Outpatient Treatment Programs
Outpatient treatment programs are designed for persons in
active chemical dependency and compulsive gambling. The
best
candidates for these programs are persons who are employed,
live with a family and demonstrate a history of medical
stability. The ability to abstain from using/gambling for at
least two weeks is another important factor.
Candidates for Outpatient Treatment Programs are carefully
screened through an Assessment Interview, and an
individualized treatment program is then recommended. All
services are coordinated by our staff of certified addiction
counselors, psychologists, nurses, chaplains and physicians.
Because an addiction has far-reaching effects on family
members, friends and co-workers, the IIAR has developed
programs to assist these individuals to deal with the
effects of someone else's addiction. These education,
counseling and training programs help create the network of
support and understanding that is so important to complete
recovery for the whole family.
The IIAR offers Outpatient Programs in the following areas.
Click on the topics below for more information on each
subject.
About Outpatient Rehabilitation Services
Alcohol, drug and gambling addiction are progressive
diseases. In most people, addictions begin slowly and grow
until the victim's life becomes progressively unmanageable.
As repeated efforts to gain control over the addiction fail,
life for the chemical dependent or compulsive gambler begins
to fall apart.
Alcoholism, drug abuse and compulsive gambling can shatter
lives. Consequences of these addictions are often reflected
in the individual's family life, health, spiritual
happiness, social life, school or work relationships and
legal matters. In spite of these problems, the addicted
person continues to use alcohol and other drugs and/or
gamble. Repeated efforts to quit or cut down invariably
collapse in failure.
Chemical dependents and compulsive gamblers can stop using
or gambling -- for a while. But most need professional help
to stop for life. The individual who quits without
professional help is usually overcome by an unbearable
desire to resume alcohol or drug use and/or gambling.
Some people can receive help without the interruption of
Inpatient Treatment. They are able to enter recovery through
the help of an Outpatient Rehabilitation Program. This type
of program does not require individuals to take time off
from work, leave their families or enter a hospital as an
inpatient.
How the IIAR's Outpatient Rehabilitation Programs can help
A person in the Institute's Outpatient Rehabilitation
Program receives professional help in working toward
recovery. Outpatient Rehabilitation involves a series of
meetings, four nights per week. These meetings feature
lectures as well as group therapy. Each patient works with a
counselor to develop an individualized treatment plan.
Service continues until the individual has mastered the
basic skills for self-care and ongoing recovery.
Family members also play an important role in Outpatient
Rehabilitation. Families attend a separate counseling group
where they learn what addiction is and how they can support
the patient's recovery. All patients and family members are
linked with the Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous,
Gamblers Anonymous, Gam-Anon and/or Al-Anon communities.
Most family counseling services are included in the basic
cost of the Outpatient Rehabilitation Program.
The Outpatient Rehabilitation Program runs on a Monday
through Thursday schedule. Meetings are held from 5 p.m.
until 9 p.m. in the Outpatient Department in the Counseling
and Recovery Center. The program is based on a variable
length of stay concept, which tailors the length of
treatment to meet each individual's needs. Most people are
in the Outpatient Program between four to six weeks.
The Outpatient Rehabilitation Program is the best choice for
chemical dependents or compulsive gamblers who have not
progressed beyond a certain point in their addiction.
Successful candidates most frequently include people who are
employed, live with a family, and demonstrate a history of
medical stability. Another very important element is the
ability to abstain from alcohol, drugs and/or gambling
activity for at least two consecutive weeks.
Individuals who have not had this consecutive abstinence
during the past three months are usually more appropriate
for the Institute's Inpatient Rehabilitation Program, where
the structure and stability of the hospital setting make
early recovery more obtainable.
For more information about the Institute's counseling and
treatment programs, please call 1-800-522-3784.
The Illinois Institute for Addiction Recovery has centers at the following locations: