Over 50 years of expertise in helping people find treatment for substance use disorder.

Our History – CEAD (Central East Alcohol and Drug) Council was first incorporated in 1972, known at the time by the name Coles County Council on Alcoholism, and opened the first facility in 1973.  At the time, the only services offered were Social Setting Detoxification and Residential Treatment.  

The first satellite offices opened in Mattoon and Shelbyville, offering outpatient services that were more conveniently located to serve our rural community.  Over the next decade, CEAD Council expanded even more by adding outpatient offices in Charleston as well as prevention services, women specific services, and an adolescent outpatient program.  

In 2020 we began using the name “Hour House” as a reflection of the history behind our main campus office as well as the nature of recovery being in steps “one hour at a time”.  

Treatment Philosophy – The Hour House’s treatment philosophy has many facets, starting with the therapeutic environment that is provided to clients. While providing a safe space for clients to share their experiences, they are still able to socialize, get exercise, and perform daily living tasks to maintain a sense of independence.

Clients are involved in assessment of the need for use of medication assisted recovery and in working with prescribers to obtain the medications that best meet their needs. We use a harm reduction approach in our interventions, assisting clients who experience relapse to assess their recovery patterns and make adjustments as needed with the support of professionals. Overdose reversal medications are widely available at all of our agency locations and are distributed to clients regularly. The agency's community programs also assure that there is a ready supply of overdose reversal medications in as many community locations as possible. 

Trauma-informed care is used at Hour House by first recognizing the impact of trauma, the signs and symptoms of those who deal with substance use disorders, and how it effects family members of clients. Once those things are understood, steps are taken to ensure that clients feel safe, empowered, and supported. Gender-specific groups help with any underlying trauma and creates a support group of peers, without the risk of re-traumatization. By working with both the client and their family members, treatment plans are created to ensure collaboration and give direction and purpose to the client’s recovery.