Levels of care
Levels of addiction care, explained plainly
Treatment comes in levels, from round-the-clock medical care to a few hours of therapy a week. Most people move through more than one. Here is what each level means and who it is for.
The levels at a glance
| Level | Where you sleep | Typical time | Good fit when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical detox | At the program | 3 to 7 days | Withdrawal could be uncomfortable or dangerous |
| Residential | At the program | 2 to 8 weeks or more | You need structure and distance from daily triggers |
| PHP | Home or sober living | About 5 to 6 hours a day, 5 days a week | You need intensive care but not 24/7 supervision |
| IOP | Home | About 3 hours a day, 3 to 5 days a week | You can work or study and still need real support |
| Outpatient | Home | 1 to a few hours a week | You are stable and building long-term recovery |
| MAT | Any of the above | Months to years | Opioid or alcohol use disorder, alongside counseling |
How programs decide your level
Most programs use the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria. A counselor or clinician asks about withdrawal risk, physical health, mental health, readiness, relapse risk and your living situation, then recommends a level. Insurance plans and Orange County’s Medi-Cal system use the same criteria to decide what they cover.
You can start at one level and step down as you get stronger, for example detox, then residential, then IOP, then outpatient.
Before you call a program
- Ask for the DHCS license or certification number and check it.
- Ask which levels of care they provide on site.
- Ask what your insurance covers and what you will owe.
- Ask where you would go next when this level of care ends.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to start with detox?
Only if you may have withdrawal. Alcohol, benzodiazepines and opioids are the most common reasons people need medical detox first.
Which level of care does insurance cover?
Most plans cover every level when it is medically necessary, but they may approve a few days at a time. See how to verify your insurance.