Inpatient vs. Outpatient Treatment: Which One is Right For You?

The idea of rehab can be a difficult one. Having to admit you or a loved one has a problem can be challenging, uncomfortable, and confusing. To make things more difficult are the variety of levels of care provided by rehabilitation centers. So, in an effort to help you make the most informed decision, we will go over the differences between inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment, and intensive outpatient treatment, and which ones best suit your specific needs.

Inpatient Rehab Treatment

First, let’s dive into what inpatient rehabilitation is, who it is for, and why it might be a good fit for you. Inpatient rehab, also known as residential, is a level of care in which patients check into a controlled environment to help overcome their addictions. This controlled environment typically lasts anywhere between 30-90 days.

During inpatient treatment, individuals will live within the grounds of the facility and attend treatment from Monday-Friday. Treatment plans are extensive and include group therapy, family therapies, individualized sessions, psychiatric evaluations, and medical care.

Why Choose Inpatient Care?

Patients who choose Inpatient Rehab have access to 24-hour medical and emotional support available to them in the forms of:

• Supervised detoxification with doctors
• Controlled administration of medication (where appropriate)
• Reduced risk of relapse
• Individualized treatment plans
• Personal and group therapy sessions
• A stable, sober environment
• Experiential treatment

Controlled and supportive environments are one of the best ways to ensure long-lasting sobriety. These programs restrict outside temptations and distractions. Retention rates at inpatient facilities are also higher meaning better outcome statistics.

A study found that 84% of people who spent longer periods of time in rehab were more successful in recovery.

Things to Consider Before Choosing Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient rehabs can be a great option for many, however there are a few caveats. This include:

• Cost
• Limited access to the outside world
• Taking time off from work or missing school
• Limited access to family and friends

Weighing your options means understanding your own concerns about treatment.

Do the people in your life heavily affect your drinking or using? You might want to consider inpatient treatment.

Can you utilize the Florida Medical Leave? Inpatient might be the level of care for you.

Outpatient Rehab

Now let’s take a look at the other side of the coin: outpatient rehabilitation. Who is outpatient good for, what is it used best for, and what are its drawbacks. This type of treatment option means the patient continues to live off-site (unsupervised) and visits the rehab clinic at regular intervals. Unlike inpatient rehabs, outpatient treatment allows people to live outside of the treatment facility, often maintaining their jobs and family obligations.

Why Choose Outpatient Rehabilitation

Choosing this treatment option has its own benefits to consider:

• Reduced cost
• Living at home while getting treatment
• Access to friends and family and other support networks
• Ability to practice relapse prevention skills in the patient’s actual life
• Ability to continue to work or go to school
• Freedom to fulfill other personal responsibilities

Outpatient programs allow individuals the flexibility to maintain their normal lives with work and family. If a family understands their supportive (but not enabling) role, then outpatient therapy can be a viable option. While it will be tough on friends and family, too, everyone will need to work together to encourage frequent clinic visits to keep the patient on the right path.

Things to Consider About Outpatient Rehab

Outpatient does offer the most flexibility when it comes to treatment, however this also comes with a variety of shortcomings including:

• Not being in a constantly controlled environment
• Potentially higher relapse risk
• Lack of constant supervision during detoxification
• Inability to access 24-hour medical and emotional support
• Easier access to substances

Outpatient treatment should be reserved for individuals who have been through treatment before and have relapsed or certain individuals who have a relatively short period of substance abuse.

For people with chronic relapses or a long history of abuse, outpatient might not be the best choice.

How to Choose Inpatient Rehab or Outpatient Treatment

After going through both inpatient and outpatient treatment, let’s consider what you should ask yourself when deciding between the two levels of care. When looking for addiction rehab services for yourself or for a loved one, you should be considering the following:

• How severe is the addiction?
• Is your living environment stable?
• Are you exposed to substances or alcohol in your environment on a regular basis?
• Can you leave your commitments such as your job or school for a set period of time?
• Do you have a strong, supportive network to help keep you going on the sobriety path?
• Does your environment support sobriety?
• Do any of your friends or loved ones use substances or drink around you?
• Are you ready for the hard work you’ll have to put in if you remain at home?
• Can you commute to a treatment center several times a week?
• What are your financial circumstances? What kind of financial commitment can you make and remain solvent?

Most people might opt for outpatient therapy as they either do not comprehend the extent of their condition or they would rather do the most convenient option. However, for certain individuals who start with outpatient often end up delaying their treatment as they continually start and stop treatment due to retention issues.

We always recommend talking with us first to decide the best course of action. We will try to find a level of care that works with your lifestyle while also giving you your best chance towards long-term success and sobriety.

Just as important as choosing the right level of care, you should also take your time to decide which facility matches your needs the most.

Here at Coalition Recovery, we offer the full continuum of care. The first couple weeks you will be in our care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. From there you may transition into outpatient care, but still live within our living facilities; giving individuals the best of both worlds - freedom and structure. After this step down, you would then transition into full outpatient therapy; but by this point, you will be sober and understand the necessary skills needed to maintain this sobriety without structure.

This step-down approach has been proven effective. When people end treatment at an inpatient facility (even for 3 months) they are too often immersed back into everyday life with all of its stressors too quickly. Transitioning form inpatient to intensive outpatient and finally outpatient has been shown to be the most effective transition from addiction to a healthy and happy lifestyle.