Information on Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment

Outpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs require the patient to live at home and attend treatment daily. These programs vary in terms of the commitment, from a few hours a week to several hours a day. However, before someone enters an outpatient drug rehab program. Outpatient drug rehab is a beneficial treatment approach for some addicts, but not for everyone. The primary difference between outpatient and inpatient programs is that a residential program provides 24-hour care, housing, supervision, and access to medical care. Also, residential drug rehab centers are more expensive than most outpatient centers. Outpatient drug rehabilitation differs in intensity and could include one session a week or multiple sessions a day, five days a week.

Most outpatient drug rehabilitation centers offer group counseling, individual counseling, relapse prevention training, and other approaches to help addicts. For example, patients would learn about substance use and how it affects an individual's life. Patients also develop skills in areas such as employment, communication, anger management, stress management, and financial responsibility. Relapse prevention training is also essential because it helps recovering addicts maintain their sobriety once they complete rehabilitation. Most patients remain connected with sober living groups, such as 12-step meetings and other forms of peer support. Outpatient programs offer numerous treatment methodologies to help addicts, and prior to entering a program, an addiction assessment is done to determine the best method of therapy and counseling.

Types of Outpatient Drug Rehabilitation

There are three main types of outpatient programs operated across the United States. These options are standard outpatient services, intensive outpatient programs, and partial hospitalization programs. Standard outpatient drug rehab is the least intense type of outpatient drug rehab. Patients may only meet once or twice per week for one to two hours at a time. These programs are beneficial for someone that is still working and who has family support at home. These programs also offer very little medical supervision and may include group therapy sessions or one-on-one counseling. Other outpatient options include intensive outpatient services, where patients meet for ten or twenty hours per week.

Intensive outpatient services offer more services, which does include group counseling, individual counseling, drug testing, peer support, and case management. Patients typically have a higher severity of the addiction. However, it is not uncommon for someone leaving inpatient drug rehab to attend aftercare with an outpatient drug treatment center. The final outpatient treatment option is a partial hospitalization program, or day treatment program, which usually takes place in a hospital. The patient usually attends treatment up to seven days a week, and the programs operate for three to eight hours per day. The therapy options include group therapy, family therapy, individual counseling, medical care, recreation, and social services. Partial hospitalization programs often serve as a transition from inpatient treatment for severe cases of addiction.

The Effectiveness of Intensive Outpatient Treatment

Intensive outpatient programs are different from traditional outpatient treatment. These are direct services for people with substance use disorders who do not require medical detox or 24-hour supervision. Overall, it is an alternative to inpatient and residential treatment. The programs are designed to establish psychosocial supports and facilitate relapse management and coping strategies. Intensive outpatient programs are considered as effective as inpatient treatment for most people struggling with addiction. However, an addiction assessment would determine what method of rehabilitation would be needed.

These types of programs provide group therapy services, education about substance abuse, and help individuals develop and maintain long-term plans for recovery. Intensive outpatient programs are effective for addressing early-stage relapse management and coping strategies and address individual symptoms and needs. These programs are more condensed and offer more services in a short time. Intensive outpatient treatment services benefit people that are still working and who have family support. Intensive outpatient treatment is another option to consider when searching for outpatient drug rehabilitation.

The Best Time to Consider Outpatient Substance Use Rehabilitation

When someone is struggling with addiction and substance abuse, it is important to consider treatment. Some addicts are willing to admit they have a problem and attend drug rehabilitation programs. However, this is not always the case, and many families organize a family intervention. Early intervention is essential and does prevent the addiction from spiraling out of control. During the early stages of addiction, outpatient treatment is a good option to consider because the addict may have responsibilities and family obligations to consider. Outpatient treatment consists of an individual attending treatment sessions daily, but they are not living at the facility.

Outpatient drug rehabilitation is a successful approach to treatment and is a common option for adducts leaving inpatient drug rehab programs. Residential drug rehab centers deliver intense specialized forms of treatment. However, outpatient drug rehabilitation programs have the capability of addressing the majority of the needs of patients attending outpatient programs. Outpatient drug rehabilitation programs are an excellent option to consider because they are less expensive and more accessible for most families. Overall, treatment should meet the needs and case requirements for the individual attending the program.

People that participate in outpatient drug rehab programs can maintain their work and school, family, and other important commitments. Outpatient treatment allows less disruption in a person's life if they have the proper family support. Also, outpatient programs allow the person to immediately apply what they have learned and apply it to the real world. These programs also provide more privacy regarding the individual's participation in treatment because they do not have to notify work unless it is through an employee assistance program. Generally, these programs provide the same level of quality of treatment as inpatient centers, although residential programs offer a wider array of therapy and counseling. There is no bad time to consider outpatient treatment, and there are effective rehabilitation options across the country.

The Process of Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation

When someone begins an outpatient drug rehab program, they typically meet with a staff member who helps develop a treatment plan. Generally, the plan involves setting treatment goals, and the staff member will ask questions about any mental health issues, medical problems, legal issues, or family problems. The more data that is gathered does make it easier for the program to develop a comprehensive approach to treatment. Typically, the staff will go over the rules and guidelines with the program. Outpatient programs do conduct more random drug testing because the patient is not living at the facility.

The patient is expected to constantly attend treatment and not miss any sessions, and the patient could be expected to complete assignments outside the sessions. Typically, every outpatient program is different from the next, but treatment sessions usually last several hours a day for five or even seven days per week. Some programs may only meet twice per week, but it traditionally depends on the severity and extent of addiction. It is essential to have family support when attending an outpatient program because it is important to have reliable transportation to and from treatment.

When attending treatment, there are a variety of counseling methodologies provided to help patients and their families. Some of the therapies include Contingency Management, which is a clinical behavior therapy that uses stimulus control and positive reinforcement to change behavior per a literature review of Substance Abuse Outpatient Treatment Services. Other therapies include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, which is an evidence-based approach using a psychosocial intervention strategy. The process helps patients develop coping strategies and identify damaging though and behavior patterns that lead to substance abuse. Motivational Interviewing is also a common approach used in an outpatient program, along with the Community Reinforcement Approach.

Most outpatient programs also encourage patients to remain connected to 12-step programs or a form of peer support. Support meetings are essential because they facilitate healthy peer interaction. Relapse prevention and educational programs are also part of most outpatient centers. Different workshops are also offered, which teach coping mechanisms for stress and potential triggers. Life skills training is an integral part of outpatient treatment, which includes anger management, parenting classes, and other forms of support. Some outpatient treatment programs may offer childcare support and transportation services. Whether you are considering partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient programs, or traditional outpatient programs, there are effective options across the country that offer extensive resources and therapy.

The Alternatives to Outpatient Substance Use Treatment

The alternative to outpatient substance use treatment is residential rehabilitation. Not every drug rehabilitation program is the same, but there are two main types of treatment, which are inpatient and outpatient. Residential programs can last between three months to over six months and even up to one year. Inpatient programs require the patient to live at the facility during treatment, which is beneficial in removing the patient from their current environment. Someone that is struggling with an extensive addiction and chronic relapse. Residential programs provide support 24 hours per day, seven days a week. Patients have access to housing, constant supervision, and unlimited access to medical care.

Other alternatives include sober living homes, which are group residences for people who are recovering addicts. Aftercare support often involves outpatient treatment or sober living. Someone who lives in a sober living home has to follow certain house rules and contribute to the home. Residents must stay sober throughout their stay in a sober living home. Sober living homes promote long-lasting recovery. Sober living homes also help make the transition from rehab to living independently without using drugs or alcohol. These are group homes for those recovering from addiction. Sober living homes are an excellent alternative to outpatient treatment when choosing to transition from residential rehabilitation.

Other options include transitional housing, which is an intermediate step between emergency crisis shelter and permanent housing. Transitional housing is meant to provide a safe, supportive environment where residents can overcome trauma and begin to address the issues that led to addiction and struggling with homelessness. Transitional housing is beneficial because of some residents transition to outpatient programs for treatment. Most outpatient treatment centers are also connected to 12-step support groups. Twelve-step support groups use the 12-step doctrine and ask members to admit their lack of control over alcohol and drugs. Peer support is also an excellent option to consider when not attending an outpatient treatment center.

Non-traditional approaches to treatment are also alternatives to consider. For example, adventure therapy programs assist individuals, groups, and families as they overcome behavioral issues, substance abuse, problems, or various mental health concerns. Adventure therapy is an effective method, and patients who have attended outpatient treatment have also followed through with adventure therapy to further their treatment. Adventure therapy is a powerful treatment approach for people struggling with addiction. Also, it is an exciting and productive element of family or relationship therapy. Adventure therapy promotes rehabilitation, growth, development, and enhancement of an individual's wellbeing. The programs provide structured activities involving direct experience.

Common Terminology Surrounding Outpatient Drug Rehabilitation