One of the most important decisions that someone in early recovery has to make is choosing between residential addiction treatment and an outpatient drug rehab program.  Although the ultimate factor in making this choice is what is best for your situation and your future recovery, there are some general guidelines that can help you determine which course of treatment is best for you.

Some people think that an inpatient facility is the ONLY way to go, but this isn’t always the case.  Residential rehab is not necessarily the right fit for everyone, logistically, medically, or financially.

Possible barriers to inpatient treatment include:

• Not everyone has an addiction so severe as to require round-the-clock monitoring.
• Some people may feel that they can’t drop everything and put the rest of their life on hold for the weeks—or possibly, MONTHS—required by a residential rehab program. Work, school, children, ages and other obligations effects are very real concerns.
• The expense of inpatient alcohol and drug treatment can be prohibitive, especially someone who has inadequate insurance or is paying out-of-pocket.

Why Outpatient Drug Rehab

Fortunately, you have options.

Depending on your needs as an individual, there are different levels of outpatient rehab:

• Outpatient Services— For people with a mild degree of Substance Use Disorder, this is the least-restrictive level of care.
• Intensive Outpatient Program— For those with mild-to-moderate SUD, an IOP provides more treatment by offering more treatment hours per week. This added time and structure helps keep you on the right path.
• Partial Hospitalization Program— A PHP is the appropriate outpatient program for anyone with moderate-to-severe SUD. A PHP is immersive, typically providing a minimum of 30 hours of integrated treatment for addiction and mental illness.

Here’s the best part— the right outpatient program will support the recovery process just as well as costlier residential treatment centers. Virtually all of the same services are offered, and the success rates are almost identical. In other words, you are not sacrificing quality of care when you opt for outpatient treatment.

Now let’s look at the Top 10 reasons why outpatient drug rehab might be the right fit for you.

Reason #1:  You Get to Live at Home

Participating in any outpatient program means that did to still live at home and sleep in your own bed every night.  You’re still be able to be there for your children, your family, and your other obligations and responsibilities.

Reason #2: You Can Keep Working

Regular outpatient treatment and IOPs are flexible, with both morning and evening schedules, making it easier for your employer to accommodate your needs.  You don’t have to take a leave of absence, use your vacation time, or fall behind on important projects.  This is also a major advantage for college who  students don’t want to miss any of the academic year.

Reason #3: It’s Affordable

Outpatient drug and alcohol treatment—even IOPs and PHPs—costs a fraction of a stay in a residential facility.  In fact, if you have insurance coverage, there may very little out-of-pocket expense.

Reason #4: You Stay in Treatment Longer

Most residential rehab is are based on a 30-day model.  After you leave the inpatient facility, you are thrust back into the stresses and temptations of the real world while you are still new to the recovery process.

Outpatient programs are far longer, with a treatment cycle that lasts for months.  Research has shown that there is a direct correlation between the length of time someone remains in treatment and their chances of successful and lasting recovery.

This means that you have continued help and support while you adjust to a healthier, substance-free life.

Reason #5: Treatment is Adjustable

After a detailed intake and assessment process, a treatment planning session is held by your clinical recovery team to determine your appropriate level of outpatient care.  But as you make progress, it can be adjusted.  For example, you may start out by enrolling in a PHP and then later “step down” to an IOP.

Reason #6: Evidence-Based Treatment

Outpatient programs that are state-certified and accredited employ treatment strategies that are supported by evidence—statistics, data, peer reviews, case studies, clinical judgements, and proven success.  Addiction is a disease, so it should be treated with medical science.

Reason #7: Medications That Support Recovery

The best outpatient rehab programs offer Medication-Assisted Treatment.  This is when traditional behavioral counseling, education, group therapy, and relapse prevention strategies is combined with FDA-approved medications that can help reduce cravings and alleviate symptoms of withdrawal.  MAT is considered the “gold standard” of recovery care.

Reason #8: Dual Diagnosis Treatment

In addition to treating your SUD, a top outpatient program will also support your total recovery by addressing any co- occurring mental conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, or PTSD.

Reason #9: You Get Real-World Help

As immersive as a residential rehab program is, you still have to eventually return to normal everyday life, complete with stress, temptation, triggers, toxic situations, and dysfunctional people.  In fact, readjustment can be so hard as to jeopardize are still-fragile sobriety.

But in an outpatient program, you get to apply the lessons you are learning every day.  And when you are struggling or finding it difficult to deal with certain issues, you can talk about with your counselor and get immediate feedback and advice.

This is precisely why many people who “graduate” from inpatient rehab are advised to then enroll in an outpatient program.  The long-term support provided by outpatient treatment is a critical factor in successful recovery.

Reason #10: Relapse Prevention and Support

Unfortunately, a significant number of people in recovery will experience a momentary slip or even a full-blown relapse at some point in early recovery.  This is why both inpatient and outpatient rehab programs spend considerable time teaching you relapse prevention strategies.

But only outpatient programs are there for you during a relapse.

A relapse doesn’t mean that your recovery efforts have failed .  On the contrary, it means that perhaps adjustments should be made to your treatment plan. Your outpatient addiction counselor works with you while you work through your issues.

Is Outpatient Alcohol and Drug Rehab Right for YOU?

If you are worried about your drinking or drug use, then contact Chapman House TODAY for a confidential assessment of your needs.  No matter what your personal situation, one of our outpatient programs is sure to offer a solution.

And if you have recently completed residential rehab, then Chapman House can offer you the long-term aftercare and support that you need as you continue your sober journey.

Since 1978,  Chapman House has been the top addiction recovery program in Orange County, offering drug and alcohol detox, residential treatment, and different levels of outpatient care.  From medication assistance to dual diagnosis treatment Chapman House is your go-to resource in Southern California.