Alcohol Rehab Options in Chicago, IL
Learn more about the options available for people who want to drink less or quit alcohol in the Chicago area. If you’re ready to make a change, Ria Health is one option you can access 100% online.
What Types of Alcohol Treatment Are Available in Chicago?
There are more options for alcohol treatment today than ever before, ranging from traditional alcohol rehab to innovative online programs. To find the best route to recovery for you, consider factors like your goals, schedule, and how much alcohol you drink.
Here are a few options for alcohol rehab in Chicago:
Table of Contents
Medical Detox
For people who are addicted to alcohol and may experience severe withdrawal symptoms, medical detoxification (medical detox) is the safest starting point. Withdrawal can be dangerous, and even life-threatening in severe cases. During detox, medical professionals will supervise and guide you through the process, keeping you safe and as comfortable as possible. Medical detox can be pricey, and it’s only a first step toward long-term recovery.
Inpatient Rehab
Commonly known as rehab, inpatient rehabilitation is one of the most well-known forms of alcohol treatment. It requires patients to live in a treatment facility, usually for 30-90 days. Inpatient rehab allows people to fully focus on recovery while building healthier coping skills and adapting to sober living in a highly structured environment. Although rehab is expensive and disruptive, it can be helpful if you want to remove yourself from a triggering or unsupportive environment.
Recovery Housing
Recovery housing offers safe, supportive, and structured living conditions for people exiting medical detox or rehab. This allows for a gradual transition back to everyday life, helping to strengthen the strategy and resolve necessary to maintain sobriety. Transitional living requires you to spend even more time away from your normal life and loved ones, but it is beneficial for many people.
Outpatient Rehab
As a less expensive, less time-consuming alternative to inpatient rehab, outpatient rehabilitation provides a high level of support with a lower level of disruption. You can still live at home and work your job while enrolled in an outpatient program. Some outpatient programs require only a few hours of your time each week, while others require several hours per day. Although this time commitment is just right for some people, it can be either too much or not enough for others.
Remote Care/Telemedicine
If there’s no room in your schedule for traditional alcohol rehab in Chicago, telemedicine provides an innovative, evidence-based alternative. With this flexible approach to alcohol treatment, you can access the tools and support you need from the comfort of your home. Because of its convenience, telemedicine is often easier to stick with long-term, especially for people with mild to moderate AUD.
Support Groups
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a program of recovery built on the idea of alcoholics supporting and sharing their experiences with one another. People in AA regularly attend support group meetings and follow the 12 steps, a set of guiding principles for recovery. If AA is not the right fit for you, support group alternatives include SMART and LifeRing.
Factors to Consider When Looking at Rehab in Chicago
While it’s beneficial to have so many options, finding the right alcohol rehab in Chicago can feel overwhelming. Every option has its benefits and drawbacks, so focus on which method or program is the best fit for your unique situation, needs, and goals. In addition to the severity of your dependence on alcohol, consider the following factors:
Cost
Most forms of alcohol treatment are costly. Insurance may reduce your expenses, but it depends on your insurance provider and which option you choose. This means that you may face a choice between the treatment you want and the treatment you can afford. Typically, inpatient treatment is the most expensive. Telemedicine is generally much more affordable, while support groups like AA are completely free.
Goal
Before choosing an alcohol treatment option, it’s important to consider your goals for recovery. Do you want to cut back on alcohol, or stop drinking entirely? Most programs emphasize total abstinence, helping people give up alcohol for a lifetime. Other approaches, such as the Sinclair Method, help people drink in moderation. Some rehab programs also take a “harm-reduction” approach, so you can reduce your drinking enough to limit alcohol’s negative effect on your life.
Scheduling/Convenience
Some treatment options can accommodate even the busiest schedule, while others require you to pause your everyday life completely. For example, medical detox and inpatient rehab may necessitate a leave of absence from work or finding alternative care for young children. Outpatient treatment and AA require less time, but still take a big bite out of your schedule, while telemedicine happens at your convenience from the comfort of your home.
Past Experience
If you’ve tried to cut back on alcohol or quit drinking before, think about what worked for you and what didn’t. What did you like about the approach(es) you tried? What didn’t seem like a good fit? If you experienced relapse, can you identify what triggered it? What type of support could help you through similar challenges in the future? If something hasn’t worked for you, consider trying a different approach to recovery.
How Much Does Rehab in Chicago Cost?
The Chicago Department of Health estimates that about 500,000 Chicagoans binge drink, and 103,000 of those individuals binge drink frequently.1 Based on the 2019-2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, however, over one million Illinois adults aged 18 and older who needed alcohol use treatment did not receive it.2 Common reasons for not receiving treatment include accessibility, cost, and stigma.
Fortunately, understanding your alcohol treatment options can help you find a solution that works for you. The cost of alcohol rehab in Chicago will vary based on which option you choose and the amount of time you need it. Your insurance coverage will also affect treatment costs.
Cost of Medical Detox
Medical detox typically takes three to seven days to complete and costs $250-$1,500 each day. Although detox is expensive, insurance companies will often cover it in whole or in part.
Cost of Inpatient Rehab
As the most intensive alcohol treatment option, it’s no surprise that inpatient rehab is also the most expensive. Nonprofit facilities are more affordable, charging about $5,700 monthly on average. Private-run facilities cost around $17,000 per month, while some high-end programs may total as much as $100,000 monthly. Some facilities allow payment plans and sliding-scale fees, and insurance will often cover part of the cost.
Cost of Outpatient Rehab
The cost of outpatient rehab depends on the level of care provided. A standard program that emphasizes addiction therapy and counseling may cost up to $2,400 per month. Meanwhile, more intensive programs can charge anywhere from $3,000 to $11,000 for one month. Like inpatient programs, some outpatient programs offer payment plans or sliding-scale fees, and many insurance companies will cover at least a portion of the cost.
Cost of Telemedicine
Online alcohol treatment is one of the most affordable options. Although it’s not free like attending support groups, it provides a high level of care and access to experienced medical professionals. Telemedicine is significantly more affordable than medical detox and rehab, and it can cost less for a year than the total cost of many one-month outpatient programs.
Online alcohol rehab overcomes many of the barriers to traditional treatment. It’s personalized, affordable, doesn’t require travel or in-person appointments, and is flexible enough to fit into even the busiest schedule. Best of all, it’s available anywhere in Chicago, or throughout the state of Illinois.
Advantages of Getting Help Online in Chicago
Online alcohol treatment programs like Ria Health won’t disrupt your schedule or take time away from your responsibilities. Through a convenient telemedicine app, access to support groups, recovery coaches, and even medical appointments is right at your fingertips. With no need to travel or sit in a waiting room, appointments are easier to fit into your schedule. You can tap into the necessary resources and support from anywhere with internet access, including your couch.
Telemedicine saves you both time and money. Online alcohol rehab in Chicago is much less expensive than pricey treatment centers. You don’t have to take time off work or spend money on transportation to and from meetings and appointments. In addition, most medical companies and doctors charge lower fees for telehealth appointments, and many insurance providers now cover telehealth.
Most importantly, online alcohol treatment works. It’s just as effective—or even more so—than in-person care. In a 2016 study, in fact, researchers found that telehealth addiction treatment was more effective than standard continuing care.3 The accessibility and affordability of online alcohol rehab often makes it easier to commit to long-term, resulting in better outcomes.
If privacy is important to you, telemedicine makes it possible to discuss your recovery only when and if you choose. Online alcohol rehab programs like Ria allow you to continue your usual schedule and daily routine as you access treatment from the comfort and privacy of home. Since you don’t have to rearrange your schedule, seek childcare, or request job leave, you won’t have to answer prying questions or share any information that makes you uncomfortable.
It’s much easier to maintain consistent, long-term contact with your doctor when healthcare is affordable and convenient. Ongoing access to high-quality resources and support through programs like Ria can keep you motivated and lead to better outcomes. Our focus is not on “quick fixes.” We’ll partner with you for as long as you need to achieve gradual, lasting improvement.
Download the app and get a breathalyzer shipped to your door
Meet your care team through video chat to discuss your needs
Get ongoing support for as long as you need to achieve lasting change
If you’re looking for alcohol rehab in Chicago that meets your unique needs, schedule a call with a member of our team to get started today.
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