Methadone Clinics in Chicago

Name rehabsAddressPhone
Association House of Chicago1116 North Kedzie Avenue Chicago, IL 60651(773) 772-8009
Caritas Central Intake Outpatient Medication Assisted Treatment 140 North Ashland Avenue Chicago, IL 60607
Center for Addictive Problems609 North Wells Street Chicago, IL 60610(312) 266-0404
Cermak Health Services of Cook County 2800 South California Avenue Chicago, IL 60608
Chicago Lakeshore Hospital Chemical Dependence Program4840 North Marine Drive, Chicago, IL 60640(773) 878-9700
Chicago Treatment & Counseling Center 4453 North Broadway Chicago, IL 60640
Chicago Treatment & Counseling Center 3520 S Ashland Ave Chicago, IL 60609
Chicago Treatment and Counseling Centers Inc I (CTCC)1225 South Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60608(312) 738-3200
Chicago Treatment and Counseling Centers Inc I (CTCCI)555 West Roosevelt Road Suite C Chicago, IL 60607(312) 738-3200
Chicago Treatment and Counseling Centers Inc II (CTCCI)4453 North Broadway Chicago, IL 60640(773) 506-2900

Rules and Regulations

Chicago and Cook County adhere to strict state and federal regulations regarding methadone clinics, as outlined by the Illinois Department of Human Services and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). All clinics must be certified and meet standards of care.

Certification Procedures

  • Clinics must be licensed by the DEA and accredited by a SAMHSA-approved accrediting organization
  • Staff must meet educational and licensing criteria set by the state
  • Regular inspections are conducted to ensure compliance

Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment

Methadone and other medication-assisted treatments for opioid addiction can:

  • Reduce illicit opioid use and overdose deaths
  • Help patients regain function and improve social connections
  • Lower risk of contracting HIV or hepatitis

How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose

Methadone clinics provide medication-assisted treatment to those with opioid use disorder. Patients visit daily to receive methadone doses, access counseling, and case management services, and undergo drug testing. The goal is to mitigate withdrawal and cravings to enable recovery and reduce reliance on illicit or prescription opioids.

Insurance Coverage

Many clinics accept Medicaid and private insurance. Options also exist for uninsured patients, such as:

  • State-funded treatment slots
  • Sliding-scale fees based on income for private clinics
  • Access to free treatment at select federally qualified health centers

Drug Use in Chicago

The opioid crisis has been declared a nationwide public health emergency. In Illinois:

  • There were 2,202 opioid overdose deaths in 2020, a 33% increase from 2019
  • Heroin contributed to 795 of those deaths
  • Fentanyl was involved in 1,622 deaths, nearly triple the 2019 number

Other commonly used substances include:

  • Alcohol
  • Marijuana
  • Cocaine and crack cocaine
  • Methamphetamine

Addiction Treatment Overview

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient facilities provide 24/7 care and monitoring. Typical stays range from 28-90 days. Services include detoxification, counseling, group therapy, medication management, and aftercare planning.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient programs offer similar services but allow clients to live at home. Clients attend regular sessions around work/life demands—usually 3 days a week for several hours per day.

Treatment Level Unreported

An estimated 10-20% of those receiving addiction treatment in Illinois do so outside licensed treatment centers, making data on services limited. Support groups and religious organizations may provide some care.

Comparison of Treatment Availability

CityTreatment CentersInpatient BedsCost Range
Chicago2763,150$15,000-$60,000
Indianapolis1021,200$10,000-$50,000

Methadone Treatment

What is Methadone

Methadone is an opioid agonist medication used in medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs, also known as opioid treatment programs (OTPs), to treat opioid use disorder. It binds to opioid receptors and reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms. This allows patients to focus on recovery without experiencing severe discomfort from stopping opioid use.

Societal Perspectives on Methadone Treatment

Society has mixed opinions on methadone treatment. While it does appear to help many patients recover, there are also risks like diversion and misuse. Careful monitoring and responsible prescribing practices are necessary.

Methadone Distribution

Methadone distribution through licensed treatment programs is strictly regulated to prevent misuse and ensure patient safety:

  • Urine testing: Methadone maintenance patients must undergo at least eight tests in the first year of treatment to detect illicit drug use
  • Take-home requirements: Limited to a 24-hour methadone supply in the first 14 days of treatment
  • Monitoring: Treatment programs should have an interprofessional team to coordinate care
  • Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review PDMP data to carefully manage methadone dosage due to its narrow therapeutic index

According to state data, methadone is a Schedule II controlled substance in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, and across the United States.

Methadone Treatment Effectiveness

Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since 1947. Research shows it is an effective medication for opioid use disorder when used appropriately:

Evidence for Effectiveness

Studies show participation in methadone treatment reduces opioid use, disease transmission from injection drug use, and drug-related crime

  • 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests
  • 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment

Retention in treatment reduces overdose risk, and disease transmission, and increases employment

Major Drawbacks

  • Potential for misuse/diversion
  • Severe withdrawal if stopped suddenly
  • Possible QTc prolongation/cardiac issues
  • Respiratory depression/overdose when combined with other substances

Comparison to Other Medications

Equally effective as buprenorphine for reducing opioid use

In conclusion, methadone offers benefits but also risks requiring careful management under medical supervision.

About Chicago

Chicago is located in Cook County in northeastern Illinois, United States. Illinois borders Wisconsin to the north, Iowa and Missouri to the west, Kentucky to the south, and Indiana to the east.

Location, County & Neighboring States

  • Wisconsin (north)
  • Iowa (west)
  • Missouri (west)
  • Kentucky (south)
  • Indiana (east)

Capital and Largest City

The capital and largest city in Illinois is Chicago.

Land Area

The land area of the City of Chicago is approximately 234 square miles.

Infrastructure

Chicago has an extensive public transportation system, including the nation’s second-largest public bus system and rail transit with the iconic “L” trains and subway. O’Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport provide air transportation. Major interstate highways I-90 and I-94 pass through Chicago.

Population Statistics

Total Population

The population of Chicago is approximately 2.7 million residents within the city limits. The Chicago metropolitan area has an estimated population of 9.5 million.

Gender

About 47% of Chicago residents identify as male and 53% identify as female.

Age Brackets

Around 10% are under age 18, 67% are aged 18 to 64, and 13% are over age 65.

Occupations

Major industries employed in Chicago include healthcare, education, manufacturing, finance, insurance, tourism, and transportation.