--- title: "Levels of Care in Addiction Treatment: A Family Map | AddictionHub" description: "Plain-language map of addiction treatment levels of care—detox, residential, PHP, IOP, outpatient, MAT, sober living—plus questions to ask. 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AddictionHub is a directory that helps families find licensed treatment by state. This guide is general education for planning conversations. It is **not** medical, legal, or insurance advice, and it does not diagnose anyone or say which level a specific person “should” enter. Assessment belongs with qualified professionals. We also don’t publish “best rehab” rankings or invent success rates. ## Why levels of care exist Substance use treatment is not one product. Someone in acute withdrawal needs different staffing than someone building skills in evening IOP. Matching intensity to need can improve safety and make better use of insurance authorization—when the clinical story and the plan rules line up. People often **step down** over time (for example, residential → PHP → IOP → outpatient) as stability improves. Sometimes they **step up** if outpatient is not enough. Neither path is a failure; it is how continuum-of-care models are designed. For a focused comparison of live-in vs commute-in options, see [inpatient vs outpatient rehab](/blog/inpatient-vs-outpatient-rehab). For the short, medically focused first step, see [what is medical detox](/blog/what-is-medical-detox). ## The map (plain language) Level Plain description Typical planning notes Medical detox / withdrawal management Short stay focused on safer withdrawal under medical monitoring Often days, not weeks; see [medical detox](/blog/what-is-medical-detox). Cost guide planning range ~$1,000–$1,500/day. Inpatient / residential Live at the facility with structured therapy and overnight staffing Often discussed in multi-week stays; planning range ~$6,000–$30,000+ for ~30 days (not a quote). Partial hospitalization (PHP) Full clinical day most weekdays; sleep at home or recovery housing Planning range ~$350–$500/day on our cost guide. Intensive outpatient (IOP) Several hours a day, multiple days a week Planning range ~$3,000–$10,000/program. Standard outpatient Individual and/or group sessions on a weekly (or similar) cadence Planning range ~$100–$250/session. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) Medications for substance use disorders plus counseling/monitoring, as prescribed Planning range ~$100–$500/month depending on regimen and clinic. Sober living / recovery housing Peer-supported housing with accountability rules Often rent-style (~$500–$2,000/month planning range); frequently **not** covered by insurance. Dollar figures are **typical planning ranges** from the [rehab cost guide](/rehab-cost-guide)—never facility quotes. Drivers behind those numbers: [what affects rehab cost](/blog/what-affects-rehab-cost). ## How clinicians often think about “fit” (high level) Without diagnosing anyone, families can understand the _kinds_ of factors assessments weigh: - Medical risk during withdrawal and need for continuous monitoring - Safety of the home environment and access to substances - Severity of use, prior treatment history, and co-occurring mental health needs - Ability to attend appointments (transport, work, childcare) - Legal, employment, or family constraints that affect schedule A website cannot run that assessment. If someone is in crisis, call or text **988**, or use SAMHSA **1-800-662-HELP (4357)**. ## ASAM and other frameworks (optional context) Many U.S. programs reference frameworks such as the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) criteria when documenting why a level of care is appropriate for insurance authorization. You do not need to memorize criteria to be a good advocate. Useful questions: - “Which level of care are you recommending, and what clinical reasons support it?” - “What would make you recommend a higher or lower level instead?” - “How often is the level reviewed after admission?” If a facility uses different labels (“residential,” “inpatient,” “RTC”), ask them to map the label to hours of clinical contact, medical staffing, and whether the person sleeps on-site. ## Insurance and authorization by level Plans frequently authorize (or deny) **by level**, not with a blank “rehab yes.” Residential and PHP often need prior authorization and continued-stay reviews. IOP and outpatient may have visit caps. Detox may be authorized separately from a following residential stay. Details and questions: [Does Insurance Cover Rehab?](/blog/does-insurance-cover-rehab). When comparing two programs at the “same” level, still ask what is included—labs, meds, psychiatry, family sessions—so the estimate is apples-to-apples. ## Moving between levels Common transitions families hear about: - Detox → residential or PHP - Residential → PHP or IOP - PHP → IOP → outpatient - Outpatient → step-up to IOP/PHP/residential if needed - Any clinical level + sober living for housing structure Ask who coordinates the handoff, whether the same organization offers the next step, and what happens financially when the level changes. ## Checklist before you compare listings 1. Write down the **level** each program is offering (not just “rehab”). 2. Ask for a **typical weekly schedule** (hours of group, individual, medical, family). 3. Confirm **licensing** and, where relevant, accreditation—then verify independently when you can. 4. Run **benefits verification** for that exact level. 5. Ask about **aftercare** and alumni or step-down options. Deeper selection help: [how to choose the right treatment center](/blog/how-to-choose-right-treatment-center). Call script: [questions to ask before calling rehab](/blog/questions-to-ask-before-calling-rehab). ## Browse by state on AddictionHub When you are ready to look at real facilities, use state directories and note which levels each listing mentions. Examples: [/listings/wisconsin](/listings/wisconsin), [/listings/missouri](/listings/missouri), [/listings/colorado](/listings/colorado), [/listings/oklahoma](/listings/oklahoma)—or start from the [homepage](/). Soft CTA: compare licensed programs and contact them directly; AddictionHub does not enroll clients from this page. Related reading: - [Inpatient vs Outpatient Rehab](/blog/inpatient-vs-outpatient-rehab) - [What Is Medical Detox?](/blog/what-is-medical-detox) - [How to Choose the Right Treatment Center](/blog/how-to-choose-right-treatment-center) - [Questions to Ask Before Calling a Rehab](/blog/questions-to-ask-before-calling-rehab) - [Rehab Cost Guide](/rehab-cost-guide) · [Does Insurance Cover Rehab?](/blog/does-insurance-cover-rehab) · [What Affects Rehab Cost?](/blog/what-affects-rehab-cost) * * * **Disclaimer:** This is general information, not medical, legal, or insurance advice. AddictionHub does not diagnose conditions, assign levels of care to individuals, guarantee outcomes, or rank programs as “best.” Cost figures referenced are typical planning ranges only. If you or someone you love is in crisis, call or text **988**, or contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at **1-800-662-HELP (4357)**. ## Looking for licensed treatment? 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