Illinois Opioid Helpline:

833-234-6343

Call for free, 24 hours a day. You can speak to someone trained to help you find the right resources and support groups.

Opioids are:

• Prescription pain medication like morphine, codeine, methadone, oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl, hydromorphone

•  Illegal drugs like heroin

How do opioids Affect the body?

• Reduce pain and create a sense of euphoria

• Slowed breathing

• Reduced energy

• Sleepiness 

• Confusion

• Pin-point pupils

• Constipation

• Altered mood

• Nausea and vomiting

What are the signs of an overdose?

• Face is extremely pale and/or clammy to the touch

• Limp body

• Fingernails or lips have a blue or purple color

• The person is vomiting or making gurgling sounds

• The person cannot be awakened from sleep or cannot speak

• Breathing is very slow or stopped

• The heartbeat is very slow or stopped

How to treat a suspected overdose

• Call 911. Say “Someone is unresponsive and not breathing” and give a specific location description or address.

• If you have access to Narcan (also called Naloxone, an opioid reversal medication), administer it while waiting for paramedics to arrive.

Buprenorphine (Suboxone)

• You can take it at home with a prescription 

• Your prescription will usually give you a week supply to cover you until your next appointment

• You’ll meet with your medical doctor/ prescriber weekly

• You’ll be encouraged to also attend counseling and case management services 

• The longer the drug is in your system, the stronger the effects will be 

• Your doctor may suggest taking the medication less often to manage the effects

Side Effects:

• Nausea, vomiting, and constipation

• Muscle aches

• Irritability

• Fever

Methadone

• You’ll take it in a highly structured environment

• You’ll need to take it for a minimum of 12 months

• Usually, during your first 90 days and or longer, you are required to pick up your medication from a doctor or a nurse every day. Then, you’ll pick it up each week and take it at home

• You’ll take this medicine orally

• One dose lasts one day, it is important that you do not miss a dose or take more than prescribed when you do not feel it working

• You’ll see your doctor for progress checks. You’ll attend support groups, and maybe go to substance abuse counseling and/or get case management services

• Drinking alcohol is NOT recommended while taking methadone

Side Effects:

• Difficulty breathing or shallow breathing

• Lightheaded or faint

• Hives or rash, swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat

• Chest pain

• Fast or pounding heartbeat

• Hallucinations or confusion

Counseling

• Mental health 

• Substance abuse

• Trauma

• Grief and loss 

• Support groups

Case management

• Educational services

• Housing

• Employment services

• Clothing 

• Food 

• Transportation aid (CTA/PACE)

Appointments & Walk-ins

Before you are discharged from treatment, a first appointment for medication will be made. If you miss it, walk-in services let you get your medication without an appointment. If you have missed your first appointment that was scheduled prior to discharging, there are walk-in clinics available to obtain your medication!

Suboxone Partner Clinics

Access Community Health Network:

Lawndale Christian Health Center - Main Clinic

3860 W. Ogden Avenue, Chicago, IL 60623
Monday - Friday 8:30am-5pm
Saturday 8am-12:30pm

(872) 588-3000

Lawndale Christian Health Center - Breakthrough Clinic

3219 W Carroll Avenue, Chicago, IL 60624
Temporarily Closed

(872) 588-3580

Lawndale Christian Health Center - Farragut Academy

3256 W. 24th Street, Chicago, IL 60623
Temporarily Closed

(872) 588-3540

Lawndale Christian Health Center - Homan Square

3517 W. Arthington Street, Chicago, IL 60624
Temporarily Closed

(872) 588-3510

Esperanza Brighton Park

4700 S. California Ave, Chicago, IL

(773) 640-5788

Esperanza California

2001 S. California Ave. Suite 100

(773) 640-5788

Suboxone Walk-in Clinics

Personal Monitoring Program

This can include working with a sponsor, counselor, intensive outpatient program (IOP), or a sober living facility coordinator. You will have regular drug testing during your program. 

Sober living Programs

Sober living programs (also referred to as transitional housing programs) are designed to help you transition to a life of sobriety after you graduate from rehab.

After detox, inpatient or outpatient rehab programs help you modify negative behaviors and attitudes, learn to cope with triggers, and build healthy relationships.

After rehab, transitional living programs give you a safe and sober place to practice living an independent, sober life with the guidance and support of sober staff and peers.

IOP (Intensive Outpatient Programs)

Intensive Outpatient Programs range from 30 to 90 days, or even longer. These programs have a high level of support and care for individuals in recovery. Treatment also includes behavioral therapy, 12-step program work, family therapy, and other specialized therapies.

The main difference between residential treatment and IOP is that IOP programs are a series of weekly or bi-weekly meetings held at a safe, clinical facility. You do not live on-site. You can come and go as you please while enrolled in treatment.

Inpatient residential rehab

You’ll typically get 30 to 90 or more days of behavioral therapy. You’ll probably participate in a 12-step program and family therapy, as well as other specialized therapies. You’ll get a high level of support and structure because you live on-site at the rehab center for the whole treatment program.

Although 30-day programs are common, experts recommend treatment of at least 90 days for the best outcomes.

Help With Recovery

Recovery is a journey. There are people ready to help you at every step.