Definition

As used in this chapter "clinically managed low-intensity residential care" means a substance abuse treatment program that provides an ongoing therapeutic environment for clients requiring some structured support in which treatment is directed toward applying recovery skills, preventing relapse, improving emotional functioning, promoting personal responsibility, and reintegrating the client into the world of work, education, and family life, adaptive skills that may not have been achieved or have been diminished during the client's active addiction. Such programs must offer at least five hours per week of low-intensity treatment, the focus of which will be on issues in ASAM dimensions four, five, and six, as well as ASAM dimension three if appropriate mental health services are available onsite or by contractual arrangement. Clinically managed low-intensity residential care is also designed for the adolescent requiring extended treatment to sustain and further therapeutic gains made at a more intensive level of care because of the client's functional deficits such as developmental immaturity, greater than average susceptibility to peer influence, or lack of impulse control. This level is also sometimes warranted as a substitute for or supplement to the deficits in the adolescent's recovery environment such as chaotic home situation, drug-using caretakers or siblings, or a lack of daily structured activities such as school. The residential component of clinically managed low-intensity residential care may be combined with low-intensity outpatient, intensive outpatient, or day treatment.