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Intervention and Treatment

Illinois also has a 24 hour helpline devoted to connecting individuals to treatment for OUD and other SUDs. If you need help for yourself, or on behalf of a loved one, call 1-833-2FINDHELP.

Treatment for substance use disorder (SUD), including opioid use disorder (OUD), is effective and individuals can recover. Treatment for OUD includes the following:

  • Medication-assisted treatment
  • Individual and group counseling
  • Intensive outpatient treatment
  • Case management/care coordination
  • Recovery support services
  • Peer supports
  • 12-step groups
  • Inpatient and residential treatment
  • Other behavioral health services

The road to recovery is unique to each individual, and treatment for an individual may consist of any combination of the above components at different points in time.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is the use of medications such as methadone, buprenorphine (i.e., Suboxone®), and extended-release naltrexone (i.e., Vivitrol®), in combination with counseling, behavioral therapies, and other recovery support services for the treatment of OUD. The evidence base for the efficacy of MAT in treating OUD is very strong, and for many people struggling with OUD, MAT can help sustain recovery better than just medication or psychosocial treatment on its own.

The Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (IDHS/DASA) is the state's lead agency for addressing the profound personal, social and economic consequences of substance misuse through oversight of a network of community based alcohol and other drug treatment programs. The treatment system provides assessment, diagnosis, treatment, continuing care and recovery services to individuals with substance use disorders.

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