Iowa City Drug & Alcohol Rehab, Detox & Treatment Resources

Iowa City holds a unique status in North America. In 2008, it was the first city on the continent to gain a “City of Literature” designation by UNESCO. The Iowa Writers’ Workshop at the University of Iowa is one of the most prestigious graduate-level writing programs in the country. Graduates have included esteemed authors such as John Irving, T.C. Boyle, Michael Cunningham, Paul Harding and Jane Smiley. Iowa City also hosts a variety of other literary festivals and writing programs, including the Summer Writing Festival and the International Writing Program. Residents can enjoy an array of arts and cultural events throughout the year, from jazz festivals to the Iowa Biennial Exhibition.

However, some residents engage in a less constructive set of activities. As is the case nationwide, Iowa struggles with drug and alcohol abuse. Hundreds of people die from drug overdoses each year, and hundreds more from alcohol-related causes. The rate of alcohol abuse is much higher than it is in the rest of the country, especially among young people.

However, for every person who dies from a drug overdose or alcohol-related cause, many more seek treatment. If you or a loved one is battling substance misuse disorder, you don’t have to deal with this issue on your own.

Our Closest Facility:
the front of a large building with lots of windows.
The Recovery Village Columbus Drug and Alcohol Rehab
3964 Hamilton Square Boulevard Groveport, OH 43125
(614) 362-1686
The Recovery Village does not operate in the state of Iowa. Our closest facility is in Groveport, Ohio and can be seen in the map above.

Finding Help & Recovery in Iowa City, IA

Alcohol & Drug Rehab Centers in Iowa City, Iowa

Alcohol is the most commonly misused substance in Iowa, which is largely due to its availability. Binge drinking rates are higher than they are in the rest of the country, especially among those in the 18-25 age group. The state has also been battling a problem with methamphetamines, although lab numbers have gone down significantly over the past decade. Prescription drug misuse is lower than it is in the rest of the United States, but is still a growing issue.

Drug and alcohol treatment facilities can help you deal with misuse of any of these substances. You can also find help for other drugs such as marijuana, heroin or cocaine. Help is available in a variety of different forms, from full-time residential treatment programs to outpatient programs that let you maintain your independence.

Residential Treatment Programs

Of all the available recovery options, Inpatient drug rehabs give you the least amount of autonomy. Depending on your situation, this may be a good thing. When you check into a residential drug rehab facility, you immediately cut yourself off from the habits and influences that drive your substance misuse disorder. This type of program can also offer you lots of structure, providing you with activities such as individual and group therapy, meditation, yoga, nutritional counseling and stress management seminars.

Partial Hospitalization Programs

Inpatient drug rehabs provide a great deal of structure and offer regular access to professional health services, but they lack one thing: the comfort of your own home. For some people, this is a good thing, as their home environments are too unstable to be beneficial during the recovery process. However, other people may need the support of family members and the familiarity of home to recover. If you fall into this latter group, a partial hospitalization program could be a good fit for you. This type of facility includes many of the same activities that residential facilities offer during the day, but you can go home at the end of the day.

Outpatient Treatment Programs

Residential rehab programs can be helpful for people who have unsuccessfully tried other recovery programs or people who have severe substance misuse issues, but they are not ideal for everyone. If you feel a sense of dread interrupting your schooling or taking time off work, an outpatient treatment program, might be a better choice for you. When you choose this option, you schedule therapy and other treatment components around your existing schedule, so you can go on with your daily life. You also get to stay at home, which can be an advantage if you have a safe environment and a supportive family to help you as you continue on your path to sobriety.

Everyone is different, and all types of programs have their advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, only you and professional health care providers who are familiar with your situation can decide what option is right for you. Gather a few different drug treatment options and read the details carefully before making a decision.

Iowa City Drug & Alcohol Detox Centers

If you have already admitted to yourself that you have a problem with substance misuse, you can rest easy knowing you’ve completed one of the first steps in the recovery process. However, there is more to come, and some people find the next step to be the most challenging. That said; with the right help and professional care, you can complete a drug detox program and progress with the rest of your treatment.

Before you can go any further on the path to recovery, you need to rid your system of drugs and alcohol. This process carries health risks, as your system may react negatively when suddenly deprived of the substances to which it has been depending. A stay in a drug detox center can reduce the risk of complications during the detoxification process and provide you with prescriptions to help you bridge the gap between dependency and a sober lifestyle. You can also benefit from access to counseling as you go through this emotional time.

Recovery Meetings Near You in Iowa City

Recovery meetings can be excellent treatment tools. Groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous and SMART Recovery let you open up about your struggles with substance misuse and the challenges that you face over the recovery process, so you don’t have to keep your emotions bottled up inside. There is a wide variety of different groups to choose from.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Meetings

Alcoholics Anonymous has a well-established tradition in helping people recover from alcohol abuse. The organization pairs those in recovery with sponsors who’ve already been in recovery for some time. Sponsors act as a “go to” when times get tough and urges set in. Members also attend meetings on a regular basis so that they can share their recovery experiences in a group setting and follow a 12-Step Program toward healing.

First United Methodist Church
214 E Jefferson St.
Iowa City, IA 52245

Melrose House
511 Melrose Ave.
Iowa City, IA 52240

Trinity Episcopal Church
320 E College St.
Iowa City, IA 52240

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Meetings

Narcotics Anonymous follows the familiar format of AA, but caters to those in recovery for narcotics abuse. As is the case with AA, meetings occur regularly, but they can take on different formats. Discussions are the most common format types, but literature studies are also popular. Some meetings cater to specific groups of people, such as women, Spanish speakers or members of the LGBT community.

Uptown Bill’s & Extend the Dream Foundation
730 S Dubuque St.
Iowa City, IA 52240

MECCA
430 Southgate Ave.
Iowa City, IA 52240

Church of the Nazarene
1035 Wade St.
Iowa City, IA 52240

SMART Recovery Meetings

The 12-Step Programs that members of AA and NA follow are helpful for many people, but one of their major requirements is that members submit to a higher power. Although the organization is open to people of all faiths, this requirement may not be fitting for all. SMART Recovery can be an excellent alternative, as it takes a secular approach. Some meetings are public, whereas others are only open to patients at specific outpatient recovery clinics. Check with the group facilitator before attending your first meeting to ensure that it’s right for you.

Iowa City VA Medical Center
Mental Health Acute Care Unit
601 U.S. 6
Iowa City, IA 52246

VA Coralville Outpatient Clinic
520 10th Ave.
Coralville, IA 52241