There are many different benefits to any type of rehab, but outpatient treatment, in particular, can be an excellent choice when seeking addiction recovery. Outpatient treatment is very different from inpatient treatment but is still highly effective for helping treat addiction while educating the individual on substance use disorder and overall mental health. Whether you or someone you know are battling an addiction, here is everything to know about outpatient treatment and the many benefits of this option.
Why Is Outpatient Treatment Beneficial?
When you think about typical drug rehab, it is likely that you picture those seeking treatment to live at the facility and staying within the rehab until the program has ended, or they feel they have treated their addiction. But what about those who have to work part or full-time and cannot afford to take time off work to help them heal? What about those who simply cannot afford the high costs of inpatient treatment? This is where outpatient treatment comes in handy.
Outpatient treatment is an addiction treatment option for those willing to put in about 10-20 hours a week to reach recovery. One of the biggest benefits of outpatient treatment is it allows you to stay employed and is oftentimes flexible with schedules. Outpatient treatment understands that some of us need to make money or care for our children or ageing parents. This addiction treatment option allows just that. You can seek treatment a few hours a day, several times a week and still maintain your normal routine. With the right dedication, it is absolutely likely to learn the skills needed to overcome your addiction and live drug-free.
Another massive benefit of outpatient treatment is its affordable cost. Most rehab options are pricey and unaffordable, especially after the financial damage drug addiction can cause. According to Alcohol Rehab Guide, the cost of a 30-day inpatient treatment can be around $20,000, while the cost of a 3-month outpatient treatment is about $5,000. That is a huge price difference which makes outpatient treatment far more reasonable for most of those in recovery.
What is an Outpatient Treatment?
Outpatient treatment is a form of addiction treatment when the individual has the freedom to live on their own and attends weekly group meetings based on their substance use disorder. The treatment meetings are usually held at a hospital, mental health clinic, or health department offices. Individual or group therapy is usually a requirement of outpatient treatment, where the individual speaks to a professional 1 to 2 times a week to discuss any past traumas or other mental health issues.
Each week of treatment consists of addiction education and the individual will learn about their own personal triggers, and develop new and healthy coping skills to better manage difficult and stressful situations. The goal of outpatient treatment is to provide the individual with the tools and skills needed to learn to live a sober life while still maintaining their normal lifestyle routine.
What’s Better: Inpatient or Outpatient?
Both inpatient and outpatient treatment can be greatly effective towards treating addiction and helping treat or manage other mental health disorders like anxiety or depression. Just like with anything, both types of rehab have their pros and cons. Inpatient treatment is highly intensive and provides individuals with 24-hour care, yet can be expensive and unrealistic for individuals with other life responsibilities. Outpatient treatment is great for those who are employed or have daily responsibilities but puts individuals more at risk for relapse while living in the community.
Although outpatient treatment puts you more at risk for triggering situations by living independently, it can also be very beneficial to have family and friends support which is not always an option with inpatient treatment options. Oftentimes, outpatient treatment actively tries to involve the family or close friends in the counselling sessions to allow them to gather a better understanding of addiction as a mental illness and how to best support the person in recovery.
Outpatient Treatment For Alcohol Use Disorder
Outpatient treatment is not only for substance use disorder, but it is also very effective when working with alcohol use disorder as well. Alcoholism is a chronic brain disease and can be hard to treat as drinking is such a normal part of today’s society. Outpatient treatment for alcohol use disorder focuses on overcoming risky and dangerous drinking behaviours and teaches the individual how to identify and prevent possible triggering situations that might lead to drinking. This treatment option allows the person in recovery to maintain a normal routine while attending weekly classes and/or therapy sessions. If you are struggling with alcohol addiction, an outpatient treatment program is an affordable and flexible option for you to overcome the addiction and learn to engage in the world, soberly.
How Long is Level 1 Outpatient Treatment?
Level 1 outpatient treatment is one of the lower levels of care for addiction treatment, best for those with milder addictions, but that is not to say it isn’t effective. Individuals attend weekly sessions up to 5 days a week, or up to about 20 hours a week for their treatment. Each program will vary on the required amount of time and days, but it is not likely to exceed more than that. Outpatient treatment most commonly lasts 3 to 6 months, but in some cases can be more long-term, lasting up to a year. It is important to be aware of all of the program’s requirements before starting with outpatient treatment.
If you or a loved one is seeking information on addiction or mental health resources please call (888) 564-4780.