Addiction Treatment: Types, Levels of Care & How to Choose
GET HELP TODAY!
100% Confidentiality Guaranteed
Addiction Treatment: Types, Levels of Care & How to Choose
Comprehensive care: Addiction treatment combines detox, therapy, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and recovery support.
Levels of care: Options include inpatient rehab, PHP, IOP, outpatient programs, and sober living for ongoing support.
Evidence-based therapies: Proven approaches like CBT, DBT, motivational interviewing, and family counseling improve outcomes.
Medication support: FDA-approved medications for opioid and alcohol use disorders reduce cravings and support long-term recovery.
Personalized plans: Treatment is tailored to individual needs, addressing co-occurring mental health conditions and relapse prevention.
What Is Addiction Treatment?
Addiction treatment is a structured, evidence‑based process that helps people change harmful patterns of alcohol or drug use and rebuild a healthy, stable life. Programs combine behavioral therapies, medical care (including medications when indicated), recovery support, and relapse‑prevention planning. Because substance use disorders (SUDs) behave like other chronic conditions, treatment is less a one‑time event and more an ongoing care plan with the right intensity at the right time.
Addiction is treatable—and recovery is possible
arge public‑health organizations agree on two points: addiction is treatable, and relapse does not equal failure. Like asthma or hypertension, SUDs often require long‑term management. If symptoms return, it’s a sign that treatment needs to resume, be adjusted, or move to a different level of care. With effective treatment, people can stop using and sustain meaningful recovery.
Treatment vs. detox: what’s the difference?
Detox (withdrawal management) stabilizes the body as alcohol or drugs leave the system. Detox alone is not addiction treatment—it prepares you for treatment. Addiction treatment addresses the reasons substance use continues (triggers, skills deficits, co‑occurring conditions), builds coping skills, and puts supports in place so recovery lasts.
How Addiction Treatment Works
Assessment & personalized care plans
Quality care starts with a comprehensive assessment. Clinicians review medical and mental health history, substance use patterns, risks, supports, and readiness to change. Using ASAM Criteria, they match you to the least intensive, but safe and effective level of care and create a plan you help shape. Plans evolve as your needs change.
Measuring progress and preventing relapse
Progress isn’t just “abstinent or not.” Providers track goals like withdrawal symptom relief, improved sleep, reduced cravings, better mood regulation, safer behaviors, and stronger support systems. If setbacks occur, the plan is modified—not abandoned. This chronic‑care mindset is key to long‑term success.
Levels of Care (ASAM Continuum)
ASAM defines a continuum from early intervention to medically managed inpatient care. The right level depends on risk, stability, and daily functioning. Matching accurately—then stepping down or stepping up as needed—improves safety and outcomes.
Medical Detox (Withdrawal Management)
Detox addresses acute withdrawal safely. Medical teams monitor vitals and symptoms, provide comfort meds, and protect against complications. The goal is stabilization and an immediate hand‑off into ongoing treatment—residential or outpatient—so gains aren’t lost. To support the stabilization process, Nova Recovery Center offers:
Inpatient/Residential Rehab
24/7 structured treatment in a live‑in setting. Best for people needing medical oversight, a distraction‑free environment, or intensive, daily therapy to build early momentum. Length varies from a few weeks to several months based on clinical need and progress. Nova Recovery Center offer Inpatient Drug and Alcohol Rehab in Austin, Texas.
Partial Hospitalization (PHP)
A high‑intensity day program (often 5–6 hours/day, multiple days per week) with medical and psychiatric support. PHP bridges inpatient and outpatient care, providing robust structure while you sleep at home or in recovery housing.
A flexible program (commonly ~3 hours/day, 3 days/week) focused on skills, relapse prevention, and support while you maintain work or school. IOPs balance structure with real‑life practice and are widely available via in‑person or telehealth.
Standard Outpatient & Telehealth
Weekly or biweekly therapy, medication management, and peer support. Outpatient is ideal for stepping down after higher‑intensity care or as first‑line support for lower‑risk cases. Virtual IOP increases access where travel or schedules are barriers.
Sober Living & Recovery Housing
Alcohol‑ and drug‑free residences offering accountability, peer support, and structure. They’re often combined with outpatient therapy or IOP and can dramatically improve stability during early recovery.
Aftercare & Alumni Support
Recovery plans include continuing therapy, medication follow‑ups, support groups, relapse‑prevention refreshers, and alumni communities. Many people benefit from ongoing contact for a year or more—especially after high‑risk life events or transitions.
Therapies That Work
A strong program uses an integrated, evidence‑based mix of behavioral therapies, skills training, and peer support.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) & Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
CBT helps you identify triggers, challenge unhelpful thoughts, and build coping routines. DBT adds emotion‑regulation, distress‑tolerance, and interpersonal‑effectiveness skills—powerful for people with intense emotions, trauma histories, or self‑harm risk.
Motivational Interviewing (MI) & Contingency Management (CM)
MI strengthens motivation and commitment to change without confrontation. CM uses small, immediate rewards to reinforce healthy behaviors (e.g., negative drug tests, therapy attendance). These approaches can be layered onto CBT/DBT.
Family, Group, and Trauma‑Informed Therapies
Family therapy improves communication, boundaries, and support—important because recovery happens in relationships, not isolation. Trauma‑informed care ensures safety and avoids re‑traumatization while processing experiences linked to substance use. Group therapy adds peer learning and accountability.
Mutual‑aid groups provide belonging, structure, and lived‑experience wisdom. Most programs encourage connecting with at least one community so support continues between sessions and long after formal treatment ends.
Medications in Addiction Treatment (MAT/MOUD & AUD meds)
Medications can reduce cravings, stabilize brain chemistry, ease withdrawal, and prevent overdose, especially for opioid and alcohol use disorders. They work best when paired with counseling and recovery supports.
Opioid use disorder: methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone
For OUD, evidence is strong that MOUD saves lives and improves retention in care. FDA‑approved options are methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone (including monthly extended‑release formulations). Choice depends on history, goals, medical factors, and access.
Alcohol use disorder: naltrexone, acamprosate, disulfiram
For AUD, the FDA has approved naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram. These non‑addictive medications can reduce heavy‑drinking days, support abstinence, and help prevent relapse—especially when combined with behavioral care.
Safety, myths, and how meds fit into a full plan
MOUD and AUD medications do not substitute one addiction for another. They’re recommended by major public‑health agencies as effective, science‑based treatment options—often the first line for OUD—and are tailored to each person’s needs. Your provider will review benefits, interactions, and monitoring before prescribing.
Depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and other conditions frequently co‑occur with SUD. Treating both together—integrated care—improves outcomes and prevents a “whack‑a‑mole” cycle where untreated symptoms drive relapse. Look for programs that provide psychiatric evaluation, medication management, and therapies adapted for co‑occurrence.
More Time. More Joy. More You. Start Now.
WE ACCEPT MOST INSURANCES
How to Choose a Quality Program
Signs of evidence‑based care & accreditation
Use this checklist as you compare options:
Uses the ASAM Criteria to match level of care; can step you up or down as needed.
Offers evidence‑based therapies (CBT/DBT, MI, CM) and medications when indicated.
Screens and treats co‑occurring mental health conditions.
Has licensed, credentialed staff and independent accreditation/certifications (e.g., ASAM Level of Care Certification, CARF/Joint Commission).
Tracks outcomes and provides aftercare planning.
Questions to ask admissions
Borrow questions from reputable resources to compare apples to apples: what therapies do you use? Do you provide MOUD and AUD medications? How do you determine level of care? What’s the staff‑to‑patient ratio? How do you involve families? How do you measure progress and support after discharge?
Cost, insurance & verifying benefits
Coverage varies by plan and provider. Ask about in‑network status, deductibles, out‑of‑pocket maximums, and payment options. Many programs help verify insurance quickly. If you’re uninsured or under‑insured, SAMHSA can point to state‑funded options and programs with sliding‑scale fees.
Freedom Starts Here. Take Back Your Life Today.
Same-Day Admissions in Austin Available.
Frequently Asked Questions About Addiction Treatment: Methods, Programs, and Recovery Options
What is addiction treatment?
It’s an integrated set of medical, psychological, and social supports that help people stop harmful substance use and build a healthy life. Effective care combines therapy, recovery support, and—when appropriate—medications.
What are the main types of addiction treatment?
Levels of care range from medical detox, inpatient/residential, PHP, IOP, standard outpatient, telehealth, and recovery housing, with aftercare after discharge.
What is the most effective treatment for opioid addiction?
Evidence strongly supports medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD)—methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone—combined with counseling and recovery support.
Are there medications for alcohol use disorder?
Yes. Naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram are FDA‑approved options that can reduce cravings, support abstinence, and lower heavy‑drinking days when paired with therapy.
How long does addiction treatment last?
It varies. Detox may last days; residential care can span weeks to months; outpatient and aftercare supports can continue for a year or more. The key is ongoing, right‑level care over time.
Is relapse a sign that treatment failed?
No. Relapse signals a need to resume, modify, or step up care—similar to other chronic conditions.
What’s the difference between inpatient rehab and outpatient rehab?
Inpatient/residential provides 24/7 structure and medical monitoring. Outpatient lets you live at home while attending therapy and medication visits; intensity scales from IOP/PHP to weekly sessions.
How do I choose the right rehab?
Look for ASAM‑informed level‑of‑care decisions, evidence‑based therapies, medication access, dual‑diagnosis capability, accreditation, and strong aftercare. Ask structured questions (e.g., NIAAA’s “10 questions”).
Will insurance cover addiction treatment?
Many plans cover SUD treatment; benefits vary. Programs can verify coverage, and SAMHSA can direct you to low‑ or no‑cost options and sliding‑scale providers.
You Can Recover — Let’s Begin
Nova Recovery Center provides a full continuum of care designed to meet individuals wherever they are on their recovery journey. Our addiction treatment programs include medical detox, residential rehab, intensive outpatient programs (IOP), and sober living, ensuring clients have access to the right level of support at every stage. We use evidence-based therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing, and relapse-prevention training to help clients build practical skills for lasting sobriety. For those with opioid or alcohol use disorders, we also provide access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) options like buprenorphine, naltrexone, and acamprosate, which work best when paired with counseling. At Nova Recovery Center, treatment is always personalized—our clinicians assess each person’s medical, psychological, and social needs to create individualized care plans. We also specialize in treating co-occurring mental health conditions, ensuring that underlying issues are not overlooked. Beyond treatment, we focus on aftercare, alumni programs, and peer support networks to maintain accountability and connection. By combining medical expertise, holistic care, and a supportive community, Nova Recovery Center empowers individuals to achieve long-term recovery and rebuild healthy, fulfilling lives.
Get help today. Reach out now to start your path to healing.