Navigating early sobriety requires additional support for an alcoholic.
If you or someone you know struggles with alcoholism, you’ve probably contemplated rehab. Making the decision to seek treatment is the crucial first step.
The next step involves determining whether inpatient or outpatient rehab best suits your needs. Inpatient, also called residential, means you live and sleep at the facility. Conversely, outpatient clients return to their homes when the treatment session ends.
Let us focus on outpatient treatment for alcoholics.
What Is Outpatient Alcohol Rehab?
Simply put, this method allows individuals to obtain treatment for alcoholism without having to pause their lives for a residential stay. Those in outpatient alcohol rehab live at home. Oftentimes, they have busy lives with full-time employment and other activities.
No two outpatient programs are the same. Frequency and duration of sessions varies widely. Overall, the goal of outpatient treatment centers around maintaining sobriety. Sobriety isn’t just not drinking alcohol – it’s an entire mindset and lifestyle.
Furthermore, outpatient alcohol treatment aims to show alcoholics how to navigate triggers, difficult encounters, and other potentially problematic situations. Developing a strategy for such situations before they happen drastically reduces the chance of relapse, as does creating an arsenal of practical coping skills. Outpatient programs also provide clients with information about local recovery resources, such as AA meetings and other support groups.
Certain programs adhere to a schedule whereas others are more relaxed. Group therapy and processing plays an important role. Clients learn about the science of addiction and form a recovery plan. Those who struggle with trauma and co-occurring disorders explore how those are intertwined with their alcoholism.
Because alcoholism is a family disease, outpatient programs typically encourage the involvement of parents, spouses, and children. Some suggest individual sessions with family members, a group Family Day, or both. Designed to educate loved ones about alcoholism, such opportunities show the best ways to support an alcoholic while also giving family the chance to share how their loved one’s alcoholism has affected them.
Why select an outpatient program?
Intensive outpatient (IOP) is a common option for many facilities. Depending on the program, this could be every weekday, or perhaps several times a week. Some offer both morning and evening options.
Many facilities offering IOP have several phases, so you can gradually integrate back into society. For example, an IOP program that is Level 1 meets three times a week for three hours at a time. The Level 2 IOP meets twice a week for two hours. Completing both levels means IOP is complete.
However, not all outpatient options involve a huge time commitment. Certain programs meet just once a week. Others occur only on the weekends. Treatment providers understand that people are busy and seek to provide flexible scheduling to best serve those seeking help.
Who benefits from an outpatient alcohol rehab?
Opting for outpatient treatment is a personal decision that depends on a variety of factors. Not everyone requires the level of care associated with an inpatient stay. Some encounter difficulties with their schedules or are unable to take a leave of absence from work.
Here are some of the people who often choose outpatient alcohol rehab:
- Working professionals
- Parents of small children
- Students enrolled in college
- Those transitioning out of an inpatient program
Generally speaking, the choice to attend outpatient alcohol rehab revolves around schedule. Whether it’s a demanding job, single parenting, academic deadlines, or any other reason[s]– it simply isn’t feasible for some individuals to be in residential treatment for weeks or even months.
Quite a few people find themselves in the ‘high functioning alcoholic’ category. Inpatient feels unnecessary to them because it is for those who require full-time support. Choosing outpatient gives these alcoholics the benefit of structured treatment without the 24/7 commitment.
Outpatient rehab serves as the next logical step for those coming out of inpatient. It acts as a buffer between the highly controlled inpatient environment and the issues associated with everyday living.
Are you ready to take the next step in your recovery journey? Our counselors are available 24/7 to assist you. Call 833.970.2054.
