Treatment Programs for Addiction: Types & Options for Adults

Dealing with addiction, which is a chronic medical condition that can negatively impact a person’s life, can be challenging. Still, there are a variety of types of evidence-based drug treatment programs that can help adults who want to recover. Regardless of the program, people who enter rehab receive an individualized treatment plan that is customized to their addiction severity, any co-occurring mental health conditions, and other unique needs.¹

Signs You May Benefit From an Addiction Treatment Program

Suppose you’re concerned that your substance use or that of a loved one may have become problematic. In that case, there is a list of criteria that healthcare professionals use to diagnose a substance use disorder (SUD), the clinical term for addiction. 

While a doctor or other clinician will ultimately be the one to diagnose an SUD, knowing the signs may help you know when it’s time to seek treatment.²

If you’ve observed any of the following in yourself or a loved one, seek additional guidance from your doctor or mental healthcare professional. The diagnostic criteria they use to determine the likelihood and severity of an SUD include:³ 

• Taking larger amounts or more frequent doses of a substance than originally intended.
• Expressing a persistent desire to cut down or regulate substance use and not being able to do so despite multiple attempts.
• Spending a great deal of time obtaining, using, and recovering from the effects of the substance.
• Experiencing cravings or strong desires or urges to use the substance.
• Failing to fulfill obligations at school, work, or home due to recurrent substance use.
• Continuing substance use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the substance.
• Giving up or withdrawing from important social, occupational, or recreational activities.
• Using substances in situations that are physically hazardous, such as while driving.
• Continuing substance use despite knowledge of having a persistent or recurrent physical or psychological problem that is likely to have been caused or exacerbated by the substance.
• Experiencing tolerance signifies a need for a markedly increased dose of the substance to achieve the desired effect or a markedly reduced effect when the usual dose is consumed.
• Experiencing withdrawal when substance use suddenly stops or is drastically reduced, or continued substance use to relieve or avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Types of Addiction Treatment Programs Offered

Substance abuse treatment programs can involve various levels of care depending on a person’s recovery needs. Therefore, treatment can look different for everyone. What works for one person may not always work for another since treatment can vary depending on several factors, including the substance used and the existence of co-occurring mental health disorders.¹ 

As previously mentioned, you should consult your doctor or mental healthcare provider, who can thoroughly evaluate your situation, provide a proper diagnosis, and help you determine the most appropriate level of care for your needs.

American Addiction Centers (AAC) provides customized treatment plans across several levels of care to suit the needs of each person. AAC utilizes the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s (ASAM) criteria for treatment placement within the various levels of care.⁴

Call AAC at to speak to a knowledgeable admissions navigator who can explain your treatment options, including the various levels of care that may be available to you.

Medical Detox

Many treatment programs begin with a period of medically managed detoxification to help treat withdrawal symptoms.¹ Detox involves a set of interventions that are designed to help safely and comfortably manage withdrawal, decrease cravings, and address any withdrawal complications that arise. Medical withdrawal management helps to stabilize a person in early recovery so that they are better prepared to continue with a more comprehensive addiction treatment plan.⁵

Detox may involve the use of various medications, monitoring, and patient support, and can take place in a variety of settings, including doctors’ offices, hospitals, treatment centers, and freestanding detox centers.⁵

Certain withdrawal syndromes, such as those associated with opioid and alcohol dependence, are commonly managed with a variety of medications. As part of a medical detox, different medications may provide relief from certain uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, including anxiety, sleep difficulties, and GI disturbances.⁵

Medications used to treat opioid withdrawal symptoms include:^6-8

• Methadone, a synthetic full opioid agonist medication, aims to alleviate symptoms of opioid withdrawal and help control opioid cravings. It’s only available at licensed methadone clinics or opioid treatment programs.
• Buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist medication, suppresses opioid withdrawal and cravings.
• Clonidine, a nonopioid medication, may sometimes also be used to relieve some withdrawal symptoms such as sweating, diarrhea, vomiting, anxiety, and insomnia.
• Lofexidine, a more recently approved nonopioid medication in the same drug class as clonidine, can also reduce certain opioid withdrawal symptoms.

Medications for the treatment of alcohol withdrawal symptoms can include:^5,9

• Benzodiazepines, such as diazepam, chlordiazepoxide, and oxazepam are among the most commonly used medications to manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms and prevent the development of more severe symptoms, such as alcohol withdrawal seizures.
• Anticonvulsants, such as gabapentin, may be used to manage alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

While detox and withdrawal management are important early treatment interventions, they alone may not be sufficient for lasting recovery and are instead just the first step in a more comprehensive treatment plan.¹ 

AAC’s detoxification programs involve structured care and support and are tailored to meet your unique needs.

Residential Treatment

Once a person completes a detox program, they may transition to residential treatment, a highly structured inpatient rehab setting that offers an intensive level of support and care.^4,10

In a residential treatment program, individuals live and sleep on-site at a rehab facility for the duration of treatment. This provides people the opportunity to fully focus on their recovery, away from the triggers and stressors of everyday life. Those who may benefit most from inpatient care include those with severe addictions or co-occurring disorders, those without stable living environments or a supportive network, and those who prefer a more supportive rehab environment.¹⁰

Residential treatment can involve a variety of evidence-based therapies, psychoeducation, medication (if necessary), mutual-help groups, adjunctive or alternative therapies, and round-the-clock access to nurses, doctors, and other addiction treatment specialists.¹⁰

At AAC, every residential program is dedicated to ensuring that participants take an active role in their treatment. This means that you participate in various group therapy sessions, individual counseling, 12-Step meetings, and you receive constant care and support. Additionally, AAC provides co-occurring disorder treatment in all its residential treatment centers to simultaneously treat substance use and mental health disorders, such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)

High-intensity outpatient programs (HIOP), sometimes referred to as partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), offer a similar level of treatment to many inpatient programs–including different behavioral therapies, medication management (if needed), mutual-help groups, and other interventions as deemed helpful for a person’s treatment plan. However, PHPs do not provide room and board. Instead, individuals return home or to a sober living residence at the end of treatment.^4,11

For some, PHPs provide an entry point into the continuum of care or the program they begin following detox. For others, it’s a step-down transition from an inpatient or residential program, and for some individuals, a PHP is a step-up from a relatively less intensive outpatient program. 

A PHP may be well-suited for someone who does not require 24/7 supervision, has a sober home environment, and has reliable transportation.¹¹ 

AAC operates PHP programs throughout the United States, offering you (or your loved one) a highly structured addiction treatment program that typically involves daily activities, regular group therapy sessions, and weekly individual therapy meetings 3 to 7 days a week in 6- to 8-hour blocks.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)

An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is relatively less time-intensive than a PHP but provides a more intensive level of care than traditional outpatient care. Individuals enrolled in an IOP continue to live at home or in a sober living residence but attend regularly scheduled counseling and therapy sessions at the treatment center for 9 to 20 hours each week.¹⁰ 

Individuals may enter an IOP directly, use it as a step-up from traditional outpatient care, or a step-down from a PHP.¹²

At many of AAC’s treatment centers, IOP sessions take place during the day and/or evening hours, offering you or your loved one more flexibility and the ability to continue to fulfill responsibilities at home, work, or school while in treatment. The IOPs at AAC aim to help you meet your recovery goals, teach you coping skills to prevent relapse, and develop an effective aftercare program to support you after formal treatment ends.

Which Addiction Program Is Right for You?

As previously mentioned, it may be helpful to consult with a doctor or other treatment professional to receive additional assessment and guidance about the most appropriate level of care for your needs. Treatment plans are individualized and differ from person to person.¹

AAC has treatment centers nationwide, offering several levels of care and personalized treatment plans that utilize a combination of evidence-based therapies, expert care, and support. Additionally, AAC offers a 90-day promise. This means that if you successfully complete 90 consecutive days of treatment at an AAC facility and then relapse, you can come back for 30 days of treatment for free.

Call 24/7 to talk to an admissions navigator about the treatment options that may be available to you. Or if you’re not ready to talk, sign up for text support to connect with someone who understands addiction and getting sober. You can also verify your insurance coverage for treatment by filling out the form below.

Types of Therapy Offered in Addiction Treatment

Evidence-based therapies–interventions supported by addiction treatment research outcomes–are one of the cornerstones of effective substance use disorder treatment and are part of a treatment plan regardless of the level of care.¹ 

These therapies help individuals address the thoughts, emotions, and behaviors that contributed to or led to addiction and change them. This happens through the development of certain skills that help individuals sustain recovery.¹ 

How Long Does Addiction Treatment Last?

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all timeline for addiction treatment. Each person’s path to recovery looks different as they progress through their treatment plans, and relapse isn’t an uncommon part of the recovery process for some. Relapse doesn’t mean that treatment failed but instead indicates the need for an adjustment in the treatment plan or that a different type of treatment is needed. That being said, research unequivocally indicates that remaining in treatment for the duration of treatment and engaging in aftercare yields better outcomes and can help prevent relapse.¹

Treatment duration varies by individual, level of care, specific program, and insurance coverage (if using). Some programs may last weeks, while others can last several months or more. Outpatient programs can last just as long as or even longer than residential programs because sessions typically happen less frequently than they do in residential or inpatient settings.¹⁰ Additionally, treatment length may be extended or modified, depending on insurance coverage and to meet a person’s needs and progress.

Even when a formal treatment program ends, the work isn’t done. Recovery requires an ongoing commitment and continuing care, which may involve mutual-help groups, therapy, alumni groups, sponsors, and other interventions, which can last for years or even the rest of a person’s life.¹⁰

Treating Addiction When Mental Illness Is Present

Co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders are common but can complicate both accurate diagnosis and effective treatment, as each condition can be intertwined and interact with the other.^1,14 

The integrated treatment model, which uses medications and therapies to address both conditions simultaneously, is considered the standard of care by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) when treating individuals with co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders. Research shows that this treatment approach is linked to positive outcomes, including patients being more likely to remain engaged and participate in treatment when care is integrated and comprehensive.¹⁴

If you’re struggling with a mental health condition and addiction, AAC can help. All AAC facilities offer effective, evidence-based treatment for co-occurring disorders.

Finding a Treatment Program That Works For You

If you or a loved one struggle with substance use and addiction, treatment can help, and it’s never too late to get the help you need. Call AAC at 24/7. This free, confidential helpline connects you directly with a caring admissions navigator who can listen to your needs, answer your questions, and explain your treatment options. Let us help you begin your recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions About Addiction and Treatment