Types of substance use treatment

Substance use disorder (SUD) is a widespread problem, affecting more than 70 million Americans in 2023. However, this disorder has a lot of nuance—people struggle with different types and severities of addiction.

That’s exactly why substance use treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all. There’s an array of treatment options that differ in their approach and programming. Understanding the types of substance use treatment helps with finding the right match that best supports a person’s journey to recovery.

Inpatient and outpatient substance use treatment options

Substance use treatment can be split into two broad categories: inpatient and outpatient treatment. Here’s the difference:

• Inpatient: For people who need intensive care for their substance use disorder, inpatient substance use treatment options remove them from their normal environment by requiring them to live at the treatment center. When participating in inpatient treatment, patients forego their daily activities to focus exclusively on their treatment and recovery.
• Outpatient: People participate in therapies and programs focused on their substance use treatment but can live in their own homes (or, in some cases, a sober living facility) and maintain their outside responsibilities. Outpatient substance use treatment is best for those who have less severe addictions or have already finished inpatient treatment and are transitioning back into their “normal” lives.

Both inpatient and outpatient treatment options include programming and counseling focused on helping someone identify, understand, and overcome their addiction.

Before we take a closer look at the specific types of treatments that fall under the inpatient and outpatient categories, it’s important to note that these treatments aren’t mutually exclusive. Some people might need only one approach to manage their disorder, while others might move through several different options during their treatment journey. Ultimately, the most effective treatment plan is one that’s customized to the person’s unique needs.

Inpatient substance use treatment

Detoxification

Also referred to as “detox,” this option helps people navigate both the physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawing from substances. Detoxing can be an intense and uncomfortable process, and guidance and medical assistance can help people get addictive substances out of their systems in a safe and supervised environment.

Detox isn’t considered addiction treatment in and of itself. Instead, it’s exclusively focused on the short-term management of symptoms and is often the first step for people who move forward with a longer-term plan for treatment and recovery support. For example, many residential treatment programs begin with detox.

Residential

Residential programs are considered the most intensive treatment option for people struggling with substance use disorder. People admit themselves and stay in a controlled treatment center to receive round-the-clock support and care.

Throughout their stay at a residential treatment program, a person will move through different phases—often including an initial assessment, detoxification, individual and group therapies, and potentially even medication-assisted treatment.

Exactly how long a person needs to stay at a residential treatment facility depends on their needs and circumstances. Typical stays can range from weeks to months.  

Outpatient substance use treatment

Partial hospitalization program (PHP)

This is a type of intensive outpatient program (IOP)—which we’ll explain more about below—that is slightly more intensive than a typical IOP. With a PHP, people receive treatment all day long (these are also often called “day programs”) but return to their homes in the evenings. Partial hospitalization programs offer about 20 hours of substance use treatment per week.

While “hospital” is in the name, this type of treatment doesn’t always require hospitalization. It can occur in a variety of supervised environments—including a hospital, clinic, treatment facility, or other medical center.

Intensive outpatient program (IOP)

For people who don’t require 24-hour supervision or rigid restrictions but still benefit from regular treatment, IOPs provide treatment for several hours per day (usually three to four days per week). In contrast to the 20 hours of weekly programming in a PHP, IOPs provide about nine hours of treatment programming per week.

This approach allows the person to get the frequent and predictable treatment support they need, while also being able to resume at least some of their daily activities.

General outpatient

As one of the least intensive options, general outpatient treatment allows people to continue to live at home and balance their treatment with their “normal” lives.

Patients attend no more than nine hours of treatment per week, and these services are often offered in the evenings or over the weekends so people can integrate treatment with their daily activities and responsibilities.

How Carrum Health can help

Having an array of available treatment options is a positive thing, but it can also seem overwhelming. Carrum Health can help you connect your employees with the high-quality substance use care they need and deserve.

Carrum partners with substance use treatment centers of excellence—like Meadows Behavioral Health, Caron, Hazelden Betty Ford, and Recovery Centers of America—that meet the established criteria for high-quality substance use treatment. When an employee connects with Carrum, they’ll be paired with a dedicated clinical care navigator (a licensed clinician and certified substance use counselor) who will support them throughout their treatment and beyond.

Finding the right substance use treatment option shouldn’t be the most challenging part of a person’s journey. With Carrum Health, you can help your employees identify and access treatment that suits their needs and sets them on the path to recovery.

Learn more about Carrum’s valued-based substance use treatment program.

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. No material is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.