Outpatient Rehab

Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Rehab

Outpatient treatment offers wide-ranging benefits to individuals seeking help against alcohol and drug addiction. People who realize their problems at the early phase of their addiction need proper guidance. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAHMSA) educates them with the right information they need to start the journey to recovery. Whether you are recovering from alcohol or drug addiction, the following information will help you decide the best treatment program in your neighborhood.

People addicted to various substances such as Oxycodone or Heroin typically choose inpatient residential programs to control withdrawal and manage detoxification. However, if you are in the early phase of the addiction and consume mild substances, an outpatient rehab program will successfully treat you.

What is Outpatient Rehab?

Outpatient rehab is the best option when a patient decides to undergo a drug or alcohol rehabilitation program without living in isolation in a healthcare department. After registering for this program, the patient can live at home and other therapeutic and safe environments to spend a normal life. However, the patient has to visit a mental health clinic or rehabilitation center for encouragement on a specific day of the week.

Since the patient isn’t bound to stay in the rehabilitation center, they can balance their professional, personal, and family obligations and responsibilities without disrupting their treatment process. Professionals conducting the rehab program will help you choose the right time and duration of the session.

When the patient visits the treatment center for an outpatient rehab program, healthcare professionals will diagnose the intensity level of the addiction. Depending on the patient’s condition, doctors will plan the outpatient treatment settings and process.

How Do Residential And Outpatient Rehab Programs Compare?

An outpatient rehab program offers convenience and flexibility to the patients. That’s why many patients opt for this program. Furthermore, this program doesn’t cause strain on your pockets. Therefore, patients with an average income prefer this method to recover from substance abuse. However, the outpatient rehab program doesn’t work for everyone. If a patient has severe alcohol and drug addiction, they should choose an inpatient or residential rehab program. For that, a healthcare professional examines the patient’s condition and chooses an effective rehabilitation program.

• Outpatient rehab is a flexible program
• The program is budget-friendly

There are numerous outpatient rehab benefits. However, professionals sometimes recommend residential rehab to the patient. This method is more comprehensive than outpatient. In this method, a caretaker will live in the patient’s house, helping them deal with the addiction. Some benefits of residential rehab program are:

• 24/7 Care
• Patients with severe addiction can join this rehab center.

How Much Does Outpatient Rehab Cost?

Outpatient programs are less expensive than other rehab programs, such as inpatient rehab. Furthermore, therapy costs will vary depending on the intensity level ranging from mild to moderate. On average, a three months program might cost $5,000. Many outpatient programs also go as high as $10,000. The rehab cost depends on the number of visits, duration of the sessions, and cost of the medication.

Patients can also consult their insurance company to pay for their rehabilitation expenses. To ensure that the insurance company covers drug addiction, patients should check with their healthcare insurance company. Many insurance companies partially cover the expense, so it would be best if the patient confirmed with the company before registration. Here are some types of insurance that include addiction care:

• Private insurance
• Medicare or Medicaid
• State-financed health insurance
• Military insurance

Furthermore, low-income patients can ask the healthcare facility for financing options other than insurance. Financing options are convenient but often offer limited funds and long waiting lists.

How Long Is Outpatient Rehab?

In an outpatient rehab program, the patient has the freedom to decide how long they want to continue the treatment. Many patients, who don’t show up in the sessions regularly, require more time to complete the program. Whether the patient joined community support groups, process groups, or 12-step meetings, their recovery time may vary. When patients listen to motivational stories in such groups, they tend to recover from their addiction quickly. Also, these groups help patients make new sober friends, which eventually encourages them to avoid harmful substances permanently.

Many patients who spend more than a year in alcohol and drug outpatient recovery programs join support groups. These groups boost their motivation level to higher dimensions. When patients meet a new member in the group who is still in their initial stage, they feel more strength. Becoming an example for other boosts their morale to maintain their sobriety. These sessions boost patients’ self-esteem, and they feel happy about their fulfillment and achievement.

What Happens If You Fail a Drug Test In Outpatient Rehab?

Although outpatient rehab gives patients some freedom, there are drawbacks as well. For instance, when patients are free to go anywhere they want while on addiction treatment, there is a risk that they feel more tempted to drugs. Since they can easily meet people and visit places that tie them with the substance, they might go back to that addictive lifestyle. This may result in leaving the program overnight.

Many patients take drug tests once in a while to keep them accountable. This makes them feel good and help them prove to their loved one about their dedication to quitting. Keep in mind that the drug test results are confidential and the testing center will share the result with the patient only. Unless a court or judge mandates the drug testing center to share the results. Under such conditions, the patient might receive a penalty or other sentence.  

What Is Outpatient Rehab Like?

Patients, after choosing the outpatient program attend weekly or daily sessions. The healthcare professionals at the rehab center will decide the duration and number of sessions depending on their condition. The sessions might take place at a counselor’s office, hospital, or mental health clinic.

There are two types of outpatient programs that include partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient. On your first visit to the rehabilitation center, the addiction specialist will evaluate your condition and help you choose a program from these two options. Besides flexibility and freedom, the inpatient program also offers:

• Access to support groups
• Addiction counseling
• Relapse prevention training
• Addiction education courses

Furthermore, by participating in the outpatient program, patients develop invaluable skills that they may have lost by consuming the harmful substance. Therefore, outpatient rehab gives life-long benefits to patients so they can improve their life. Some skills that outpatient rehab helps patients with are:

• Social skills
• Employment skills
• Manage finances
• Time management
• Control anger and stress
• Accomplish goals

Keep in mind that not every feature or service mentioned above are available in all rehabilitation centers. Regardless, outpatient rehab is effective for many patients and encourages them to live a happy and healthy life. After completing a rehabilitation program, people feel strong and motivated to quit harmful substances and achieve their life goals.

Conclusion

Are you planning to take an outpatient rehabilitation program? If yes, then the information discussed in this piece would be ideal for you. Keep in mind that recovery from abusive substances takes time. You need to stay motivated and maintain consistency. If you feel you are losing self-control, consider contacting your healthcare professional right away.