Addiction Treatment Levels of Care in Texas
Addiction treatment in Texas is available at multiple levels of care designed to meet individuals where they are in the recovery process. From medically supervised detox and residential treatment to partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient programs, each level provides a different degree of structure and support. Treatment plans are tailored to individual needs and may change over time as a person progresses through recovery.
Addiction treatment in Texas includes several levels of care, each offering a different degree of structure and support based on an individual’s needs. Medical detox is typically the starting point for people who need support managing withdrawal before beginning ongoing treatment. Residential treatment provides a highly structured, 24-hour living environment and is generally one of the most intensive ongoing levels of addiction care. Partial hospitalization programs (PHP) provide intensive daytime treatment while allowing individuals to live outside the facility. Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) offer a step down in treatment intensity, with scheduled therapy and support while allowing greater flexibility for work, school, and family responsibilities. Outpatient treatment provides less frequent clinical care and is often used as individuals become more stable in recovery. Sober living and continuing care can provide additional structure and support as individuals transition from formal treatment into independent daily life.
Medical Detox
Level of Care: Medical detox is the first stage of treatment for many people who need to safely stop using drugs or alcohol. Under the current ASAM Criteria, withdrawal management is incorporated into the broader treatment continuum, with medical withdrawal management ranging from Level 1.7 to Level 4 depending on the intensity of medical support required.
What Happens: During detox, medical and clinical professionals monitor withdrawal symptoms, provide supportive care, and may use medications when appropriate to help manage withdrawal and reduce complications. Once a person is medically stable, the treatment team can help determine the next appropriate level of addiction treatment. Detox by itself is not considered a complete treatment for substance use disorder.
Average Length of Stay: Detox commonly lasts several days to about 1 to 2 weeks, although the actual length depends on the substance used, withdrawal symptoms, medical needs, and individual progress. More complex withdrawal may require a longer period of medical monitoring.
Who It Is Best For: Medical detox is generally appropriate for people who are at risk of significant withdrawal symptoms or who need medical monitoring while stopping alcohol or drugs. The appropriate setting is determined through an individualized assessment that considers withdrawal risk, medical and mental health conditions, substance use history, relapse risk, and recovery environment.
Inpatient or Residential Treatment
Level of Care: Inpatient treatment generally refers to hospital-based care and is considered ASAM Level 4, the most intensive level on the ASAM continuum. Residential treatment, which is sometimes also called inpatient rehab in everyday language, is typically provided at Level 3, including Levels 3.1, 3.5, and 3.7 depending on the amount of medical and clinical support needed.
What Happens: In an inpatient or residential program, individuals live at the treatment facility and follow a structured schedule focused on stabilization and recovery. Treatment may include medical monitoring, individual and group therapy, behavioral health services, medication management, recovery education, relapse prevention, life skills, and other supportive services. The specific services depend on the level of care and individual treatment plan.
Average Length of Stay: Inpatient and residential treatment can last several weeks to several months. There is no standard length of stay because treatment duration is based on the individual’s needs, progress, and response to treatment.
Who It Is Best For: Inpatient or intensive residential treatment may be appropriate for people with significant substance use disorders who need a structured, supportive environment and cannot safely or effectively manage recovery in a less intensive setting. It may also be considered when a person’s home or social environment presents significant barriers to recovery.
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs)
Level of Care: Partial hospitalization programs, or PHPs, are generally considered ASAM Level 2.5 and provide a high level of structured addiction treatment without requiring participants to live at the treatment facility.
What Happens: Patients typically attend treatment for several hours a day, often on multiple days each week, and participate in services such as individual therapy, group counseling, behavioral health treatment, medication management, recovery education, and relapse prevention. After treatment hours, participants return home or to a supportive sober living environment.
Average Length of Stay: PHPs commonly last several weeks to a few months, depending on the individual’s needs, progress, and treatment plan.
Who It Is Best For: PHPs may be appropriate for people who need more structure and clinical support than traditional outpatient treatment provides but do not require 24-hour residential care. They can also serve as a step down from residential treatment as a person becomes more stable in recovery.
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs)
Level of Care: Intensive outpatient programs, or IOPs, are generally considered ASAM Level 2.1 and provide structured addiction treatment while allowing participants to live at home or in a supportive recovery environment.
What Happens: Patients attend scheduled treatment sessions throughout the week that may include individual therapy, group counseling, behavioral therapies, relapse prevention, recovery education, and medication management when appropriate. Unlike residential treatment, IOP allows individuals to maintain work, school, family, and other daily responsibilities while receiving ongoing clinical support.
Average Length of Stay: IOPs commonly last several weeks to a few months, although the duration varies based on individual needs and progress.
Who It Is Best For: IOPs may be appropriate for people who need more support than standard outpatient treatment provides but do not require 24-hour residential care. IOP can also serve as a step down from PHP or residential treatment as individuals gain stability and greater independence in recovery.
Outpatient Treatment
Level of Care: Outpatient treatment is generally considered ASAM Level 1, providing a lower intensity of addiction treatment while allowing individuals to continue living at home and maintaining their normal daily responsibilities.
What Happens: Treatment may include individual counseling, group therapy, behavioral therapies, medication management, recovery education, relapse prevention, and ongoing support. Sessions are typically scheduled around the person’s work, school, family, and other commitments.
Average Length of Stay: Outpatient treatment may last several months or longer, depending on the individual’s needs, progress, and treatment plan.
Who It Is Best For: Outpatient treatment may be appropriate for people with a stable living environment who do not require intensive medical or residential support and can participate in treatment while managing daily life outside of a treatment facility. It may also serve as a step down from IOP or PHP as individuals continue building long-term recovery skills.
Sober Living & Continuing Care
Level of Care: Sober living and continuing care are generally considered supportive services rather than a formal ASAM treatment level. They typically provide ongoing recovery support after a person completes a more intensive level of addiction treatment.
What Happens: Individuals may live in a substance-free recovery residence with rules, accountability, and peer support while continuing outpatient therapy, attending recovery meetings, working, attending school, or rebuilding relationships and daily routines. Continuing care may also include counseling, relapse prevention, recovery planning, and connections to community support.
Average Length of Stay: Sober living and continuing care can last several months to a year or longer, depending on individual needs and the policies of the recovery residence.
Who It Is Best For: This type of support may be helpful for people who have completed detox, residential treatment, PHP, or IOP and want additional structure while transitioning back to independent living. It can also be useful for individuals who benefit from a stable, substance-free environment and ongoing recovery support.
How is Level of Care Determined?
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) is a professional medical society that developed the ASAM Criteria, a widely used framework for determining the appropriate level of addiction treatment. The ASAM Criteria evaluates six dimensions of a person’s needs, including intoxication and withdrawal potential, biomedical conditions, emotional and behavioral health, readiness to change, risk of relapse or continued substance use, and the recovery environment. Based on this assessment, treatment professionals determine the intensity and setting of care that may be appropriate, ranging from Level 0.5 early intervention and Level 1 outpatient services to Levels 2 and 3, which include intensive outpatient, partial hospitalization, and residential treatment, and Level 4, which provides medically managed intensive inpatient services. A person’s recommended level of care can change throughout treatment as their needs, stability, and progress change.
How to Know Which Level of Care is Right for You?
Choosing the appropriate addiction treatment level starts with a professional assessment based on the ASAM Criteria. The right level of care depends on factors such as the severity of substance use, potential withdrawal symptoms, medical needs, mental health concerns, previous treatment history, risk of relapse, motivation for recovery, and the stability of the person’s home and support environment. Someone who needs medical supervision during withdrawal may require detox, while a person who needs 24-hour structure may benefit from residential treatment. Others may be able to maintain their daily responsibilities while participating in PHP, IOP, or outpatient treatment. Because needs can change throughout recovery, treatment professionals may recommend stepping up or down to a different level of care as appropriate.
How Much Does Rehab Cost by Level of Care in Texas?
Rehab costs in Texas vary widely based on the facility, location, length of treatment, services provided, and insurance coverage. As a general private-pay estimate, medical detox may range from $250 to $1,000+ per day, inpatient or residential treatment may cost approximately $10,000 to $30,000+ per month, partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) may range from $100 to $400 per day, intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) may cost about $250 to $350 per day, and standard outpatient treatment may range from $100 to $200 per day or be charged per session.
Does Insurance Cover All Levels of Care in Texas?
Many health insurance plans in Texas provide coverage for substance use disorder treatment, but insurance does not necessarily cover every level of care for every person or every facility. Coverage depends on the specific plan, medical necessity, provider network, prior authorization requirements, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Texas requires fully insured health plans to provide mental health and substance use disorder benefits at parity with medical benefits. Major insurance providers such as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, Humana, Molina Healthcare, and Community Health Choice may provide benefits for substance use disorder treatment, including eligible detox, residential, intensive outpatient, and outpatient services.
Use our free insurance verification form below to find out if insurance may be able to cover the cost of addiction treatment in Texas.
At Discovery Point Retreat, we believe cost should never stand in the way of reclaiming control over your life and future. That’s why we partner with many health insurance companies that cover rehab to increase your access to affordable, quality care.
We’re in-network with Aetna, Ambetter, ACS, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, ComPsych, Evry Health, Humana, Healthsmart, Magellan, Molina, United Healthcare, Scott & White, and Superior HealthPlan, plus we accept many more. That means insurance may cover the full cost of addiction treatment!
Not sure whether your insurance covers rehab? We can help. Call us at 855-245-7133 to quickly and confidentially verify your benefits. Be sure to have your insurance card handy when you call.
