Answers to Your Questions
A professionals' program is a treatment program designed to not only consider the dual diagnosis of substance use disorder (SUD) and mental health struggles but also with the intent of helping our patients preserve their professional careers. The stressors and challenges that go along with many occupations often present additional challenges to recovery and reentry into the workforce. A professionals' program considers all these variables and does so in a setting of peer support alongside other professionals.
There are many personal factors that are important when choosing a treatment center, such as geographic location and cost. In addition, there are a few things that will help define the quality of the program. It is crucial that treatment centers be nationally accredited, with licensed clinicians providing care. In addition, a treatment center should be equipped to diagnose, treat, and manage a co-occurring dual diagnosis.
A sober living environment is a contained, supported, recovery-based community. Clients in a sober living environment are surrounded by peers who provide guidance and support through the early stages of recovery. This type of environment helps reduce the temptations and distractions of life so patients can fully focus on treatment. While focusing on treatment, clients are able to create detailed transition plans for their re-entry back into life following discharge.
An accredited facility is designated as a program that has met or exceeded national standards of addiction treatment and patient care. In an accredited facility, the program and staff have demonstrated superior knowledge in areas such as treatment, patient advocacy, safety, leadership, stewardship, documentation, and best practice standards.
Yes. Our Medical Director is certified in addiction medicine. We also have psychiatric practitioners, psychologists, and mental health counselors trained in treating substance use disorders.
Parkdale Center is not a detox facility, and patients for whom withdrawal may pose serious risks will be referred to other facilities. However, we can help manage withdrawal symptoms for most patients. Withdrawal medication can help keep you comfortable during the initial stages of recovery. Our doctors will determine if outpatient withdrawal medication is right for you.
Dual Diagnosis means we treat not only addiction but also the mental health issues that frequently accompany substance use disorder. Addressing these diagnoses together is crucial to success in recovery.
Parkdale Center’s doctors can prescribe medications for withdrawal, cravings, sleep, mood disorders, and other mental health conditions.
Yes, the Parkdale team is experienced in trauma-based therapies and modalities.
Parkdale primarily offers group psychotherapy but individual therapy may be available for unique cases.
Addiction doesn’t only affect an individual struggling with substance use, but also their families, friends, and co-workers. We treat each individual patient holistically, and that includes helping their families recover as well. Family support begins with an initial family screening that helps us understand family dynamics and informs our treatment plan for the patient.
We offer, free of charge, weekly Zoom support meetings for families and friends, and regular, more intensive, in-person meetings. We urge families to take advantage of these support options. Please see our For Loved Ones page for more detail about our family programs.
Family visitation is not permitted during the first two weeks of treatment, and following that, will only be granted with the permission of the clinical staff. Please encourage your loved ones to take advantage of Parkdale Center’s Family Support offerings here.
Family involvement is not required but highly recommended.
Yes. Parkdale Center’s treatment plan is evidence-based and was developed using proven guidelines and research from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Additionally, all of Parkdale Center’s clinical team members are formally educated and experienced in the field of addiction recovery. Our clinicians all hold advanced degrees and licenses in addiction counseling and/or mental health counseling.
Parkdale Center also believes mindfulness and sober living activities play an important part in recovery. Our Partial Hospitalization patients practice daily meditation and mindfulness exercises led by credentialed facilitators. Patients are encouraged to participate in these practices and make use of the local YMCA at no additional cost. We believe practicing mindfulness and getting regular exercise help those in recovery learn to manage anxiety and stress.
Harm Reduction models of recovery use a variety of medications to help someone struggling with substance use disorder “step down” from their current drug of choice, and ideally, into full and sustained sobriety. The NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, explains, "Historically, approaches to substance use treatment have been binary. Someone uses, or they do not. While these approaches can be effective for some, for others, they feel punitive or unrealistic. A harm reduction approach views substance use as being on a continuum and seeks to meet people where they are at. Harm reduction respects individual choice and operates with the mission of keeping people alive while encouraging positive change in their lives." Harm-reduction models often include treatment with Suboxone, Methadone, and Naltrexone.
Abstinence-based treatment holds that those in recovery must avoid all psychoactive substances, not just their drug of choice. These include alcohol, marijuana, and even medications such as cough syrups that contain alcohol. At Parkdale Center, we strongly encourage and advocate for an "abstinence-based model" of addiction treatment. However, we do everything we can to "meet the patient where they are.” Each patient’s treatment plan is individualized by our medical and mental health team. To support this abstinence model, we encourage patients to participate in a 12 Step recovery group and undergo Cognitive Behavioral, psychiatric treatment, both of which we employ at Parkdale Center.
We’d be happy to further discuss any questions you may have about harm-reduction and abstinence-based treatment. Please contact us for further information.
Absolutely. We recommend it!
The Parkdale team will review your medications upon admission, please bring all of your medications clearly labeled and marked.
Smoking is not permitted in the facility but a designated area is in place for those who choose to smoke. Parkdale recommends abstinence and will provide you with the tools and resources needed for your sobriety.
Whether provided in-person or virtually, our Intensive Outpatient Program typically follows our partial hospitalization program to treat acute SUD. Led by trained and licensed clinical staff, IOP is designed to continue teaching and reinforcing recovery concepts introduced during initial treatment.
Aftercare is a step down from IOP. Like IOP, it provides a structured discussion environment led by a licensed counselor. It offers continuing support for those in sustained recovery, with a smaller weekly time commitment.
Telehealth IOP and Aftercare are both hosted on the confidential, HIPAA compliant Zoom conference platform. When a client is referred to each program a link and password are shared with their specific group. Instructions and assistance are provided as needed.
Time commitments in IOP and Aftercare programs are individualized based on a number of factors including previous treatment, stage of recovery, and regulatory requirements among others. Call for an assessment.
12-step programming is based on the original Alcoholics Anonymous 12 Steps to Recovery, originally created in 1935 by Bill W. and Dr. Bob. Since its creation, the 12 Steps have evolved to help thousands of individuals suffering from addictions in many forms. IOP and Aftercare are not exclusively 12 step programs but do utilize 12 step material when it is helpful to group members.
There are alternatives to AA meetings such as Celebrate Recovery (a faith-based recovery program), SMART recovery, Dharma Recovery, and others. Parkdale programs assist each client with individualized treatment plans including assistance in determining which recovery support group(s) are the best fit. Resources are also given to help clients find online and local support groups.
The Parkdale Center Professionals’ program has worked with many licensing, regulatory, and law enforcement organizations throughout the country. In addition, our relationship with employers and credentialing bodies continues to grow with the direct benefits of those relationships being passed directly to our patients. Each case is analyzed and staffed on an individual basis with a professionals advocacy and reentry plan formulated and tailored specifically to each case.
Through the collaborative efforts of our medical director, program director, and nurse case manager, the staff at Parkdale is highly equipped to assist in all human resource and employment issues. Some situations that may arise are the need to secure a leave of abscess, short term disability, emergency medical leave, COBRA insurance, voluntary resignation, and many more. The Parkdale team is equipped and prepared to help navigate through the myriad of steps to secure the proper programs.
Parkdale Center is happy to work with your private insurance provider to help you get the most benefit from your plan. Unfortunately, we do not accept federal nor state insurances such as Medicaid or HIP.
Severe substance use disorder can be considered a disability and can sometimes be covered with disability benefits. We can help patients pursue that route. We work with all patients to maximize their insurance coverage of any kind.
Parkdale Center understands that discretion and privacy is paramount to its clients. We always maintain strict patient confidentiality while adhering to all the HIPAA regulations. Your recovery journey is safe in our hands.
Yes. Research has shown that substance use disorder is often accompanied by a variety of mental health disorders such as trauma, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and more. Often, patients aren’t even aware they’re struggling with a mental health issue until they come in for treatment of their substance use disorder. The key to long-term recovery in patients with these dual-diagnoses is addressing both the addiction and mental health challenges.
Parkdale Center prides itself on having highly educated, experienced clinicians on staff. Our Medical Director, CEO, COO, Program Director, nurses, psychiatric staff, and addiction counselors are all exceptionally well educated and trained in addiction treatment – some have been working in the field for more than 30 years. Please visit the Our Team page to learn more about the Parkdale Center staff.
Parkdale is a nationally accredited and fully licensed dual-diagnosis treatment center. By following the American Society of Addiction Medicine best practice standards and incorporating years of professional experience, the highly skilled team at Parkdale has developed a program to maximize success and long term sustained sobriety.
Our program guides patients through several levels of care. Not all patients will require all levels of care.
1. Withdrawal Management
3-5 Days
Some patients may require medical assistance to safely stop the use of drugs or alcohol. This may require inpatient and/or outpatient treatment to assist and comfort the patient through detoxification.
This step is best utilized as part of a comprehensive step-down program. If inpatient detoxification is required, Parkdale Center will refer patients to an appropriate facility.
2. Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
4-6 Weeks
Parkdale's PHP program offers a structured living environment which allows the participant to benefit from scheduled treatment while having some flexibility in their free time.
Using an individualized, multidisciplinary approach, Parkdale’s clinical team treats the psychiatric, psychological, medical, familial, and professional contributing factors for each patient.
3. Intensive Outpatient Programming (IOP)
4-8 Weeks
The Intensive Outpatient Program continues the work and progress begun at the PHP level on an outpatient basis. Patients typically attend IOP 3 days a week for 3 hours each session. Each group is facilitated by a licensed clinician trained in both mental health and substance use disorder treatment.
Additional individual therapy is strongly encouraged, along with social support groups, sponsor relationships, and peer networks.
4. Aftercare/Individual Outpatient Programming
Ongoing as Needed
The structured Aftercare program follows IOP and is a crucial element of the treatment cycle. These 1 hour, once a week, facilitated group sessions are imperative for early diagnosis and rapid intervention if more treatment and support are needed.
This level of care provides accountability, advocacy, fellowship, and support. In addition to the Aftercare sessions, individual therapy, support groups, sponsor relationships, medication management, and lifestyle changes are encouraged.
Admissions FAQ
Patients call our 800 number and inquiries are taken by an answering service. A notice is immediately sent to several members of the team: Rigo, Claudia, Scott, and possibly April. Whoever is immediately available returns the call – primarily Rigo.
Yes, we are in-network with BCBS, United healthcare, IU health, Community Health (local), Veterans. We accept out of network insurance as well, but not Medicaid or state insurance.
Yes, by CARF International
On a case-by-case basis
This varies on a case-by-case basis (see above.) We try to work with all patients where they are at.
See emailed talking points sheet
We encourage family members and loved ones to call for a free assessment. We offer advice and assistance.
Parkdale offers advocacy and support for our patients facing legal and regulatory issues. We partner with an attorney who can provide some legal guidance and answer questions. Our case manager will work with you and your attorneys to make sure that all documentation is provided as necessary.
Parkdale will assist patients with transportation to and from Chicago airports.
Parkdale has multiple IOP and aftercare sessions and in-person or Zoom options to help with time constraints. Our PHP programming is fixed from 8 am to 4 pm with further time commitments for meetings in the evening.
Clinical FAQ
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, trauma, anxiety, depression, substance use, behavioral challenges, life adjustments or transitions, Choice Theory, and family systems.
PHP patients attend group therapy 5 days a week for at least 3 hours. IOP patients attend group sessions 3-5 days a week for 4-6 weeks depending on their individual needs and program availability. Aftercare patients attend group sessions once a week for one hour.
We offer PHP inpatient care. These patients either reside in our sober living environment or commute from home (this is less common. Most patients live on-site.) They are allowed to leave the premises outside of programming hours using a buddy system.
Our IOP program is not inpatient, but several of our on-site IOP patients continue to live on-site in the sober living environment for the duration of the program (typically 4 weeks.) Otherwise they commute from home or Zoom in.
Our aftercare program is 100% Zoom.
We also offer individual therapy for the entire community, not just our SUD patients. These sessions are outpatient or Zoom based.
Our aftercare program length depends on the recommended needs for the individual, although it typically lasts for a year.
Our alumni program includes a dedicated Facebook group open only to alumni and current patients. We also send alumni emails. Most years we also have an alumni picnic, but that is not happening this year.
This is totally dependent on the needs of the individual. Most commonly, patients are in PHP for 4 weeks and IOP for 4 weeks. Both can extend up to 6 weeks if clinically recommended.
Completely.
Individual therapy is not included in PHP or IOP, but is strongly encouraged. Patients make these appointments as clinically recommended.
Treatment plans are created for each individual dependent on their clinical needs. After an initial assessment, more thorough SUD, physical, and mental health evaluations are conducted, and treatment plans are decided upon by our clinical team, led by our medical director.
Family involvement is strongly encouraged. A family assessment is performed for each patient. Parkdale offers regular updates if indicated. We also provide family support via a 2-day, in-person, monthly Family Program, and Monday night Zoom support meetings.
We have a doctoral-level psychiatric nurse practitioner on staff.
Facility FAQ
Our facility offers a comfortable living environment, wifi, coffee station, and fully available newly renovated kitchen. Membership to the local YMCA is included. (Note, our facility is in a historic building and is not ADA accessible.) We are situated in a beautiful, serene and private location.
Yes, outside of mandated programming.
Yes. Weekly community outings are encouraged and built into the patient schedule. They decide where to go and what to do. We provide a guide with ideas, but they are welcome to go off of this list. Patients are also encouraged to make use of the local YMCA. On Sunday mornings, patients also volunteer as a group at a local non-profit for disabled children and adults. Patients are also encouraged to visit off-site 12-Step programs.
Co-ed, but patients room with other members of the same gender. (Where we have had transgender individuals they either room where they are most comfortable or solo as appropriate.)
Yes. Our rooms accommodate 2-4 individuals and in most cases, patients are assigned at least one roommate.