If you’re struggling with addiction, you may be wondering about your treatment options. While receiving treatment, you can live at home, work, or attend school.
It can be a viable option for those who cannot commit to a full-time inpatient program. A typical outpatient program lasts at least three months, depending on the severity of your addiction. Outpatient drug rehab can help you manage your addiction and start living a sober life.
Outpatient vs Inpatient Programs
The duration of an inpatient treatment program requires you to live at the facility while outpatient programs offer many of the same services, but on a less intensive schedule. You might attend therapy sessions during the day and return home at night. Alternatively, you could stay in the facility for a few hours each day and return home at night. You can find a program that fits your needs based on its intensity and frequency. In the case of a job or family commitments that prevent you from leaving for an extended period, these programs can be a good option.
In this type of treatment, you can continue working or attending school while you receive treatment. Additionally, it can be less expensive than inpatient treatment, and you can live at home with your family and friends during your recovery. Outpatient treatment requires significant motivation and commitment, so it is crucial to have strong support systems in place before beginning. Otherwise, you may relapse into old drug-using patterns.
The Structure of Outpatient Programs
Typically, outpatient drug rehab involves weekly individual therapy sessions, group therapy sessions, and educational classes. The number of weekly sessions depends on the intensity level of the program, but most outpatient programs meet at least three times a week. In individual therapy sessions, patients work one-on-one with a therapist to address addiction-related issues. Patients can share their experiences and learn from others who are facing similar challenges in group therapy sessions. Classes cover topics such as addiction recovery, healthy coping mechanisms, and relapse prevention.
Those who cannot devote time to residential treatment are referred to outpatient treatment programs. While receiving treatment in an outpatient program, participants typically live at home and work or attend school. Depending on the program, participants may spend several hours at the treatment facility each day or only a few hours per week. A good outpatient program should fit into your schedule without causing too much disruption to your life, and the intensity of the program should match your needs.
What Can You Expect?
Outpatient treatment is usually less intensive than what is offered in an inpatient setting, but it can still be highly effective. Outpatient treatment is often a good option for people who have a strong support system at home and who are motivated to stay sober. Since they continue to benefit from their life at home and their work or school responsibilities while also receiving treatment, every aspect of their life gets better simultaneously.
Completing outpatient treatment is a big accomplishment. It’s a time to celebrate how far you’ve come and to set your sights on the future. For many people, this is also a time when they’re able to stay drug-free. Part of the reason for this is that they’ve been given the tools they need to deal with triggers and cravings. They know how to identify their warning signs and they have a support system in place to help them through tough times. In addition, they’ve had time to develop healthy coping mechanisms and establish new patterns of behavior.
Patient Outcomes
Outpatient treatment is usually less intensive than inpatient treatment, but it can still be highly effective. People with a strong support system at home and who are motivated to stay sober often benefit from it. Additionally, it can be a helpful option for people who cannot afford inpatient treatment or who cannot take time off from work or school.
Many people are also able to remain drug-free after completing an outpatient program to achieve sobriety because they have been given the tools necessary to deal with triggers and cravings effectively. Additionally, they have had time to develop healthy coping mechanisms and have established new patterns of behavior as a result of this experience.
Please call our counselors at 833.970.2054 if you or a loved one is struggling with addiction and are considering outpatient drug rehab as a treatment option.
