Outpatient Addiction Treatment
Outpatient addiction treatment is structured, medically supervised care for substance use disorders that does not require an overnight stay. Patients live at home and attend scheduled visits for medication-assisted treatment (MAT), counseling, and recovery support, allowing them to keep working, caring for family, and living in their community.
75+ clinics in six states. 53,000+ patients helped. CARF accredited. Medicaid and most commercial insurance accepted. Telehealth available.
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On this page: What it is | How it works | Levels of care | Inpatient vs. outpatient | Medications | What we treat | Cost & insurance | Locations | FAQ
What Is Outpatient Addiction Treatment?
Outpatient addiction treatment (often called outpatient rehab) provides the core components of professional addiction care, including medical evaluation, FDA-approved medications, counseling, and recovery support, without requiring you to live at a treatment facility. You attend scheduled appointments at a clinic near you or by secure telehealth, then return to your daily life.
For many people, outpatient care is the foundation of recovery rather than a step down from something else. It provides structure and accountability in a professional, judgment-free environment while you stay connected to the things that support long-term recovery: work, family, school, and community.
Outpatient treatment may be a good fit if you want or need to keep living at home during treatment, have work or family responsibilities you cannot step away from, have a safe and stable place to live, or are stepping down from a higher level of care such as residential treatment. The right level of care is always determined by a clinical assessment, not a one-size-fits-all rule.
How Outpatient Treatment Works at Spero Health
Spero Health uses an integrated care model that brings physical and behavioral healthcare together under one roof, so your medical provider, counselor, and care coordinator work as one team. Here is what to expect.
Step 1: Reach out
Call 866-755-4258 or contact us online. Our Connection Care Team answers questions, verifies insurance, and schedules your first visit. Many locations can offer same-day or next-day appointments, depending on availability.
Step 2: Comprehensive evaluation
A licensed medical provider completes a thorough medical and clinical assessment to understand your health history, substance use, and goals, and to determine the safest, most effective starting point.
Step 3: Individualized treatment plan
Your plan may include medication-assisted treatment, individual counseling, group therapy, and care coordination. Not every service or medication is right for every person; your plan is built for you.
Step 4: Ongoing care and support
You attend regular visits in person or by telehealth. Your team monitors progress, manages medications, and adjusts your plan as you stabilize, with support for real-life barriers like transportation and insurance questions.
Because addiction affects both body and mind, this coordinated approach treats the whole person, not just the disease. It is the model Spero Health has used to help more than 53,000 patients on their journey toward stable recovery.
Levels of Outpatient Care
Outpatient treatment is not one single program. Spero Health offers a full range of outpatient levels of care, so you can start at the level that fits your needs and step down as you gain stability. Not every level is available at every location; your care team will confirm the options near you.
Outpatient treatment (OP)
Standard outpatient care is the most flexible level. It typically involves regular visits for medication management and counseling, often one to two times per week, scheduled around work and family life. For many patients this is where treatment begins and where long-term recovery is maintained.
Intensive outpatient program (IOP)
An intensive outpatient program provides a higher level of structured support for people who need more clinical engagement than standard outpatient care but do not need full-day treatment. IOP typically includes structured group therapy several days per week, individual counseling, ongoing medication-assisted treatment, and relapse prevention planning. As patients demonstrate stability, they step down from IOP into standard outpatient care. IOP is available at many Spero Health locations.
Partial hospitalization program (PHP)
PHP is our most intensive outpatient level: full-day, highly structured treatment five days per week, with daily clinical services and medical oversight. It is often appropriate for people transitioning from inpatient or residential settings who need continued stabilization. Please note: PHP is offered at select locations only, and structured recovery housing is available in a small number of communities. Availability varies by market, so call 866-755-4258 to confirm options near you.
Telehealth outpatient treatment
Eligible patients across Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia can receive comprehensive outpatient care from home through secure video visits, mirroring the clinical structure and medical oversight of in-person care. Learn more about online addiction treatment at Spero Health.
Inpatient vs. Outpatient Rehab: What’s the Difference?
Inpatient rehab means living at a treatment facility with 24-hour care, usually for a set number of days. Outpatient rehab means living at home while attending scheduled treatment. Neither is better for everyone: the right choice depends on your medical needs, home environment, and a clinical assessment. Many people recover fully through outpatient care alone.
| Outpatient treatment | Inpatient / residential | |
|---|---|---|
| Where you live | At home, in your community | At the facility, 24/7 |
| Schedule | Scheduled visits; OP, IOP, or PHP intensity | Full-time structured programming |
| Work, school & family | Usually continue throughout treatment | Paused during your stay |
| Medication-assisted treatment | Yes, including Suboxone, Sublocade, Brixadi, and Vivitrol | Varies by facility |
| Typical cost | Lower; widely covered by Medicaid and commercial insurance | Significantly higher |
| Length of care | Flexible; can support long-term recovery | Fixed stay, then step-down |
| Best fit when | You have a stable place to live and daily responsibilities to maintain | You need 24-hour support or a safer environment first |
Stepping down from inpatient or residential care? Spero Health’s outpatient and IOP programs are built to continue your momentum, and our team coordinates transitions of care.
Medications Used in Outpatient Addiction Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combines FDA-approved medications with counseling and medical oversight. It is recognized by federal health agencies as the standard of care for opioid use disorder, and it is central to how Spero Health treats addiction. Every prescribing decision follows a thorough evaluation by a licensed medical provider; not every medication is appropriate for every patient.
Suboxone (buprenorphine/naloxone)
A daily film or tablet that reduces cravings and withdrawal symptoms so you can stabilize and focus on recovery. Suboxone is one of the most widely used and studied medications for opioid use disorder.
Sublocade (monthly buprenorphine injection)
A once-monthly injection administered at the clinic. For patients stabilized on buprenorphine, Sublocade removes the daily-dose routine and supports consistent, steady medication levels.
Brixadi (long-acting buprenorphine injection)
A long-acting buprenorphine injection available in weekly and monthly options, giving providers additional flexibility to match treatment to each patient’s needs.
Vivitrol (naltrexone injection)
A once-monthly, non-opioid injection used for opioid use disorder and alcohol use disorder. Vivitrol blocks opioid effects and can reduce alcohol cravings as part of a structured treatment plan.
What We Treat
Opioid addiction
Spero Health specializes in outpatient treatment for opioid use disorder, including addiction to fentanyl, heroin, and prescription opioids like oxycodone and hydrocodone. Treatment combines MAT with counseling and recovery support, and Spero Health is one of the largest providers of outpatient opioid use disorder treatment in the country.
Alcohol addiction
Outpatient alcohol treatment at Spero Health includes medical evaluation, FDA-approved medications such as Vivitrol when clinically appropriate, individual and group counseling, and ongoing recovery support. Because alcohol withdrawal can be medically serious, care always begins with an evaluation to determine the safest starting point. For many people, outpatient alcohol rehab makes it possible to get help without stepping away from work or family.
Stimulant addiction (methamphetamine and cocaine)
Our clinics provide evidence-based outpatient treatment for stimulant use disorders, including methamphetamine and cocaine, built on counseling, behavioral therapy, and coordinated medical care.
Many patients also receive support for co-occurring needs, including behavioral health counseling, Hepatitis C testing and treatment, smoking cessation, and care coordination for practical barriers like transportation and insurance.
Cost, Insurance & Medicaid
Outpatient rehab costs significantly less than inpatient treatment, and most Spero Health patients have their care covered by insurance. Spero Health accepts state Medicaid plans and most commercial insurance plans. Our team verifies your benefits and explains any out-of-pocket costs before your first appointment, so there are no surprises.
Coverage details vary by state and by plan. If you are unsure what your insurance covers, call 866-755-4258 and our Connection Care Team will verify your benefits for you.
Veterans: VA Community Care Network (CCN)
Spero Health is an approved in-network provider under the VA Community Care Network, covering outpatient substance use disorder treatment and medication-assisted treatment across our footprint, including telehealth. The VA must approve community care before routine treatment begins, and our intake team helps veterans navigate the authorization process step by step.
Find Outpatient Addiction Treatment Near You
Spero Health operates more than 75 outpatient clinics across six states, with telehealth available statewide for eligible patients. Choose your state to see in-person and online options near you.
See all locations or explore telehealth addiction treatment if there is no clinic near you.
Ready to take the first step?
Many locations offer same-day or next-day appointments, depending on availability.
Outpatient Addiction Treatment FAQ
What is outpatient addiction treatment?
Outpatient addiction treatment is structured, medically supervised care for drug and alcohol addiction that does not require an overnight stay.
Patients live at home and attend scheduled appointments for medication-assisted treatment (MAT), counseling, and recovery support. It allows people to keep working, caring for family, and living in their community while receiving evidence-based care.
How does outpatient rehab work?
Outpatient rehab starts with a comprehensive medical and clinical evaluation.
Your care team then builds an individualized treatment plan that may include FDA-approved medications, individual counseling, group therapy, and care coordination. You attend appointments at a clinic or by telehealth on a regular schedule, and your plan is adjusted as you make progress.
What happens during outpatient treatment?
A typical visit may include a check-in with your medical provider, medication management, counseling, and drug screening as part of routine care.
Between visits, care coordinators help with practical needs like insurance questions and community resources. Visit frequency is highest early in treatment and decreases as you stabilize.
How many days a week is outpatient treatment?
It depends on your level of care.
Standard outpatient treatment often involves one to two visits per week. Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) typically meet several days per week for structured sessions. Partial hospitalization programs (PHP), available at select locations, provide full-day programming five days per week. Your clinical team recommends the level that fits your needs.
How long does outpatient rehab last?
There is no fixed timeline.
Addiction is a chronic medical condition, and treatment length is based on stability, progress, and your recovery goals. Some patients benefit from longer-term medication support, while others transition off medication under medical supervision. Many people step down through levels of care over months rather than weeks.
Is inpatient or outpatient rehab better for addiction?
Neither is better for everyone.
Inpatient rehab provides 24-hour residential care, which some people need for safety or stability. Outpatient treatment provides evidence-based care, including MAT, while you live at home, which supports work, family, and lower cost. The right level of care depends on a clinical assessment of your health, substance use, and support system.
Does outpatient addiction treatment work?
Yes. Decades of research support outpatient treatment that combines medication-assisted treatment with counseling, which is the model Spero Health uses.
Medications for opioid use disorder are recognized as the standard of care by federal health agencies. Success improves with treatment retention, which outpatient care supports by fitting around work, family, and daily life.
How much does outpatient rehab cost?
Outpatient rehab costs far less than inpatient care, and for most Spero Health patients the cost is covered by insurance.
Spero Health accepts state Medicaid plans and most commercial insurance. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your plan, and our team verifies your benefits and explains any costs before your first appointment.
Does insurance or Medicaid cover outpatient addiction treatment?
In most cases, yes.
Spero Health accepts state Medicaid plans and most commercial insurance plans across Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, and Virginia. Coverage details vary by state and policy. Our Connection Care Team verifies insurance benefits before your first appointment so you know what to expect.
Do you drug test in outpatient treatment?
Yes. Drug screening is a routine part of quality outpatient addiction treatment.
Screenings help your medical provider make safe prescribing decisions, track your progress, and adjust your treatment plan. They are a clinical tool used to support your recovery, not to punish setbacks. Honest conversations about results are part of care.
Can I keep working or going to school during outpatient treatment?
Yes. Outpatient treatment is designed so you can maintain daily responsibilities.
Many Spero Health patients continue working, attending school, and caring for family throughout treatment. Appointment schedules are built around your life, and telehealth visits can reduce travel time for eligible patients.
What medications are used in outpatient addiction treatment?
Spero Health provides medication-assisted treatment using FDA-approved medications including Suboxone, Sublocade, Brixadi, and Vivitrol.
Not every medication is right for every patient. Providers complete a thorough evaluation to determine the safest, most effective option for you.
Can outpatient treatment help with alcohol addiction?
Yes. Spero Health provides outpatient treatment for alcohol use disorder.
Care includes medical evaluation, FDA-approved medications such as Vivitrol when clinically appropriate, counseling, and recovery support. Because alcohol withdrawal can be medically serious, treatment begins with an evaluation to determine the safest starting point for your care.
Do I need detox before starting outpatient treatment?
Not always.
Whether a separate withdrawal management program is needed first depends on your substances, health history, and a medical evaluation. Many patients begin outpatient medication-assisted treatment without an inpatient stay. For some situations, especially alcohol or sedative dependence, your provider may recommend medically supervised withdrawal first for safety.
How do I choose an outpatient treatment provider?
Look for licensed medical providers, FDA-approved medication options, integrated counseling, accreditation, and insurance acceptance.
Ask whether physical and behavioral health services are coordinated, and how quickly you can be seen. Spero Health offers all of these, with CARF accreditation, across 75+ clinics and statewide telehealth in six states.
Does Spero Health accept VA Community Care Network (CCN) coverage for veterans?
Yes. Spero Health is an approved in-network provider under the VA Community Care Network (CCN).
Coverage includes outpatient substance use disorder treatment and medication-assisted treatment across our footprint, including telehealth. The VA must approve community care before routine treatment begins, and our intake team helps veterans navigate the authorization process.
Saving Lives. Instilling Hope. Restoring Relationships.
Speak with our Connection Care Team today. We will verify your insurance and help you find the right level of care.