Treatment should always be considered when detoxing from drug addiction. If you avoid treatment, you are likely to relapse. If you are considering addiction treatment, you might by asking how residential and outpatient rehab programs compare to each other. The difference between inpatient and outpatient rehab can include the timeline, intensity of treatment, cost, and more.
So in this article, we will discuss inpatient and outpatient treatment and rehab, their differences, and what they entail so you can make the best choice for you or your loved one.
What Is Outpatient Rehab For Drug and Alcohol Addiction?
With outpatient rehab, people attend meetings or appointments for their challenges. They are not obligated to stay at the facility for long periods of time. Outpatient rehab programs are typically an option for people who have ongoing responsibilities such as childcare, home maintenance, or a job.
What Is Residential Rehab?
On the other hand, a residential rehab program — also known as an inpatient rehab program — is different. A residential program requires individuals remain in a treatment facility for an extended period of time until their treatment program has concluded.
People who check into residential rehab programs often must miss time away from work and home as they work to overcome their drug addiction or other mental illness. That way, they have the necessary therapy sessions, medical detox, and other benefits of residential programs to eliminate their substance abuse and start living a sober lifestyle.
What Is The Difference Between Inpatient Rehab and Outpatient Rehab?
Residential and outpatient rehab programs each have their advantages and disadvantages for treating substance use disorders. When deciding between residential vs outpatient treatment, there is not a one-size-fits-all answer. The individual’s history with addictive substances, alcohol abuse, everyday life, and other factors will determine which treatment options are best.
The Benefits Of Outpatient Rehab
Many individuals choose outpatient care because of the numerous benefits. It offers flexible options and typically lower costs. This makes it achievable for the average person with substance use disorder or polysubstance addiction. But outpatient therapy is not the best solutions for everyone. So let’s explore the pros of outpatient program more in depth:
More Flexibility
Even with more intensive outpatient programs, flexibility is a major benefit. You don’t need to commit to living at the facility until the outpatient therapy is finished.
Sometimes patients deal with a number of ongoing challenges in their daily life, and outpatient rehab programs allow them to balance everything. In some cases, you are even able to schedule your own appointments, making them favorable to inpatient programs in that regard.
Less Expensive
At Quest 2 Recovery, we believe everyone deserves help for substance use disorder recovery. It’s one of the reasons why aftercare planning following rehab is so inportant. Outpatient treatment allows individuals to transition back into daily life while still being able to work and provide for their family. inpatient and outpatient treatment both have pros and cons, but you can enjoy lower costs with outpatient treatment programs.
More Discrete
If you are concerned about your work finding out about your drug abuse problem, outpatient therapies are very discrete. No one has to know that you visit the treatment center a few times per week, and you can maintain your current occupation.
Benefits Of Residential Rehab
Outpatient treatment certainly offers various upsides. However, certain people decide that an inpatient program is better when they see how residential and outpatient rehab programs compare.
Residential treatment often includes a more comprehensive process — such as group therapy, group meetings, individual therapy sessions, and family therapy — all while living at the treatment center.
Additional benefits include:
24/7 Care
One of the biggest differences in residential rehab and outpatient rehab is the ability to receive care around the clock. With residential treatment, you check in for weeks or months. The professional staff helps recovering addicts stay safe in a caring way, with zero lapses in care.
Effective For Long-Term Addiction Patients
Both residential and outpatient rehab success rates are better than simply not receiving care at all. However, some individuals find that checking into a residential rehab facility is necessary to receive the well-rounded substance abuse treatment they require. This makes it an ideal long-term solution for many.
Inpatient vs. Outpatient Treatment
The way treatment occurs in residential and outpatient settings tends to vary. Let’s look at the primary differences in treatment.
With inpatient treatment, individuals will:
- Stay at the facility, removed from their normal life
- Work on self-improvement and overcoming the addiction full time
- Receive medication appropriate for the rehab, or existing medical conditions
- Potentially receive partial hospitalization during the detox process
- Receive group therapy — crucial (2) for recovery
With outpatient treatment, individuals will:
- Be self-responsible for sobriety when not at the facility
- Find time in their daily life to work on themselves
- Be able to build a network of supportive peers from outpatient services
Inpatient vs Outpatient Therapy
When it comes to inpatient vs outpatient programs, their goals are the same but usually occur at different times during recovery. Both formats involve a treatment center, group counseling, and family therapy. In addition, patients will receive help in planning their future life and reaching their goals.
Both inpatient treatment and outpatient programs compare similarly regarding the type of psychological tools patients will gain but inpatient rehab has a medical component that outpatient programs do not. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and other methods of understanding emotions, are utilized to allow individuals to take full control over their thoughts and actions going forward.
Final Thoughts On Inpatient vs Outpatient Treatment
When it comes to treatment programs, they are all created differently. This is to cater to different life situations, budgets, and goals of the patient.
When looking at residential vs outpatient recovery programs compare their time commitments, treatments, and requirements. That way, you can determine the right treatment program for you.
When you are ready to get help for your substance abuse problem from a local treatment center, contact Quest 2 Recovery today.
Sources:
- https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/treatment-approaches-drug-addiction
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64094/
