Q&A: Settings for Substance Abuse Treatment

Q. What settings are most appropriate for substance abuse treatment and why?

A. Substance abuse treatment may occur in a range of inpatient, outpatient, and residential settings. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration maintains an online database to support identification of local substance abuse facilities. Treatment settings for substance abuse include:

• Inpatient hospitalization is warranted when substance abuse results in symptoms that need to be medically stabilized.
• Detox programs often last a few days to a week. Detox admissions require chronic, ongoing usage of a substance.
• Dual diagnosis detox facilities/programs may be available for select patients in active detox with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders.
• Inpatient substance abuse programs provide structured counseling for patients in a residential setting; these programs may last 30 days or more. Programs are often group-based.
• Intensive outpatient partial hospitalization programs provide rigorous structured therapy for patients in an outpatient environment. These programs often meet several days per week for several hours each day. Programs are often group-based.
• Outpatient programs provide structured counseling for patients in an outpatient environment; this often occurs one-on-one between the patient and a licensed substance abuse treatment professional. Services are often provided one day per week for one hour each day
• Support groups allow patients with common life challenges to get together for communal support and guidance.

See Social Work: Strength-Based Practice in Hospital Case Management for more information.

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