Among 96 adults from Mecklenburg County treated for alcohol use disorder (AUD) at Southeastern Recovery Center between April 2025 and June 2026, program completion rates were 95% for patients in a 30-day partial hospitalization program (PHP) alone (N=43) and 89% for those who continued into 60 days of intensive outpatient programming (IOP) after PHP (N=53). At a six-month follow-up, the PHP+IOP group reported a higher self-reported sustained-sobriety rate than the PHP-only group: 85% versus 77%.

All figures below are based on the methodology stated in the next section. “Completion” and “self-reported sustained sobriety” are defined explicitly to avoid ambiguity.

How we measured these outcomes

  • Who is included: Adults (18+) whose primary diagnosis was alcohol use disorder and whose residential address at intake was within Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.
  • Time period: Admissions between April 2025 and June 2026.
  • Sample sizes: PHP-only cohort, N = 43. PHP + IOP cohort, N = 53. Total N = 96.
  • Completion is defined as finishing the full prescribed course of care.

    Self-reported sustained sobriety reflects patient-reported abstinence status at a single six-month follow-up checkpoint. Figures are calculated against the number of patients reached at follow-up, not against total admissions. Follow-up rates are disclosed inline in the table below.

Program Completion: PHP vs. PHP + IOP

Program Completion — Mecklenburg County AUD Patients, April 2025–June 2026
Program track Patients (N) Completed program Completion rate
30-day PHP only 43 41 95%
30-day PHP + 60-day IOP 53 47 89%

Six-Month Sustained Sobriety: PHP vs. PHP + IOP

Six-Month Self-Reported Sustained Sobriety — Mecklenburg County AUD Patients, April 2025–June 2026
Program track Reached at 6-month follow-up Reported sustained sobriety Rate (of those reached) Follow-up rate
30-day PHP only 30 of 43 23 77% 70%
30-day PHP + 60-day IOP 41 of 53 35 85% 77%
Rates are calculated against patients reached at the six-month checkpoint. Follow-up rates are disclosed so readers can see the share of each cohort represented. Sobriety is self-reported, not clinically verified.

What these numbers do and don’t mean

  • Completion measures whether a patient finished the prescribed course of care. It does not by itself measure sobriety.
  • Sustained sobriety here reflects self-reported status at a single six-month checkpoint. It is not clinically verified, is not a guarantee of long-term outcome, and individual results vary.
  • The PHP + IOP comparison shows an association, not proof of causation. Patients who opt into and complete additional IOP may differ in other ways (motivation, support systems) that also affect outcomes.

Alcohol treatment in the Charlotte area

Southeastern Recovery Center is a standalone outpatient facility in Charlotte, North Carolina, offering alcohol treatment for adults across Mecklenburg County and the surrounding area. We’re LegitScript certified, and our programs are built around one belief: every client should feel seen and heard while they’re here.

We’re not a large corporate institution. We’re a family-oriented practice, and we keep our staff-to-patient ratio balanced on purpose, so the people in our care get the attention they deserve rather than getting lost in a system.

Our clinical care is led by Rhett Owensby, our clinical director, who is licensed in both mental health and substance use. Medical oversight for all of our programs is provided by our medical director, Dr. David Stern, who is double board certified in addiction medicine and psychiatry. Dr. Stern earned his degree from Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons and has been in practice for over 40 years.

What our programs involve

Our partial hospitalization program (PHP) is our most structured level of outpatient care. Each week, clients take part in individual therapy, group therapy, and a mix of evidence-based and experiential approaches, including:

Our intensive outpatient program (IOP) is a step down in intensity from PHP, meeting three nights a week. It’s designed for clients who are ready for more independence while still staying connected to structured support. Many clients move from PHP into IOP as part of their care, and every client has access to our aftercare program as they transition out of treatment.

PHP is generally appropriate for someone who needs a full, structured treatment schedule during the day. IOP fits someone who’s stabilized and ready to reintegrate into work, school, or home life while continuing treatment in the evenings. Our team helps determine the right starting point for each person and adjusts as they progress.

Frequently asked questions

The main difference is how much structure and time each one involves. PHP (partial hospitalization program) is our most structured level of outpatient care. Clients come in for a full, structured treatment schedule during the day, which makes it a good fit for someone who needs more intensive support early in recovery. IOP (intensive outpatient program) is a step down from that. It meets three nights a week, so clients can keep up with work, school, or family life while staying connected to treatment. A lot of our clients start in PHP and move into IOP as they stabilize, with our aftercare program supporting them as they transition out. Our team helps figure out the right starting point for each person and adjusts as they go.

Outcomes are based on adults with a primary AUD diagnosis from Mecklenburg County admitted between April 2025 and June 2026. Completion reflects finishing the prescribed course of care. Sustained sobriety is self-reported at a six-month follow-up, calculated against patients reached at that checkpoint, with follow-up rates disclosed.

No. These figures reflect self-reported outcomes for a specific group of patients over a defined period. Individual results vary.