Individuals making the life-altering decision to seek treatment for their substance dependencies face several choices regarding the type of program to enter. One specific kind is known as outpatient treatment.
Outpatient Program Overview
This form of help offers recipients the opportunity to undergo drug rehabilitation on an outpatient basis. It differs from the more traditional inpatient therapy in that the patient is not required to spend extended periods of time inside medical facilities or treatment clinics.
Types Of Outpatient Programs
Outpatient offerings come in several different shapes and sizes and may vary in the intensity with which therapy is delivered.
The lowest intensity programs are geared towards subjects with minor dependencies or those at the beginning and most correctable stages of addiction. Such remediation often involves basic counseling and education referencing the potential hazards of continued drug usage.
That said, persons possessing severer dependencies often require more aggressive treatment that might be offered in the form of programs including:
Support Groups
These gatherings, which are also referred to as care groups, are designed to help strengthen a member’s commitment to maintaining sobriety. They are overseen by trained addiction professionals equipped to provide instruction on the attainment of life skills needed to accomplish this goal.
These meetings take place at different locations and at varying intervals such as several times per week, weekly, or possibly even monthly. Moreover, they may be organized for individuals of a certain age, gender, or recovering from a specific addiction.
Intensive Outpatient Programs
Known specifically as IOPs, these offerings offer recipients the opportunity to receive in-depth care but not be forced to reside in a residential treatment facility. That said, patients still often undergo intensive therapy such as:
- Counseling
- Discovering the underlying reasons why they began using
- The identification of coping mechanisms
- Lifestyle improvement tips
Above all, recipients will be given instructions regarding how to return to normal life as sober subjects.
Suitable Candidates For Outpatient Programs
Outpatient treatment programs are not designed to meet the needs of all recovering addicts. Those with serious or longstanding dependencies will more likely find success undergoing intensive inpatient treatment.
That said, such subjects might require the assistance of outpatient offerings if they lack or possess limited medical insurance coverage or possess major familial or professional obligations. Moreover, outpatient treatment might better serve one’s needs when:
Other Underlying Health Problems Are Present
Individuals with notable mental or physical ailments might be better served enrolling in outpatient care. Numerous outpatient programs seek to assist subjects stricken with co-existing mental or emotional disorders. Moreover, persons with moderate to severe health problems may stand a better chance of beating addiction and not experiencing greater medical concerns if under the care of physicians familiar with their circumstances.
Initial Inpatient Treatment Has Been Completed
Those who have successfully completed an inpatient treatment program may benefit from outpatient care. Outpatient facilities usually serve as optimal providers for aftercare, which is therapy given to those who may require just a tiny bit more transitional assistance before heading back out into civilian life.
Benefits Associated With Outpatient Treatment
This form of addiction therapy carries the potential to yield several benefits such as:
Providing A Greater Degree Of Privacy
Those concerned about maintaining some semblance of anonymity are more likely to achieve such aims in an outpatient program. In such settings, recipients receive one-to-one care with trained healthcare providers and counselors dispensing treatment and advice bound to privacy laws established by the medical industry.
Meeting The Recipient’s Exact Needs
Inpatient programs are more geared towards serving a larger grouping of individuals within an established setting. Outpatient undertakings are typically designed to meet the specific requirements of the individual receiving such services.
Reducing Costs
Inpatient treatment is quite expensive. This can be attributed to the fact that these facilities can be far from a patient’s home and require said subject to live at such residences for prolonged periods. Outpatient treatment is usually a far more affordable option because the recipient can remain close to home.
Choosing The Right Outpatient Program?
The prospective patient should choose the most appropriate type of outpatient treatment after first consulting with close relations, healthcare providers, and addiction specialists. Said subjects can help the would-be patient assess their needs and identify institutions offering the most befitting care.
Contacting Us
Individuals with questions or concerns about substance abuse treatment are encouraged to consult with the experienced, caring, and skilled professionals working for our Boston, Massachusetts center. We have helped countless former addicts from the northeastern United States and beyond squelch their dependencies and take back control of their lives. Call us at 833.970.2054
