More than 2 million people in the United States have a substance use disorder related to opioids, whether heroin or painkillers such as oxycodone, according to national studies.
In Cook County, approximately three people die every day from an opioid-related overdose, ultimately leaving more people dead in a year than gun violence or car crashes.
For those struggling with opioid addiction, as well as their friends or family, it is important to know that relapse is not uncommon. For more information about opioids and addiction, please visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention or the Illinois Helpline.
There is always hope.
Below you will find resources to help guide treatment efforts for yourself or a loved one.
Additionally, if someone you know uses opioids, you can equip yourself to save a life by obtaining naloxone, an easy-to-use and readily available drug that can reverse an opioid overdose. (Naloxone is not a form of treatment for addiction).
For more on naloxone and how to recognize the signs of an overdose, please visit the website of the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Naloxone is typically administered via nasal spray or syringe and can be obtained without a prescription from pharmacies. Just ask your local pharmacist about availability and cost. Naloxone may also be available for free from the community organizations listed below.
Treatment Providers and Related Organizations
SAMHSA provides a resource to identify treatment service providers anywhere in your area, including those offering Medication-Assisted Treatment. Please visit SAMHSA’s search tool. You can also call the agency’s 24/7, treatment referral hotline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
The Illinois Department of Human Services also operates a hotline to assist individuals with accessing treatment: (866) 213-0548.
Chicagoland Narcotics Anonymous has a list of meeting times and locations, along with other important information, at the organization’s website or call (708) 848-4884. You can also visit the NA’s national web site for additional information on meeting times and locations.
Organizations that may provide naloxone
The following organizations provide naloxone in the Cook County area. Please contact these organizations to inquire about obtaining free naloxone.
3110 W. Taylor Street
Chicago, IL 60612
Test Positive Aware Network
Aquea Wynn (ext. 269)
Health Access Resources Team
(773) 989-9400
A.Wynn@tpan.com
5537 N. Broadway Street
Chicago, IL 60640
Behavioral Services Center
Lucien Izraylov
(847) 673-8577
LIzraylov@behavioralservices.us
8707 Skokie Blvd., Suite 207
Skokie, IL 60077
Services also available at other locations in Cook County
Wake the Nation
Cassandra Wingert
(708) 785-0291
wakethenation@live.com
You may set up an appointment for training and naloxone acquisition by emailing Cassandra Wingert at Wake the Nation. The organization serves all of Cook County with a relatively greater presence in Western Springs, La Grange, La Grange Park, Westchester, Brookfield, Lyons, Berwyn, Stickney, Cicero and Hodgkins.
Live4Lali
Laura Fry
1-844-584-5254 (ext. 803)
Laura@Live4Lali.org
3255 N. Arlington Heights Rd.
Arlington Heights, IL 60004