The North Carolina Short-term Treatment Program is designed to provide immediate, focused care for individuals experiencing acute substance use issues that require more intensive intervention than outpatient services, but not long-term residential care. This service is often used to stabilize individuals, initiate recovery, and transition them into ongoing treatment or support.
Short-term treatment may be delivered in residential settings, hospital-based units, or intensive outpatient formats, depending on clinical needs and local program availability. The program is regulated by the NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services (DMH/DD/SAS) and may satisfy court, probation, or DMV-related treatment mandates.
Core components of NC Short-term Treatment include:
- Clinical assessment and stabilization
- Structured daily therapy, including individual and group counseling
- Substance use education and relapse prevention
- Support for co-occurring mental health needs
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT), when appropriate
- Aftercare planning and referrals to longer-term care
This service is appropriate for individuals who:
- Have recently relapsed and need a structured reset
- Are awaiting placement in a long-term treatment program
- Require court-ordered stabilization before sentencing or reentry
- Need intensive intervention after a DWI or probation violation
Length of stay in a short-term program typically ranges from 7 to 30 days, depending on the individual’s progress and legal or clinical requirements. Upon discharge, individuals often transition into SACOT, SAIOP, or other continuing care programs.
Completion of this program may fulfill legal obligations and support license reinstatement in coordination with the NC DMV, courts, or probation services.
Certified providers for Short-term Treatment services can be found through Online Class Advisor’s North Carolina Treatment Network, offering access to programs across the state with varying levels of care and specialization.