Ann and Robert H Lurie Childs Hosp of Chicago/Div of Adolescent Med

The Substance Use Prevention Program at Lurie Children's Hospital delivers outpatient addiction treatment designed specifically for adolescents and young adults — a population whose recovery needs differ significantly from those of older adults. Operating within a Joint Commission-accredited pediatric health system, the program brings clinical rigor to youth-focused substance abuse treatment in Chicago.

The outpatient program format allows young people to engage in structured recovery support without stepping away from the routines, relationships, and responsibilities that matter most during adolescence and early adulthood. For families, this also means staying closely involved in the recovery process — a recognized factor in long-term outcomes for younger populations.

A defining feature of the SUPP program is its capacity to address co-occurring disorders — situations where a young person is managing both a substance use condition and a mental health condition simultaneously. Many young people entering recovery carry both, and programs that treat only one side of that equation often see higher rates of relapse. SUPP's dual diagnosis approach directly confronts that gap.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy serves as the clinical backbone for this integrated work. CBT helps young people recognize how their thinking influences their behavior, and builds practical skills for managing both mental health symptoms and recovery challenges over the long term — not just in the weeks immediately following treatment.

SUPP at Lurie Children's stands out in Chicago's addiction treatment landscape for explicitly including Deaf and hard of hearing individuals among the populations it serves. Access to quality substance abuse treatment has historically been limited for this community, and SUPP's acknowledgment of that population reflects a meaningful commitment to inclusive recovery care.

On the financial side, the program accepts a wide range of payment options — Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, TRICARE, state insurance, and self-pay — making outpatient rehab financially accessible to a broad range of families. For young adults and families navigating both the emotional and logistical challenges of recovery, this breadth of coverage options removes a significant barrier to getting started.

Parents and guardians evaluating recovery programs for a young person are often looking for more than short-term stabilization — they want a program that understands adolescent development, addresses underlying mental health needs, and provides a foundation for lasting change. The SUPP program at Lurie Children's Hospital is structured to meet that need through outpatient care that integrates CBT, dual diagnosis treatment, and youth-specific clinical expertise.

Located at 1440 North Dayton Street in Chicago, the program is available seven days a week, offering consistent access to care. For families in the Chicago area seeking an outpatient substance use treatment program with a strong clinical foundation and a focus on the 25-and-under population, SUPP represents a distinct and well-credentialed option.