San Diego Transformation Center  outpatient care for mental health and substance use disorders

Substance Use Outpatient Program (OP) in San Diego

Medically reviewed by Alejandro Alva, M.D., Medical Director · Last reviewed November 2026

Outpatient rehab in San Diego for ongoing substance use recovery, with weekly care that fits around work, school, and family.

San Diego Transformation Center's Substance Use Outpatient Program (OP) offers outpatient rehab in San Diego for adults maintaining recovery. You keep up with work, school, and family while one team provides therapy, medication support when appropriate, and more structure if needed.

Substance Use OP at a Glance

Ongoing Outpatient Support for Substance Use Recovery

OP fits when you no longer need daily treatment but still want steady clinical support, accountability, and relapse-prevention work with a clinician who knows your history.

Because detox, PHP, IOP, and OP all happen at our San Diego center, moving between levels of care doesn’t mean starting over with a new provider.

Which OP Is Right for You?

Substance Use OP

Alcohol or drug use is your main concern, with or without mental health symptoms.

You’re in the right place.

Mental Health OP

Depression, anxiety, trauma, or other mental health symptoms are your main concern.

Explore Outpatient Mental Health Program (OP) ›

Not Sure?

A clinical assessment helps you start in the right program, with one coordinated team either way.

Call (858) 215-1655 ›

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Program Structure

A flexible outpatient schedule built around your daily responsibilities.

  • 1 to 2 sessions per week, customized to you
  • Scheduled around work, school, or family
  • Outpatient care with no overnight treatment
  • The same clinical team throughout outpatient care

Outpatient care at San Diego Transformation Center emphasizes continuity, so you keep working with the same clinical team that supported you through higher levels of care.

How Substance Use OP Is Structured

ComponentHow OftenWho You’ll Work WithFocus
Individual therapyWeekly 50-minute sessions, or as clinically appropriateA consistent therapistRelapse prevention, skill development, and recovery goals
Psychiatric servicesOngoing, as clinically indicatedPsychiatric providerMedication management, including MAT when appropriate, and coordination with primary care
Group supportOptional weekly process groupYour clinical team and peersRelapse prevention skills, peer support, and alumni connection
Case managementAs neededCase managerCommunity resources, housing, employment, legal, and family needs
Care adjustmentsReviewed throughout careYour clinical teamMore sessions during hard stretches, a step up to IOP or PHP if needed, or fewer sessions as you gain stability

What Is a Substance Use Outpatient Program (OP)?

A Substance Use Outpatient Program (OP) is a lower-intensity level of outpatient addiction care. You attend scheduled therapy and support sessions, usually once or twice a week, while living at home and keeping up with daily responsibilities.

Substance use OP typically focuses on:

  • Ongoing therapeutic engagement
  • Relapse prevention and skill development
  • Continued clinical accountability
  • Integration of recovery into daily life

At San Diego Transformation Center, OP is one step in a single continuum. Many clients step down from PHP or IOP with the same team, while others start directly in OP after an assessment.

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Explore Our Related Levels of Care

group therapy session

Who Benefits from a Substance Use Outpatient Program (OP)?

A Substance Use Outpatient Program (OP) is appropriate for individuals who are stable in recovery and benefit from continued clinical support without intensive supervision.

OP may be a good fit if you:

  • Have completed detox, PHP, or IOP treatment
  • Are stable enough to manage recovery without daily or extended treatment hours
  • Need ongoing therapy, accountability, or medication support
  • Want to continue treatment while maintaining work, school, or family responsibilities
  • Are focused on sustaining progress and preventing relapse

A different level of care may fit better if you:

  • Have withdrawal symptoms or may need withdrawal support, where outpatient detox may be the right starting point
  • Need daily structure to stay safe or avoid returning to use, where IOP or PHP may fit better
  • Need 24-hour care, which we don’t provide; our team can help coordinate a referral

If you’re unsure, a clinical assessment will recommend the safest starting point, and you can step up or down with the same team.

Outpatient care at San Diego Transformation Center prioritizes continuity by supporting ongoing work with a consistent clinical team throughout treatment.

Ongoing Clinical Services Supporting Outpatient Recovery

a woman participating in a group therapy session for outpatient treatment in san diego

Individual Therapy

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Psychiatric Services

group therapy session

Optional Group Support

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Case Management

Integrated Mental Health Support in OP

Substances We Treat in Outpatient Rehab

Our substance use OP supports adults in recovery from:

  • Alcohol use, including relapse after prior treatment
  • Opioids, including prescription pain medications, heroin, and fentanyl
  • Stimulants, including methamphetamine and cocaine
  • Benzodiazepines and other sedatives
  • Cannabis
  • Use of more than one substance

Some substances carry withdrawal risks that call for medical support first. If that applies to you, our team may recommend outpatient detox or a more intensive program before OP, then help you step down with the same providers.

Long-Term Recovery Support

Outpatient care isn't only about avoiding a return to use. It's about building a stable, independent life with support around you. Your team helps you:

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Getting Started with Outpatient Care

Whether you’re transitioning from a higher level of care or seeking support as you maintain your recovery, we’ll assess your needs and create a personalized outpatient plan.

  1. Call or verify your insurance. Reach admissions at (858) 215-1655 or submit the confidential verification form.
  2. Benefits review. We contact your plan and explain your coverage, including any copays, coinsurance, or authorizations, before you start.
  3. Clinical assessment. A licensed clinician reviews your history and goals and confirms whether OP is the right level of care.
  4. Personalized plan. Your team sets your session schedule, therapy focus, and any medication support around your week.
  5. Start care. You begin with the team who will stay with you, so you don’t have to retell your story.
San Diego Transformation Center

Direct Admission Available: You don't need to complete our intensive programs to access OP. New clients are welcome.

San Diego Transformation Center

Insurance Coverage: We accept most insurance plans. Our team will verify your benefits and explain your coverage before you begin care.

Insurance and Cost for Outpatient Rehab

Most clients use health insurance for outpatient care, and coverage depends on your plan.

  • What affects cost: your plan’s deductible, copay, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximum.
  • We verify for you: our team contacts your insurer, reviews your substance use treatment benefits, and checks whether authorization is required.
  • Clear next steps: we review what your plan covers before your first session and walk you through your options if part of your care isn’t covered.

See insurance plans we work with

Our San Diego Location

San Diego Transformation Center
9909 Huennekens St., Suite 110
San Diego, CA 92121
Phone: (858) 215-1655

Your OP sessions take place at our Sorrento Valley outpatient center, the same location where we provide outpatient detox, PHP, IOP, and supportive services. We serve adults across San Diego County. Call before your first visit to confirm your start time and parking details.

Licensing and Accreditation

Our program is certified by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).

  • Certification Number: 370256AP
  • Expires: October 31, 2027

Continue Your Recovery Journey

Your outpatient schedule adapts to your evolving needs. We can increase frequency during challenging periods or reduce sessions as you gain confidence and stability.

Duration of care is individualized. Some clients benefit from a few months of support, while others continue outpatient care as part of their recovery routine. Take the first step: verify your insurance or call to speak confidentially with our admissions team.

Frequently Asked Questions:
Outpatient Rehab in San Diego

Outpatient rehab is addiction treatment you attend on a schedule while living at home. At San Diego Transformation Center, substance use OP is a lower-intensity level of care than our PHP and IOP, typically 1 to 2 sessions per week.

No. Direct admission is available, and new clients are welcome. A clinical assessment confirms whether OP is the right starting point or whether more support would serve you better.

Length of care is individualized. Your team reviews your progress and adjusts session frequency, so some clients take part for a few months while others continue as part of their recovery routine.

PHP is a structured daytime program, IOP meets multiple days a week, and OP is typically 1 to 2 sessions per week. You can move between them with the same team as your needs change.

Evening and weekend IOP and OP options are part of our programming. Call admissions at (858) 215-1655 for current availability.

Yes, when clinically appropriate. Our psychiatric team provides ongoing medication management, including MAT, and coordinates with your primary care provider.

Our team screens for co-occurring conditions and treats substance use and mental health needs in one coordinated plan. If mental health symptoms are your main concern, our Mental Health OP may be a better fit.

Coverage for outpatient substance use treatment depends on your plan. We verify your benefits and explain copays, coinsurance, and any authorization requirements before you begin.

No. Inpatient or residential rehab means living at a facility, while our programs are outpatient only, so you sleep at home. If an assessment shows you need 24-hour care, our team can help coordinate a referral.