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How Does Outpatient Rehab Work?

There are many options to choose from when it comes to addiction treatment. It can be confusing for those affected by addiction to decide on the right type of treatment suited to their needs. One of such popular treatment option is drug and alcohol rehab treatment. This type of treatment falls into two smaller groups namely outpatient rehab and inpatient rehab. Both treatments are effective but each uses a different approach.

This means that each programme has its own benefits and drawbacks. While both programmes can be beneficial, it’s important for the addicted victim to understand what each programme involves before choosing one. Finding the right treatment is crucial since it creates the difference between recovering or getting worse.

Below, we will mainly focus on outpatient rehab.

Outpatient rehab

This type of treatment is designed to allow the participant to get rehabilitated and recover while staying in their homes. The addicted victim can continue to lead a normal life, for instance, going to school and work. While you won’t live in a rehab centre, you are required to attend treatment sessions at least once every week.

You can choose individual therapy or group treatment depending on the prescription given. In addition, you must make regular checkups with your therapist especially when trying to manage withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings.

Thus, outpatient rehabs seek to provide a convenient option for addicts who need help but finds it hard to forego other important tasks to combat addiction. You can get this type of partial programme in non-residential rehab centres, community facilities, therapist offices and so on. In some cases, other inpatient rehabs are equipped with extra facilities for outpatient treatment.

Outpatient rehab is more convenient for minor drug addicts. These are people whose lives are somehow stable but are ready to get help in their journey to recovery.

Most therapists will recommend this programme as a way of continuing treatment for those who successfully completed in-house rehab. This enables them to continue living positively and maintain the positive results of recovery. Without an outpatient programme, such transformed addicts are likely to relapse from their treatment.

There is an element of flexibility when it comes to outpatient plans. The extent and intensity of this treatment are flexible in the sense that people can only attend them when they are free to do so.

Differences between inpatient and outpatient rehab programme.

Both of the programmes seek to help a patient recover from addiction. However, the nature in which each programme works tends to be different. For instance, outpatient plans are quite affordable when compared to inpatient.

Since participants live in their homes, they won’t incur extra expenses such as food, accommodation, special care and so on. Also, outpatient rehabs are short and less intense. This is attributed to the fact that outpatient treatment requires less specialised care as compared to the other programme.

Participants in outpatient programmes

This type of treatment is only meant for patients suffering from moderate addiction. Participants are also required to attend treatment sessions a number of times every week. However, this treatment option comes with other challenges, especially for the addicted person.

For instance, outpatient rehab doesn’t separate the victim from influencers and triggers that may motivate the victim to go back into old ways.

Let’s take a practical example of a person who used to smoke cannabis, Probably, this person got his supply of cannabis from a close friend. This means the addict can still access his friend who used to provide him with cannabis.

Such kind of factors makes it hard for an individual to fully recover from addiction. To counter such triggers, rehabs do teach the victims on ways to cope and focus on the journey to recovery.

Additional information on outpatient detox treatment

There have been various studies that seek to evaluate the effectiveness of drug and alcohol treatment programmes. A good number of these studies centres around specific drugs especially alcohol. In addition, there are other studies on specific rehab centres.

These studies suggest that detoxification is risky when done without the proper guidance of a therapist. This is a warning to those addicts who make attempts to do a detox on their own.

The consequences are severe and even threaten the existence of a patient. For instance, a patient may show symptoms such as cirrhosis, excessive bleeding, vomiting, violent shaking and more. In the same line, outpatient treatment is not the right option for a person facing serious addiction.

Outpatient treatment plans do not offer close supervision on a 24-hour basis. This reduces every chance to fully recover from addiction. While patients have the freedom to live in the comfort of their homes, it can be difficult to successfully recover from drug addiction.

This requires extra effort and determination from the participant. Also, these programmes work best for addicts who have supportive family members and friends.

These types of drug addicts are mostly referred to as high functioning addicts. They are able to get daily motivation and support from those who surround them. Also, such addicts are able to successfully avoid getting themselves into risky situations that could destroy their lives. A strong will power to fully recover is also essential.

The bottom line

If you are trying to find the right type of programmes suited to your needs, then you must consider a number of factors. First, the degree of addiction will determine the right treatment for you. If your addiction is considered less severe, then the above outpatient rehab can be the most suitable option. However, people facing severe addiction require inpatient services. This will help them due to the fact that inpatient rehabs offer a wide range of services.

Your lifestyle is another factor to consider. Do you find it hard to live among people due to the status you hold in society? Can you afford the treatment programmes you are opting for? Such kind of factors among others will determine the outcome of the best treatment programmes suited for your needs.

Get help today!

If you are willing to quit drug or alcohol abuse but lack a starting point, then seek professional help today. ADT Healthcare is a free helpline and we can help you select suitable treatment in your local area. You can contact us on 0800 138 0722 or via our online enquiry form.

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