Medical detox
Detox is short-term, medically supervised care to manage withdrawal safely. For alcohol, benzodiazepines, and opioids, withdrawal can be dangerous, so detox is often the first step. It is stabilization, not the whole treatment — most people step down into residential or outpatient care afterward.
Residential / inpatient
Residential treatment means living at the program, typically for a few weeks to a few months. It offers structure, 24/7 support, and distance from the triggers of daily life — a good fit for more severe situations or when home is not a stable place to recover.
Partial hospitalization (PHP)
PHP is a “day program”: intensive treatment most of the day, several days a week, while you live at home or in sober housing. It bridges residential and outpatient — significant structure without an overnight stay.
Intensive outpatient (IOP)
IOP usually means a few hours of group and individual therapy, three to five days a week, scheduled around work or school. It suits people with a stable living situation who need real support but not full-time care.
Standard outpatient
Outpatient care is regular sessions — weekly or a few times a month — for ongoing recovery, often as a step-down after a higher level of care. It is the most flexible and the least disruptive to daily life.
Which should you start with?
There is no wrong way to start. A good rule of thumb: the more severe or medically risky the situation, the higher the level of care. If you are unsure, our companion can listen for a few key things and suggest a fit in a couple of minutes — and a program’s clinical team makes the final recommendation.