Outpatient Addiction Treatment

Outpatient Addiction Treatment

Severe addictions to substances like heroin or oxycodone are often best treated in an inpatient program to help manage detoxification and withdrawal. However, an outpatient rehabilitation program can successfully treat mild addiction problems detected in the early stages. Outpatient rehab is an ideal alternative for those motivated to quit a substance but need the flexibility of a plan that fits their schedule.

What is Outpatient Rehab?

Outpatient rehab provides alcohol and drug support groups and treatment classes that you can attend at various times of the week. This schedule allows patients to maintain their daily routine and responsibilities while living at home. However, they must receive counseling and medication at their allotted time for treatment.

Outpatient programs come in many forms, with varying intensities and a wide range of services. But the overall focus is on counseling, education, and support. Individuals with a strong desire and a focused, disciplined approach to successful recovery can benefit from an outpatient treatment program.

Types of Outpatient Rehab

There are different kinds of outpatient rehabilitation. They are often based on the severity of the substance abuse or addiction and the stage of a person's recovery. Outpatient rehabilitation often falls under one of four categories:

Day Programs 

A day program provides the highest level of care and structure in an outpatient setting. In a day program, clients commit to meeting for a few hours in an outpatient facility, 5-7 days a week. During this time, patients participate in ongoing therapy, group counseling, biofeedback, and other complementary therapies like art or music therapy. After each day of treatment, patients can return to their families or sober home. Day courses require significant time, limiting an individual's work or school time while treatment occurs.

Intensive Outpatient Program 

An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) builds a treatment strategy with clear, measurable objectives to show progress. When specific achievements are reached, the weekly time commitment is decreased.

IOPs are an excellent alternative for those who are serious about quitting drugs and alcohol but still need to be able to work and perform daily household chores. An IOP may require multiple sessions of several hours per week for counseling, group therapy, relapse prevention training, and participation in a 12-step (or comparable) recovery support group.

Partial Hospitalization Program

Partial inpatient treatment is a structured mental health treatment program that lasts a few hours a day and three to five days a week. Clients attend scheduled therapy sessions during the day and go home at night. The program is a step down from 24-hour care (inpatient treatment) in a mental hospital. You can also use it to prevent hospitalization.

Continuing Care 

Ongoing nonprofit support groups like Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous can help individuals solidify their pledge to sobriety. Support groups usually meet weekly and are often led by a licensed therapist. Some care groups may be gender- or age-specific, while others may focus on specific aspects of recovery.

Benefits of Outpatient Rehabilitation

Outpatient rehab can be a perfect treatment choice for those with mild to moderate addictions because it can be more flexible and accessible than an inpatient program. There are a few common reasons why many pick an outpatient rehab program over inpatient treatment:

• Affordability: You can live at home during outpatient treatment, so you don't have to pay to stay overnight at an inpatient facility.
•  Flexibility: Outpatient programs can be more conducive to your schedule. This helps those who can't miss a lot of work or school.
•  Family Support: Throughout the outpatient rehabilitation program, family involvement and support are emphasized as loved ones can encourage you to stay on the path to sobriety.
•  Routine. Outpatient rehab helps keep things "normal." For many people, maintaining some semblance in their work and personal lives and building basic recovery skills contributes to their success.

What Care Can You Expect?

Treatment centers provide targeted care based on individual needs. The aspects of care include, but are not limited to:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Insights into mental health and addiction
• 12-step procedure and other group support
• Better coping strategies for anxiety, depression, PTSD, and trauma
• Identify triggers and ways to deal with urges
• Communication, life, and interpersonal skills
• Relapse awareness and prevention

Some people start IOP or PHP after rehab but need additional guidance and support. Others pick one of the programs to begin their recovery journey. Still, others may require treatment because of a relapse and hope to resume their progress. In all cases, outpatient services help balance independence and accountability.

Programs vary in length and commitment. For example, an IOP can be four hours per day, three days per week, or even 3 hours per day and five days a week. A PHP often provides six hours of daily care. Some people may need 30, 60, or 90 days of outpatient services — sometimes longer.

Choosing Outpatient Treatment

It can be challenging to get treatment or recover from substance abuse if you have other responsibilities that conflict with inpatient therapy. However, under no circumstances should you avoid treatment.

First, do a comprehensive assessment to get off to a good start. Many care centers offer evaluations based on an initial diagnosis by a doctor, therapist, or other health care provider. You can contact the facility to discuss current symptoms and possible medical conditions.

Next, review your insurance and employment policy, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), to see how their policy applies to your situation and what regulations apply to outpatient services. There should be no barriers to getting the quality care you deserve.

In the end, it's best to research each facility's potential to meet your needs, the expertise of their staff, and how they plan to work with you to achieve your health goals and lay the foundation for successful health management. An outpatient program is equally promising if an institution has a reputable inpatient program.

Quality Treatment on Your Terms

At Mindful Living Group, our engaging outpatient addiction treatment provides participants with better long-term outcomes by preparing them to independently manage their mental health and substance use disorders. Additionally, you or a loved one will learn valuable health and life management skills and stress management techniques like yoga, meditation, and exercise therapy.

Whatever healthy change you want to make, you don't have to do it alone — and you don't have to wait to see results. Starting a comprehensive outpatient program immediately offers many opportunities — all you must do is be dedicated to the process. Contact us today to learn how MLG can improve your overall health and wellness.