CONTINUUM OF CARE
You've just completed detox and still need 24-hour staff support, therapy, and a structured environment. What level of care comes next?
What is Residential (3.5)?
About this percentage of people relapse within 90 days if they leave treatment without aftercare.
What is 60–70%?
This type of housing provides accountability, curfews, and peer support without providing clinical treatment.
What is sober living?
"I've been sober for 30 days, so my relapse risk is behind me."
Myth
This early recovery period is considered the highest risk for relapse.
What is the first 90 days?
This level of care lets you return home each night while attending treatment most weekdays for several hours.
What is PHP?
Staying connected to treatment or aftercare for this long increases sobriety success by about 65%.
What is 90 days or more?
This recovery program teaches practical tools using cognitive behavioral therapy instead of spirituality.
What is SMART Recovery?
"The more structure someone has during early recovery, the lower their relapse risk tends to be."
Fact
One reason sober housing can be safer than going straight home.
What is fewer triggers / more accountability?
You're back to work but still attend therapy three evenings each week. What level of care are you in?
What is IOP?
PHP and IOP reduce relapse risk by approximately this amount.
What is 40–60%?
If someone says, "I have a sponsor and I'm working the Steps," they're most likely participating in this recovery model.
What is a 12-Step program?
"If I don't like AA, recovery probably isn't for me."
Myth
(There are many evidence-based recovery pathways.)
This is something PHP or IOP provides that motivation alone does not.
What is structure and accountability?
True or False: Detox alone is considered addiction treatment.
What is False? (Detox stabilizes the body—it doesn't treat the addiction.)
Relapse rates drop from around 65% to this number when continuity of care is maintained.
What is about 30%?
This recovery program emphasizes meditation, mindfulness, and Buddhist principles.
What is Dharma Recovery (or Refuge Recovery)?
"Relapse means treatment completely failed."
Myth
(Relapse can happen and often becomes part of learning.)
This term describes recovery plans that are customized instead of one-size-fits-all.
What is individualized care?
Name the overall process of gradually moving from more intensive treatment to less intensive treatment while remaining engaged in recovery.
What is the Continuum of Care (or Step-Down Care)?
People in sober living are this many times more likely to stay sober and employed at one year.
What is twice as likely (2×)?
This recovery support is faith based and commonly offered in churches.
What is Celebrate Recovery?
"Someone else's recovery plan should work exactly the same for me."
Myth
(Recovery should be individualized.)
This question should guide every aftercare decision:
What gives me the best chance to stay sober after discharge?