Outpatient treatment offers a way for patients to continue going to school, work and spending time at home with their family while receiving the addiction recovery and care they need. The following review discusses what outpatient treatment is and who might benefit from an outpatient treatment program.
What Is Outpatient Treatment?
An outpatient treatment program is a form of drug and alcohol addiction treatment and recovery in which the patient lives at home during treatment. There are different types of outpatient treatment. Partial hospitalization programs allow for a closer monitoring of the patient and is for those who need ongoing medical monitoring.
Outpatient treatment is generally described as mental health or medical care that you receive that does not require more than a 24-hour hospitalization period. Even patients who spend overnights in the hospital but return home within 24 hours may be considered to be a part of outpatient treatment.
The Benefits of Outpatient Treatment
This kind of treatment offers unique benefits and is therefore highly desired among those patients who want to continue living their day-to-day life while still receiving the drug rehab treatment they need and desire. For those who meet the requirements for an outpatient program, the benefits include but are not limited to:
- The patient is able to continue to work and/or go to school
- Outpatient rehab is generally more affordable than inpatient care
- The patient has access to social circles and support groups
- The program is designed for long-term care to prevent relapse
- Provides the support necessary for patients with a mild addiction
Keep in mind that the benefits vary for each patient, depending on their specific situation and goals. This treatment is not right for every patient. In particular, those who have a more severe addiction may need inpatient care to have the careful monitoring of withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risk of relapse.
Outpatient Treatment vs. Inpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment and inpatient treatment have the same goal, which is to help the patient achieve long-term sobriety and ideal physical and mental health.
However, some patients are better candidates for one or the other depending on the extent of their addiction, their readiness to change, relapse history and current living situation.
Inpatient treatment refers to an addiction recovery program in which the patient is monitored by a team of medical and mental health professionals as they withdraw from substances they may be addicted to and work toward a long-term relapse prevention plan. Many patients who begin with inpatient treatment move to outpatient treatment once they are in a healthy mental state and able to cope with daily challenges without relapsing.
How Does Outpatient Treatment Work?
Outpatient treatment involves a detailed assessment to ensure the patient is a solid candidate for the program, therapy and counseling, and a long-term relapse prevention plan. During outpatient treatment, patients take part in different types of therapy, including but not limited to:
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Psychoanalysis
- Peer support groups
- Family therapy
- Music therapy
- Art therapy
Each patient, on their path to recovery, may try different types of counseling and therapy to find what works best. Many patients will also go through the 12-step program for recovery.
Outpatient treatment typically lasts for 90 days at a minimum. The ultimate goal for patients is to help them find both the root cause for their addiction or mental health complications, and ways to cope and overcome for long-term sobriety and a happy life.
Who Should Consider This Treatment?
The ideal patient for this program is an individual who has a stable living situation, does not have a high risk of experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms, does not have a lengthy history of drug relapses, and shows a willingness and readiness to improve and overcome their drug addiction.
Patients who need more extensive medical monitoring, to ensure there are no life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, may require inpatient care at least temporarily.
Those patients who do not have an ideal living situation or have had a difficult time in the past overcoming their drug addiction may benefit from inpatient treatment. The patient and the counselor are able to discuss the best path to long-term sobriety during the consultation visit.
Discuss Recovery With Aquila Recovery Clinic
If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse and want to find out more about how programs can help with recovery, reach out to Aquila Recovery Clinic to schedule an initial consultation.
During the consultation, we can assess what treatment is appropriate according to your current situation and treatment goals, and answer any questions you may have about addiction recovery.