Substance Use Disorder Levels of Care at Meridian Recovery

The Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is the highest level of outpatient treatment services available and is ideal for an individual who needs high levels of clinical structure and daily support, but does not require the 24-hour care of residential treatment. PHP at Meridian Recovery typically runs Monday through Friday and includes several hours of programming each day, creating sufficient structure to treat severe substance use disorders while allowing clients to return home at the end of each day.

While participating in PHP, clients will receive a variety of treatments, including individual therapy, group therapy, psychiatric evaluations, and medication management when appropriate. Skills training is integrated throughout the PHP programming with a strong emphasis placed on both emotional regulation and using coping skills to avoid relapse. PHP is also a great treatment option for those clients who are suffering from co-occurring mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD, as it provides care to concurrently address both the substance use disorder and the underlying mental health issue that may be behind it. It is also a common starting point for clients who have just completed a medically monitored detoxification or inpatient treatment.

The Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides the supportive clinical care that PHP does, but with increased flexibility in scheduling to allow clients to continue their work, school, or family responsibilities. IOP programming is still intensive treatment, but takes place over fewer hours each week than IOP. IOP is an excellent fit for clients who are preparing to transition back into their daily routines but require continuing clinical structure in order to reinforce their recovery. IOP is also a natural step down from higher levels of care, such as inpatient treatment or PHP.

During IOP, clients will engage in group therapy, individual therapy and receive medication management if indicated, with an ongoing emphasis on developing the relapse prevention skills that will be essential to achieving long-term recovery. During the course of IOP, clients continue to work closely with their clinicians and utilize the skills learned during treatment in real-life situations at home, work and during interactions with family and friends.

Outpatient care is the next step after completing a more intensive treatment program, such as a PHP or IOP program, and is ideal for clients who are ready to transition toward more independence.

Typically, treatment will have one to two sessions per week. During these sessions, clients may receive individual or group psychotherapy, family therapy (when appropriate), and continued medical management (as needed).

This level of care is not a finish line — it is an important part of the continuum that keeps individuals connected to professional support as they build out their lives in recovery. Regular outpatient sessions provide a consistent check-in, a space to process challenges, and access to clinical guidance during a period when the risk of relapse is still real. For many clients, outpatient treatment serves as the bridge between the structure of IOP and the independence of aftercare.

Completing a formal treatment program for addiction is a significant achievement, however, it is not the end of the journey. At Meridian Recovery, we work with each of our clients to help them establish an aftercare plan that includes what they will need post-discharge as well as support resources they can access to maintain the progress they achieved in treatment.

Planning for aftercare will begin as soon as the client has started his or her treatment program. At the beginning of your treatment program, your team will work with you to identify all of the resources and support networks you will need after leaving. This may include referrals to support groups, continued outpatient services like therapy or medication management, community-based recovery resources, or sober living recommendations depending on your needs. Recovery does not stop at discharge, and neither does our commitment to the people we serve.