Addiction Treatment Programs: Help Is on the Horizon

Looking for addiction treatment but not sure which program is right for you? Here is a plain-language look at five common options.

1. Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)

What it is: structured sessions several times a week while clients live at home and keep up with their responsibilities. New Horizons Counseling offers this service by telehealth and is accepting new clients.

Evidence: a 2025 industry overview found that mindfulness-integrated IOPs notably improve outcomes. Over 54 million Americans need substance use disorder treatment each year, yet only about 23% get it. IOPs strike a balance between structure and real-world application.

Pros and cons: less disruption to life and cost-effective, but requires strong motivation and support at home.

2. Residential or Inpatient Treatment

What it is: live-in care offering medically supervised detox, around-the-clock therapy, group sessions and life skills training.

Evidence: Cochrane-style analyses show inpatient care offers no significant advantage over outpatient day programs for long-term alcohol rehab, except in select cases.

Pros and cons: removes people from risky environments, but may not teach coping in daily life, and it is significantly more expensive.

3. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

What it is: the use of medications such as methadone or buprenorphine (for opioids) or naltrexone (for alcohol) alongside therapy and support.

Evidence: MAT cuts mortality in opioid use disorder by about 50% or more.

Pros and cons: highly effective for opioids and alcohol, and reduces cravings and overdose risk, but stigma and limited access persist.

4. 12-Step and Twelve-Step Facilitation (TSF)

What it is: peer-support programs (AA, NA) or professional therapy designed to prepare participants for 12-step groups. New Horizons does not emphasize these, and instead focuses on CBT.

Evidence: a 2020 Cochrane review found that AA and TSF lead to abstinence rates 20% to 60% higher than some alternatives, as well as reduced healthcare use. However, results vary and are debated.

Pros and cons: widely available, low-cost and offers peer accountability. But group culture, a spiritual focus and high dropout rates may not suit everyone.

5. Community Reinforcement and Behavioral Therapies (CRA, CBT, DBT, MORE)

What it is:

• CBT and DBT: therapy to reshape thought patterns and emotions. New Horizons Counseling offers one-on-one CBT by telehealth and is accepting new clients.
• CRA: restructures lifestyle to reinforce sobriety through community and family support.
• MORE: combines mindfulness with cognitive reappraisal.

Evidence:

• CBT: strong evidence. A meta-analysis shows medium to large effect sizes at 6 to 9 months.
• DBT: up to a 40% reduction in emotional dysregulation and a 35% decrease in relapse risk.
• CRA: one study reported 97% abstinent days at six months, compared with 74% for CRA plus TSF and 45% for TSF alone.
• MORE: multiple randomized trials, including a 2022 JAMA trial, show significant benefits in reducing opioid misuse, chronic pain and cravings, with one line of research reporting reductions of about 45%.

Not sure where to start? Call (808) 484-1000 for a free consultation, or read about our Intensive Outpatient Program.