Residential High-Intensity Addictions Treatment
ASAM Level 3.5 - Highly Structured, 24-Hour Residential Care for Adults with Severe Substance Use Disorders
Gwynns Falls Wellness Center provides Residential High-Intensity Addictions Treatment (ASAM Level 3.5) for adults who require a highly structured, clinically managed residential environment with intensive therapeutic services to support recovery from moderate to severe substance use disorders.
This level of care is designed for individuals who are capable of self-care and clinically stable, yet not ready to return to independent or family living due to the severity of their substance use disorder, limited insight into relapse risk, or the need for continuous structure and monitoring. Residential Level 3.5 treatment provides 24-hour care, a strong therapeutic community, and a high level of clinical engagement to support stabilization, recovery skill development, and long-term community reintegration.
Admissions are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call now to begin the intake process.
Population Served
The Residential High-Intensity (ASAM Level 3.5) program serves adults age 18 and older who reside in Maryland and meet ASAM Level 3.5 medical necessity criteria.
Participants appropriate for this level of care are individuals who:
- Have a moderate or severe substance use disorder
- Are able to perform activities of daily living
- Are clinically stable and do not require hospital-based or medically managed inpatient care
- Require a highly structured and controlled residential environment to remain engaged in treatment
- Are not yet able to safely return to independent or family living
This level of care is especially appropriate for individuals who require intensive structure, continuous monitoring, and a therapeutic community to reduce risk of relapse and harm.
Entry Criteria (ASAM Level 3.5)
To be admitted, individuals must demonstrate motivation for treatment and meet ASAM Level 3.5 criteria, which may include:
- A diagnosis of moderate or severe substance use disorder
- No signs or symptoms of withdrawal, or withdrawal needs that can be safely managed in a Level 3.5 setting
- Biomedical conditions, if present, that are stable and do not require skilled nursing care
- Cognitive impairments related to the severity or duration of substance use
- Physical or mental disabilities resulting from prolonged substance-related disorders
- Limited recognition of relapse triggers or limited insight into the risks of continued substance use
- Continued substance use that poses imminent danger or harm to self or others without 24-hour monitoring
- A recovery environment, social network, or coping ability that places the individual at high risk of neglect, abuse, or continued substance use
Residential Setting
Residential High-Intensity services are provided in a community-based residential environment, rather than a hospital or institutional setting.
Services Provided In:
- ✓ Residential facilities
- ✓ Office-based settings
- ✓ Community-based locations
- ✓ In-home environments, when clinically appropriate
Services NOT Provided In:
- ✗ Hospital medical units
- ✗ Nursing homes
- ✗ Adult medical daycare centers
- ✗ Emergency rooms (when included in a hospital rate)
24/7 Residential Care & Intake
This program operates as a true residential treatment program, meaning participants live on-site and receive 24-hour care, supervision, and monitoring.
Intake and admissions are available 24/7
Residential support and monitoring are provided at all times to ensure:
- Safety and structure
- Continuous engagement in the therapeutic environment
- Crisis response and risk reduction
- Support with daily living needs
Individuals, families, and referral sources may contact us at any time to initiate admission.
Program Schedule & Availability
While residential care is provided around the clock, therapeutic and clinical services are delivered during scheduled program hours.
Clinical & Program Service Hours
Monday – Friday
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
After-Hours & Weekend Services
Residential supervision and monitoring remain available 24 hours a day, including evenings, nights, and weekends.
Available for: Crisis intervention, scheduled appointments, and residential support needs
During clinical hours, participants engage in a highly structured daily schedule that includes intensive therapeutic activities, recovery-focused services, and individualized support.
Therapeutic Intensity & Frequency of Services
Residential High-Intensity (ASAM Level 3.5) treatment provides the highest level of therapeutic engagement within residential care.
36+ Hours
Minimum therapeutic activities per week
5+ Hours
Weekly relapse prevention & recovery skill development
Participants receive:
- A minimum of 36 hours of therapeutic activities per week
- Moderate- to high-intensity treatment and ancillary services
- Services that rely on the treatment community as a primary therapeutic agent
Interventions focused on:
- Relapse prevention
- Recovery skill application
- Behavioral change
- Emotional regulation
- Preparation for community reintegration
Meals & Medication Support
To promote stability, wellness, and adherence to treatment, the program provides structured meals and medication support.
Morning
7:00 AM
Afternoon
12:00 PM
Evening
5:00 PM
Medication support includes assistance with self-administration and coordination with prescribing providers, when appropriate and permitted.
Length & Frequency of Stay
Residential High-Intensity services are authorized based on medical necessity and individual treatment needs.
Stay Duration
Up to 30 days per stay
Annual Authorization
Up to two non-consecutive residential stays per rolling calendar year
Continued stay is subject to authorization and ASAM criteria.
Exceptions may apply for court-ordered specialty populations, including:
- Health-General §8-507
- Title 3 commitments
Services Provided
Residential High-Intensity services are designed to support stabilization and recovery through intensive treatment and structured ancillary supports.
Individual Counseling
Individual substance use counseling
Group Therapy
Group therapy and intensive therapeutic activities
Peer Recovery Support
Peer recovery support services
Relapse Prevention
Relapse prevention education
Emotional Regulation
Coping skills and emotional regulation training
Life Skills
Life skills development
Case Management
Case management and care coordination
Opioid Treatment
Opioid Treatment Services, when clinically indicated
Ambulatory Detox
Up to five (5) days of ambulatory detoxification per authorization period, when medically necessary
All services are delivered by licensed, certified, or authorized clinical professionals and peer support staff, in accordance with Maryland Health Occupations Article requirements.
Ready to learn more about our Level 3.5 program?
Confidential • Rolling admissions • Same-day placement available
Transition & Discharge Planning
Discharge and transition planning begins at admission and continues throughout all phases of treatment.
A participant is ready for discharge or transition when:
- Individual treatment goals are achieved
- Recovery supports are established
- Referrals to ongoing services are completed, when appropriate
Transition planning emphasizes continuity of care and long-term recovery stability.
Philosophy of the Program
The Residential High-Intensity program is designed to assist individuals in developing and maintaining coping skills that support adjustment and integration into their living environments and communities.
Services are designed and implemented to:
- Support recovery, health, and well-being
- Enhance quality of life
- Reduce symptoms and unmet needs
- Build resilience
- Restore and improve functioning
- Support integration into the community
Clients—and when appropriate, family members—are empowered to make informed decisions about care.
Program Goals
The overall goal of Residential High-Intensity treatment is to increase quality of life through specialized addiction treatment services, while reducing the need for higher levels of care.
Areas of focus may include:
- Recovery and relapse prevention
- Education and vocational development
- Parenting and family relationships
- Emotional regulation and coping skills
- Anger management
- Grief and loss
- Spirituality, when desired
Specific objectives include:
- Improving mood and affect in daily living
- Improving social, family, and community integration
- Reducing the likelihood of hospitalization or higher levels of care
Payment, Insurance & Referrals
Services are available to individuals with:
- Maryland Medicaid
- Private Pay
- Certain dually eligible Medicare coverage
- Uninsured individuals who qualify
Assistance with Medicaid application and temporary coverage may be available.
Call today to verify coverage or begin the admissions process.
We accept referrals from:
- Self-referrals and walk-ins
- Community stakeholders
- Healthcare providers
- Courts and governmental agencies
Take the Next Step Toward Recovery
For individuals who need the highest level of residential structure, intensive therapeutic engagement, and continuous support, Residential High-Intensity Addictions Treatment (ASAM Level 3.5) may be the right level of care.
Gwynns Falls Wellness Center is committed to providing structured, compassionate, and effective care that supports lasting recovery and successful community reintegration.