Outpatient alcohol treatment is a popular and successful method of treating alcoholism (AUD). Outpatient rehabs allow people to receive therapy for their AUD while still meeting their daily obligations such as employment, school, and family obligations.
While each outpatient facility provides different treatments, many include medication-assisted detox, alcohol counseling, other therapies, and support groups. Rather than only treating the sickness, a holistic treatment strategy addresses the whole person. This gives you the best opportunity of overcoming any triggers and maintain your sobriety in the long run.
You are most certainly not alone if you have a drinking issue. Treatment professionals can talk about rehab options and the rehabilitation process as a whole. Living a healthy, fulfilling, and alcohol-free life is something you owe to yourself.
What Is An Outpatient Program?
Outpatient alcohol rehab programs assist people in overcoming harmful drinking habits and learning to recognize and avoid triggers. For the first few weeks or months, numerous outpatient programs meet daily. Following that, the amount of meetings will start to decrease depending on how far advanced a person is in their recovery.
Although inpatient and outpatient treatment programs have many commonalities, they also have some variances. Outpatient programs are less demanding and allow you to work or attend school while receiving treatment. They’re an excellent choice for people who live in a stable environment and don’t have a major drinking issue. Outpatient clinics, while a terrific alternative to 30-, 60-, and 90-day inpatient programs, aren’t for everyone. If a person has had a long-term drinking issue, for example, they may wish to pursue a more intense treatment strategy.
Outpatient Alcohol Rehab Programs
Outpatient alcohol recovery programs are available around the country in a variety of formats. Day treatment, intensive outpatient, and ongoing care groups are the three most popular types. Your physician or treatment expert may suggest specific programs over others based on your individual needs. During your recuperation, you may even begin with one regimen and then switch to another.
The following is a list of the various types of outpatient alcohol recovery programs:
Single Day Treatments
The most intensive outpatient treatment program is day therapy. Patients are typically required to attend five to seven days per week and may participate in half-day or full-day programs. Due to the highly planned nature of day treatments, a person’s daily routine may include prescription detox, counseling, support groups, and other therapies. Individuals are allowed to return home to be with their families at the end of each day.
The duration of day rehabilitation programs varies depending on the individual’s condition. It may only take a few weeks for some individuals to complete a day treatment program and continue on with their lives. Others may take longer to gain confidence in their ability to resist the impulse to drink or succumb to temptation.
Intensive Outpatient Program
Intensive outpatient programs are often much more flexible than day programs. They usually include meeting times during the day or evening, which is extremely beneficial for individuals who have other scheduled commitments. When a person first starts an intensive outpatient program, meetings are frequent. However, as they achieve various recovery goals, meetings will be held less often.
Intensive outpatient programs are a great option for people who have a strong, stable support system at home. This gives them the opportunity to meet with treatment professionals during the day, learn about how to prevent an alcohol relapse and apply what they’ve learned to everyday situations.
Groups For Continuing Care
Continuing care groups are usually the last stage in the recovery process. These can help people sustain their sobriety and give them a place to talk about their successes and struggles. Many groups meet once or twice a week for an hour or two, depending on the preferences of the members.
The accessibility of care groups is frequently determined by a person’s geographic location. Larger cities, for example, may have a wider range of support networks that cover specialized recovery issues or are gender-specific. Continuing care groups in smaller towns may be restricted, requiring patients to travel greater distances for therapy.
Outpatient Rehab Programs Have Many Advantages
When considering treatment choices, it’s critical to consider both the benefits and drawbacks of an outpatient rehab program. Outpatient programs have grown in popularity in recent decades as a result of the numerous advantages they provide, such as the ability to go home at the end of the week.
Outpatient alcohol treatment has a number of advantages, including:
- Work-life balance is important, as is maintaining a healthy balance between work, home, and recovery.
- Priorities and minimal disturbances to daily life
- In many cases, it is less expensive than typical inpatient therapy.
- Close proximity to one’s home and support system
- The opportunity to put what you’ve learned into practice in real-life settings
- Attend family and friend counseling sessions
While there are numerous advantages to joining an outpatient treatment program, there are some drawbacks. Some people, for example, may continue to drink when they are not in monitored care. Outpatient treatment places a person in close enough proximity to former acquaintances and temptations, making it difficult to stay sober. Furthermore, alcohol withdrawal symptoms might be difficult to treat in an outpatient program without the aid of medical personnel 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
What Are The Next Steps?
For those trying to cope with alcoholism, outpatient treatment rehab features a multitude of therapies and services. Everyone is a move toward living a sober life and staying sober. Outpatient rehabilitation centers are sometimes less expensive than inpatient rehab centers. Financial assistance and flexible payment scales are now available at some facilities to help with the initial fees. The longer someone stays in outpatient rehab, the more likely they are to achieve long-term abstinence. Depending on the individual’s condition, this could take anything from a couple of months to a year.
If you or someone you love is needing some assistance in battling alcohol addiction, please don’ hesitate to contact the helpful and supportive staff at Aquila Recovery Center or all of the answers you are seeking to the questions you may have about the process and if an outpatient program is right for you or your loved one!