There are numerous options for substance abuse treatment in Illinois, and some rehab center options which cater specifically to members of the LGBTQ+ community.
This includes people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning.
Addiction treatment services at this type of facility include many of the same services as a traditional rehab center, with additional options to serve the unique needs of those in sexual orientation minorities.
Further, the staff at LGBTQ+ rehab centers typically receive special training that allows them to be more affirming and understanding to those with unique needs.
List Of LGBTQ+ Drug Rehab Centers In Illinois
The following is a list of LGBTQ+ rehab centers in Illinois that are reputable and possess certain marks of quality care.
Marks of quality care include:
- awards and accolades
- designation as a nonprofit organization
- positive client testimonials
- funding from the state
1. Gateway Foundation, Lake Villa, Illinois
Lake Villa offers both a residential inpatient program and intensive outpatient treatment in Lake Villa, IL, with multiple locations throughout Illinois.
All outpatient and residential treatment plans at this rehan center are highly individualized for each person’s needs.
In addition to medical detox and medication-assisted treatment, this rehab facility offers an abundance of amenities and therapy options, including motivational interviewing and acceptance and commitment therapy.
Marks of quality care at this treatment center include:
- award-winning
- positive client testimonials
- accreditation by the Joint Commission
Location and contact information:
25480 W Cedar Crest Ln.
Lake Villa, IL 60046
(855) 944-3789
2. WestCare Illinois, Chicago, Illinois
At WestCare Illinois, people facing substance abuse have access to both basic outpatient treatment and an intensive outpatient program (IOP) in Chicago, IL.
They offer programs that are both community-based and corrections-based to adults and young adults, in addition to offering a bilingual program for non-English speakers.
They take a trauma-informed approach to treating substance use as well as co-occurring disorders.
Features of quality care at this treatment facility include:
- designation as a nonprofit organization
- accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF)
- licensing by the Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery (SUPR)
Location and contact information:
1100 West Cermak Rd.
Suite B116
Chicago, IL 60608
(312) 568-7051
Prevalence Of Substance Use In The LGBTQ+ Community
People who are LGBTQ+ often grow up with and live with discrimination, prejudice, and sometimes even violence that those who are not in a sexual orientation minority may not have ever experienced.
Research has shown that people who identify as gay or lesbian are twice as likely to have a severe substance use disorder than those who are straight.
Furthermore, people who identify as bisexual are three times as likely.
People who are undecided or questioning their sexual orientation are up to five times as likely to also experience a substance use disorder than those in the general population.
Factors That Influence Substance Use In The LGBTQ+ Community
While it is an undisputed fact that LGBTQ+ people are more likely to struggle with drug and alcohol addiction, it is important to look at the reasons why this may be the case.
Risk factors for LGBTQ+ people and substance abuse may include:
- recent or past trauma
- co-occuring mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety
- lack of a healthy support network
- feeling discriminated against at work, school, or home
- general mistrust in doctors and the healthcare system
- a history of drug addiction or substance abuse
- genetic factors
- homelessness or unsafe home environment
What To Look For In An LGBTQ+ Drug Rehabilitation Program In Illinois
Members of the LGBTQ+ community may be most comfortable at an addiction treatment center that understands they have certain needs and offers specialized programs as a result.
These rehab centers are sometimes referred to as “gay-friendly” or “LGBTQ-friendly”.
LGBTQ+ treatment programs tend to offer a mixture of treatment options to treat drug and alcohol addiction that have shown to be most effective.
Some of the most effective treatment services for LGBTQ+ people include:
- trauma-informed therapy
- individual, group, and family therapy
- HIV/AIDS testing services
- cognitive behavioral therapy
- dialectical behavior therapy
- case management
- medication-assisted treatment for opioid and alcohol use disorders
FAQs For LGBTQ+ Drug And Alcohol Rehab Facilities In Illinois
The following are some of the most commonly asked questions about LGBTQ+ rehab facilities in Illinois and what they offer.
Do LGBTQ+ Rehab Facilities In Illinois Accept Medicaid?
LGBTQ+ rehab centers are meant to be all-inclusive by nature, and this is also evident in the payments they tend to accept.
Medicaid and Medicare may be accepted at this type of rehab center, and many treatment centers will work with people and their financial situations.
Is Gender-Specific Treatment Offered At LGBTQ+ Rehab Facilities?
It is not uncommon for gender-specific treatment to be offered at rehab centers for LGBTQ+ people.
This includes:
- Rehab centers for women in Illinois
- Rehab centers for men in Illinois
- Specialized rehab centers for pregnant women in Illinois
Gender identity and sexual orientation are often topics of discussion during group therapy, and many people are more comfortable with therapy that is geared toward their gender.
How Long Will My Stay Be At An LGBTQ+ Rehab Facility In Illinois?
The length of each person’s stay at a residential rehab center depends on multiple factors.
Programs typically happen in 30-day increments, but the length of stay will depend on a person’s choice and the recommendation of their healthcare provider.
Find An LGBTQ+ Friendly Illinois Drug Rehab Center Today
If you or a loved one is a member of the LGBT community and are looking to find a recovery program with an addiction treatment program to address your needs, give our helpline a call.
It is never too early or too late to get the help you need for substance abuse, and recovery is just a phone call away.
Published on August 4, 2022
Addiction Resource aims to provide only the most current, accurate information in regards to addiction and addiction treatment, which means we only reference the most credible sources available.
These include peer-reviewed journals, government entities and academic institutions, and leaders in addiction healthcare and advocacy. Learn more about how we safeguard our content by viewing our editorial policy.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) — Substance use and SUDs in LGBTQ* Populations
https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/substance-use-suds-in-lgbtq-populations - National Institute of Health (NIH) — The Relationship Between Discrimination and Substance use Disorders Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Adults in the United States
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2937001/ - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) — Find treatment
https://findtreatment.gov
