| Name rehabs | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Family Guidance Centers Inc - Aurora | 751 Aurora Boulevard Aurora, IL 60505 | |
| Hope for Tomorrow Inc | 44 1/2 West Downer Place Suite 39 Aurora, IL 60506 | (630) 966-9000 |
| Provena Mercy Medical Center | 1325 North Highland Avenue Aurora, IL 60506 | (630) 801-2657 |
Rules and Regulations
Aurora, Kane, Illinois adheres to strict federal and state regulations regarding methadone clinics, outlined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and the Illinois Department of Human Services. All clinics must be certified and meet standards of care.
Certification Procedures
To be certified, a methadone clinic must:
- Be accredited by a SAMHSA-approved accrediting body
- Employ licensed and credentialed medical staff
- Follow federal and state regulations for dispensing methadone
- Provide counseling and support services
- Maintain patient records and confidentially
Benefits of Medication-Assisted Treatment
Methadone and other medication-assisted treatments for opioid addiction can:
- Reduce illicit opioid use and overdose deaths
- Help patients function and improve their health and social relationships
- Be more effective when combined with counseling and behavioral therapies
How Clinics Operate and Their Purpose
Methadone clinics provide daily doses of methadone to treat opioid addiction. Clinics also provide counseling and support services to help patients recover while avoiding painful withdrawal symptoms. The ultimate goal is lasting recovery and improved well-being.
Insurance Coverage
Many clinics accept Medicaid and private insurance. Some also offer free or low-cost treatment based on income. Public and private insurance in Illinois covers methadone treatment but may require prior authorization or have limits on duration of treatment. Patients should check with their insurance provider for specific coverage details for methadone maintenance therapy.
Drug Use in Aurora
The opioid crisis has been declared a public health emergency in Illinois. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health:
- In 2020, there were 3,013 opioid overdose deaths in Illinois, a 33% increase from 2019.
- The drugs involved in the most overdose deaths were fentanyl (71%) and heroin (12%).
- Kane County had one of the highest opioid overdose death rates in the state at 33.3 per 100,000 residents.
Addiction Treatment Overview
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient drug and alcohol treatment involves living at a treatment facility 24/7 for 1-3 months typically. Patients participate in individual and group counseling, medical monitoring, 12-step meetings, and other services.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment involves attending treatment sessions 1-5 times per week for 1-6 months while living at home. Sessions focus on counseling, education, and support groups.
Treatment Level Unreported
An estimated 10% of people seeking treatment in Illinois do not report their treatment level. Reasons may include privacy concerns or inadequate record keeping.
Comparison of Treatment in Aurora vs. Joliet
| City | Treatment Facilities | Inpatient Beds Available | Cost of Treatment |
| Aurora | 15 | 250 | $15,000/month |
| Joliet | 12 | 200 | $10,000/month |
Methadone Treatment
What is Methadone
Methadone is a long-acting opioid agonist medication used for opioid use disorder treatment. It binds to opioid receptors and reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Methadone is taken orally once daily in opioid treatment programs (OTPs). OTPs provide methadone doses along with counseling and behavioral therapies following an observed dosing model. The goal is to stabilize patients, reduce illicit opioid use, and improve quality of life.
Societal perspectives on methadone treatment Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since the 1960s. Some view it as trading one addiction for another. However, research shows methadone relieves withdrawal symptoms, reduces opioid cravings, and allows patients to function normally when an adequate dose is given. Retention in methadone treatment is associated with reduced disease transmission, overdoses, and criminal activity. Still, a stigma exists, and education is needed.
Methadone Distribution
Description of monitoring and regulations:
- Urine testing: Federal regulations require methadone maintenance patients to undergo at least eight random drug tests in the first year of treatment to ensure compliance.
- Take-home requirements: Patients must attend the clinic for dose observation for the first 14 days before take-home doses are allowed to reduce diversion risk.
- Monitoring: Methadone clinics should have an interprofessional team including counselors, social workers, and medical staff to coordinate care.
- Prescription drug monitoring: Clinicians should review PDMP data when determining dosage to avoid methadone interactions with other substances due to its narrow therapeutic window.
State drug classifications: Illinois classifies methadone as a Schedule II controlled substance. Aurora and Kane counties have online databases to monitor dispensing.
Methadone Treatment Effectiveness Research
Methadone has been used to treat opioid addiction since 1947. Studies show it is an effective medication for treating opioid use disorder. Methadone reduces illicit opioid use, disease transmission through injection drug use, and criminal activity when treatment is maintained.
Evidence for Effectiveness
Multiple studies have demonstrated methadone’s benefits for treating opioid addiction including:
- 33% fewer opioid-positive drug tests for patients in methadone treatment
- 4.44 times more likely to stay in treatment compared to non-medication treatments
- Retention in methadone treatment reduces overdose risk, HIV and Hepatitis C transmission through reduced injection opioid use, and increases employment opportunities.
Major Drawbacks
- Potential for misuse/diversion of methadone
- Severe withdrawal if methadone is stopped suddenly
- Risk of QTc prolongation and cardiac arrhythmias
- Respiratory depression and overdose when combined with other substances like benzodiazepines
Comparison to Other Medications
About Aurora
Location, Kane County & Neighboring States
Aurora is located in Kane County in northeastern Illinois. The neighboring states are Wisconsin to the north, Iowa to the west, Indiana to the east, and Missouri to the south.
Capital and Largest City
The capital and largest city in Illinois is Springfield. However, Aurora is the second most populous city in the state, after Chicago.
Land Area
The land area of Aurora is approximately 45.8 square miles.
Infrastructure
Aurora has an extensive infrastructure system including:
- The road network of interstate highways, U.S. routes, state routes, and local streets
- Aurora Transportation Center for rail transport
- Aurora Municipal Airport for air transport
- Pace suburban bus system
- Utilities like electricity, water, sewage, natural gas and telecommunications
Population Statistics
Total Population
The total population of Aurora is about 199,963 as of 2019.
Demographics:
Gender
- Male: 49.8%
- Female: 50.2%
Age Brackets
- Under 18 years: 26.8%
- 18 to 64 years: 61.5%
- 65 years and over: 11.7%
Occupations
Top occupations in Aurora include:
- Office and administrative support
- Sales related jobs
- Food preparation and service
- Management positions
- Construction and repairs