Levels of Care: A Guide to Your Addiction Treatment Options

When you’re ready to get treatment for addiction, you might not know where to start. But you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Experts have clearly defined the different stages of recovery. Understanding them can help you plan for what comes next.

Some or all of these steps may resonate with you. However, everyone’s healing process is unique. At a qualified addiction treatment center, you’ll get expert support in every stage of recovery.

1. Pre-Treatment (Early Intervention): In this phase, you’re just starting to plan for recovery. This is a good time to talk to the admissions team at a rehab center. If possible, you should also get assessed by a medical doctor.
2. Early Recovery and Inpatient Rehab: This stage begins when you enter longer-term treatment. You’ve successfully detoxed, and you’re ready to focus on your mental health. Some people attend residential rehab during this period.
3. Outpatient and Stepped-Down Addiction Treatment: Stepped-down treatment can be helpful after OR instead of residential rehab. Depending on your goals, this can be a short or long-term part of recovery.
4. Aftercare and Ongoing Recovery: After initial treatment, most people benefit from ongoing care. There are countless ways to get support throughout your ongoing recovery.

Pre-Treatment (Early Intervention)

By the time you decide to enter recovery, you might have to move quickly. But even in an emergency, you can find a treatment program that meets your needs.

Finding the Right Program

First, learn about how to choose a rehab. This should help you understand your options, and start matching them up with your specific goals. For instance, if you’re a trauma survivor, you can look for a program that offers trauma-informed care.

Make a list of centers you think might be a good fit. Then, it’s time to reach out. Talk to their admissions teams and get answers to your most pressing questions. If you’re not sure what to ask, you can start here:

• What is your treatment philosophy (holistic, 12-Step, evidence-based, etc.)?
• Will my insurance cover rehab?
• When is the earliest I can start your program?
• Do I need to detox before I arrive?
• Do you provide medical care on-site?
• What types of psychotherapy do you offer?
• Which complementary therapies do you have?
• Will I be able to stay in touch with my family during treatment?
• How long does treatment usually last? Is it different from person to person?
• What types of aftercare are available for alumni?

If you’re seriously considering a certain program, you’ll probably have a lot more questions. You have the right to ask all of them. Get the information you need to make an informed decision about what you’ll do next.

Detox

During detox, you’ll stop using drugs and let them leave your system completely.
Some people go through this at home, and others attend medical detox programs. Either way, it’s important to get a medical assessment before you start the process.

Talk to your doctor about your drug or alcohol use. Make sure to tell them how much you’ve been taking, and how often. This will help them determine whether you’re physically or psychologically dependent on any given substance. Either issue can be very serious, but they may require different forms of treatment. This information can help you either prepare for medical detox, or plan for other treatment.

If you’re in recovery from alcohol, opiates, or benzodiazepines, it’s vital to get medical care during detox. Stopping use of these substances can cause very serious side effects. With proper treatment, you can avoid life-threatening complications.

Early Recovery and Inpatient Rehab

After detox, many people attend residential rehab. While this isn’t necessary for everyone, it can be a powerful experience. By taking time away from your daily life, you can focus all your energy on this phase of recovery.

You’ll likely benefit from inpatient treatment if you need a high level of structure. Patients abide by certain rules and follow a clear schedule, working toward specific recovery goals. You’ll also engage in several types of treatment. Every rehab has its own approach, but most will offer at least some of the following modalities.

Psychotherapy

In traditional talk therapy, you’ll meet with a therapist 1:1 on a regular basis. During rehab, you might see them every day or a few times a week. These sessions let you process your feelings, your past experiences, and your own reactions to the treatment process. You might also learn practical skills, like what to do when you have cravings.

This is just one kind of treatment. In addition to 1:1 counseling, you may benefit from a more specialized kind of talk therapy. It’s important to note that the following modalities are no substitute for regular talk therapy. But as supplemental treatments, they can be extremely helpful.

• cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• motivational interviewing (MI)
• psychodynamic therapy
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

In these therapies, you can develop coping skills, work through past trauma, and reframe your own feelings. Some, like EMDR, also help you reconnect with your body in a healthy way.

Physical Recovery

Addiction can cause physical health problems.¹ In early recovery, you may need help to stabilize. This could mean working with a team of doctors and nurses. If you don’t need as much support, you might work with a nutritionist or spend time in your rehab’s gym.

If you’re healing from an addiction to prescribed drugs, you may need more specialized care. And there are non-addictive medications that can treat most underlying conditions. To learn about your options, ask your treatment team about treatment for co-occurring disorders.

Community Support

Most rehab centers offer group sessions of some kind. There are many types of community support, but these groups normally fit into 1 of 2 categories:

• Group therapy sessions are led by a trained counselor. You might spend time processing your feelings, go through a set curriculum, or both. Either way, these groups let you connect with people who share your experience of addiction.
• Peer-led support groups are more focused on interpersonal relationships, and less on clinical work. In 12-Step groups, like A.A., long-term members can become sponsors, supporting new arrivals in recovery. There are also many non-12-Step groups, which may appeal to a wider variety of people.

If you’re used to relying on drugs in social situations, groups can be overwhelming. These meetings let you practice your interpersonal skills in a safe and supported setting. Recovery doesn’t just mean stopping drug use; it’s also a chance to get to know yourself again. Connecting with other people can help you understand your own needs and values.

Complementary Therapies

Healing is hard work—but it can also be inspiring. In fact, doing things you enjoy is a vital part of recovery. Alternative therapies can help you connect with your spirituality, learn a new skill, or just take time to process your feelings. Depending on your program, you might have access to some of these modalities:

• Holistic treatments, like sound healing or mindful meditation, help you ground into the present moment. This type of therapy is meant to heal the mind, body, and spirit.
• Experiential therapy is an umbrella term that can include many activities. Art therapy, sports, and equine therapy all fall into this category. These treatments let you practice the skills you’ve learned in therapy, in a real world setting.

Inpatient rehab isn’t right for everyone. And fortunately, it’s just one of many options. You can also get treatment in a less intensive program. Some clients even do both, starting with rehab and moving on to an outpatient setting.