Levels of Care for Drug Abuse Treatment in Illinois (2024)

What Are the Levels of Care for Substance Use Treatment at Gateway Foundation?

Individuals living in Illinois can receive high-quality treatment and various levels of care from Gateway Foundation. Our 16 facilities across the state strive to assist patients through their recovery and provide clinical services, broad levels of treatment programs and adequate care. Patients will find that Gateway Foundation has the perfect treatment options for every level of substance use disorder.

The care levels we offer include withdrawal management, residential/inpatient treatment, partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient, outpatient treatment and family support and programming. These levels of care, along with our plentiful clinical services and therapies, create well-rounded treatment programs for patients in Illinois.

Explore the six levels of care available through Gateway Foundation and see how you or a loved one can receive an excellent treatment program tailored to your specific needs:

1. Detox/Withdrawal Management

The first step in many patients’ recovery process and our highest level of care is withdrawal management and detoxification. Our withdrawal management treatment program provides a safe and manageable detox process for patients to get them over the first step of their recovery journey.

Withdrawal describes the physical and mental effects an individual experiences when they quit using or reduce their intake of a substance they are dependent on. The withdrawal symptoms a person experiences can vary due to their genetics and the substance they’re using. Withdrawal side effects can range in intensity and duration, which can make becoming sober challenging for a patient. These symptoms can also be dangerous to an individual’s health, which makes withdrawal management a beneficial and necessary program for those who want to recover.

Gateway’s withdrawal management treatment program monitors and treats the various symptoms of withdrawal, including:

• Congestion
• Muscle pain
• Mood changes
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Restlessness
• Changes in appetite
• Sweating
• Headache
• Tremors
• High blood pressure
• Increased breathing
• Increased heart rate
• Seizures
• Hallucinations

Substances like PCP, alcohol and opioids can have intense withdrawal symptoms that may require medical attention to ensure the patient moves forward in recovery. Other drugs like cocaine and marijuana have more mental withdrawal effects and fewer physical effects, which can make the withdrawal process faster.

The first symptoms that dissipate through withdrawal management and detox are the physical effects. Conquering these symptoms is a big win in recovery and helps set the patient up to transition into a new phase of treatment. While the physical symptoms are reduced sooner, the mental and emotional effects of withdrawal may linger around longer.

Withdrawal management can help patients learn how to recognize these symptoms and find ways to cope with them. These psychological symptoms are addressed through various therapies. Gateway offers numerous therapy options throughout the withdrawal management program to help patients progress through any mental or emotional symptoms.

The withdrawal management program at Gateway Foundation comprises a team of medical staff, direct care from a physician, medication-assisted treatment when necessary and 24-hour care.

Certain withdrawal symptoms may be stronger than others, proving potentially dangerous for patients. Medical staff at Gateway Foundation can reduce some types of withdrawal symptoms with medication-assisted treatment. This type of withdrawal management treatment involves using prescription medications to help lessen the severity of withdrawal symptoms.

The most common application for MAT is opioid withdrawal. One medication used for this type of treatment is Suboxone, which helps prevent the brain from recognizing withdrawal symptoms.

2. Residential Treatment

Gateway Foundation’s next level of care for patients is residential inpatient treatment. This treatment option is beneficial for patients who require more resources and access to care during their recovery. The residential treatment Gateway offers allows individuals to have 24/7 care and medical supervision to ensure they are separated from any drugs and have the support they need to conquer their addiction.

Patients can experience triggers and cravings during recovery. While some individuals may have the support at home to help them stay sober during this process, others may need more structure in their treatment to prevent relapse. Residential treatment gives people the substance-free space they need for a safe recovery until they’re ready to integrate back into their community.

The residential inpatient approach is a unique experience for those going through substance use treatment. Patients will have access to medical staff and other professionals at any point in the day. Emergencies can occur outside of business hours when an individual is going through a tough recovery. Having continuous care available promotes a safe and healthy environment for you to grow and improve in before transitioning to a new level of care.

The medical staff at Gateway Foundation assesses patients to determine whether residential treatment is the right option for their recovery. The staff will look into a patient’s medical history, mental health conditions, type of substance use and other personal details that can identify if this approach is the right treatment plan.

Patients can benefit from residential treatment in various ways, like:

• Participating in frequent therapy or program sessions
• Gaining distance from a previous life, including triggering locations and negative people
• Accessing various types of programs, like recreational activities and therapies other than talk therapy
• Having a structured routine that helps them focus on progressing through recovery and getting healthier
• Gaining around-the-clock support from staff and other patients in the residential treatment program

Other benefits patients can experience when they participate in Gateway’s residential treatment program include:

• Evidence-based clinical services
• Healthy food
• Medical detoxification
• Research-based treatment
• Safety precautions
• Safe and comfortable surroundings

3. Partial Hospitalization

Patients who are searching for a substance use disorder treatment program that fits their lifestyle and the severity of their addiction should consider the partial hospitalization program (PHP) at Gateway Foundation. Partial hospitalization provides an in-between treatment opportunity for residential and outpatient treatment.

People who participate in partial hospitalization programs typically need high amounts of supervision but can go home after appointments and have a supportive environment to lean on. The schedule of Gateway’s partial hospitalization process is comparable to the duration of a school or work week. The treatment appointments take up most of the day, but patients can sleep in their own bed after the day is over.

The medical staff at Gateway Foundation will consider multiple factors about the patient to see if they will benefit from partial hospitalization. Staff recommends this level of care by:

• Considering the patient’s recovery process and if they’re at high risk for relapse or strong withdrawal symptoms
• Determining if the patient has a safe and healthy environment to return to at the end of the day
• Confirming the patient has a healthy support system to rely on throughout treatment who will hold them accountable and motivate them

The partial hospitalization program at Gateway is often used as a solid integrating period for individuals who are ready to take the first steps back into the real world after inpatient treatment. Patients will begin living new, healthy lifestyles after treatment. Slowly getting used to new behaviors can be possible because of partial hospitalization and other levels of care.

Some benefits of the partial hospitalization program at Gateway Foundation include:

• Access to individual and group therapy
• Daily interactions with medical and mental health professionals
• Extensive care services and the freedom to go home every day
• Personalized treatment plans
• A smoother transition back into the real world

4. Intensive Outpatient

Patients who need to find a substance disorder treatment program that matches their schedule while still providing adequate access to therapies and resources should try intensive outpatient treatment at Gateway Foundation. The intensive outpatient treatment program allows individuals to prioritize treatment along with their family, work or school.

Intensive outpatient treatment is similar to partial hospitalization, but it has more flexibility for patients. Rather than a school- or work-like schedule, people will have shorter appointment times and have the freedom to schedule sessions during any part of the day or weekend. People can choose to receive care in the mornings, afternoons or evenings depending on their routines and obligations.

Intensive outpatient programs are beneficial for numerous reasons. People may not qualify for or need residential treatments depending on their situation, so this level of care may mesh perfectly with their recovery process to provide them with the adequate support they need.

Another reason why patients may participate in intensive outpatient programs is they are using this as a transition from residential treatment or partial hospitalization. This level of care provides people with plenty of resources and appointments to keep them progressing in their recovery while also allowing them to participate more in their personal life.

This type of treatment is also great for those who need intense care throughout their recovery but prefer a more affordable treatment option compared to residential programs. Treatment programs that don’t include overnight stays are traditionally less expensive than ones that do.

Gateway Foundation can also provide intensive outpatient care services to patients online via our virtual outpatient program. The virtual treatment option allows patients to continue receiving care on their time from the comfort of their homes. People can always access helpful resources or speak with a professional wherever they go.

5. Outpatient Treatment Centers and Outpatient Alcoholism Treatment Centers

Individuals who are ready to take on substance use disorder treatment and have the ability to continue their daily routine can utilize the outpatient treatment and alcoholism outpatient treatment programs from Gateway Foundation. Both give people access to helpful services and resources to overcome their substance dependency.

The best perk of participating in outpatient treatment or outpatient alcoholism treatment is having the flexibility to maneuver your schedule. Patients can make appointments around any obligation or event they need to attend, making it great for those with children, spouses, jobs and other things that require their attention.

Outpatient treatments for alcohol and drug use are also great for students in college who want to continue pursuing their degree through treatment. Outpatient appointments are an excellent option that can fit around classes and other activities during the day.

Another reason why individuals choose outpatient treatment and benefit from it the most is that it’s more affordable. Appointments for outpatient therapy programs occur less often than sessions for any of the other levels of care. Patients might meet with their physician or therapist a few times a week for a couple of hours to continue working through their substance use disorder and other co-occurring conditions. With less time, people can expect to experience a more affordable option for treatment.

Outpatient therapy is also great for patients who are graduating from a residential or partial hospitalization program and still want to continue with treatment. It’s the perfect level of care to help patients to start fully integrating themselves within their communities and begin living their new sober lifestyle.

6. Family Support and Programming

Substance use disorder can impact more people than the patient. This condition may affect their family, friends and others they care about. At Gateway Foundation, we provide quality family support and programming to include loved ones in the recovery process.

The family therapy program can give support to the patient’s family and friends during recovery. It helps promote healing for loved ones who have struggled during the patient’s addiction, provides essential information and resources to help loved ones understand substance use disorder recovery and gives methods on how people can support their loved one who’s going through treatment.

Family includes more than just blood relatives — it consists of the people the patient has strong emotional connections to and who receive the strongest impacts from their substance use disorder. Family therapy helps strengthen a patient’s support system, mend broken relationships and provide more information to loved ones about how people develop substance use disorder and how they can help their loved one continue living a sober lifestyle.

Loved ones can play a major role in a successful recovery. They provide a healthy support system outside of treatment facility medical staff and can provide motivation to patients during recovery. Family can also be excellent at holding their loved ones accountable for attending appointments and staying away from substances.

Families can positively affect the recovery process through family therapy. The benefits of participating in family therapy include the following:

• Creates higher retention rates for recovery programs
• Reduces behavioral issues
• Keeps loved ones motivated during treatment
• Improves family communication and dynamics
• Eases feelings of stress, anger or sadness during treatment
• Provides a safe space for discussing substance use disorder or mental health conditions
• Helps loved ones learn about substance use disorder and effective treatment options