Outpatient Rehab Programs
After people have made the very important step to enter drug or alcohol rehab, they are faced with a dilemma. Should they choose an inpatient or an outpatient program? Addicts can receive many of the same benefits from both programs, such as detox, counseling sessions and continued help after they finish the program, but these programs also have their differences.
What Are Inpatient Programs?
Inpatient rehabilitation programs require that the addicts move into the rehab center for at least a month. They will be away from their families and their jobs this entire time as they work through their addictions and learn their causes. The advantage of the inpatient program is that the addicts will be able to focus on their issues without any distractions whatsoever.
Probably, most people would choose an inpatient program if they could, but not everyone can afford these types of treatment options. Furthermore, they may not be able to leave their families for this length of time. The alternative for people in this situation is an outpatient rehab center.
Outpatient Programs as an Alternative
An outpatient program can help you manage your life and your treatment.
An outpatient program requires that the patients attend counseling sessions during the day and allows them to go home at night. Some people are living in sober living facilities, and they have the opportunity to enter into an outpatient rehab center to obtain the counseling they need as well.
How Long Do Outpatient Programs Last?
There’s no way of knowing exactly how long someone will need to attend an outpatient program before they are declared ready to live on their own. Different rehab centers set different time limits for their patients. The time can also depend on the patient’s individual issues. Generally, addicts receive treatment on an outpatient basis for one to three months.
The most difficult-to-treat patients may need to make a commitment of up to one year of treatment, and some people may need it for longer than a year. If this is believed to be the case, these patients will be steered into an inpatient treatment center because outpatient treatment is, generally, reserved for those with less severe addictions. Those who have been addicted for longer periods of time, for example, have a much greater chance of relapsing, and they need to be in an inpatient setting.
Who Can Obtain Help from Outpatient Programs?
Outpatient programs are not just for addictions to drugs; they can also help people addicted to gambling and sex. Primarily, they treat the following addictions:
- Heroin
- Cocaine
- Crystal Meth
- Marijuana
- Vicodin
- Oxycontin
- Alcohol
People are not always addicted to just one drug. For example, they may have a problem with alcohol and Oxycontin, but outpatient programs can help them overcome each addiction they have to address.
What Are the Advantages of Entering Outpatient Programs?
Outpatient programs are excellent for those who cannot afford an inpatient program or are unable to leave their homes for long periods of time. The outpatient program offers them the following advantages:
- They will have some time to pursue their careers
- Single parents of young children can be home a portion of the day to care for their kids
- It keeps addicts close to their support systems
Who Is Not a Candidate for Outpatient Programs?
Outpatient programs are not the best choice for every addict. The following individuals would be better served in an inpatient treatment center:
- Those who have made several attempts to break their addictions in the past and relapsed
- Those who are living in unsupportive environments
- Those who present a danger to themselves or to others
Counseling at Outpatient Treatment Centers
People can be assured that they will receive all the counseling they need in outpatient programs. These sessions offer them the opportunity to discover exactly what it was that caused to them to fall into their addictions, and they learn how to address those problems as well.
In an outpatient program, people will learn about their addictions in individual, group and family counseling. Individual counseling gives them private time with their own therapists where they can safely explore their thoughts and their feelings. Group counseling offers them the chance to hear from others who are experiencing the same things that they are as addicts. Family counseling is highly valuable for helping family members to understand what is going on with the addicted family member. They also learn how to have a functional relationship with the recovering addict again.
Individual, group and family counseling sessions take up the bulk of a patient’s time when present at an outpatient treatment facility, and they lead the patient toward recovery.
