How are MHSUD Conditions Treated?
There are several different types of treatment options currently available for individuals with MHSUD conditions. The most effective treatment option for one condition may be very different from the specific treatment needed for another. The table below outlines the primary types of settings for MHSUD services and the types of treatments associated with each setting.
Types of Services Used in Treating MHSUD Conditions
| Types of Settings | Types of Treatment | Description of Treatment | |
| Outpatient Outpatient care is usually the first line of treatment, similar to a doctor’s appointment. Services are delivered with no overnight stay and generally for less than 3 hours at a single visit. This care can be provided in person or via telehealth. | Therapy | Though there are various kinds of therapy and counseling, they usually involve a licensed MHSUD professional and focus on developing healthy skills. Common types of therapy include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational therapy. | |
| Medication | Outpatient medication can treat conditions such as anxiety and mood disorders. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is specifically used in managing and treating SUD. MAT can be used as part of medically managed withdrawal and as maintenance treatment for individuals with a dependency on alcohol, opioids, and/or nicotine. The FDA approved several medications to treat AUD and OUD. | ||
| Intensive outpatient therapy (IOP) | IOP is a structured and more intensive treatment program that can incorporate group and individual therapy. Services are provided in a structured setting generally for multiple hours per day and multiple days per week with no overnight stay. | ||
| Partial hospitalization | Partial hospitalization is a mixture of inpatient and outpatient care, and can include visits that generally last for three hours a day for more than two days a week. Care is often delivered at a specialty mental health facility/hospital/center/clinic, specifically for mental health clients. Often partial hospitalization serves as a transition point for individuals who are discharged from residential care. | ||
| Inpatient Inpatient care is for individuals with more severe MHSUD needs. Individuals in inpatient care typically require 24-hour medically monitored care, and stay at a hospital for at least one night, or up to a few weeks. | Therapy | Inpatient therapy is similar to outpatient therapy, but is often more intensive and frequent given the heightened severity of an individual’s condition. Inpatient therapy is often provided in conjunction with medication. | |
| Medication | Inpatient medication treatment can be more intensive than outpatient medication treatment, and involves greater oversight from a provider or care team. | ||
| Residential Residential care lasts for several weeks to months for more serious conditions. For the most severe circumstances, treatment can last for a year or more. These programs include typical treatment, as well as reintegration programs to help individuals in recovery re-enter the community. | Therapy | In residential care, individuals receive frequent and structured therapy or counseling. | |
| Medication | Residential medication treatment can be more intensive than outpatient medication treatment, and involves more oversight from a provider or care team. | ||
| Interim care When care is needed but not immediately available, individuals can receive interim care. This type of care provides daily medication and emergency counseling as needed while a patient waits for outpatient, inpatient, or residential services. | Therapy | In interim care, therapy is offered on an ad hoc basis as providers are available. | |
| Medication | To ensure patients do not experience lapses in medication while in interim care, psychiatric emergency services and mental health pharmacists often provide interim prescriptions for patients on wait lists. | ||
| Peer recovery / Support groups Following more formal treatment (outpatient, inpatient, residential), individuals can receive peer recovery services and/or join peer support groups. | Peer support | Outside of clinical care, peers can provide continued support and treatment to individuals receiving outpatient, residential or interim services. Peers can share lived experiences and examples of how to continue through recovery. | |
| Support groups | Support groups include individuals with similar experiences and conditions who can learn from and support each other. These groups can promote continued treatment and recovery. | ||