• Learn about the different types of addiction treatment programs.

• Discover the ways clinicians determine which program might work best for you.

• What you can expect during a substance use intake and assessment.

• The importance of combined treatment for addiction recovery and co-occurring disorders.

• MERIT is a leading provider of addiction recovery services and substance abuse assessments in Central Washington.

How Do You Know What Type of Addiction Treatment You Need?

Have you been looking into addiction treatment for yourself or a loved one, and don’t know where to start? In this blog post, MERIT’s addiction recovery experts break down the different treatment options and how clinicians decide which level of care is right for you.

The Different Types of Addiction Treatment Programs

You have probably heard terms like inpatient, outpatient, and detox, but nobody has explained the differences between them or why there are so many. Let’s look at a few of the popular treatment options, how they work, and how they can help:

• Home environment and support systems: Your treatment provider will ask about your living situation and support network. A stable, substance-free home can make outpatient treatment a good fit, while a less stable environment may require a program with more structure.Medical detox: A short-term program for people withdrawing from heavy use of alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines. During detox, medical staff will monitor you for
• Inpatient treatment: A live-in program where you stay at a treatment facility to attend therapy, group counseling, and structured activities throughout the day. Inpatient treatment works well for individuals who have unstable family relationships or need extra structure to stay focused during early recovery.
• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): A program where you attend therapy, group counseling, and activities for several hours a day but can return home or to a sober living residence each night. PHP works well if you need a high level of support but don’t require 24-hour supervision.
• Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOP): A program where you attend sessions for a few hours a day, several days a week. IOP works well if you benefit from consistent support but also need to keep up with work, school, or family responsibilities.
• Outpatient treatment: Outpatient programs usually involve just one or two mental health therapy and group sessions per week while you continue living at home. This level of treatment can be a good fit if you have already completed a higher level of care or if your substance use doesn’t require daily treatment to manage safely.

How Do I Know What Addiction Treatment Will Work Best for Me?

Substance use disorder affects everyone differently. If you have been drinking heavily for years, you carry different medical risks than someone struggling with stimulant use. If you have a stable home and a reliable support system, your needs may look different than someone whose home environment makes sobriety harder to sustain. The only way to know which program is right for you is by attending an intake and assessment at a licensed addiction recovery center.

What to Expect During a Substance Use Intake and Assessment

A substance use assessment is a conversation that helps your treatment team determine which level of care fits your situation. During this visit, you can expect to discuss these topics with a licensed clinician:

• Substance use patterns: What substances you are using, how often, and for how long.

• Withdrawal risk: Alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines can cause medically dangerous withdrawal symptoms. Your provider needs to know if this risk applies to you so they can plan for a safe start to treatment.
• Mental health: Many people dealing with substance use also live with a co-occurring disorder, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, or trauma. In these cases, your treatment provider will coordinate care for both conditions instead of addressing the substance use on its own. a few days to a week to keep you safe as your body adjusts. Detox is a preparation step before other treatment begins; it is not a substance use treatment on its own.
• Home environment and support systems: Your treatment provider will ask about your living situation and support network. A stable, substance-free home can make outpatient treatment a good fit, while a less stable environment may require a program with more structure.
• Previous treatment history: You will discuss past treatments and explain what has worked, what didn’t, and why. This helps your provider avoid repeating an approach that didn’t help in the past.

Wondering What Type of Addiction Treatment Can Help You? Reach Out to MERIT 

You should not have to figure out your addiction treatment path on your own. If you are ready to start your journey to recovery, MERIT is here to help. Our team is available to walk you through the assessment process, answer your questions, and help you find a level of care that fits your needs.

Call MERIT at 877-789-3344 to schedule a consultation with an addiction treatment specialist in Central Washington. Do you know what type of addiction treatment you need? Contact us online to learn how we can help.

MERIT is a leading provider of behavioral health and substance abuse treatment programs in Ellensburg, Kennewick, Pasco, Sunnyside, Toppenish, Wapato, and Yakima.