The Benefits of Outpatient Care Over Inpatient Treatment

If you’re struggling to choose between inpatient treatment and outpatient care to begin your recovery, the decision can be a difficult one. This article will shed some light on the differences between the two and help you decide which will give you the best chance for success. Here are some of the benefits of outpatient care over inpatient treatment.

Outpatient Care

Outpatient care in Huntington Beach is for individuals who don’t require 24-hour care, a hospital stay, or overnight accommodations. Most outpatient care facilities will allow their patients to spend up to 12 hours at the treatment facility, but there are no overnight accommodations. Outpatient care is recommended for addicts and alcoholics who have already completed an inpatient treatment program and require mainly sobriety maintenance. However, it can be extremely helpful for mild to moderate addicts who are just starting their journey and can avoid their triggers effectively. It allows people to maintain their life obligations like family and work commitments, and it is more affordable. Outpatient care also offers more one-on-one counselling and smaller group therapy sizes.

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment is 24-hour care and treatment for people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol. It can be a detox facility, a rehabilitation facility, medication-assisted treatment, or psychotherapy. Typically an inpatient treatment facility will assess the individual and their needs before beginning with a medical detox. The next step is offering the patient psychological care and access to addiction counselling. Inpatient treatment is very structured and supervised. It is most effective in dealing with severe addiction as it’s a more controlled environment that allows addicts to avoid their triggers.

The Main Differences

Although both treatment protocols are meant to help addicts and alcoholics get on the road to sobriety and maintain it, there are some key differences. While health insurance will cover some of the cost of addiction treatment, less out-of-pocket expenses are incurred with outpatient care. Most inpatient treatment lasts for 30, 60, or 90 days, while outpatient treatment tends to last between eight and 16 weeks. Intensive outpatient treatment has a higher success rate than inpatient treatment due to its longer treatment period. The most glaring difference is that inpatient treatment requires addicts to stay at the facility for a determined period, 24/7, while outpatient treatment allows addicts to spend their nights at home in a more relaxed and familiar setting.

How to Get Started

Whether you choose to go with outpatient or inpatient treatment, it’s very important that you simply get started on the road to recovery. One of the more easily accessible ways to get started is to see a therapist or an addiction specialist. They can give you a clearer picture of what your options are and make recommendations based on your individual needs. Another way to get started is to talk with friends and family about what you want for yourself and your desire to get help.

Both options are valid and necessary modes for treating addiction. There are many factors to consider before taking this big step in the right direction, like co-occurring conditions and life obligations. That’s why it is helpful to consult with your healthcare provider or a mental health professional to help you.