Do you need to go away to rehab?

Here is some basic information about the different types of outpatient addiction treatment, a discussion of the benefits and advantages of outpatient treatment in general, and some information about what type of person is most suited to receive treatment on an outpatient basis.

What Is Outpatient Addiction Treatment?

Outpatient addiction treatment is treatment that you will attend during day or evening sessions, while returning home each night.

There are many different types of outpatient addiction treatment, including:

Partial Hospitalization or Day Programs

These full-day programs are the most intensive form of outpatient treatment. The schedule of therapies, lectures, and wellness sessions differs little from a typical day-schedule in a residential addiction treatment program. Many addiction treatment centers offer some form of intensive outpatient day treatment.

Evening Outpatient Treatment Programs

Many addiction treatment centers will also run evening outpatient treatment programs. Participants meet evenings and weekends, several times a week, for a variety of group and individual therapies, 12 step meetings, lectures, and other classes. Participants are encouraged to attend AA, NA, or other support groups on days without formal programming.

AA, NA or Other Support Groups

Twelve step meetings are free to all and meetings are held virtually everywhere. You may attend 12 step meetings as often or infrequently as you choose. As a “peers helping peers” type of organization, no professional therapy is offered.

Private or Group Therapy Sessions

You may also choose to meet once or twice a week with a psychologist, psychiatrist, or addiction therapist of your choice. Cost per session can range from as little as $50 an hour to well over $300 per hour. You may also find an existing professionally led peer therapy group in your area, and the cost per session for group therapy is much less than for private therapy.

Alternative Therapies

Some people find that supplementing conventional therapies with activities such as acupuncture, yoga, karate, or meditation can be very beneficial.

The Advantages of Outpatient Addiction Treatment

The lower cost of outpatient treatment is a significant advantage over residential care. Additional benefits of outpatient addiction treatment include:

• The ability to work or attend school while in treatment. Many outpatient treatment programs are scheduled so that participants may fulfill work or school obligations.
• Greater privacy. While by law you have no obligation to disclose your need for residential addiction treatment to anyone, many people find that in reality it can be difficult to explain away a prolonged absence from work or school. Since you remain at work or in school during outpatient treatment, your privacy may be more assured.
• The ability to care for dependent children while in treatment. Dependent children make entering into residential treatment more complicated, particularly if you are the primary or sole caregiver. If you are able to abstain from drug use while participating in outpatient treatment, you will be able to continue to care for your children.
• Building friendships with peers in recovery in your area. You can get close to people in your outpatient peer therapy groups, and because these people live in your area, they can become a valuable source of long-lasting sober support.
• You can apply the lessons of therapy immediately. There is some value in immediately putting into practice the teachings of treatment. Outpatient therapy gives you the opportunity to test your skills in real life.
• More complete insurance coverage. In many cases, insurance companies will demand that you attempt treatment on an outpatient basis prior to funding a residential stay.

The Disadvantages of Outpatient Addiction Treatment

Staying at home during treatment may cost less and does allow you to work or attend school as you recover, but many people find the temptation to use drugs or alcohol too strong to resist. While at home, you will have responsibilities and stressors that trigger drug use, and you may be unable to focus as completely on your recovery.

People battling severe, long-lasting, or complex drug or alcohol addictions have more difficulty with outpatient addiction treatment. They just can't seem to get sober and grounded for long enough to build a base for recovery.

Who Should Try Outpatient Addiction Treatment?

Outpatient programs are most suitable for:

• People with a stable home environment and a strong support network. Returning home each night after outpatient treatment to a house full of people using alcohol or drugs won't work. You need a support network of non-using friends or family and a sober home environment, free from temptations. If you don't have this, you probably need residential treatment.
• People who have never before attempted addiction treatment. For some, it may make sense to try something less costly and intensive to see if you can find success before leaving for residential care. Conversely, if you have attempted outpatient therapy without success, you may need to go away to get better.
• People without co-occurring mental health problems. If you face a dual diagnosis of addiction with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or any other mental health disorder, you may need more integrated and intensive treatment than you can get on an outpatient basis.
• People who are able to stay abstinent for extended periods of time. If you cannot, on your own, stay off of drugs or alcohol for any length of time, then you need the seclusion of a residential stay.
• People who do not need to detox. In rare cases, detox services are offered on an outpatient basis. Normally, because of the risks and complexity of the treatment, medical detoxification occurs in a hospital or residential facility.

So What Should You Do?

It's unfortunate that even after you make the challenging decision to get help, you are still faced with difficult choices. Rest assured that any action you take to tackle your addiction is positive, and try to get as informed as possible about your needs and options before taking that first step to better health.

Addiction treatment specialists at the National Resource Center at (877) 637-6237 can answer any questions you may have about outpatient or residential treatment options in your area.