Outpatient rehab is a popular and effective for of drug and alcohol addiction treatment. Substance abuse rehabilitation in an outpatient setting relies on patients to take ownership of their independence and commit to doing the work to establish a healthy, sober lifestyle.
What is Outpatient Rehab?
Outpatient rehab is a drug and alcohol treatment option that allows for scheduled therapy and rehabilitation but does not require an individual to live on-site at a facility, allowing them to maintain the regular aspects of their daily life.
Sessions at a treatment center are prescheduled on a daily or weekly basis catered to the individual. Programs usually include these core elements:
Medical care
Therapy
Psychiatric services
Medication-assisted treatment
There is a considerable amount of flexibility that comes along with these types of programs and compared to inpatient programs, they can be a lot less expensive. An individual might solely participate in an outpatient program, they might participate following an inpatient program or it might be used as a mechanism to help sustain recovery.
In general, success in an outpatient program relies heavily on the addict’s motivation to get clean. Since programs provide the ability to remain embedded in a normal life, there might be more tempting opportunities to relapse. It is imperative to wholeheartedly commit to completing the program and achieving sobriety.
What type of time commitment is outpatient rehab?
The time commitment varies based on the type of outpatient program that someone commits to. The good news is, what entices individuals to participate in outpatient programs is that they provide much more freedom and autonomy than inpatient rehab programs.
There are options for programs that require attendance at a facility ranging from a once a week to 5-7 times a week depending upon what is necessary for the individual to achieve sobriety.
Are there different types of outpatient rehab programs?
Outpatient rehab programs are offered through different formats with varied levels of intensity. This includes Day therapy, Intensive Therapy and Continuing Care.
Day therapy programs require the biggest time commitment as these include the most intensive addiction care. Patients usually attend sessions 5-7 days a week for many hours a day. The itinerary on these days might include individual, family, and group therapy as well as medical care or treatment of co-occurring disorders.
Intensive therapy actually requires a smaller time commitment than Day Therapy. This option is usually suited for someone who still needs a significant level of treatment but cannot compromise personal and work commitments. Programs can start with sessions or appointments scheduled 3-4 days per week either during the day or at night. In some cases, when certain goals are achieved within an intensive therapy program, adjustments can be made to include less sessions. Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP), which include elements of an inpatient program but provide freedom like an outpatient program, are similar in nature to intensive programs.
Continuing Care programs are usually taken advantage of at the end of the recovery process. Support and counseling groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous, help individuals maintain sobriety over the longer term with a less intensive model.
How Do I know if outpatient rehab is right for me?
Choosing the right substance abuse recovery program is a big decision. It is important to ask a few questions:
Are my physical withdrawal symptoms manageable on my own?
Have I consulted with a professional to help measure whether I have a mild or more extreme addiction?
Do I have a stable living situation and good support system?
Am I motivated to get sober?
Can I cover the cost on my own or through insurance?
Answering “yes” to questions 1-5, might mean outpatient rehab is the appropriate path for you.
Benefits of Outpatient Rehab
Outpatient rehab is suited for someone with a mild or moderate addiction, who seeks and can cope with flexibility in a recovery program. It requires that an individual is truly self-motivated to achieve sobriety. In order for outpatient rehab addiction treatment to be successful, the individual needs to be willing to commit to all aspects of their program and “show up” to all of their scheduled sessions and appointments.
Some benefits are:
Programs are less expensive than inpatient programs – especially since it is not necessary to live on-site at a facility
Participants can be more independent, designing a program and schedule that fits within their personal and professional life
The format provides exposure to a support system of friends and family throughout the process
The structure of the programs allows the ability to sustain a job
With the wholehearted commitment of the patient, outpatient rehab can successfully treat mild to moderate drug and alcohol addictions
Participation helps establish good lifestyle habits while living at home during recovery
How do I get started in an outpatient rehab program?
Once the commitment has been made to enroll in an outpatient rehab program, it is important to evaluate your options extensively. Choosing the right program is necessary to begin a proper path to recovery.
Are you or a loved one struggling with addiction? Do you need to remain independent in order to fulfill work, school, and/or family obligations? Outpatient rehab may be the perfect solution for you.
At Cardinal Recovery, we are committed to helping those struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. No matter how deep your struggle may be, it is important to remember that you are not alone. We are here for you and we are here to help.