Inpatient rehab has a longstanding reputation for providing the best possible outcomes for recovering addicts. In inpatient treatment, people have the opportunity to focus solely on getting well. They remain on closed campuses all throughout their programs, and outside contact is limited. Inpatient treatment eliminates many of the most common temptations and triggers during the formative stages of recovery. It also offers consistent, around-the-clock mental health and medical support. When patients experience problems like insomnia, depression, or declining motivation, immediate interventions can be made.
Although inpatient treatment can seem ideal for someone who’s looking for a fresh start and a clean break from outside influences, it isn’t necessarily the best choice for everyone. Many people are ready to take a largely self-managed approach to recovery. They may be unable to spend several weeks or several months away from their families or jobs, and they may not need to. Outpatient treatment provides access to many of the same therapies and resources that inpatient rehab offers. However, when attending outpatient treatment, people are able to return home in the evenings and on the weekends, and they can continue going to work or school. As you consider your options in addiction treatment, you’ll need to decide which program type is best for you.
Several Signs You May Be Better-Suited for Inpatient Rehab
Given the consistent and often far more significant support that inpatient programs provide, they are usually the best choice for people who are considered high-risk for relapse. For instance, you might want to attend inpatient rehab if you’ve:
- Been using highly addictive substances
- Have a lengthy history of addiction
- Have an untreated, co-occurring mental health disorder
- Have relapsed one or more times in the past
Being on a closed campus helps people stay on course during the earliest and most challenges stages of recovery. In a secured facility, you won’t run the risk of being exposed to common temptations and triggers such as:
- Toxic or traumatic relationships
- High-stress environments or circumstances
- Enabling individuals
More importantly, you won’t have access to substances. Inpatient addiction treatment can last just one month or it can last as long as six months. The average inpatient treatment stay is three months. Throughout this time, visitation will be limited, and your entire focus will be on understanding your addiction and learning to manage it.
Outpatient Treatment Provides Greater Freedom and Flexibility
When people are considered moderate or low-risk for relapse, outpatient rehab can be an effective option in addiction treatment. Both inpatient and outpatient rehab programs offer access to:
- Individual counseling services
- Group therapy
- Skill-building workshops
- Stress-management activities
- Life-planing services
- Planning assistance for post-treatment recovery support
The major difference between inpatient and outpatient rehab is that those in outpatient services can come and go as they please. If you enroll in an outpatient rehab, you’ll only need to spend several hours per day actively participating in treatment activities on campus. Once these activities are done, you can return home, go to work, or attend school.
Not only should people in outpatient rehab be moderate or low-risk for relapse, but they should also have strong support systems. If everyone in your family is on board with your recovery, you’ll have access to a supportive and completely temptation-free living environment. You’ll also have people who can help keep you accountable. If living at home is a challenge to successful recovery, people in outpatient programs can alternatively stay at sober living facilities while in treatment. When completing outpatient rehab in sober living, you will need to submit to regular drug or alcohol testing. Many sober living homes also require residents to complete medically supervised detox programs before taking up residence.
There Are Several Types of Outpatient Programs
There are many different types of inpatient rehab that you can choose from based upon your personal belief system, your treatment needs, and your preferred treatment modalities. There’s also an equally diverse range of outpatient programs. For instance, outpatient rehab services are available at varying levels of intensity. If you’ve been using moderately addicted drugs for a short period of time and have a low risk of relapsing, you may be advised to attend a standard outpatient program (OP). The weekly hourly commitment to onsite services in an OP ranges between seven and 12 hours. If you have a moderate to high risk of relapsing, intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are likely a better choice. With these, patients must commit to spending between 30 and 35 hours on campus each week. There are even partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) for those in outpatient care who need maximum support. With PHPs, people spend the entirety of their days in rehab therapies at program day centers. In the evenings, they’re able to go home and spend time with their families.
Although inpatient rehab is frequently lauded for having high rates of success, it isn’t necessarily the best choice for everyone. If you or someone you care about needs addiction treatment, we can help you find the right program type. Call us today at 855-936-4435.
