Levels of Care – OP
Ongoing Outpatient Support For Lasting Recovery
Continued Care and Support for Your Recovery
Recovery is not a destination you arrive at and leave behind; it is a progressive process built over time through committed efforts on your part, honest self-reflection, and access to the appropriate supportive resources through each phase of your recovery. Our Outpatient Program was created for those who have developed an initial foundation of recovery and are ready for a type of supportive care designed to foster that continued progress while allowing them to live their daily lives to the fullest.
Meridian Recovery serves individuals from across the state who are committed to developing and maintaining sobriety by providing ongoing support from a highly trained team of clinical professionals.
What Is Outpatient Treatment?
Outpatient treatment is one of the less intensive levels of care within the continuum of addiction treatment, typically consisting of 1–2 therapy sessions per week.[1] The program is designed for individuals who have created an acceptable level of stability in their recovery and are ready to take on greater levels of independence while remaining in professional clinical care.
Outpatient treatment is an important component of the recovery process. It provides you with a consistent and reliable clinical role model, creates a safe space for individuals to explore the ups and downs of daily living, and provides ongoing access to tools designed to help protect against relapse and promote long-term sobriety. Many individuals use outpatient treatment to help bridge the gap between participating in structured programs and obtaining full independence in their recovery.
Who Is Outpatient Treatment Right For?
Outpatient treatment is designed to provide continued clinical support to individuals who have established a sustainable foundation in their recovery and are seeking to be involved in a less intensive level of clinical support. It might be the right fit for those who:
- Have completed a more structured program and are transitioning toward greater independence
- Have a substance use disorder and any co-occurring conditions that are well managed, but who benefit from continued professional guidance
- Have a stable home environment and a reliable support system in place outside of treatment
- Are motivated to stay engaged with their recovery while resuming the responsibilities of daily life
When you contact our admissions team, we will complete a thorough clinical assessment with each potential client to ensure that our Outpatient Program is an appropriate level of treatment. If a higher level of clinical support is indicated, we will help you find a more appropriate treatment alternative to meet your needs.
Efficacy of Outpatient Support
Research consistently shows that continued participation in treatment improves long-term recovery outcomes. Ongoing outpatient care helps reinforce the skills learned in more intensive programs, such as relapse prevention, emotional regulation, and stress management.[2] For individuals with co-occurring mental health conditions, outpatient therapy also provides continued monitoring and support, helping to address symptoms that could otherwise interfere with recovery.
One of the key strengths of outpatient treatment is its focus on long-term maintenance. Rather than intensive intervention, the goal is to support sustained progress, identify challenges early, and make adjustments as needed. Regular check-ins with clinicians provide accountability and guidance, helping individuals stay connected to their recovery goals. For many, outpatient care serves as an essential step in maintaining stability and supporting lasting behavioral health improvements.
What Happens in Our Program?
The outpatient program at our facility has been carefully crafted to accommodate the busy schedules of our clients while allowing them to remain connected to the clinical support necessary for their recovery. Each session has a specific purpose and is based upon the individual needs of each client, who will work with their treatment team to meet any changing needs that arise.
Outpatient treatment at Meridian Recovery draws from the same evidence-based clinical modalities that inform all of our programming, applied in a way that fits the outpatient context and the individual needs of each client.
In addition to therapy, we also provide outpatient clients with other tools to protect their recovery, including:
- Medication Management: For those clients whose treatment includes the use of medications for psychiatric reasons, the outpatient program provides clients with access to the medication management services needed to ensure that the medications being used continue to provide the necessary support.
- Relapse Prevention Planning: At the outpatient level of care, relapse prevention moves from developing a plan to the application of the plan in real-life situations. Clients will review and modify their relapse prevention plans as necessary as they develop a greater ability to recognize the warning signs and their ability to respond appropriately.
Dual Diagnosis Care
Substance use and mental health are closely connected.[3] Co-occurring mental health conditions do not resolve when a person moves to a lower level of care, and we will continue treating them at this stage just as they were treated previously.
Our outpatient program includes integrated dual diagnosis treatment for individuals managing both a substance use disorder and a co-occurring condition like depression, anxiety, PTSD, or trauma.
Life in Recovery Looks Different for Everyone
One important point to understand about outpatient treatment is that it is not a consistent experience for everyone.
Some clients will remain in the outpatient program for years to receive consistent support, while others may stay in the outpatient program for a few months, at which point they may transition to independent living. Regardless of how long a client remains in our outpatient program, our staff works closely with each client to prepare them for their future by providing them with the tools, insight, and support that will enhance their recovery.
We will take the time to understand where each client is in their recovery and what their needs will be as they enter our outpatient program. Treatment plans are reviewed frequently, and the client’s needs and input will always be taken into consideration.
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Your Recovery Deserves Ongoing Investment
Choosing to actively participate in outpatient professional treatment indicates your strength and self-awareness during this journey towards sobriety.
You will receive help from your clinical team as you confront challenges outside of treatment, and that will help you continue to build on the success of your sobriety. You deserve continued support from your clinical team as you strive to build a life of happiness that you can be proud of. At Meridian Recovery, we will partner with you every step of this journey, as you work towards recovery, from the moment you enter treatment until you become an independent and healthier person.
Frequently Asked Questions About Outpatient Care
What is outpatient addiction treatment?
Outpatient treatment is a form of care in which clients attend scheduled therapy appointments 1 to 2 times per week and live at home while fulfilling all of their other daily obligations. Outpatient treatment is reserved for clients who have made significant strides toward their clean and sober lifestyle and are ready for less intensive care; however, they still require support from professionals who can continue to guide them through recovery and provide them with a therapeutic structure.
Who is outpatient treatment right for?
Outpatient treatment is most beneficial for individuals who have made solid progress with their addiction, who have a safe and supportive home environment, and who would like to continue working to achieve a clean and sober lifestyle but with less intensity than before. Outpatient treatment is almost always the next step for clients who have successfully completed an intensive outpatient treatment program and are prepared to regain greater independence in their recovery.
How long does outpatient treatment last?
The length of someone’s outpatient treatment program will vary. For some clients, this may be a shorter-term program that will solidify their recovery gains made earlier in treatment, while others may remain in outpatient treatment for longer periods of time so they can receive constant support throughout their recovery. The length of outpatient treatment with Meridian Recovery is never predetermined.
Can outpatient treatment address mental health conditions as well as addiction?
Yes. Though we do not provide standalone mental health services, we do provide our clients with dual diagnosis treatment when there are co-occurring mental health issues along with addiction. Our team of psychiatrists, therapists, and clinicians are trained to treat the addiction and mental health symptoms as one part of an overall plan of treatment.
What happens if I need more support during outpatient treatment?
Your care team will continuously monitor your progress during the entire length of your outpatient treatment, and should you require additional clinical support, your team will address it with you honestly. Recovery is not always linear, and when your situation changes, there is no judgment in determining if you would benefit from a higher level of clinical support. Our goal is to provide you with the appropriate level of treatment based on your progress in your recovery.
Sources
[1] Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2006). Outpatient treatment services. In Detoxification and Substance Abuse Treatment (Treatment Improvement Protocol Series, No. 45). National Center for Biotechnology Information. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64109/
[2] Treatment, C. F. S. A. (2006). Chapter 3. Intensive Outpatient Treatment and the Continuum of care. Substance Abuse: Clinical Issues in Intensive Outpatient Treatment – NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64088/
[3] National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). Common comorbidities with substance use disorders research report. National Institutes of Health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK571451/
