Great Heights Family Medicine

GHFM is a licensed provider of alcohol and substance abuse services by DASA (Drug Alcohol and Substance Abuse division of the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS)). We are licensed to provide Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). The inspiration for the GHFM Opioid Treatment Program came from Dr Fatoki’s experience as a jail physician. Dr Fatoki noticed that a significant number of the patients he encountered in the various jails he visits were incarcerated because of issues related to addiction. The scourge and devastation of prescription opioids on the lives and families of these patients was apparent. Some of the patients can be mean and insensitive when first incarcerated and withdrawing from drugs. Once the patients are drug/alcohol free after a few weeks in jails, their personalities change and they become more “normal” like many of them say. They do very well in a controlled drug free environment but once released, many end up back on drugs. Realizing that if some of these patients had access treatment, they may be able to keep their families together and remain gainfully employed. Dr Fatoki also realized that many people don’t seek treatment because of the stigma of standing in line outside of a methadone clinic. Others do not understand the disease of addiction and “don’t want to substitute one drug (methadone) for another (“heroin”). This jail experience formed the foundation of our drug treatment program. The program was designed to educate and encourage treatment of opioid addiction while minimizing any associated stigma. The program is in an office type setting in a suburban mall with other professional businesses include accountants, insurance agencies, physicians, attorneys and dentists. There is no loitering, littering or long line outside the building. Many of our patients are gainfully employed and having loving families. Our convenient hours were chosen to minimize lost time from work or other commitments. Our staff and counselors are professionals who believe in our mission of compassionate care and respect for all. Great Heights Family Medicine is fully committed to providing access to the treatment of addiction and to restore lives to families and communities that have been devastated by the disease of addiction. We encourage family members and loved ones to visit the program so that their questions and concerns about methadone treatment can be addressed.