Opioid Use & Overdose
Opioid Information
Opioids are increasingly being misused in DuPage County. This can range from intentional (i.e. taking an opiate on purpose) to unintentional (i.e., opiates being added to/laced to drugs without an individual's knowledge) ingestion. Individuals using substances purchased off the street are at risk of unintentional ingestion. Lacing opiates into other street drugs is on the rise in DuPage County. Opioid use can have fatal outcomes.
Recognizing an Opioid Overdose & Responding
When opioid overdose is known or suspected, Narcan (Naloxone) is a medication that can be used to rapidly reverse the effects. It can quickly restore breathing, brain function, and save the life of a person experiencing an opiod overdose. This medication can be administered by non-medical providers as a nasal spray. A prescription is NOT needed to obtain Narcan for those 18 and older.
DuPage Narcan Program A collaborative effort among the DuPage County Coroner, Sheriff, State's Attorney, Chiefs of Police, and Health Department. Narcan is a medication that can be administered by non-medical individuals to reverse the potentially fatal effects of opioids.
FREE, VIRTUAL Narcan Training Program: https://hopedupage.org/173/Recognizing-Responding-to-Opioid-OverdosRequest
FREE Narcan Kits - DuPage County Health Department:
-request online: https://form.jotform.com/51745892649976
-pick up in person - vending machine: DuPage County Health Department, Linda A. Kurzawa Community Center (115 N. County Farm Rd. Wheaton, IL
FREE Narcan Kits & Support Groups - Community-Based Providers Overview: https://hopedupage.org/171/Narcan-Requests-and-Training
-Path to Recovery Foundation
-Louie Theodore Miceli (LTM) Foundation
-Live4Lali's Live Outreach Program
-York Center Fire Protection Unit
MORE FREE Narcan Kits
Opioid Intervention
Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances
Call: 833-2FINDHELP (833-234-6343)
Text: HELP to 833234
Visit: www.helplineil.org
Prevention
Rx Box
Safely dispose of unused prescription medication to prevent others from accessing accidentally or to misuse.
Locate local Rx Boxes: https://www.hopedupage.org/161/RxBOX
Walgreen's Safe Drug Disposal https://www.walgreens.com/topic/pharmacy/safe-medication-disposal.jsp
Substance Use Treatment Providers
SAMHSA Treatment Locator (800-662-HELP) (4357)
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that leads public health efforts to advance the behavioral health of the nation. Use SAMHSA's treatment locator to find local substance use providers in DuPage County. Call to get direct assistance or use SAMHSA's online tool to locate providers on your own. When using the website, be sure to check the box next to "Substance Abuse."
https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov/
Therapist Locator
Use these search engines to locate a therapist in your area. You can filter your search by need, treatment style, location, therapist demographics, and type of insurance accepted. Search for "Addiction" to locate substance use providers.
Psychology Today https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/il/du-page-county
Good Therapy https://www.goodtherapy.org/find-therapist.html
There are many substance use treatment providers in the DuPage County area. Below are a few that have been known to work with juvenile justice-involved youth.
Addison - Serenity House
630-620-6616
Adolescent Program: https://www.serenityhouse.com/adolescent-program
Aurora - Mutual Ground
630-897-1003
https://mutualground.org/substance-use-services
Bloomington - Chestnut
888-924-3786
Elmhurst - Elmhurst Hospital Behavioral Health
331-221-1000
https://www.eehealth.org/locations/elmhurst/elmhurst-hospital-main-campus/
https://www.eehealth.org/services/behavioral-health/programs/addiction/
Naperville - Linden Oaks Behavioral Health
630-305-5027
https://www.eehealth.org/locations/naperville/linden-oaks-behavioral-health/
https://www.eehealth.org/services/behavioral-health/programs/addiction/
Naperville - Rosecrance
815-391-1000
https://www.rosecrance.org/audience/adolescents/
Wheaton - H.A.S. (Healthcare Alternative Systems)
312-850-0050
https://www.hascares.org/programs/substance-use/
Winfield - Northwestern Medicine-Central DuPage Hospital
312-695-5060 (general outpatient services)
312-926-8200 (Warren Wright Adolescent Center)
https://www.nm.org/conditions-and-care-areas/behavioral-health
Addictions Info: https://www.nm.org/conditions-and-care-areas/behavioral-health/drug-addiction
Woodridge - Abraxas Woodridge Interventions
630-968-6477
Support Groups
Path to Recovery Foundation (PATH)
PATH is a group and forum to support and help overcome the stigma and challenges involved in caring for a family member with addiction issues. PATH currently offers meetings several times per month. All are welcome at the meetings and will find support, education, and presentations on topics of interest for family members and for those affected. Meetings are held in Wheaton, Plainfield, and Frankfort.
https://www.pathtorecoveryfoundation.org/support/weekly-support-group-meetings
Families Anonymous (FA)
FA is a 12 step fellowship for the family and friends of those individuals with
drug, alcohol or related behavioral issues.
https://familiesanonymous.org/meetings/meeting-directories/
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) - Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an international fellowship of men and women who have had a drinking problem. It is non-professional, self-supporting, multiracial, apolitical, and available almost everywhere. There are no age or education requirements. Membership is open to anyone who wants to do something about his or her drinking problem. Contact a local district to inquire about meeting dates/times/locations.
Aurora (Districts 60, 62, 63, 64)
630-859-2444
Bartlett (District 23)
630-830-6091
Downers Grove (District 42)
630-887-8671
Elmhurst (District 41)
630-833-7897
Glen Ellyn (District 40)
630-653-6556
Naperville (District 43)
630-355-2622
For additional information, visit https://www.aa.org/pages/en_US/index
AA Meeting Locator
FREE app to find local AA support group meetings.
Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
Non-profit fellowship of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. Recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean. This is a program of complete abstinence from all drugs.
For meeting information
Visit https://chicagona.org/meetings/
(select "West Suburbs")
OR
Visit https://www.na.org/
(click on "find a meeting" icon; enter your location information in the "NA Meeting Search" box)
OR
Call the NA Helpline: 708-848-4884
Al-Anon
Group fellowship opportunity for friends and family members of problem drinkers. Support meetings occur in person, via phone, and online.
Nar-Anon
Group fellowship opportunity for friends and family members of individuals with drug addiction. Support meetings occur in person.
http://www.naranonmidwest.org/meetings/illinois-meetings/
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
NOFAS Illinois
The National Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (NOFAS) seeks to prevent alcohol use during pregnancy. This is accomplished through through education, advocacy and support. NOFAS Illinois offers a monthly support group for parents and is held in Naperville.
NOFAS Illinois Support Network:
https://www.thearcofil.org/about-us/programs/family-support-network/Family
DuPage County FASD Parent Support Group Meets the second Wednesday of every month from 6-7:30 in Room 305 of Edwards Hospital (801 S. Washington Street Naperville, IL). Contact Ajeet Charate to register: acharate@trinity-services.org
Education & Helpful Information
DuPage County Prevention Leadership Team (PLT)
The PLT is a local community coalition working to reduce youth substance use and increase mental wellness. Visit the For Parents page for educational information about substance use, including strategies for starting conversations with your children and even a mock bedroom to learn how to conduct a room search for drugs/alcohol.
DuPage County HOPE Task Force
The DuPage County Heroin/Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) Taskforce was a joint operation of the DuPage County Board and the DuPage County Board of Health. The HOPE task force concluded its work in 2023 though its website remains active and offers a variety of resources, including those specifically geared toward parents.
https://www.hopedupage.org/192/Parents
https://hopedupage.org/177/Parent-Education-Prevention-Resources
Candor Health Education
Candor Health Education is a nonprofit organization in Hinsdale that educates students, their trusted adults and communities on various topics, including substance abuse prevention. Candor offers FREE virtual learning opportunities through their substance abuse prevention portal.
https://candorhealthed.org/substance-abuse-prevention-portal/
Studies show that parents are the biggest influencers of their child’s decision making. The best way to have an impact on a child’s choices is to know what choices they’re making…and that comes from conversations. Candor's family resources offer techniques to keep the dialogue open and reinforce healthy messages with youth.
https://candorhealthed.org/parent-information/family-resources/substance-abuse-prevention-resources/
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc.
FREE resources for parents, caregivers, and youth about alcohol and drug use. Offers a self-test for youth, easy-to-read articles, and stories of recovery.https://www.ncadd.org/
Get Smart About Drugs
A DEA resource for parents, educators, and caregivers.
Power to the Parent.org
Power to the Parent works to empower parents by sharing facts, strategies and information intended to help connect with teens.
The Be Aware tab includes a link to a virtual bedroom and teaches parents how to search for substances and paraphernalia https://powertotheparent.org/be-aware/hidden-in-plain-sight/
as well as a list of warnings signs that may indicate someone is using drugs or alcohol https://powertotheparent.org/be-aware/warning-signs/
Safe Storage & Disposal of Substances
Storing prescriptions in the medicine cabinet is a common practice, but this makes them easily accessible for children, teens, and others to find and misuse.
https://hopedupage.org/162/Safe-Storage
Unused medications that are expired, unwanted, or unused should be removed from the home and disposed of quickly in order to reduce the possibility that others access and misuse medications not prescribed to them.