistently rated positively across these listings.
Insurance Coverage and Financial Support
To many people, one of the most troublesome barriers in seeking SUD treatment is the cost. Afraid of how it will affect them financially, many would opt not to seek help. This is even despite knowing they need it.
Illinois Recovery Center aims to make SUD care more accessible and affordable for as many people as possible, and works with various major health insurance providers.
The good news is that many policies now cover the partial or full cost of drug or alcohol addiction rehabilitation. Some providers may also include treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders.
While they’re more expensive, private insurance plans typically offer a more comprehensive healthcare coverage.
Some of the most common policies that may cover some rehab costs include (but are not limited to) Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Humana, Cigna, Anthem, Highmark, Kaiser Permanente, and Aetna.
For veterans, certain TRICARE plans may pay for addiction treatment. The Affordable Care Act Marketplace is also a good place for self-employed individuals to find insurance options specific to SUD recovery and care.
Expert SUD Care Guided By Humane Professionals
At the heart of Illinois Recovery Center’s gender-informed addiction treatment program is a team of professionals with clinical expertise and true care toward women who struggle with substance misuse.
CEO and founder, Eric Conley, has over a decade of experience in helping people overcome their alcohol and drug addiction.
Compelled by a profound desire and calling to aid people in their search for hope and healing, Eric set out on a lifelong journey into addiction treatment and care and founded IRC alongside Jakob Miller.
Alyce M Enloe, MA, LCPC, the Clinical Director, has served countless individuals and families in the industry for three decades. Alyce is a mother and a teacher in Psychology and Sociology, with an extensive background in social services.
Working with Alyce is a team of compassionate licensed professional counselors: Barb Laidlaw, LCPC, a specialist in trauma recovery, and Kevin Bunten, LCPC, whose expertise lies in family therapy.
Jeff Brenneman, LCSW, directs IRC’s outpatient services. As a social worker for 26 years, Jeff is a nationally certified Dialectical Behavior Therapist and an expert in therapeutic addiction interventions.
Behind the scenes, Nathaniel Carpenter works tirelessly as the Director of Marketing & Outreach, alongside Jacob Dunavant, the Senior Outreach Coordinator.
Real Experiences From Former Patients
Illinois Recovery Center has helped change many women’s lives. But don’t just take our work for it. Here’s what some former patients have to say:
On Recovery.com, one reviewer wrote that finding IRC had been “the best experience” of her life and offered words of gratitude for “giving me my life back.”
Another person remarked,
“This treatment center and everyone that works there saved my life! If you are struggling with addiction and seeking help, I HIGHLY recommend going to Illinois Recovery Center.”
“The staff at housing was amazing and very helpful, they were caring, fun to be around, and overall amazing,” a comment on Yelp read.
A Safe Place to Begin Drug and Alcohol Recovery
For many women, asking for help can be the most difficult step when it comes to addiction. However, it’s also the most important.
Regardless of whether you’re seeking intervention for yourself, a sister, a daughter, or a friend, know that recovery is possible and help is always available. To ease your concerns, speak with a knowledgeable professional.
Illinois Recovery Center and its admission specialists can answer all your questions about addiction care and recovery. Call us and let us know how we can help!
FAQs
Does IRC treat dual diagnosis conditions in women?
Does IRC’s women’s rehab program treat opioid addiction?
Does IRC offer sober living and peer support after treatment?