When thinking about alcohol rehab, most patients either opt for outpatient and inpatient treatment. These programs provide the same services in treating addiction, such as medication management, group therapy, and individual therapy. However, they each require varying amounts of supervision and clinical hours for the patient. Deciding whether to take up outpatient alcohol rehab or inpatient rehab is crucial, which is why you need to understand the difference between the two to determine which is more suitable.
First, you need to identify the severity of your alcohol abuse problem and your treatment requirements to find out which type of alcohol rehab is a match for you. Both inpatient and outpatient alcohol rehab can help people stop using addictive substances while decreasing the chance of using them again after attaining sobriety.
Neither inpatient nor outpatient alcohol rehab is more effective or better than the other. The only difference is the environment in which they are conducted and what works best for the individual’s unique situation.
Outpatient Alcohol Rehab
Outpatient rehab usually calls for daily treatment approaches such as group sessions, counseling, or therapy conducted at a facility or clinic. People who opt for outpatient alcohol rehab can still stay home during the recovery process enabling them to keep up with school or work and take care of family members or children. This addiction treatment usually costs less than inpatient alcohol rehab, but it offers a less intensive degree of support. Most outpatient programs use a step-down technique, whereby sessions become less frequent and demanding as you progress with the treatment. This is in addition to the group sessions and individual counseling sessions. An outpatient treatment program helps the individual beat their alcohol dependence and sustain their long-term recovery.
Benefits of Outpatient Alcohol Rehab
Outpatient rehab has several advantages, making it an ideal option for many people.
- One widely appreciated advantage of outpatient treatment is that you can stay home as you go through the program. It is beneficial if you have a strong support system provided by your friends and family.
- The treatment cost for outpatient alcohol rehab is also usually much lower in comparison to inpatient programs.
- This setting offers various kinds of therapy and counseling so that you can select the degree of intensity for the most suitable treatment.
- You can make an appointment on weekends or in the evenings to adapt to varying work schedules.
- Outpatient programs also treat patients suffering from co-occurring disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, or depression.
On the other hand, an outpatient alcohol rehab program might not be the best option for you if the following factors apply:
- You are suffering from multiple disorders for which you need treatment and medical attention. Specific outpatient alcohol rehab programs might not be able to give you the drugs you need or provide comprehensive, intensive recovery plans for complicated addictions.
- You are experiencing difficulty coming for group sessions on your own: For outpatient alcohol rehab to be successful, you need to be able to attend sessions and regularly participate on your own. Some people might feel like they need a more monitored and structured program, where inpatient rehab is a better option for the patient.
- You are experiencing a persistent craving to use: Since outpatient rehab facilities are not always open all through and do not consistently provide support 24/7, it will be challenging to help the patient when these cravings strike.
Inpatient Alcohol Rehab
This program is also known as residential rehab because the patient stays at the rehabilitation facility. Inpatient rehab can be perfect for people suffering from severe alcohol or drug abuse problems and even those with co-occurring mental health conditions. Staying at the facility helps the patient avoid temptation and any triggers in their daily life that influence their substance abuse. Staying in a healthy and drug-free environment is a great way to support one’s recovery.
Certified inpatient facilities provide around-the-clock intensive care and support. They also integrate the three stages of addiction recovery into their treatment program: detoxification, self-reflection, and growth. Inpatient alcohol rehab facilities are focused on helping an individual learn to take up alcohol and drug-free lifestyle after the addiction treatment. Most inpatient treatment programs also use the step-down technique (same as outpatient programs) to help patients progress from inpatient care to group or individual counseling outside the rehab facility.
Inpatient alcohol rehab has both long and short-term residential programs. For long-term inpatient programs, the patient can stay for a period of six months to one year, while short-term programs call for a stay of approximately three to six weeks.
Benefits of Inpatient Alcohol Rehab
Inpatient rehab facilities have several advantages that make them a suitable option for some patients.
Long and short-term inpatient alcohol rehab programs are invented to help patients with medical detoxification and prepare for a sober life after treatment.- Inpatient alcohol rehab facilities offer round-the-clock care and support, typically in a non-hospital setting, so the patient is never alone as they work on overcoming their addiction.
- Inpatient treatment is very structured and concentrates on elements of addiction. These factors may include psychological ones connected to the individual’s situation or social factors such as lifestyle and relationships.
- They offer medical attention and safe housing 24 hours a day, crucial for patients suffering from serious health problems complicated by co-occurring health disorders.
Inpatient alcohol rehab calls for a higher level of commitment than outpatient care, so the following points may come in handy when deciding between both programs.
- Inpatient rehab is usually more expensive than outpatient rehab, but the treatment costs outweigh the cost of addiction in your life when considering the big picture.
- Residential alcohol rehab can be challenging, given how structured it is. The patient’s schedule is going to be decided by the staff. People may also find it hard transitioning to intensive treatment and the tight schedules, which contribute to the program’s effectiveness.
- Inpatient rehab programs require patients to detach from their daily lives, meaning they may have to look for people to care for their family members or children. There is a high chance of taking leave from one’s school or job during the stay at the facility.
Regardless of the kind of alcohol rehab you select, it will set you on the right path towards long-lasting recovery. Outpatient and inpatient options both can help the patient detox and change their views and attitudes about the addictive substances they use. Both options are equally effective in offering recovery to the patient while giving them the skills needed to maintain sobriety after alcohol rehab.