Treatment for Substance Use Disorders

Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Northwestern Medicine Behavioral Health Services can provide the support and encouragement you need to overcome a substance use disorder. Our experienced behavioral health professionals in the southern suburbs are committed to helping you chart a new course to a healthier and happier life.

Signs of a Substance Use Disorder or Addiction

You might have a substance use disorder if your substance use causes:

• Relationship difficulties
• Legal trouble
• Neglect of your responsibilities
• Risk-taking, such as driving while intoxicated or other dangerous behaviors

You are likely addicted to a substance if you:

• Experience withdrawal symptoms, like nausea, sweating, shaking and anxiety, when you don’t use the substance
• Plan your life around getting and using the substance, to the point of abandoning your other activities, responsibilities and relationships
• Need more of a substance to feel the same effects you used to notice with less of the substance
• Want to stop using the substance, but cannot
• Are taking medications not as prescribed

Comprehensive Substance Use Disorder Treatments

At Northwestern Medicine Behavioral Health Services, you can talk with a skilled, supportive clinician about your substance use. We will discuss our treatment recommendations with you and help you take steps toward recovery.

We have a full range of treatment programs to meet your needs. You can move through these various programs as your treatment progresses.

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient care provides timely, thorough medical treatment for symptoms you may notice as you start using less of an addictive substance. During your stay, you will receive psychotherapy, medication and other services that help you begin to improve your function without the substance.

Partial Hospital Program

Our Partial Hospital Program can help you if you have co-occurring (dual diagnosis) disorders —meaning you have a substance use disorder as well as a mental health illness. In this program, you will participate in several different therapy sessions daily and then return home at the end of the day.

Your therapist may recommend this option as an alternative or follow-up program to inpatient treatment.

Intensive Outpatient Treatment

You can live at home and do most of your typical daily activities when you participate in our Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program. In this program, you will attend meetings several times a week with a therapist and your peers. The program will teach you how to stay sober and how to get the most out of 12-step programs and community support groups.

With a commitment to your success, we monitor your progress regularly and work with you to adjust your treatment plan as needed.

Recovery Group

After completing Intensive Outpatient Treatment, your therapist may recommend that you transition to our Recovery Group. This therapy group supports you in your continuing recovery by offering encouragement and reinforcement from your peers in the group.

Aftercare Group

The longer you receive support, the more likely you will remain substance-free. To reinforce skills you learn during Intensive Outpatient Treatment or the Partial Hospital Program, you can join our Aftercare Group. These groups meets for six weeks and are offered at no cost.

Behavioral Addictions

In addition to substances, certain activities can become addicting. You may experience a behavioral addiction if you feel compelled to repeatedly do something — like shop, gamble or exercise — even when it harms your health, relationships or finances.

Contact us if you think you may have a behavioral addiction. We can help you regain control of your habits.