There are several different treatment programs to help those struggling with substance abuse to overcome their addictions and bondage. Programs range in intensity of care, including the amount, intensity, and duration of treatment. The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) states that this “continuum of care” has 5 main levels, from least intense to most intense.
Level 0.5: Early Intervention
Early intervention programs provide care for those who are at risk of substance abuse addictions. This includes being evaluated and receiving treatment sooner rather than later.
Level 1: Outpatient Services
General Outpatient (GOP) programs provide 1-8 hours of treatment per week. Patients attend the clinic or facility for those hours of treatment each week but go back home during non-treatment hours.
Level 2: Intensive Outpatient (IOP) and Partial Hospitalization
Intensive Outpatient programs require 9 to 20 hours of treatment per week, and patients go back home or to a sober-living environment during non-treatment hours. Partial hospitalization programs usually require more hours of treatment than intensive outpatient.
Level 3: Residential and Inpatient Services
Residential and Inpatient programs provide 24/7 care and treatment. Patients live in the facility and all of their housing and food needs are taken care of. This type of treatment helps stabilize patients and remove them from home environments.
Level 4: Medically Managed Intensive Inpatient
This form of intensive care also provides 24/7 care and treatment but is administered by medical staff, including nurses and physician care. This type of treatment also helps stabilize patients by removing them from their home environment and using medicine and other treatments to help with withdrawal.
Each of these levels of care provide resources and tools to help those battling substance abuse overcome addiction and learn how to cope with life and not return to substances. Aftercare also helps individual’s transition back to life after they finish treatment. This includes preventing relapse and providing resources and education on how to cope with stress, cravings, and triggers. Research has found that patients who receive aftercare services have lower rates of relapse3. Drug addiction is treatable, and there can be hope of a better future as individuals receive the treatment they need to recover.
“No matter what addictive cycle one is caught in, there is always hope.”
M. Russell Ballard4
“Each one who resolves to climb that steep road to recovery must gird up for the fight of a lifetime. But a lifetime is a prize well worth the price.”
Russell M. Nelson5
References:
1: https://oxfordtreatment.com/blog/levels-of-care-substance-use-treatment/
2: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64088/
3: https://sbtreatment.com/aftercare/
5: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1988/10/addiction-or-freedom?lang=eng