Levels of Care
Level 0.5:
Early intervention services
Early intervention treatment provides education, resources, and counseling to adults and adolescents at risk for SUD but who don’t meet the diagnostic criteria defined by the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5)
Level I:
Outpatient services
Level I care includes evaluation, treatment and recovery follow-up services. It addresses the severity of the individual’s addiction, helps implement behavioral changes and ameliorates mental functioning. Patients may transition to the first level of treatment from a more robust program. Level I is also a stepping stone for people who are not ready or willing to commit to a complete recovery program.
Level II:
Intensive Outpatient Services
Level II.1
Intensive outpatient services
This program comprises counseling and education about mental health and substance use issues. Patients are referred to psychiatric and medical services if addiction specialists deem it necessary. However, intensive outpatient programs cannot treat unstable medical and psychological conditions.Level II.2
Partial Hospitalization Services
Unlike intensive outpatient programs, where the patient has to be referred to outside psychiatric and medical.Unlike intensive outpatient programs, where the patient has to be referred to outside psychiatric and medical professionals, partial hospitalization provides direct access to those services along with laboratory services.Level III:
Residential/inpatient services
Level III.1
Clinically Managed Low-Intensity Residential Services
Level 3 care escalates based on the amount and depth of a patient’s interactions with clinicians.
At Level 3.1, at least five hours of clinical services per week must be provided. Treatment at this level focuses on teaching recovery skills, such as relapse prevention and emotion management. At this level, treatment must be capable of treating co-occurring disorders. Services at this level of treatment include:
- Outpatient substance abuse services
- A structured recovery environment
- 24-hour staffing
- House meetings
- A community that promotes living skills
Level III.3
Clinically Managed Population-Specific High-Intensity Residential Services
There are two distinctive features of Level 3.3 treatment. First, treatment at this level can proceed at a slower pace but with more reinforcement to accommodate those who may be experiencing cognitive or other impairments. Cognitive conditions such as traumatic injury or alcohol-related brain damage are often interlinked with substance use disorder.
Second, clinicians at this level of treatment must be capable of managing “multidimensional imminent danger.” They must be able to recognize the acute dangers of conditions like alcohol withdrawal. Since they may have patients with co-occurring disorders, they must also recognize when a patient is at imminent risk for self-harm.
Level III.5
At Level 3.5, treatment takes place at a regular pace but is directed toward those who have multiple active needs. These needs can include a co-occurring disorder, severe functional impairment or difficulty adjusting to healthy routines.
Medically Monitored Intensive Inpatient Services
Level 3.7 is for patients in inpatient setting who are at risk for withdrawal or have medical needs that require careful observation, treatment or follow-up. This is the highest intensity service that Level 3 offers.
