Finding Addiction Treatment

Levels of care

• Outpatient counseling: regular sessions while living at home.
• Intensive outpatient (IOP) and partial hospitalization: several hours of treatment on multiple days a week.
• Residential treatment: living at a facility for structured care.
• Medically managed withdrawal (detox): supervised care when stopping a substance could be dangerous.

Medications for addiction

For opioid and alcohol use disorders in particular, FDA-approved medications can reduce cravings and relapse risk. Ask any program whether it offers or supports medication treatment.

Finding a reputable program

• Check state licensing and accreditation.
• Ask which evidence-based therapies are used.
• Ask about aftercare and relapse-prevention planning.
• Be wary of programs offering free travel, cash or “guaranteed” results.

In the US, search FindTreatment.gov or call the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 (free, confidential, 24/7).

Learn more about addiction.

General online therapy and prescribing services are not addiction treatment programs. Services such as BetterHelp can help with stress, anxiety or low mood alongside recovery, but withdrawal management and substance use treatment need a dedicated program. Some online mental health services, including Lemonaid Health and Better U, list active substance use among the reasons they may refer you to in-person care instead.

Where to begin

Taking the first step is often the hardest part. A good starting point is a primary care clinician or an addiction specialist, who can assess how much you use, any withdrawal risk, medical and mental health needs and the level of care that fits. In the US, you can also call the SAMHSA National Helpline (1-800-662-4357), which is free, confidential and open all day, every day, or search FindTreatment.gov. If anyone is in immediate danger, such as after an overdose, call your local emergency number.

How the levels of care fit together

Care isn’t a single step. People often move between levels as their needs change:

1. Screening and assessment to understand use, risks and goals.
2. Medically managed withdrawal, when stopping could be dangerous, for example with alcohol, benzodiazepines or heavy opioid use.
3. Residential or inpatient treatment, for people who need a structured, supported setting, often for several weeks.
4. Partial hospitalization or intensive outpatient treatment, with several hours of treatment on multiple days while living at home or in supportive housing.
5. Standard outpatient counseling, for ongoing therapy and recovery planning.
6. Long-term recovery support: peer groups, recovery coaching, sober living and ongoing medical follow-up.

Matching the level to the person matters; more intensive isn’t automatically better, and stepping down gradually can reduce relapse risk.

What good treatment includes

• Evidence-based therapies, such as CBT, motivational interviewing and contingency management.
• Medication when appropriate: options exist for opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder, and for tobacco.
• Mental health care for co-occurring conditions such as depression, anxiety and PTSD.
• Family involvement, including family therapy and education.
• Aftercare planning: relapse prevention, follow-up appointments and community support.
• Individualized plans rather than a one-size-fits-all program.

Questions to ask a program

1. Are you licensed, and by whom? Are you accredited?
2. What therapies do you use, and what training do your clinicians have?
3. Do you offer or support medication treatment, including for opioid and alcohol use disorders?
4. How do you treat mental health conditions alongside substance use?
5. What happens after the program ends, and how do you support aftercare?
6. What will it cost in total, and what does my insurance cover?
7. How do you involve families, and what is your approach if I relapse?

Costs and insurance

Many health plans cover at least part of addiction treatment, and in the US, mental health and substance use benefits are required to be comparable to medical benefits in many plans. Ask your insurer which levels of care are covered, what authorization is needed and which programs are in network. Public programs, community clinics, state-funded services and sliding-scale options exist for people without insurance; see affordable mental health care. Be cautious of anyone who pressures you to commit quickly, or who offers perks for enrolling.

Warning signs of a poor program

• Guarantees of a cure or “100% success”
• No medical oversight, or reluctance to discuss credentials
• Refusal to allow medication treatment
• High-pressure sales tactics, or offers of free travel or cash
• Little attention to mental health, trauma or aftercare
• Dismissive or shaming treatment of clients

Supporting recovery after treatment

Recovery is a long-term process. Staying engaged with outpatient care, peer groups and supportive relationships, avoiding high-risk situations and having a plan for cravings all improve outcomes. If you slip, treat it as information rather than failure, and reach out quickly. Keeping naloxone available if opioids are involved can save a life. For related reading, see addiction. If you are having thoughts of suicide, contact a crisis line or emergency services; see Get Help Now.

Helping a loved one find treatment

If you’re supporting someone, you can offer to help research programs, make calls or go to a first appointment, and you can learn about the condition so you can respond with understanding. You can’t force recovery, and you’re allowed to set limits that protect your own wellbeing. Family support groups and counseling can help you cope. If someone’s life is at immediate risk, such as after an overdose, call your local emergency number.