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Levels of Care

Evidence-Based Treatment That Works

At Pinnacle Treatment Centers, every program we offer is fully licensed, accredited, and provided by experienced, multidisciplinary professionals who are deeply committed to your recovery. Our board-certified physicians, nursing staff, and clinicians use evidence-based practices to treat the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. We do it all within the framework of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) continuum of care, ensuring that each patient receives the right level of care, treatment and services at the right time.
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What Are Levels of Care in Addiction Treatment?

The term “levels of care” refers to the intensity and structure of treatment that a person needs based on the severity of their substance use disorder, their physical and mental health, and other personal or environmental factors.

The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) outlines a continuum of care that ranges from early intervention to medically managed inpatient treatment. We use this framework to place patients in the level of care best suited for their needs—and to adjust that level over time as recovery progresses, typically to less intensive levels of care.

Our Levels of Care

ASAM’s Continuum of Care

Level 0.5: Early Intervention Services

  • Who it’s for: Individuals at risk of developing a substance use disorder
  • Services: Education, prevention strategies, brief interventions

Level 1: Outpatient Services

  • Frequency: Typically 1–9 hours of therapy per week
  • Focus: Relapse prevention, education, therapy sessions
  • Setting: Patients live at home or in sober living

Level 2.1: Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

  • Frequency: 9–19 hours of treatment per week
  • Structure: Group and individual therapy, life skills training

Best for: People who need more support than standard outpatient but don’t require full-time care.

Level 2.5: Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

  • Frequency: ~20+ hours/week, often 5 days/week
  • Structure: Daytime clinical treatment, evenings at home or in sober living

Best for: Step-down from inpatient or alternative to inpatient care.

Level 3: Residential/Inpatient Services

  • 3.1 (Low-intensity residential): Structured sober living with recovery support
  • 3.3 (Medium-intensity): For those with cognitive or functional impairments
  • 3.5 (High-intensity): 24/7 medically monitored residential care

Best for: Individuals needing a safe, drug-free environment with constant support

Level 4: Medically Managed Intensive Inpatient Services

Personalized Plans at Every Level of Care

Your recovery is just that - your recovery. Whether you begin in detox, residential, or outpatient treatment, we meet you where you are—and build a path forward based on your individual needs. Our care model follows ASAM’s nationally recognized criteria to place you in the most appropriate level of care, from intensive inpatient support to flexible outpatient programming.

At Pinnacle, you don’t just receive treatment, you get a customized recovery plan that reflects your personal goals, challenges, and strengths. You’ll be welcomed with compassion and treated with dignity every step of the way. No matter the obstacles, there’s a way forward, and we’re here to help you find it.