Outpatient rehab is the right choice for millions of people every year who suffer from addiction.
Outpatient addiction treatment allows you to carry on with your daily life while getting the medical attention you need. When you are assessed, a doctor helps to decide the level of care you require, depending on your unique situation and needs. For instance, if you have a healthy home environment and a moderate substance use disorder, outpatient could be the perfect fit.
If you or a loved one are suffering from addiction and need help now please call 330-270-8610 or visit our admissions page for more information.
What Is Outpatient Rehab?
The main difference between outpatient and inpatient treatment programs is the fact that with inpatient care, you sleep in the rehab center. Counseling sessions and educational courses are generally the same, so if you have dependents at home who need you, a job or a loving support network, it’s likely that outpatient drug or alcohol treatment is for you.
What Happens During Outpatient Rehab?
Outpatient rehab is the least restrictive form of addiction treatment, letting you continue with your normal lifestyle while attending a rehab clinic. You and the medical staff at the center will arrange a weekly schedule after an assessment that helps them understand your medical needs.
Depending on your situation, you’ll usually attend for one or two hours per week, going to group sessions and individual counseling if necessary. For people who suffer from more severe forms of addiction or are at an earlier stage of their recovery journey, intensive outpatient treatment may be necessary. With IOP, you can still attend work or education, but you’ll spend more time in the rehab center receiving treatment.
IOPs may last for one month to six months, but the duration of outpatient rehab varies significantly from person to person. In some cases, you may choose to attend for a year or more. Most people who successfully recover continue attending some form of addiction treatment on an ongoing basis. Substance use disorders are chronic diseases, meaning they don’t just go away. Maintaining sobriety long term is possible for everyone, but it requires upkeep.
What’s Not Included in Outpatient Rehab?
Outpatient treatment doesn’t usually include detoxification, because in most cases, detox requires around-the-clock care. If you’re struggling with a severe addiction to opioid substances, benzodiazepines or alcohol, you may need detox services before attending outpatient rehab. Once you’ve detoxed, outpatient clinicians can administer and supervise any detox medication prescribed to you.
When Is Outpatient Treatment Necessary?
Eleven criteria determine whether you have a substance abuse disorder. If you can identify with two, you have a mild disorder; three to five and you have a moderate substance disorder; and six or more signifies a severe substance use disorder. Mild and moderate addictions can almost always be treated in an outpatient setting. In some cases, depending on the substance and the amount you’ve been using, severe substance users can be treated in outpatient rehab, too. The criteria are:
- Putting yourself in danger
- Social or interpersonal problems
- Neglecting responsibilities
- Tolerance
- Withdrawal
- Repeated unsuccessful attempts to stop
- Using more and more often
- Medical issues as a result of substance use
- Excessive time spent using, obtaining or recovering from alcohol or drugs
- Strong cravings
- No longer taking part in activities you once enjoyed
Types of Outpatient Rehab
Each person is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all for the treatment of substance use disorders, so you must get assessed by an addiction specialist. Together, you’ll decide which level of care is most appropriate for exactly where you’re at.
Intensive Outpatient Programs
During intensive outpatient treatment services, you usually attend the rehab center for around three hours, three or four times per week. If you’re at an earlier stage of your recovery process, or you’ve attended residential rehab and are looking for the next step, IOP is for you.
General Outpatient Programs
GOP, or outpatient rehab, is ideal as the next step down from a more intensive form of addiction treatment. It’s also perfect if you’ve realized that you’re struggling with addiction before it’s become debilitating. This form of drug and alcohol addiction treatment is the least rigorous, but it’s highly effective if it’s been deemed the most appropriate for your needs.
Aftercare
During GOP and IOP, you’ll work with a case manager to make a long-term treatment plan for your continued abstinence. In most cases, this includes some form of weekly or biweekly group therapy, and in some cases — for instance, if you have a co-occurring mental health condition — you’ll attend individual counseling.
Benefits of Outpatient Rehab
- Highly effective treatment for substance use disorders
- Less expensive than inpatient treatment
- Freedom and autonomy so you can enjoy your home and social life
- Ability to sleep in your bed and enjoy your home comforts
- Highly flexible treatment options
- Less restrictive than residential rehab
Points to Consider When Deciding If Outpatient Is Right for You
You and a health care professional will make this decision together. However, here are some vital considerations when deciding whether you should get started with an outpatient program for addiction treatment.
Withdrawal
Withdrawal from opioids, alcohol and benzodiazepines can be dangerous. Outpatient treatment is appropriate if you’ve already been through detox and started a course of medication or if you’re able to manage these symptoms alone.
Level of Addiction
While this can be a challenging idea to think about by yourself, a qualified professional will help you to work out the level of care you require. If you’ve been struggling with a drug addiction for a long time or you’re using in vast quantities, more intensive alcohol or drug treatment than GOP may be necessary.
Your Support Network
Having a strong, loving support network is integral for recovery. If your home environment is supportive and you have friends and family who are rooting for you, an outpatient treatment center is a great option. You can stay close to the people you love and who love you while getting the necessary care.
Your Financial Situation
Most outpatient centers are less costly than inpatient centers, given that you are not living there full time. Some insurance policies limit the amount of care that is covered, making outpatient services the most affordable option. Also, if you are still at work, you may not want to take the cut in earnings necessary to attend an inpatient or residential rehab program.
Continuation of the Recovery Journey
Recovery is an ongoing process, and many addiction specialists recommend attending some form of counseling for at least one or two years, if not indefinitely. If you’ve attended inpatient rehab or an IOP, the natural next step is outpatient rehab. You should attend group or individual counseling for one or two hours per week for as long as you need mental health services or help sustaining relapse prevention.
The Cost of Outpatient Addiction Treatment
Because accommodation and various other costs are involved in residential rehab, outpatient care is usually a much more affordable option. The exact price depends on the addiction services you require. Generally, the more time you spend at the clinic for substance abuse treatment, the more you need to pay. Often, insurance covers a significant portion of these costs.
On Demand Counseling provides effective outpatient rehab services to residents in Austintown, East Liverpool, Newton Falls, Youngstown, Mineral Ridge, West Austintown, Canfield, Boardman, Poland, Struthers, Campbell, Girard, Lordstown, and across the great state of Ohio.
