Expert Insights
Recent legislation passed in Illinois is designed to increase access to Naloxone and fentanyl testing strips. Officials are reacting to the number of opioid overdoses that continue to climb each year. But these laws—and their related funding—aren’t designed to stop the trainwreck before it starts. Why aren’t we making more efforts up front – putting more funding into programs to educate and warn students of all ages about the dangers of substance abuse? A few hours of D.A.R.E in 5th grade isn’t enough. We need to stop the train before it leaves the station. This is how we change the future of the Prairie State.
Kerry Nenn
How Much Does Drug Rehab in Illinois Cost?
Illinois is ranked 24th nationwide in terms of addiction treatment affordability, with an average cost of drug and alcohol rehab of $56,666 without insurance.
- Medical detox is the most expensive, with an average cost of $139,702
- Long-term inpatient drug rehab in Illinois costs an average of $50,004
- Outpatient addiction treatment in Illinois costs an average of $8,309
- Outpatient methadone treatment is the most affordable, with an average cost of $7,382
Keep in mind these costs are averages for all types of addiction treatment, including medically supervised detox and residential inpatient rehab, both of which drive up the average. These numbers also reflect the full cost of drug rehab without any insurance coverage. Most individuals can expect to pay far less than these prices for more typical outpatient drug treatment, MAT, and addiction therapy.
How to Pay for Drug Rehab in Illinois
As of 2024, there were over 760 drug rehab facilities across the state of Illinois. These facilities accept several payment methods. Of those treatment facilities, the following numbers reflect how many accept their respective payment methods:
687 accept self-payment or cash
515 offer sliding-scale fees for those without insurance
452 accept Medicaid insurance coverage
341 accept state funded insurance coverage
511 accept private health insurance
360 offer free or low-cost treatment
8 offer free treatment for all clients
24 accept tribal funding
Private Pay and Insurance
There are many major commercial health insurance carriers in the state of Illinois. Additionally, in 2024, 12 insurers offered exchange plans on the Marketplace. Commercial providers include:
Aetna
Aetna comprehensive inpatient and outpatient alcohol and substance use disorder treatment coverage. Their care team of licensed Aetna Care Advocates work with clients to create a plan for treatment and can assist clients in finding appropriate treatment centers, counselors, and medical providers. There may be co-payments, and clients may need to reach their plan deductible before treatment coverage begins.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
This company offers coverage for inpatient and outpatient alcohol and substance use disorder treatment. This includes treatment options like medication assisted treatment and intensive outpatient services. Clients may need to pay co-payments or reach their plan deductible before treatment coverage begins.
Centene
Centene provides commercial and government sponsored insurance coverage for clients in Illinois. While they cover inpatient and outpatient alcohol and substance use disorder treatment, they prefer outpatient treatment options, so clients will likely pay more out-of-pocket for any inpatient treatment plans.
Cigna
This provider covers inpatient and outpatient treatment options for clients undergoing alcohol and substance use disorder treatment. Coverage of services such as intensive outpatient treatment, detox, inpatient treatment, or hospital stays will require prior authorization and may not be deemed medically necessary by the insurance provider.
Health Alliance
This is the largest managed healthcare provider in Illinois offering both private and government sponsored plans. They offer alcohol and substance use disorder treatment coverage. Clients must see providers that are considered in-network and will need prior authorization for any inpatient treatment options.
United Healthcare
United Healthcare offers coverage for inpatient and outpatient alcohol and substance use disorder treatment. The amount of coverage and what specific services are covered depend on the individual’s plan and will need to be assessed prior to obtaining treatment.
Medicaid
Illinois provides health insurance coverage for residents who meet certain criteria such as income level and immigration status under their HealthChoice Illinois program. This includes pregnant women, people with disabilities, the elderly, and children. These Medicaid plans cover inpatient and outpatient substance use disorder treatment services at facilities that accept this type of insurance.
Medicare
Medicare provides insurance coverage for individuals over the age of 65 and in some cases individuals with disabilities and certain disorders. Medicare Part A pays for inpatient substance abuse treatment. Clients are required to pay the same co-pays they would be charged for any other type of inpatient hospitalization. For those with Medicare Part B, outpatient substance abuse treatment services from a clinic or hospital outpatient department are covered.
Military Insurance
TRICARE and VA benefits are accepted at participating providers throughout the state of Illinois. For those with alcohol and substance use disorders, the Veterans Administration offers inpatient and outpatient services at their clinics and hospitals at no cost.
Tribal Funding
All individuals of Native American or Alaska Native descent are eligible for health care and Medicaid through the Indian Health Service (IHS). Alcohol and substance use disorder treatment are covered services.
Other Low Cost Options
For those individuals without commercial insurance, government sponsored insurance, or insurance through military service, some providers will accept sliding scale payment options, no fee for service, or financial aid. Clients will need to speak with service providers to find out what options are available to them.
Free Treatment Resources in Illinois
There are 377 low cost or free addiction treatment centers in Illinois. Their services include inpatient and outpatient treatment options, including intensive outpatient treatment, relapse prevention, and aftercare programs.
Some of these treatment options also include medication assisted treatment (MAT) where clients receive medications such as naltrexone, methadone and buprenorphine to ease withdrawal symptoms and decrease cravings.
Because many individuals experiencing alcohol and substance use disorder also have co-occurring mental illnesses such as bi-polar disorder, depression, anxiety, and PTSD, many addiction treatment centers in Illinois offer mental health services as well.
Case management services also engage those facing homelessness, food insecurity, and unemployment by connecting clients with resources in their communities.
Often, clients work with healthcare and insurance specialists to enroll in state funded health care plans such as Medicare or Medicaid.
The Illinois Department of Public Health
The Illinois Department of Public Health has a number of services for those experiencing alcohol and substance use disorders (SUD). Their 24-hour helpline connects individuals to treatment at 1-833-2FINDHELP. They also provide resources for individuals with SUD or their loved ones that are looking for assistance to find addiction treatment centers, counseling services, and recovery support.
The Illinois Department of Public Health also participates in the statewide Opioid Action Plan. This plan was signed into law in 2017 and updated to include The Statewide Opioid Overdose Action plan in 2022 by Governor Pritzker. These programs work to provide education and prevention, treatment and recovery, harm reduction, and social equity for residents of Illinois.
MAR NOW
MAR NOW is a statewide program started by the Illinois Department of Human Services Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery and the Illinois Helpline and Family Guidance Centers, Inc. The program helps individuals who are experiencing alcohol and substance abuse disorders to obtain medication assisted treatment (MAT).
Through this program, a care coordinator works with individuals to determine their best treatment options, including speaking with a medical provider that can write prescriptions for medications such as methadone, naltrexone, and buprenorphine. The use of these medications in the detox and recovery process have been shown to decrease withdrawal symptoms and cravings and greatly reduce the chances of relapse. In addition, the care coordinator can facilitate appointments and schedule transportation services to appointments and pharmacies at no cost to clients.
The United Way 211
The United Way is one of the world’s largest private donor charities. This organization works within localities to provide services and connect community members to needed resources, with the goal of improving lives and strengthening communities.
Their 2-1-1 service is a special abbreviated phone number in North America that makes it easy to obtain information and connect with referral services that provide health and social services for callers in their communities. Individuals dial 211 on their landline or cell phones and reach their local United Way in Illinois. 2-1-1 can connect those experiencing alcohol or substance use disorder with programs in their area such as counseling services, homelessness prevention, medical care providers, and many other services that assist in the recovery process.
Thresholds
Thresholds is an organization that provides services and resources for adults and youth in Illinois who are experiencing homelessness, serious mental illnesses, and substance use disorders. They offer 30 programs at more than 75 locations throughout Chicago, nearby suburbs, and four surrounding counties. Through case management, housing and employment assistance, education, psychiatry, primary care, and substance use treatment, their staff supports people within the community they live. Their goal is to improve the lives of those they serve and to help them reach their own personal potential and wellness.
360 Youth Services
360 Youth Services is an organization financed by local, state, and federal funders to provide substance use disorder prevention among the youth population in Illinois. They offer their services primarily in Naperville and surrounding areas.
In addition to their best-practice prevention and education services, they are also a resource for alcohol and substance use disorder counseling, emergency housing and transitional housing programs. 360 also embraces and offers support for youth in the LGBTQ+ community.
Illinois Drug Use Statistics
In the 2017-2019 reporting period, 0.22% (approximately 23,000) of individuals aged 12 or older in Illinois reported heroin use.1
Here are some additional eye-opening stats:1
Prescription pain medication abuse was reported by 2.7% (approximately 292,000) residents.
Opioid use was reported by 0.5% (approximately 57,000) of residents aged 12 or older.
Illicit drug use was reported by 3.0% (approximately 315,000) of residents aged 12 or older.
With alcohol use disorders, 6.0% (approximately 640,000) of residents aged 12 or older reported misusing alcohol.
In 2020, Illinois saw a total of 2,944 opioid overdose deaths, which was a 33% increase from 2019.2
Drug Laws in Illinois
The Illinois Drug Overdose Prevention Program Law
Also known as the Good Samaritan Law, this policy ensures that non-medical professionals, including family, friends, and other community members, who administer naloxone to prevent a fatal opioid overdose, do so without risking any civil or criminal liability.
Zero Tolerance/Underage Drinking Law
In Illinois, a driver under the age of 21 with a blood alcohol level with any trace of alcohol in their system will be given a traffic violation and will lose their driving privileges. The first offense is a three-month suspension. The second offense is a one-year suspension. Violation will also require drivers to successfully complete a remedial drivers education course, and they may be required to retake the drivers license exam. Full driving privileges may not be restored until all reinstatement fees are paid to the Secretary of State’s office.
When drivers under the age of 21 are found to have a blood alcohol level of .08 or more or .05 with additional evidence of impairment, any illegal drugs in their system or indications of impaired driving, they will also be charged with driving under the influence (DUI). The first conviction results in a minimum of a two-year revocation of driving privileges. A second conviction is a minimum of five-year suspension of driving privileges.
Illinois Controlled Substance Act
In Illinois, the charges and punishment for those in possession of controlled substances largely depends on the drug and the amount the individual has in their possession. Controlled substances are divided into classifications, known as schedules, based on the potential harm the drug can cause.
Schedule I
Schedule I drugs are considered the most dangerous, with the highest potential for abuse and no medical benefit. These include heroin, LSD, PCP, MDMA, hallucinogenic mushrooms, salvia, peyote, and ecstacy. Possession of these drugs is an automatic felony charge. The length of incarceration and amount of monetary fines depend on the amount of the drug the individual has in their possession. Penalties range from one to 50 years of incarceration and fines up to $200,000 or the street value of the drug, whichever is higher.
Schedule II
Schedule II drugs have a very high potential for abuse and potential for physical or psychological dependence. These include cocaine, methamphetamine, Vicodin, methadone, dilaudid, oxycontin, Demerol, morphine, fentanyl, Percocet, Ritalin and Adderall. Possession of these drugs is an automatic felony charge. The severity of incarceration times and monetary fines depends on the amount of drug the individual has in their possession. Penalties range from one to 50 years of incarceration and fines up to $200,000 or the street value of the drug, whichever is higher.
Schedule III
Schedule III drugs have a lower potential for abuse but still have a moderate potential for physical dependence and a high probability of psychological dependence. These drugs include marijuana,* codeine, ketamine, testosterone, anabolic steroids, Didrex, and Suboxone. The charge for possession of these drugs is typically a Class 4 Felony. Penalties are often up to the discretion of the judicial system. With a Class 4 Felony, individuals may face 1-3 years of incarceration. Individuals with valid medication prescriptions will not be charged with possession.
Schedule IV
Schedule IV drugs have a lower potential for abuse and a lower chance of physical or psychological dependence. These drugs include Xanax, Valium, Ambien, Tranxene, Ativan, Restoril, Soma, Versed, Halcion, Tramadol, and Klonopin. Schedule V drugs are considered the least dangerous on the controlled schedule. They have a very low potential for abuse and minimal chances of physical or psychological dependence. These include Lyrica, Lomotil, and cough medications that contain small amounts of codeine. The charge for possession of Schedule IV or V drugs is typically a Class 4 Felony. Penalties are often up to the discretion of the judicial system. With a Class 4 Felony, individuals may face 1-3 years of incarceration. Individuals with valid medication prescriptions will not be charged with possession.
In addition to incarceration and monetary fines, individuals may be required to participate in mandatory drug treatment and counseling, community service, and probation.
*In 2024, the United States Justice Department moved marijuana from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug. In 2019, The Illinois General Assembly passed a law making recreational use of marrijuana legal in Illinois as of January 1, 2020.
Illinois House Bill 1438
This bill was signed into law by Governor Pritzker. It legalized adult use of cannabis and cleared the cannabis-related records of 700,000 nonviolent offenders.
While cannabis use and possession has been decriminalized in Illinois, some restrictions on the amount an individual can possess was written into this law. These include a legal possession limit of 30 grams of cannabis flower, five grams of cannabis concentrate, or no more than 500 milligrams of THC contained in a cannabis-infused product. Registered patients in the medical cannabis pilot program may possess more than 30 grams of cannabis if it is grown and secured in their residence under certain conditions.
Individuals found with amounts above the legal limit will face criminal charges, possible incarceration, and monetary fines.
Penalties include the following:
- Possession of more than 30-100 grams of marijuana is a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense, punishable by a maximum sentence of one year in prison and a maximum fine of $2500. A second or subsequent offense is a Class 4 felony, punishable by a minimum sentence of one year and a maximum sentence of three years as well as a maximum fine of $25,000.
- Possession of 100-500 grams is a Class 4 felony, punishable by a minimum sentence of one year and a maximum sentence of three years as well as a maximum fine of $25,000.
- Possession of more than 500-2,000 grams of marijuana is a Class 3 felony, punishable by a minimum sentence of two years and a maximum sentence of five years, as well as a fine of $25,000.
- Possession of more than 2,000-5,000 grams of marijuana is a Class 2 felony, punishable by a minimum jail term of three years and a maximum sentence of seven years, as well as a fine of $25,000.
- Possession of over 5,000 grams of marijuana is a Class 1 felony, punishable by imprisonment for a minimum of four years and a maximum of 15 years, as well as a fine of $25,000.
Resources
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). Behavioral Health Barometer: Illinois, Volume 6: Indicators as measured through the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health and the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services. HHS Publication No. SMA–20–Baro–19–IL. Rockville, MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
- Illinois Department of Public Health. (2020). Opioids: Illinois’ Other Epidemic.
- National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics. (2022). Average Cost of Drug Rehab [2022]: by Type, State & More.
- Medicaid.gov. (2022). Parity/Medicaid.
- Center for Medicare Advocacy. (2022). Medicare Coverage of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services – Center for Medicare Advocacy.
- Gastorf, Pat. (n.d.). The Opioid Crisis in Illinois: Data and the State’s Response. Retrieved December 12, 2022, from http://www.dhs.state.il.us/OneNetLibrary/27896/documents/The_Opioid_Crisis_in_Illinois.pdf
- M., W., Leslie. (2022). Statewide Semiannual Opioid Report Illinois Department of Public Health. Illinois Department of Public Health. https://www.ilga.gov/reports/ReportsSubmitted/3424RSGAEmail6812RSGAAttachIL%20Semiannual%20Opioid%20Report%205_22%20Public%20Act%20099-0480%20.pdf
