Over 20 million Americans over the age of 12 suffer from a substance use disorder. Only a few of them receive professional addiction treatment. There are many reasons for that, ranging from barriers created by stigma to lack of information about what is available. At Pennsylvania Adult and Teen Challenge (PAATC), we want to get the word out to as many people as possible that help is available. One of the first choices someone entering rehab makes is inpatient vs. outpatient programs, including traditional outpatient treatment and intensive outpatient program treatment.
Don’t let a lack of information hold you back. At PAATC, our staff is ready to walk you through a range of options and answer all your questions, no matter what they are. Take the first step by reaching out today via phone at 844.442.8673 or online form.
Outpatient vs. Inpatient Program – How to Choose?
Your choice will be determined largely by your personal needs and the severity of your addiction. Some factors to consider:
- Years of substance use
- Co-occurring mental health disorder
- Medical history
- Previous relapse
- Home setting – support network, trigger free, etc.
Whichever you qualify for and ultimately choose, both inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment will help you begin your recovery and reduce the risk of relapse.
What Is an Outpatient Program?
Outpatient treatment is perfect for those with responsibilities and other circumstances limiting their ability to commit to residential rehab. You can receive the therapies and peer support groups needed to help your recovery on a schedule that works for you.
Outpatient programs can be low- or high-intensity. A low-intensity program will require between six and 12 hours weekly. An intensive outpatient program (IOP) requires a greater time commitment, occasionally up to 30 hours a week.
The outpatient program means that you can live at home as long as you have a strong, committed network and a trigger-free environment. The cost is lower for outpatient rehab, and there are options for level of intensity. In addition, you can usually engage in treatment around your work or school schedule, for example, on weekends or in the evening.
However, there are some things to consider about an outpatient program:
- Can you manage a schedule and get yourself to and from therapy and group sessions? If you do not know if you can keep up with the self-managed structure of outpatient therapy, inpatient rehab may be more suitable for you.
- Do you struggle with constant cravings, even after medically supervised detox is over? The 24/7 nature of inpatient support may be better for you, at least at first.
- Do you have a co-occurring mental health diagnosis? Inpatient settings are usually more conducive to a dual diagnosis treatment protocol. In-house medical staff can provide monitoring as well as medication management.
What Is an Inpatient Program?
An inpatient addiction treatment program, also called residential treatment, offers the same evidence-based treatments as an outpatient program. However, you live in the rehab facility for the duration. The intensity is greater because you have many more hours of contact with addiction specialists in one-on-one therapy, group therapy, support groups, and other modalities that support recovery.
Some of the benefits of inpatient treatment include:
- You have professional staff available to you 24 hours a day for support. You never have to be alone.
- The rehab center provides a guaranteed trigger- and substance-free setting.
- There is a range of options for length of stay, from as short as six weeks to as long as six months or even a year.
- You do not have to create your own schedule but instead can focus on learning and healing.
- Any co-occurring disorders can be managed safely and professionally.
However, there are also some critical things to consider about an inpatient program. For instance, are you able to live comfortably within the rigid structure of inpatient rehab treatment? This makes the care effective, but only if you can operate comfortably within that system. It is also important to consider whether you can leave your daily life and responsibilities for some time. Inpatient rehab works if you have a system at home to care for your children, a workplace that is accommodating, and the ability to pause your education until rehab is complete. A final consideration is the cost of treatment. Because of the room and board addition to the expense of inpatient rehab, it is more costly.
Learn About the Treatment Options Available at Pennsylvania Adult and Teen Challenge.
You can leave substance use behind and live a life of recovery. Call PAATC today at 844.442.8673, or use our online form, to connect with a counselor who can present the options available to you. Don’t wait to start your recovery. Let us help you begin the healing.
