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Treatment Questions & Answers

Levels of care, what to expect, and how to choose.

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What are the levels of care in addiction treatment?

From most to least intensive: medical detox, inpatient or residential treatment, partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), and outpatient care. Most clients move through several levels. Programs that offer the full continuum reduce dropout at transitions.

Key takeaways

  • From most to least intensive: medical detox, inpatient or residential treatment, partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), and outpatient care.
  • Detox is 3 to 10 days. Inpatient is typically 30 to 90 days.
  • PHP runs 5 to 6 hours a day, 5 to 6 days a week.
  • It depends on withdrawal risk, medical and psychiatric stability, relapse history, and your living environment.
  • Often, yes. IOP and outpatient are designed around work schedules.

In this guide

  1. What are the levels of care in addiction treatment?
  2. How long is rehab?
  3. What is the difference between PHP and IOP?
  4. Do I need inpatient treatment or can I do outpatient?
  5. Can I keep working during treatment?
  6. What is a typical day in treatment?
  7. What happens after rehab?

What are the levels of care in addiction treatment?

From most to least intensive: medical detox, inpatient or residential treatment, partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), and outpatient care. Most clients move through several levels. Programs that offer the full continuum reduce dropout at transitions.

How long is rehab?

Detox is 3 to 10 days. Inpatient is typically 30 to 90 days. PHP is 2 to 6 weeks. IOP is 6 to 12 weeks. Outpatient and alumni support continue for months. Length is set by clinical progress, not a fixed calendar.

What is the difference between PHP and IOP?

PHP runs 5 to 6 hours a day, 5 to 6 days a week. IOP runs about 3 hours a day, 3 to 5 days a week. PHP is more intensive and usually comes first. Both let you live at home or in supportive housing.

Do I need inpatient treatment or can I do outpatient?

It depends on withdrawal risk, medical and psychiatric stability, relapse history, and your living environment. A clinical assessment using ASAM criteria answers this. Call for a free 20-minute assessment.

Can I keep working during treatment?

Often, yes. IOP and outpatient are designed around work schedules. For inpatient care, FMLA protects your job for up to 12 weeks, and we provide employer documentation without disclosing details.

What is a typical day in treatment?

Morning check-in and medication, individual therapy, two to three group sessions, a psychoeducation or skills class, lunch and dinner with the community, and an evening group or 12-step meeting. Weekends include family visitation and recreation.

What happens after rehab?

Aftercare planning starts on day one. It includes a step-down level of care, ongoing therapy, medication management, alumni programming, and a relapse prevention plan. Our alumni line stays open indefinitely.

Medically reviewed by the Courage Recovery Network Clinical Team. Last updated 2026-09-29. This page is for educational purposes and does not replace an individual clinical assessment. Call (888) 614-7778 for a confidential evaluation.

Treatment FAQ

What are the levels of care in addiction treatment?

From most to least intensive: medical detox, inpatient or residential treatment, partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), and outpatient care. Most clients move through several levels. Programs that offer the full continuum reduce dropout at transitions.

How long is rehab?

Detox is 3 to 10 days. Inpatient is typically 30 to 90 days. PHP is 2 to 6 weeks. IOP is 6 to 12 weeks. Outpatient and alumni support continue for months. Length is set by clinical progress, not a fixed calendar.

What is the difference between PHP and IOP?

PHP runs 5 to 6 hours a day, 5 to 6 days a week. IOP runs about 3 hours a day, 3 to 5 days a week. PHP is more intensive and usually comes first. Both let you live at home or in supportive housing.

Do I need inpatient treatment or can I do outpatient?

It depends on withdrawal risk, medical and psychiatric stability, relapse history, and your living environment. A clinical assessment using ASAM criteria answers this. Call for a free 20-minute assessment.

Can I keep working during treatment?

Often, yes. IOP and outpatient are designed around work schedules. For inpatient care, FMLA protects your job for up to 12 weeks, and we provide employer documentation without disclosing details.

What is a typical day in treatment?

Morning check-in and medication, individual therapy, two to three group sessions, a psychoeducation or skills class, lunch and dinner with the community, and an evening group or 12-step meeting. Weekends include family visitation and recreation.

What happens after rehab?

Aftercare planning starts on day one. It includes a step-down level of care, ongoing therapy, medication management, alumni programming, and a relapse prevention plan. Our alumni line stays open indefinitely.

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