It takes great honesty for a person to admit they are struggling with a substance or alcohol use disorder. Deciding to enter a treatment program for help with alcoholism or addiction takes tremendous strength. One of the most difficult challenges in the entire addiction recovery journey is taking that first step to getting help. But what happens next? How does a person begin to recover and achieve a sober, happy, healthy lifestyle?
While it may seem like a substance abuse treatment plan would be the same for everyone, the truth is that each individual requires a specific, customized treatment plan. There are several different treatment levels, and it is essential to know what each addiction treatment service is for an individual to decide what makes sense for their needs and life.
The goal of the levels of care is to ensure that each person receives the appropriate care immediately upon admission and then smoothly transitions to the next levels in the treatment process. It is important to note that an individual may be transitioned to a higher or lower level of care dependent upon their recovery development.
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) created a specific continuum of care that aims to guide one through the recovery process as smoothly and successfully as possible. The five core levels of care include:
Level 0.5: Early Intervention Services
Level 1: Outpatient Services
Level 2: Intensive Outpatient/Partial Hospitalization Services
Level 3: Residential/Inpatient Services
Level 4: Medical Managed Intensive Inpatient Services
The first level of care is “Level 0.5”. This level aims to provide preventive care and services to individuals at risk of developing a substance-related issue.
Level 0.5: Early Intervention Services
The first level in the continuum of care focuses on intervention by targeting individuals at risk of developing a substance dependence. In addition, Level 0.5 aims to target those who show symptoms and signs of a substance addiction but may not meet the specific criteria to diagnose.
Early intervention identifies specific risk factors that may lead to a substance use disorder. The following are the most common risk factors to look out for:
Minimal to no parental supervision
Poor social supports and relationships
Aggressive childhood behavior
Access to substances such as drugs or alcohol
If a substance use disorder is identified, there are several different paths to take to recover. Each level of care below marks an option for receiving recovery treatment.
Level 1: Outpatient Services
When a person struggling with substances maintains their day-to-day lives but still requires treatment, outpatient rehab may best suit their needs. Outpatient services typically require 9 hours per week (6 hours per week for adolescents) of treatment. The treatment will include meeting regularly with addiction professionals and doctors for recovery treatment. A person can attend therapy, receive medication, and engage in additional addiction treatment programs. Outpatient rehab provides treatment at the lowest level of intensity. Cardinal Recovery’s program offers comprehensive Level 1.0 Outpatient Services.
Level 2: Intensive Outpatient/Partial Hospitalization Services
Intensive outpatient programs and partial hospitalization programs (PHP) offer more intensive services than other outpatient programs. Often one will spend more time in a therapeutic setting. With more intense treatment and additional resources available, IOP and PHP are a better option for individuals who need a higher level of treatment and still opt to live at home.
Cardinal Recovery offers the following levels of IOP and PHP services:
Level 2.1: Intensive Outpatient Services
IOP offers treatment from nine to 20 hours of treatment per week while providing services such as therapy, psychiatry, and group sessions. Since treatment is provided at times during the day and on weeknights or weekends, many in IOP can maintain their work or school schedules.
Level 2.5: Partial Hospitalization Services
PHP offers patients about 20 hours of treatment per week and is the most intense outpatient rehab program available. A person attending PHP will benefit from therapists, psychiatrists, doctors, and laboratory services. PHP offers patients rigorous treatment that tackles addiction and co-occurring disorders. PHP will also provide the option of living in housing provided by the treatment center.
Level 3: Residential/Inpatient Services
Residential addiction treatment programs or inpatient addiction treatment programs provide around-the-clock treatment at an inpatient facility. A person will typically live on-site or very close to the treatment facility.
Level 3.1: Clinically Managed Low-Intensity Residential Services
Recovery skills are the main focus of Level 3.1, including managing emotions and relapse prevention skills. At this level, a treatment center will provide at least five hours of clinical services each week. Some of the most common treatment services in Level 3.1 include:
Structured recovery atmosphere
Staff available 24 hours a day
Outpatient addiction recovery services
Encouragement of life skills
House meetings
Level 3.3: Clinically Managed Population-Specific High-Intensity Residential Services
The Level 3.3 treatment program is also referred to as long-term care or extended care and offers a structured atmosphere with medium-intensity clinical services. This type of recovery treatment is for individuals with substance or alcohol use disorders whose lives have been severely impacted by substance abuse. Level 3.3 offers treatment at a slower pace, focusing on repetition to guide a person back into a healthier, drug, and alcohol-free lifestyle. This level offers ongoing case management, housing, transportation, vocational needs, and access to self-help meetings.
Level 3.5: Clinically Managed High-Intensity Residential Services
The Level 3.5 treatment program for individuals with multiple needs such as a severe functional impairment, co-occurring disorders, or are struggling to adjust to a healthy routine.
Level 3.7: Medically Monitored Intensive Inpatient Services
The Level 3.7 treatment program is the highest intensity Level 3 service. This recovery treatment is for people with substance use disorders and medical and/or emotional issues, or withdrawal risks that serve as roadblocks in their recovery progression.
Level 4: Medically Managed Intensive Inpatient Services
Level 4 is the most comprehensive and highest treatment level, incorporating 24-hour medical care, treatment, and evaluation, including meeting with a doctor daily. Typically, facilities that offer Level 4 treatment may be psychiatric hospitals, which all will provide substance abuse treatment and co-occurring disorders treatment. This stage of the continuum focuses on ensuring a person will be ready to enter a less intensive care level in their journey toward recovery.
Continuum of Care for Individuals with Substance Use Disorders
Though the continuum of care is a guideline for recovery treatment to help address that neither addiction nor recovery is linear, meaning they don’t follow a straight line, it does help inform treatment that is best suited to each person. It allows the focus to be on someone’s changing needs, which is vital to creating a path to recovery. With evidence-based treatment, addiction professionals can utilize proven methods in their treatment and thus improve long-term recovery chances.
Cardinal Recovery is here to help if you or a loved one is struggling with a substance abuse disorder or a co-occurring condition. Our addiction team is waiting for your call.