Guide
After Detox: Choosing the Right Next Level of Care
The single strongest predictor of long-term recovery is what happens immediately after detox. Here is how to think about the next step.
Updated February 2026 · Reviewed by Dr. Julianne Rivers, MD (Addiction Medicine)
The ASAM criteria
The American Society of Addiction Medicine publishes the criteria most NJ facilities and insurers use to match people to level of care. Six dimensions are considered: withdrawal risk, medical, emotional/behavioral, readiness, relapse potential, and living environment.
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