Does Outpatient Rehab Work?
People who’ve successfully recovered from a substance use disorder are aware of how difficult it can be to overcome an addiction independently.
Luckily, rehab centers are structured to offer people struggling with substance abuse the resources they need to overcome an addiction.
Suppose you’re struggling with a drug or alcohol dependency and have acknowledged that you’re suffering from addiction. In that case, you will have to choose whether to commit to an inpatient or outpatient treatment program. Click here if you need consulting on which program to go for.
Understanding Inpatient and Outpatient Drug Rehab
If a medical expert diagnoses you with a severe substance use disorder and co-occurring health conditions, they may recommend an inpatient drug rehabilitation program.
Inpatient rehab, or residential rehab, involves the patient receiving treatment while temporarily living in a controlled environment with round-the-clock medical support to recover from their addiction.
On the other hand, outpatient drug rehab is a great option that addicts can also benefit from. It involves the patient receiving treatment on a scheduled basis while commuting from home.
While a significant number of people choose inpatient treatment, it’s not often a viable long-term solution, especially if the patient has responsibilities that they cannot afford to neglect, such as work or taking care of their kids.
A lot of people also often choose outpatient care after completing several phases during their inpatient treatment.
How Outpatient Rehabilitation Works
To get started with outpatient drug rehab, you need a licensed medical practitioner to do a full medical and biopsychosocial medical assessment.
If the diagnosis is mildly severe drug addiction, they might recommend an outpatient drug rehab facility. Outpatient drug rehab programs vary in length and intensity depending on the drug involved and the degree of the user’s addiction.
Treatment options might include group counseling, therapy, and a 12-step program for successful recovery. These sessions often work on relapse prevention, stress management, drug abuse awareness, and better communication skills.
Benefits of Outpatient Drug Rehab
1. Immediate Support From Close Family and Friends
Getting isolated from your support system as it happens in inpatient drug rehab facilities can pose a serious threat to a patient’s recovery.
Fortunately, outpatient rehab programs allow the patient to attend treatment sessions while still accessing their friends and family who want them to live a life of sobriety.
2. The Patient Can Continue With Their Life Normally
Outpatient drug rehab centers offer flexible programs so that the patient can still maintain their responsibilities while undergoing treatment. Many patients have children to take care of or classes to attend. Sometimes, even both concurrently.
3. Outpatient Drug Rehab Is Cheaper
The cost of outpatient treatment services is more affordable as compared to inpatient treatment. This means that people who cannot afford an intensive inpatient program can still get treatment for their addiction.
Outpatient Rehab Can Be Highly Effective
Anyone struggling with a drug or alcohol addiction will benefit immensely from attending rehab.
While the two approaches are all focused on patient rehabilitation, each type has unique benefits and attributes. As such, the addict and the loved ones must understand each treatment program’s pros and cons before choosing one that’s most suitable for them.
