Making Sense of the Different Levels of Care

Where does INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT fit in with 12 Steps, AA, residential and medical detox programs?

Individuals and families dealing with addictive behaviors may not be aware that there is a “middle ground” between 12 Steps/AA programs AND Residential treatment. We frequently see that when someone fails at 12 Steps or AA, they often bypass this middle ground, called Intensive Outpatient care, and go directly to Residential treatment—which may be a higher level of care than is actually needed.

Here’s an overview of each level of care, listed from highest-to-lowest level of client need:

Medical Detox

This highest level of care is for individuals with suicidal risks or those at medical risk when rapidly reducing or stopping the intake of high volumes of alcohol or certain drugs, like heroin. This care includes 3 or more days of hospitalization, oversight by doctors and nurses, and prescriptions that assist with tapering down from the highest levels of drug and alcohol consumption. When finished with medical detox, most clients should go immediately into a residential or intensive outpatient program.

Residential

This high level of care is for individuals that need to live in an environment with 24-hour/7-days-a-week access to help. Residential treatment takes individuals out of their home environment into a temporary living condition where they live with other individuals with addictions, and are under constant supervision by therapeutic and non-therapeutic staff. This time away from their normal lifestyle, social networks, dealers and addiction triggers helps individuals with addictive behaviors to experience life without access to their addiction resource. When finished with this highly observed 24/7 environment, most clients should complete an Intensive Outpatient program to help them transition from a fully-observed environment back into one they manage by themselves.

Intensive Outpatient Program (this is Life Stone’s level of care)

Almost all intensive outpatient programs are based on group counseling, with the majority of these programs split between peer-led programs (12 Steps, AA) and counselor-led programs. This moderate-to-high level of care provides clients with 2-8 hours per weekday of 1-on-1 therapy, group counseling, and education courses—and in more extensive programs—highly specialized treatment options. For instance, Life Stone increases the successful results of its counselor-led Cognitive Behavioral Therapy programs with a focus on healing and improving the body with nutrition, exercise and dry-heat infrared sauna programs. When finished with IOP care, most clients commit to a highly-personalized “aftercare” program to increase ongoing success in overcoming their addictions. This may be as simple as calling the center once a month, coming to the center when they feel the need to do so, or may include participation in a 12 Step/AA program.

12 Steps, Private Aftercare and AA

These programs can be beneficial for individuals with base-level addiction issues…either as a first experience in addiction recovery or as a transition step after they successfully complete intensive outpatient programs. Most often, 12 Steps and AA programs serve as a source for education and as a peer network. This level of care can be beneficial to those who lack a significant family, social or spiritual community network. Note that more effective 12 Step and AA programs include the participation of a professional counselor in group meetings.

We recognize that this list of services is only a high level overview, and does not include explanations of specialty programs like Day Treatment, Wilderness Programs, Sober Living Residency and other options available to individuals with addictions and their families. We can also discuss these with you if they are of interest to you.

Life Stone is a State-licensed Intensive Outpatient center specializing in stress, anxiety, depression and addiction recovery. Our core competencies are addressing addictions related to drugs, alcohol, domestic violence and anger management. Because most individuals with addictions face multiple issues, we also address all other addictive behaviors, including pornography, sex, gambling, theft and tobacco.

Please talk to us about how we can help you and those you serve.