Level III-DWI Intermediate Level Treatment:

Meets criteria for DSM-IV Substance Dependence Diagnosis

Meets Level I ASAM program placement criteria

Minimum of 40
but less than 90 contact hours, minimum of 60 days duration
Level IV-Intensive Outpatient Treatment:

DSM-IV diagnosis of Substance Dependence, moderate to severe

Meets Level II ASAM program placement criteria

A minimum of 90 contact hours with a minimum duration of 90 days

According to ASAM, to be considered intensive outpatient, this requires at least 3 sessions and 9 hours per week in treatment. This program may be preceded by a brief inpatient stay for detoxification or stabilization of a medical or psychiatric condition.
Level V-Inpatient/Residential Treatment:

DSM-IV diagnosis of Substance Dependence, severe

Meets Level III or IV program placement criteria

Upon discharge from inpatient treatment, a person has to enroll in an approved continuing care or outpatient program to meet the 90-day time frame.
There should not be any significant period of time between inpatient or
residential treatment and beginning the 90 day follow up. There should also
be no resumption of alcohol or drug use, even in small amounts prior to the
90 day follow up. If there is more than a couple of weeks between
residential treatment and beginning the follow up or if there has been any
substance use, the DWI client will likely have to begin a new treatment
program.
N. C. law allows up to 15 days credit for inpatient treatment in place of mandatory active sentence. However, an inpatient treatment facility can admit a person to inpatient treatment, ONLY, if that person meets the ASAM criteria for this level of treatment. This is true, even if the person wants to pay for this in full out of his own pocket.
Failure to follow the ASAM criteria can result in a facility's losing its Medicare or Medicaid accreditation and puts in jeopardy payments by private insurers. Admission to inpatient treatment is based solely on medical or psychiatric necessity, not on a legal requirement or personal preference! (From the DHHS DWI Services)
(ASAM refers to the criteria established by the American Society of
Addictive Medicine.)