Inpatient Vs Outpatient

What are the advantages of inpatient rehab?

• An inpatient treatment program allows the person to take a step back from daily responsibilities, like work, parenting, and personal relationships, so that they can focus completely on recovery. Self-care is an essential part of relapse prevention, and inpatient rehab can help the person focus entirely on recovery.
• An inpatient recovery program allows the person to get round-the-clock care and quality treatment from highly-qualified professionals. A good inpatient rehab facility has a professional, trained staff trained with the experience and skills for handling such challenging situations. In addition, they are also trained to be aware of all and any consequences that could disrupt the client’s safety or recovery.
• Inpatient treatment centers aren’t clinical and sterile like many think. In fact, most treatment facilities offer home-style accommodations and houses that give a home-away-from-home atmosphere. Many include amenities like swimming pools, Flat-screen TVs, on-site laundry facilities, and fully-furnished rooms.

What is Outpatient Rehab?

Outpatient rehab involves daily treatment at a clinic or facility, such as therapy, counseling, or group sessions. Individuals who choose outpatient treatment can continue to live at home as they recover, allowing them to take care of family members or children, keep up with their jobs, and stay on track in school. Outpatient care costs typically less than inpatient rehab, but the level of support may be less intensive.

Most programs involve individual or group therapy and use a step-down approach, which means sessions become less intensive and frequent as the person grows during treatment. These programs help clients overcome their alcohol or drug dependence and then maintain their recovery over the long term.

How Does Outpatient Rehab Work?

In contrast to inpatient programs, outpatient treatment permits the person to live at home outside of treatment hours, allowing them to continue engaging with school or work and the ability to fulfill other personal responsibilities. Recovering individuals will attend group and individual therapy sessions each week, and if needed, they can meet regularly with a psychiatrist for medication to manage withdrawal, cravings, and any existing mental health issues. The treatment provided in an outpatient facility is similar to that provided in an inpatient treatment center but is somewhat less intensive [3].

Features of an Outpatient Rehab 

• You can live in your home while receiving treatment. This works if your friends and family are a support system.
• The treatment cost is typically much lower for outpatient rehab compared to inpatient rehab [4].
• There are many different types of therapy and counseling offered in this setting; you can choose the level of intensity of care that works best for you.
• Appointments can be made on weekends or in the evenings to accommodate work schedules.

What are the disadvantages of outpatient rehab?

However, outpatient care may not be the best choice for you if:

• You experience constant cravings to use. Outpatient facilities are not open round-the-clock and do not always offer 24-hour support.
• You have difficulty showing up to group sessions on your own. The success of outpatient rehab relies on your ability to attend and participate in sessions regularly. If you need more structured and monitored treatment, you may want to consider an inpatient rehab.
• You need treatment for multiple disorders, such as co-occurring substance abuse and mental illness, and you need medical attention. Unfortunately, most outpatient programs may not dispense medications or offer intensive, multifaceted recovery programs for complicated addictions such as polydrug abuse.​ 

• Drinking patterns or behaviors
• Other substance use issues
• Severity of alcohol or other drug problems
• Prior treatment (if any) and how it went

• Other mental or medical health conditions, such as diabetes or depression, will need attention during treatment

• Amount of support from family and social network
• Stability of living situation
• Access to transportation

• Any drinking-related arrests, probation, or other legal issues that require coordination with the justice system or social services

• Common examples include pregnant women, people for whom English is not their primary language, and people in safety-sensitive occupations, such as airline pilots, physicians, or law enforcement.

• If the assessment discovers that the individual entering treatment has a less severe substance use disorder, stable living conditions, supportive family and friends, access to transportation, and fairly good health, then outpatient treatment with one-on-one or group therapy may be a good option. Outpatient counseling allows the individual to maintain much of his or her regular daily routine.

• If the assessment sees that the individual has a more severe substance use disorder, or unstable housing, or limited transportation, or few non-drinking peers, or has other health issues in addition to substance use disorder, then he or she may benefit from extended time in an inpatient treatment program. Residential or inpatient programs are also good for anyone who needs a more structured living environment with a predictable daily schedule. A person with significant health issues should consult his or her primary care doctor and might consider an inpatient program where medical staff is available.