Medically reviewed by Dr. Margaret Calloway, PhD, LCSW
Editorial Director, Addiction & Recovery · Last reviewed January 2025

Addiction treatment is not one-size-fits-all. The most effective approach to treatment is one that matches the type and intensity of care to each individual's clinical needs — taking into account the severity of the substance use disorder, the presence of co-occurring mental health conditions, the person's support system, their history of prior treatment, and their medical and psychological stability.

This article provides an overview of the major types of addiction treatment available in the United States, explaining what each involves, who each is typically appropriate for, and how the different levels of care fit together in a comprehensive treatment continuum.

Medical Detoxification

Medical detoxification — often called "detox" — is the process of clearing a substance from the body under medical supervision while managing withdrawal symptoms. Detox is not treatment in itself; it is a critical first step for individuals who are physically dependent on a substance and need medical support to safely discontinue use.

Withdrawal from certain substances can be medically serious or even life-threatening. Alcohol withdrawal can cause seizures and a condition called delirium tremens (DTs), which has a mortality rate of 5–15% without treatment, according to research published in Alcohol and Alcoholism. Benzodiazepine withdrawal carries similar risks. Opioid withdrawal, while intensely uncomfortable, is rarely life-threatening in otherwise healthy adults but poses significant risks in medically compromised individuals and is associated with high relapse rates without follow-on treatment.

Medical detox may be provided in a hospital setting, a standalone detox facility, or within a residential treatment program. The appropriate setting depends on the substance, the severity of dependence, and the individual's medical history. ASAM provides clinical criteria for appropriate detox placement.

Important

Medical detox addresses physical dependence — it does not address the psychological, behavioral, and social dimensions of addiction. Research consistently shows that detox alone, without follow-on behavioral treatment, produces poor long-term outcomes. Detox should always be followed by appropriate addiction treatment.

Inpatient Residential Treatment

Residential treatment provides 24-hour care in a structured treatment facility. Patients live at the facility for the duration of treatment — typically 28 to 90 days, though longer programs exist for individuals with severe disorders or complex co-occurring conditions.

Residential programs provide intensive, structured treatment including individual therapy, group therapy, psychoeducation, family programming, and — where indicated — psychiatric services and medication management. The residential environment removes patients from environments and triggers associated with substance use and provides around-the-clock clinical support.

Residential treatment is typically indicated for individuals with:

Moderate-to-severe substance use disorders that have not responded to less intensive treatment
Co-occurring mental health conditions that require close monitoring
Unsafe or unsupportive home environments
Limited social support for recovery
A history of relapse following outpatient treatment

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)

A Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) provides intensive treatment — typically 20 to 30 hours per week — on an outpatient basis. Patients attend treatment for five to seven days per week during the day, then return home or to a sober living environment in the evenings.

PHP provides a level of structure and clinical intensity approaching residential treatment, while allowing patients to maintain some connection to their community, family, or employment. It is appropriate for individuals who need intensive care but do not require 24-hour supervision, or as a step-down level of care following residential treatment.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) typically involve nine to 19 hours of treatment per week, spread across three to five days. IOP is the most commonly utilized level of intensive treatment because it provides structured, evidence-based care while accommodating work, school, or family obligations.

IOP typically includes group therapy (often the primary modality), individual therapy, case management, and family involvement. Many IOPs also incorporate medication-assisted treatment for opioid or alcohol use disorder.

IOP is appropriate as a primary treatment level for individuals with moderate disorders and stable home environments, and as a step-down from PHP or residential treatment for individuals transitioning back to independent living.

Standard Outpatient Treatment

Standard outpatient treatment involves fewer than nine hours per week of clinical contact, often consisting of weekly individual therapy and occasional group sessions. It is appropriate for individuals with mild-to-moderate disorders, strong social support, and stable home environments — and as a continuing care modality for individuals who have completed more intensive treatment.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Medication-assisted treatment uses FDA-approved medications in combination with behavioral therapies to treat substance use disorders. MAT is currently available for opioid use disorder (buprenorphine, methadone, naltrexone) and alcohol use disorder (naltrexone, acamprosate, disulfiram).

MAT is the most evidence-based treatment for opioid use disorder. A landmark 2020 report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine concluded that medications for opioid use disorder reduce the risk of opioid overdose, reduce illicit opioid use, and improve treatment retention. Despite this evidence, MAT remains underutilized due to stigma, regulatory barriers, and limited provider access — particularly in rural areas.

MAT can be provided at any level of care — from office-based opioid treatment (OBOT) in a primary care setting to within residential programs. See our full article on Medication-Assisted Treatment.

Peer Support and Recovery Support Services

Peer support services — including 12-step programs (Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous), SMART Recovery, and peer recovery support specialists — are an important complement to formal clinical treatment. Research on Alcoholics Anonymous and similar mutual-aid organizations suggests that participation is associated with improved abstinence outcomes, particularly when combined with professional treatment.

Recovery support services also include sober living housing, recovery coaching, transportation assistance, employment support, and childcare — services that address the social determinants of sustained recovery. See our article on Sober Living for more on recovery housing options.

Choosing the Right Type of Treatment

The appropriate type of treatment depends on a thorough clinical assessment. The most widely used framework for matching patients to appropriate levels of care is the ASAM Criteria, developed by the American Society of Addiction Medicine, which evaluates patients across six dimensions: acute intoxication and withdrawal potential, biomedical conditions, emotional/behavioral/cognitive conditions, readiness to change, relapse potential, and recovery environment.

If you are trying to determine the appropriate level of care for yourself or a family member, speaking with a licensed addiction counselor or calling SAMHSA's National Helpline (1-800-662-4357) is a good starting point.

Types of Addiction Treatment