How to choose between detox, inpatient, and residential
Understanding the six levels of addiction care helps you ask the right questions and advocate for the right placement — for yourself or someone you love.
One of the most confusing aspects of seeking addiction treatment is understanding what each level of care actually involves — and which one is most appropriate for a specific situation. The right placement can dramatically affect outcomes. Too little support and clients relapse quickly; too much restriction without clinical need wastes resources and undermines motivation.
This guide walks through all six levels of care recognized by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) — from the most intensive (medical detox) to the least restrictive (standard outpatient/aftercare) — so you can understand what to expect at each stage.
Medical Detox
Duration: 3–10 days
Setting: 24/7 Inpatient Medical Unit
Best for: Individuals with physical dependence on alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, or other substances requiring medically supervised withdrawal.
Medical detox is the safest way to manage withdrawal from substances that carry serious medical risk. Under 24/7 physician and nursing supervision, clients receive medications to manage withdrawal symptoms, prevent seizures, and maintain physiological stability. Detox alone is not treatment — it is the medical gateway to the treatment process.
Typically Included
- Physician-supervised withdrawal management
- Vital signs monitoring every 2–4 hours
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) initiation
- Initial psychiatric evaluation
- Care planning for step-up or step-down
Inpatient Stabilization
Duration: 5–14 days
Setting: Secured Inpatient Facility
Best for: Individuals with acute psychiatric symptoms, dual diagnosis, recent relapse after prior treatment, or insufficient safe housing to support early recovery.
Inpatient stabilization provides an intensive, structured therapeutic environment for clients who need more support than residential treatment but have completed the acute medical phase of detox. Programming typically runs 8–10 hours per day and includes individual therapy, group therapy, psychiatric medication management, and family sessions.
Typically Included
- Daily individual therapy sessions
- Structured group programming (8–10 hrs/day)
- Psychiatric evaluation and medication management
- Family contact and coordination
- 24/7 nursing and behavioral health staff
Residential Treatment (RTC)
Duration: 28–90 days
Setting: Therapeutic Residential Campus
Best for: Individuals who need immersive treatment away from triggers, lack a stable recovery-supportive home environment, or require longer-term therapeutic community engagement.
Residential treatment is the most common long-term intensive level of care. Clients live on campus in a structured, sober environment and participate in daily clinical programming — individual therapy, group process, skill-building workshops, family therapy, holistic programming, and experiential activities. The residential community itself is a therapeutic tool.
Typically Included
- On-campus housing and meals
- Daily individual and group therapy
- Family therapy and communication support
- Experiential and holistic programming
- Discharge and step-down planning from day one
Partial Hospitalization (PHP)
Duration: 2–6 weeks
Setting: Day Program (No Overnight Stay)
Best for: Individuals stepping down from inpatient or residential treatment who have stable housing, or those who need intensive programming but can live at home or in sober living.
PHP — sometimes called a "day program" — offers the clinical intensity of inpatient treatment without the overnight stay. Clients attend programming 5–6 days per week for 6+ hours per day, then return to their home or sober living residence each evening. PHP is a critical step-down level that bridges the gap between residential and outpatient care.
Typically Included
- Programming 5–6 days/week, 6+ hours/day
- Daily group therapy and process groups
- Weekly individual therapy
- Medication management
- Housing and community resource coordination
Intensive Outpatient (IOP)
Duration: 4–12 weeks
Setting: Outpatient Clinic or Telehealth
Best for: Individuals with stable housing and support who need structured treatment while maintaining work, school, or family responsibilities.
IOP is the workhorse of addiction treatment — providing consistent, structured clinical support for people re-entering daily life. Clients attend 3–5 days per week for 3 hours per session. IOP is available in-person at our campuses and via telehealth. It includes group therapy, relapse prevention skills, individual counseling, and peer support.
Typically Included
- 3–5 days/week, 3 hours/session
- Relapse prevention and coping skills groups
- Individual counseling sessions
- Peer recovery support
- Telehealth option available
Outpatient (OP) / Aftercare
Duration: Ongoing
Setting: Outpatient Clinic or Telehealth
Best for: Individuals who have completed higher levels of care and are transitioning to independent recovery maintenance with periodic clinical support.
Standard outpatient care and aftercare programming provide ongoing accountability and support for clients well into their recovery journey. Sessions typically occur 1–2 times per week and focus on relapse prevention, life skills, peer connection, and medication management as needed. Alumni programming and peer groups extend community beyond formal clinical discharge.
Typically Included
- 1–2 sessions/week
- Ongoing medication management (if applicable)
- Alumni and peer support groups
- Relapse prevention planning
- Long-term recovery check-ins (30/60/90/180 days)
How does placement get decided?
Placement decisions are based on a clinical assessment using the ASAM Criteria — a multidimensional framework that evaluates intoxication and withdrawal potential, biomedical conditions, emotional and behavioral conditions, readiness to change, relapse potential, and recovery environment. Our admissions team conducts this assessment during the intake call and can typically recommend a level of care within the first conversation.
Learn about our admissions process →
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