A Way Out FAQ
Who is not eligible to participate in “A Way Out?”
We do not discriminate against any individuals who want to participate in “A Way Out”. However, if you have a warrant out for your arrest or are currently being charged with a crime in Lake County, we cannot permit participation. The police department will look into your case and determine the appropriate course of action.
How does/should substance use disorder treatment work?
Please review the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s Principles of Effective Treatment for information on a recommended approach to the treatment process, and NIDA’s overview on Types of Treatment. We are committed to upholding evidence-based models of treatment through “A Way Out.”
Will anyone know about my participation in “ A WayOut”?
No. This program maintains 100% confidentiality and waivers are signed to uphold this promise.
Can my loved one(s) join me in the process?
Yes. We provide waivers for you to sign indicating specific details of your loved one’s involvement in your treatment plan based entirely on your preference.
If I become an “A Way Out” participant and relapse after completing treatment, will I be kicked out of the program?
No. Relapse or lapses in sobriety can be part of the recovery process. We do not view them as failures, only indicators that more treatment may be required. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “relapse rates" (i.e.,how often symptoms recur) for people with addiction and other substance use disorders are similar to relapse rates for other well-understood chronic medical illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and asthma, which also have both physiological and behavioral components. Treatment of chronic diseases involves changing deeply embedded behaviors, and relapse does not mean treatment has failed. For a person recovering from addiction, lapsing back to drug use indicates that treatment needs to be reinstated or adjusted or that another treatment should be tried.”
If I don’t have a health insurance plan will I be able to participate in the program?
Yes. A Way Out will make every effort to match participants with an available treatment provider who accepts the participant’s commercial insurance, Medicaid plan, or has financial assistance programs. Many Illinois residents who have no insurance, and no income or ability to pay, will qualify for assistance through the State of Illinois Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (DASA). Participants will be informed of any out of pocket costs by the treatment provider. At times, funding options and bed availability may limit the options of treatment placements, but every effort will be made to place a participant as soon as possible, often same day.
If I have a health insurance plan, do I need to use it?
Utilizing health insurance plans will minimize the out of pocket treatment costs for the participant,however many organizations have self-pay options as an alternative.
Does the A Way Out Program pay for treatment services?
At this time A Way Out and the Lake County Opioid Initiative cannot contribute to treatment costs.
Outpatient Appointments
If outpatient treatment is recommended, an appointment will be made for you at The Lake County Health Department or Nicasa Behavioral Health Services that day or on the next business day for a thorough assessment and treatment planning.·
- Lake County Health Department (if you are in need of outpatient or intensive outpatient services in eastern Lake County)
- Nicasa (if you are in need of outpatient or intensive outpatient services in western Lake County)
- Nicasa (if you are in need of outpatient or intensive outpatient treatment services delivered in Spanish)
- Treatment may or may not be provided by the Lake County Health Department or Nicasa Behavioral Health Services.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office Highway Patrol: 1301 N. Milwaukee Ave.