Alcohol and Drug Use Statistics in Evanston, IL
Between January and August of 2022, there were 9,017 opioid overdose emergency department cases in Cook County.1
In 2021, males in Cook County were 3.7x more likely to experience a non-fatal heroin overdose than women.1
40 suburban police departments receive naloxone supplies from Cook County, and the drug has been administered at least 137 times by officers responding to overdoses.2
The rate of drug-related crime in Evanston is 2.78 per 1,000 residents per year.3
Levels of Care for Rehabs in Illinois
For many Illinois residents, addiction treatment is a process of moving through multiple levels of treatment, from most to least intensive. For others, only the least restrictive levels are required.
Detox
Detox is the process of safely clearing your system of all drugs and alcohol. It occurs in a supervised setting to manage withdrawal symptoms. This process is often necessary before Illinois residents can enter a formal treatment program.
Residential or Inpatient
Residential or inpatient treatment is the most intensive treatment setting, involving 24/7 care. Medication, individual and family therapy, and recreational therapy are common forms of treatment at this level.
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs)
In a PHP, participants receive much the same services as an inpatient program, but they return home during non-treatment times.
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs)
IOPs are a step down from PHPs. These programs provide several hours of treatment over several days per week. Treatment usually includes individual and group therapy.
Standard Outpatient
Standard outpatient programs are the least intensive level of treatment. They require only two or three hours of care per week, usually at an outpatient clinic or therapist’s office. This option is appropriate for those with a strong support system who are highly motivated.
Aftercare
Also called relapse prevention, aftercare is focused on providing ongoing support for continued sobriety once a treatment program is complete. Aftercare can include 12-step meetings, transitional housing, therapy, and other supports.
How to Pay for Addiction Treatment in Evanston, Illinois
Private Insurance
By law, all insurance companies must provide at least some coverage for substance abuse treatment. However, each plan differs, so Illinois residents must contact their provider to discover precisely what is covered by their plan. Deductibles and copays may apply.
Illinois Medicaid
Illinois Medicaid is a government program that provides health insurance for low-income individuals and families. To be eligible, Illinois residents must be a U.S. national, citizen, permanent resident, or legal alien, in need of health care/insurance assistance, and characterized as low income. They must also be either pregnant, responsible for a child 18 years or younger, blind, have a disability or family member with a disability, or be 65 years or older.
Illinois Medicare
Medicare is a federal health insurance program that provides coverage for Illinois residents aged 65 and older, as well as individuals with certain disabilities. Some forms of addiction treatment are covered under Medicare Part A, while other services are covered under Part B. Not all rehab facilities accept Medicare as a form of payment, so it’s important to confirm Medicare acceptance before starting a program.
TRICARE in Illinois
TRICARE in Illinois provides health insurance coverage for U.S. military personnel, veterans, and their families. This includes substance use disorder treatment services; however, plans differ in their specific coverage.
Sliding Scale Rehabs
State-funded rehab centers use government funds to help pay for treatment for Illinois residents who are otherwise unable to afford it due to lack of income or lack of insurance coverage. To get into a state-funded rehab, residents can contact the Illinois Health and Human Services Department for assistance.
IHS-Funded Drug Rehabs
The Indian Health Service (IHS) is a federally-funded program that provides health coverage for indigenous people. Under this program, Native Americans and Native Alaskans who need SUD treatment can receive low-cost or free services, even if they have other insurance coverage.
Getting to and Around Evanston, IL
If you will be traveling for treatment in Evanston, IL, or visiting a loved one currently undergoing treatment at an Evanston drug and alcohol rehab, here are some valuable tips to guide your travel plans
- For flights to Evanston, O’Hare International Airport in Chicago is just 15 miles away. Chicago Midway International Airport is another nearby option, 25 miles away.
- The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) provides bus routes, trains, and commuter rails to Evanston. The city is also very walkable and very bikeable.
- Evanston features several hotel options, as well as vacation home rentals. Locals typically consider the northeast part of the city to be the safest.
- Popular destinations in Evanston include Northwestern University, Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art, Grosse Point Lighthouse, and the downtown shopping district.
- Great day trip options from Evanston include Six Flags Great America, Chicago, and Milwaukee.
Illinois Drug and Alcohol Laws
Illinois policy makers have established the following laws regarding substances:1,2,3,4
Drug Possession: In Illinois, possession of drugs (except cannabis) is a felony in all cases. Felony charges can lead to jail time and a lifelong felony record.
Good Samaritan Law: The Emergency Medical Services Access Law of 2012 is the Good Samaritan Law in Illinois. This law is designed to encourage people to seek emergency medical assistance when someone is overdosing. If an Illinois resident calls 911 or brings someone to an emergency room for an overdose, both the victim who is overdosing and the person seeking help are protected from being prosecuted for felony possession of small amounts of drugs.
Pretrial Fairness Act: Effective Jan 1, 2023, this law gives police officers who catch people with small amounts of drugs discretion to release them with a citation that orders them to appear in court within three weeks. This is a change from the previous law which put that person immediately in jail for a few days until they were brought before a judge
DUI Laws: “Driving Under the Influence” is defined as “operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol, other drugs, including cannabis (marijuana) prescribed for medical purposes, or intoxicating compounds and methamphetamine.” In Illinois, drivers are considered under the influence if they have a BAC of .08 or higher, have a THC concentration of either 5 nanograms or more per milliliter of whole blood or 10 nanograms or more per milliliter of other bodily substance, have used any other controlled substance, or are impaired by medication. A first conviction of DUI is a Class A misdemeanor with a minimum penalty of revocation of driving privileges for one year and suspension of vehicle registration.
Resources
- Opioid data dashboard. (n.d.). Retrieved January 4, 2023, from https://idph.illinois.gov/OpioidDataDashboard/
- As opioid overdose deaths hit new record, pressure grows for safe places to inject drugs in Chicago. (2022, January 18). NBC Chicago. https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/as-opioid-overdose-deaths-hit-new-record-pressure-grows-for-safe-places-to-inject-drugs-in-chicago/2730602/
- Evanston, IL drug-related crime rates and maps. (n.d.). CrimeGrade.Org. Retrieved January 4, 2023, from https://crimegrade.org/drug-crimes-evanston-il/
- Provisional county drug overdose deaths. (2022, October 11). https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/vsrr/prov-county-drug-overdose.htm
- Agnew, D. (2022, March 3). Drug overdoses and deaths surge in Evanston amid pandemic. Evanston RoundTable. https://evanstonroundtable.com/2022/03/03/drug-overdoses-and-deaths-surge-in-evanston-amid-pandemic/