What Does Treatment for Addiction Look Like?

There are many different levels of care when treating addiction. The right level of treatment depends on each person’s needs and their willingness to participate. Most people have limited knowledge of treatment and need professional help to assess them and make a recommendation. Often, the only solution offered to someone who is suffering is inpatient treatment. It’s important for you to be informed and know you have options.

Below is a brief explanation of the levels of addiction treatment, from the least restrictive to residential care.

Medical and clinical options

Outpatient clinical

Therapists trained in addiction can assess, make recommendations and help devise a plan for both the client and the family. Psychiatrists provide assessment and can diagnose issues such as depression, bipolar disorder and ADD.

When seeking help, don’t hesitate to ask about the person’s experience working with addiction. Not all counselors, therapists and psychiatrists are the same!

Outpatient medical detox

Doctors who specialize in detoxification help people come off substances without being hospitalized. They use medications to lessen the symptoms of withdrawal, lower the risk of seizures and monitor progress. These doctors usually require some other form of outpatient support, either private counseling or an intensive outpatient program. The client is assessed to determine whether this is the best course of action.

Supportive outpatient program

This is the lowest level of care within a treatment program. It provides 2 to 4 hours a week of group support after a client has completed either a residential program or an intensive outpatient program.

Intensive outpatient program (IOP)

IOPs support clients who are not ready to go into an inpatient program or who have just completed one. These programs usually run 9 to 12 hours a week, 3 hours a day, 3 to 4 days a week, depending on the program that is best for the client.

Partial hospitalization program (PHP)

The traditional PHP is a day program: the client attends an 8-hour program, then returns home. Many treatment centers today offer a residential PHP level of care, meaning the client stays on the property after the day’s groups are finished.

Inpatient detox

Clients who need medical assistance to come off their substance spend, on average, 3 to 7 days in a more restricted part of the program where they can be medically monitored. Once medically cleared, they are “stepped down” to residential care.

Inpatient residential programs

These programs range from 30 to 90 days on average. How long someone stays is largely determined by their needs and the program selected. The focus is on developing skills to remain sober and identifying barriers to recovery. Group therapy, individual therapy, education groups and 12 Step meetings are the primary tools used.

Additional support options

Sober living

A structured environment that provides high accountability to help residents succeed in recovery. These are usually residential homes with 2 to 3 people per room and a house manager to ensure the integrity of the house. Residents must meet specific requirements to remain in the home.

Halfway house

Transitional homes for people coming out of the prison system. The primary focus is on helping them integrate back into society.

Three-quarter house

A level of sober living for people who have accumulated some sober time and are ready for less structure and accountability, but still want sober support.

Monitoring programs

Programs vary in how they monitor, but they all serve as a way to intervene in relapses. Most provide a “sober coach” who works one-on-one with the client to develop plans around the key struggles in their life. They meet regularly to review and update the plan and set measurable goals. The program provides drug and alcohol screenings twice a week and shares information with the family to keep them informed of progress or concerns.

Life coach

A professional who helps someone get from where they are now to where they want to be. A coach is trained to support, motivate and hold someone accountable for achieving personal goals. A coach may or may not be familiar with addiction issues, so interview them to make sure they are a good fit.

Not sure which level of care is right? That’s exactly what a treatment recommendation is for.