Outpatient Rehab Treatment for Drug & Alcohol Addiction

What Is Outpatient Rehab?

Outpatient rehab treatment for drug and alcohol addiction is an option that allows for scheduled therapy and rehabilitation but does not require an individual to live on-site at a treatment center, allowing them to maintain the regular aspects of their daily life.

Outpatient rehab is beneficial for addicts with a mild problem or can be part of a longer-term care program for those suffering from substance abuse disorder. This type of rehabilitation can help patients learn to cope with their addictions and the reasons behind them while maintaining their job and family life. For many people, this avenue is the best way to get sober and remain sober for life.

Outpatient rehab treatment for substance abuse addiction programs allows addicts to control their disease and how they treat it. Sometimes, the forceful approach of inpatient rehabilitation can be emotionally overwhelming for some people and cause them to fall back into their old habits. Outpatient rehab can be very successful in helping addicts recover and find their path to sobriety.

Sessions at a treatment center are pre-scheduled 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 with these types of programs. Compared to inpatient programs, they can be a lot less expensive. An individual might solely participate in an outpatient program, participate following an inpatient program, or 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 normal life, there might be more tempting opportunities to relapse. It is imperative to commit to completing the program and achieving sobriety wholeheartedly.

Whether the patient is considering inpatient rehab or outpatient rehab, one thing must remain the same: commitment. The patient’s commitment to sobriety and desire to remain sober is the key to a successful treatment program. No matter how difficult it may seem initially if the patient has the will to do it, it can happen with the right treatment program.

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 treatment center ranging from once a week to 5-7 times a week, depending on what is necessary for the individual to achieve sobriety.

Are There Different Types of Outpatient Rehab Programs?

Outpatient rehab treatment for drug and alcohol addiction programs are offered through different formats with varying levels of intensity. This includes Day therapy, Intensive Therapy, and Continuing Care.

Day therapy programs require the most significant 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 obligations.

Programs can start with sessions or appointments scheduled 3-4 days per week during the day or night. In some cases, when specific goals are achieved within an intensive therapy program, adjustments can be made to include fewer 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 long term with a less intensive model.

How Do I Know if Outpatient Rehab Is Right for Me?

Choosing the right outpatient rehab treatment for substance abuse addiction is a big decision. It is important to ask yourself a few questions:

1. Are my physical withdrawal symptoms manageable on my own?
2. Have I consulted with a professional to help measure whether I have a mild or more extreme addiction?
3. Do I have a stable living situation and a good support system?
4. Am I motivated to get sober?
5. 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.

How do I know if I’m ready for rehab?

If you are aware that your addiction is consuming your life and affecting your day-to-day activities, relationships with loved ones, and your ability to maintain a job, it’s time to consider rehabilitation. Any type of addiction treatment program can seem overwhelming and scary in the early stages. It’s a huge leap to ask for help and another huge leap to begin treatment. However, starting treatment is the first day of the rest of your life.

Addicts may never feel as though they are ready for rehab and may have very low hopes of success, but if they truly want to find a way out, they can. With proper treatment and an adequate support system, drug and alcohol addiction can be overcome, and the path to a new life can begin.

Making the decision to get sober is the best decision an addict can make. With the right help, they can achieve their goals. Read more about the addiction treatment process to see how it can help addicts find sobriety.

Benefits of Outpatient Rehab

Outpatient rehab treatment for drug and alcohol addiction 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 treatment center.
• 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.

Is inpatient rehab better than outpatient rehab?

There is no one right way to recover from addiction. Different strategies work better for different people. The key is to find the strategy that works for the individual patient. There are pros and cons to both. For example, inpatient rehab involves constant monitoring, but there is also a lack of privacy. Outpatient rehab is much more flexible but requires a certain amount of self-motivation.

The only way to choose the right type of patient care is to meet with a health professional at a treatment center to discover the options. A professional rehab expert can help family members and addicts find the right type of treatment program for the individual. The goal is to gain long-lasting results so the patient may finally recover from the addiction.

What happens in outpatient rehab?

Outpatient rehab hinges on the addict being able to follow through and commit to their sobriety. Patients must attend their weekly sessions. Each session may offer different benefits. Outpatient rehab programs will involve drug abuse education to help patients fully understand their addiction and how it alters the brain so drastically that it becomes so difficult to overcome alone. Understanding how addiction works is the first step to conquering it.

Other sessions will include individual or group therapy sessions so patients can dig deep to uncover the genuine reasons behind their addictions and hopefully heal old wounds. These counseling sessions can help patients discover why they suffer from addiction and what they can do to deal with their emotions. Learning excellent communication skills and developing emotional intelligence are integral parts of the recovery process.

Outpatient rehab will also involve patients checking in with their caregivers whenever they have doubts or questions. These check-ins will also help patients maintain a regular schedule and keep their caregivers informed as to their progress.

Outpatient rehab also allows patients to remain autonomous. For many struggling with addiction, the need to remain autonomous is critical. The program allows enough flexibility for patients to retain their autonomy while still offering a strong support system that can help addicts finally overcome their disease and maintain a sober life.

I Tried and It Didn’t Work. Should I Try Again?

Absolutely. Addiction recovery is a complicated process, and it is an ongoing process throughout sobriety. Previous attempts at rehabilitation that did not pan out should not be seen as a failure. Those attempts are stepping stones to help get patients to where they need to be. Recovery is a process and continues to be a process even after getting clean. Find out more about continued recovery right here.

Sobriety is not an easy feat, especially if the patient isn’t mentally prepared to commit to getting clean. Just because one time was not successful doesn’t mean there is no way to recover from addiction. Recovering from addiction should be seen as a marathon, not a sprint. Finding the right treatment program that works for the individual’s needs is another important element in achieving sobriety. If inpatient rehab was unsuccessful, perhaps a change in treatment strategy can help. Finding the right treatment path can involve some trial and error, but there is a way to break free from addiction.

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. Start by asking us how we at Cardinal Recovery can help. We can offer you more information about all of our treatment programs and help you find the one that is right for you.

If inpatient rehab seems very overwhelming or the cost is too high for the patient or their family, outpatient rehab may be the right avenue. The flexibility and ability for the patient to retain some control over their daily lives are crucial elements for many people. Combined with the right therapy sessions and caregivers, recovery from substance use disorder is definitely possible.

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. With the help of experienced therapists and addiction experts, Cardinal Recovery can help build a treatment plan that will work for each individual. Seeking help is the first step on the road to a lifetime of sobriety.

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. There is something you can do to heal today. We are here for you, and we are here to help.