If you or a loved one are struggling with active addiction, understanding the different levels of care can be overwhelming. Where do you start? Which one is right for you? Fortunately, you don’t have to be an expert in addiction treatment to get the right addiction treatment.
Addiction treatment is structured into different levels of care. Each level provides the right type and amount of support to match an individual’s recovery needs. Addiction treatment is structured into three main tiers. The highest levels include detoxification and residential treatment. The middle levels consist of partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs. The lowest levels include traditional outpatient care and support groups.
To understand what type of treatment you need today or to get a full picture and the recovery journey ahead of you, dive into our levels of care ‘’cheat sheet’’.
Levels of Addiction Treatment Care: from High to Low
Medical detoxification programs
Medical detoxification is the highest level of care. It provides a safe and monitored environment to manage withdrawal from drugs and alcohol. This type of care keeps the individual:
- Safe– they live in a controlled environment, separate from the people, places, and things that might trigger a relapse
- Comfortable– chemical detox is often emotionally and physically painful. Medication makes the process more
- Alive– withdrawal from certain drugs, namely alcohol and benzos, can become fatal. In a medical detoxification program, vitals are closely monitored to avoid risks such as a gran mal seizure or heart failure.
This level of care is primarily medical, with little– if any– clinical programming. Medical detox often lasts around seven days.
Residential care
Just below detox, the next highest level of care is residential treatment, or rehab. In residential treatment programs, the individual experiences a reduction in medical support and begins heavy clinical programming. Like medical detox, residential care provides a safe, trigger-free environment. Individuals begin therapy sessions—both one-on-one and group. They also participate in holistic wellness practices, such as exercise and yoga.
Examples of Clinical Programming in Addiction Treatment
Clinical programming refers to structured treatment plans that help individuals recover from addiction through evidence-based therapies, medical support, and holistic interventions. These programs are designed to address both substance use disorders (SUDs) and co-occurring mental health conditions.
Common Elements of Clinical Programming in Outpatient Treatment:
- Individual Therapy – One-on-one counseling with a therapist to address personal struggles, triggers, and coping strategies.
- Group Therapy – Peer support groups led by professionals that foster accountability, emotional healing, and shared experiences.
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors.
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – Focuses on emotional regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal skills.
- Relapse Prevention Planning – Teaching individuals how to recognize and manage triggers to prevent relapse.
- Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) – The use of FDA-approved medications to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
- Family Therapy – Sessions that involve family members to help rebuild relationships and establish healthy boundaries.
- Life Skills Training – Programs that teach time management, job readiness, stress management, and healthy coping mechanisms.
- Holistic Therapies – Activities such as yoga, mindfulness, fitness programs, and nutrition counseling to promote overall well-being.
Partial Hospitalization Program
After “graduating” from residential care, recovering individuals transition into partial hospitalization programs. These programs are highly structured, often with seven days of clinical programming. However the recovering addicts begin to stay off-campus, such as a sober living home. Some individuals live at home during PHP. However, most stay in designated housing near the facility. This setup offers transportation and peer support after daily programming.
Example of a Typical PHP Schedule
Monday – Friday
8:30 AM – Check-In & Morning Reflection
- Daily check-in with staff and peers to set recovery goals for the day.
- Guided reflection or mindfulness exercises to promote focus and self-awareness.
9:00 AM – Group Therapy
- Process groups where individuals discuss challenges, emotions, and progress in recovery.
- Topics may include relapse prevention, coping strategies, and emotional regulation.
10:30 AM – Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Session
- Focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to addiction.
- Teaches practical coping skills to manage cravings and prevent relapse.
12:00 PM – Lunch Break
- Time for relaxation and peer interaction in a supportive environment.
1:00 PM – Individual Therapy
- One-on-one session with a licensed therapist to address personal challenges, mental health concerns, and treatment progress.
2:00 PM – Family Therapy or Life Skills Development
- Family Therapy: Involves loved ones in the recovery process to repair relationships and establish healthy communication.
- Life Skills Training: Teaches time management, financial literacy, healthy boundaries, and stress management.
3:30 PM – Holistic Therapy or Recreational Activity
- Activities such as yoga, mindfulness meditation, art therapy, or music therapy to encourage emotional healing and stress relief.
5:00 PM – Evening Reflection & Goal Setting
- Daily review of progress, challenges, and goals for the next session.
- Peer discussions on what worked well and areas for improvement.
5:30 PM – End of Day & Return Home
- Patients leave the facility and return home with support and coping strategies for maintaining sobriety outside of treatment.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
One step down from PHP, IOP programs strike a balance between recovery programming and outside life. In intensive outpatient programs, individuals can recover while maintaining personal and professional responsibilities (to a full or reduced extent.) IOP programs are usually offered on a five days per week or (M-F) or three days per week basis. These programs include 12-15 hours of programming per week. Usually they’re offered at night, allowing recovering addicts to work during the day. Individuals at this level participate in one or two large group sessions. They also have one-on-one meetings every other week.
Most patients enrolled in an IOP live at home or in a sober home. Drug testing is common. Sometimes outpatient programs are entered as a step down after PHP. Some individuals start treatment at the IOP level. They may need to balance work, childcare, or other responsibilities that prevent them from attending higher levels of care.
Example of a Week in an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is a structured treatment plan that provides comprehensive addiction therapy while allowing individuals to continue living at home. IOP typically involves 9-15 hours of treatment per week, depending on the program.
Below is an example of what a typical week in an IOP might look like:
Monday
- 9:00 AM – Group Therapy Session: Understanding addiction and coping strategies.
- 10:30 AM – Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Session: Learning to reframe negative thoughts and behaviors.
- 12:00 PM – Lunch Break
- 1:00 PM – Individual Therapy: Personalized one-on-one session with a licensed therapist.
Tuesday
- 10:00 AM – Relapse Prevention Workshop: Identifying high-risk situations and building resilience.
- 11:30 AM – Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Check-In: Monitoring the effectiveness of medications (if applicable).
- 1:00 PM – Family Therapy Session: Strengthening family communication and support.
Wednesday
- 9:00 AM – Holistic Therapy Session: Yoga and mindfulness for stress reduction.
- 10:30 AM – DBT Skills Group: Learning emotional regulation and distress tolerance techniques.
- 12:00 PM – Lunch Break
- 1:00 PM – Life Skills Development: Job readiness and financial planning skills.
Thursday
- 10:00 AM – Group Therapy Session: Peer discussions on triggers and recovery challenges.
- 11:30 AM – Addiction Education: Understanding brain chemistry and long-term recovery strategies.
- 1:00 PM – Individual Therapy: Personal progress review and goal setting.
Friday
- 9:00 AM – Support Group Meeting (AA, NA, or SMART Recovery): Strengthening peer connections.
- 10:30 AM – Creative Expression Therapy: Art, music, or journaling to process emotions.
- 12:00 PM – Lunch Break
- 1:00 PM – Final Reflection Session: Weekly progress evaluation and setting goals for the following week.
Outpatient care
After transitioning from intensive outpatient care, traditional outpatient care is a great tool in maintaining sobriety. Many addicts in recovery continue to a therapist, psychiatrist or other clinical support on a weekly or monthly basis. In addition to 12-step recovery programs, outpatient care allows the individual to continue building psychosocial skills and developing skills to avoid relapse.
Things that qualify as outpatient care:
1. Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
- Most intensive outpatient treatment option.
- Typically involves 20-30 hours of therapy per week.
- Structured like inpatient rehab, but patients return home each evening.
2. Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
- Provides 9-15 hours of therapy per week.
- Offers individual therapy, group counseling, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT).
- Designed for individuals transitioning from PHP or inpatient rehab.
3. Standard Outpatient Program (OP)
- Lowest level of care, typically requiring 1-3 therapy sessions per week.
- Best for individuals who have completed higher levels of treatment and need long-term support.
- Includes ongoing counseling, relapse prevention strategies, and peer support meetings.
4. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) as Outpatient Care
- Involves FDA-approved medications such as Naltrexone, Acamprosate, or Disulfiram to support recovery.
- Often combined with therapy and medical check-ins.
5. Virtual Treatment Program
- Provides online therapy, counseling, and recovery coaching via telehealth.
- Ideal for individuals in remote locations or those with transportation barriers.
- Offers access to licensed therapists and support groups from home.
6. Sober Living Homes and Aftercare Programs
- Outpatient care may include sober living arrangements, where individuals stay in structured, substance-free environments while attending outpatient therapy.
- Aftercare programs provide ongoing support, mentorship, and relapse prevention planning for long-term recovery.
How do these levels work together?
Not everyone starts at detox. Some begin at a lower level of care, like PHP or IOP, depending on whether or not they have a physical dependency, their needs and responsibilities. You do not need to go through each phase in order to recover. What matters is that you give yourself a shot at recovery by surrounding yourself with professionals who can support you. These professionals will help you identify what level of care is right for you today.
The most important thing is that you do not give up hope and that if you are beginning to withdraw from alcohol or benzos specifically, you seek a medical evaluation immediately. Seeking a medical evaluation does not mandate you to enter residential care, but it can assess your level of risk when detoxing off of these two sometimes-fatal substances. Do not attempt to detox off alcohol or benzos alone. Seek a medical opinion to determine if you are a candidate or medical detox.
Ready to take the next step toward feeling and living better? Reach out to one of the compassionate professionals at Archangel today. We will guide you toward the right treatment for you or your loved one today.
