If you or a loved one is struggling with drug or alcohol use, we understand that deciding whether to get treatment, and what kind of treatment you need, can feel daunting. It's also easy to get stuck on where to start, depending on what's actually going on with the use. This article lays out the different levels of treatment available, in the order people usually run into them. For the rest of this article, we'll write as though we're speaking directly to the person who may need treatment. Everything here still applies if you're the loved one reading on their behalf.

Discovery: a good place to start

At Kagey Family Counseling, we believe the first step in addressing issues with drugs and alcohol is what we call Discovery. During Discovery, you reach out because you're curious whether you actually have an issue with your use. We think of this as a vital, often overlooked stage of exploration. Just because you're struggling with substances, or find yourself using more often than you'd like, doesn't necessarily mean you're an alcoholic or addict. Substance use exists along a continuum that runs from casual use to abuse to addiction. We meet you where you are on that line.

During the Discovery phase, we support and guide you while you try some controlled drinking or using, and help you understand your options. The goal is honest, educated feedback about how your use is impacting your health, relationships, work, family, and overall life. You are the only person who can decide if your use has become a problem. It helps to do that with professional support. This work typically happens in outpatient, one-on-one counseling.

The different levels of care, starting with outpatient counseling

Substance use treatment is usually described as a set of levels, stepped by how much time and money they require each week. The "lowest" level of care is outpatient counseling. Lowest only means least time and least cost. It does not mean less important. Outpatient counseling is one-on-one counseling, and sometimes family or group counseling, that you attend about once or twice a week. This is where the Discovery phase typically happens. The benefits of outpatient counseling are specific to the why behind your reach for help, and to the kind of support you need.

Outpatient counseling covers a range of different services, including individual alcohol counseling, drug counseling, family counseling, and codependency work. You can read more about each of those on our services page.

Moving up: IOP and its benefits

The next level of care is an Intensive Outpatient Program, often referred to as IOP.

IOP is covered by many insurance providers and happens while you're living at home and continuing with daily life, work, and family. The benefits of IOP include:

  • An intense, short-term program with a high level of care and education
  • Building a recovery community and support system where you already live
  • Flexible enough to complete while keeping your job, school, and family duties
  • Reducing the risk of relapse and helping you manage any recurrence of symptoms

IOP requires more time per week and costs more than outpatient counseling, and the added structure is often the reason it works.

PHP and its benefits

A Partial Hospitalization Program, or PHP, is the next step up. The name is a bit misleading. It sounds like a program during which you are "hospitalized." That is not the case. Much like IOP, you live at your own residence while you're in PHP treatment. We often call it Day Treatment for that reason. The difference between PHP and IOP is that you spend more time per week in treatment at the PHP level. It costs more, and again, many insurance plans cover it.

PHP tends to be a fit for people who need highly structured support and who are able to spend most of their weekdays in treatment. PHP is usually shorter in total length than IOP, lasting about two weeks compared to IOP's typical six. Length of stay in either program is based on medical necessity, and it's determined by your treatment team.

The benefits of PHP are:

  • A smooth transition from residential treatment back to outpatient care
  • A high level of structure, support, and accountability
  • Flexible enough to live at home while getting a high level of treatment
  • A way to get back on track if you've relapsed and need firmer footing

We have PHP and IOP programs

In addition to our outpatient counseling services, we have a Positive Recovery Center PHP and IOP treatment program located in the Energy Corridor of Houston. Both programs are covered by many insurance plans and are built on the P.E.R.M.A. approach to substance abuse recovery. P.E.R.M.A. stands for Positive Emotion, Engagement, Positive Relationships, Meaning, and Achievement.

The P.E.R.M.A. approach is an evidence-based addiction curriculum that pairs existing effective treatments with interventions that build well-being. In plain terms, the theory is that addiction develops when people pursue happiness ineffectively, and recovery is when people pursue happiness in healthier ways. Instead of shaming or blaming you for your addiction, we focus on the positive parts of your life and your recovery, identify your strengths, and build on them. We do this by:

  • Helping you better understand your substance use
  • Equipping you with the tools you need to live a sober life
  • Connecting you with others facing similar challenges
  • Providing resources to help you find sober communities where you live

Residential and inpatient treatment

The highest level of care in terms of hours per week and cost is residential, sometimes called inpatient, treatment. This is usually what people mean when they say "rehab," and it typically lasts at least 30 days. Many movies have been made about this level of care, so when most people talk about "going to treatment," this is what they picture.

As the name suggests, you live full-time at the treatment facility when you're in residential care, and you receive 24-hour care, seven days a week. Most residential programs also include medical detox and a variety of integrated mental health services. Going to rehab is a big commitment, because it requires you to leave your daily life for an extended period. You may need this level of care if outpatient hasn't worked, or if there are other circumstances that make residential care the best fit for you.

How we serve you: a personal bridge before and after rehab

While we do not offer residential or inpatient care, every level of care we do offer can serve as a bridge on either side of your rehab experience. If you're in rehab and looking at what comes next, we set up a personal session with you, online or by phone, to understand you and your treatment needs. We also offer to collaborate with your rehab treatment team to coordinate a smooth care transition. This holds true both ways, whether you're moving from our outpatient setting into rehab, or stepping down from rehab into our outpatient setting. Actively planning your treatment, coordinating with the residential team, and keeping your family in the loop significantly increases the chances of success in recovery.

There is hope, and there is help

Overall, the most important thing to understand about the variety of treatment options is that you have real choices. Depending on what you need, and as your needs change, you can move up and down the different levels of care. If you're in treatment with us, we continually review where you are and support you in making the best choices for you and your recovery.

If you've been considering getting help for your alcohol or drug use, you can start with one powerful act by asking for help. It is up to you to make the decision and reach out. We invite you to call our office at 832-928-0211 for a free 15-minute phone consultation. We're happy to answer your questions and help you think through what makes sense. We have offices in Houston, TX, and we provide secure online therapy for anyone living anywhere in Texas outside the Houston area.