Deciding to seek treatment for drug or alcohol addiction is a big decision and a brave step toward recovery.
But contrary to popular belief, you do not have to wait for things to get worse before seeking professional treatment.
With an outpatient rehab center for drug and alcohol addiction, you can get help for your substance use disorder right now and no longer have to suffer the negative consequences that come with it.
What is Outpatient Drug Rehab?
Outpatient rehab is a type of drug and alcohol addiction treatment that doesn’t require you to live at a rehab facility full-time. This program meets several times a week for several weeks to allow you to continue to go to work or school and handle household and family responsibilities.
Sometimes, outpatient rehab is used as a step-down for people who have completed inpatient treatment. Other times, it is the starting point for an individual’s addiction treatment. The most important consideration is whether or not it will work for you at this present moment in your addiction recovery journey.
Outpatient Rehab Programs vs Inpatient Rehab Programs
Inpatient and outpatient rehab share the same goal: to help you and your loved ones navigate the difficulties of addiction recovery through substance abuse treatment.
However, both of these therapeutic interventions take very different approaches.
Here are the major differences between inpatient and outpatient rehab programs:
- Inpatient rehab requires you to live on-site. With outpatient drug rehab, you can remain in the comfort of your own home.
- Most residential programs offering inpatient care require 30 to 60 days of ongoing supervision. Outpatient rehab often takes place over a more extended period of time, with some programs lasting 12 weeks or longer.
- An inpatient rehab program may offer medical detox or clinical management, as well as partial hospitalization services to provide addiction medicine during detoxification. You’re unlikely to see these services in an outpatient setting, as these non-medical environments tend to offer life skills training, counseling sessions, and psychiatric services instead.
- Inpatient treatment is often more expensive, as it has to factor in the costs of food, lodging, and round-the-clock care. Outpatient drug rehab may be slightly less expensive, to the point where you can cover out-of-pocket costs.
There are also a few similarities to keep in mind:
- Both inpatient and outpatient rehab programs typically accept private insurance coverage.
- Many of them accommodate rehab for professionals.
- Both outpatient and inpatient programs follow Treatment Improvement Protocols (TIPs) as suggested by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
- Many inpatient and outpatient clinics offer targeted mental health care, including family therapy, group counseling, behavioral therapies, and more.
So how do you know which recovery program is right for you?
If you are battling severe substance misuse and are at risk for dangerous withdrawal symptoms, you may want to select an inpatient rehab center to design an intensive treatment plan.
In contrast, if you are currently receiving treatment for drug use and require continued access to home, work, and personal responsibilities, day treatment from an outpatient clinic may be a suitable option.
What Can I Expect From an Outpatient Rehab Near Me?
Most outpatient programs include individual and group counseling, individual and group therapy, and education about addiction.
Other services include:
- Development of life skills like vocational and career goals, financial responsibility, stress management, and more
- Relapse prevention techniques such as diet and exercise
- Connection to support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, and SMART Recovery
Keep in mind the programs offered will vary depending on the facility in question.
What Are the Benefits of Outpatient Rehab?
When deciding which type of drug and alcohol rehab program to attend, it’s important to understand the benefits you’ll get from your choice. Outpatient programs have seen increased demand over the past decades due to their advantages.
Some of these include:
Flexibility
Outpatient programs meet a few times a week, making it possible to continue working or attending school. This is especially important if you cannot take a leave of absence to attend inpatient treatment.
Access to family
Because you continue to live at home, going to outpatient treatment means that you don’t have to be away from family for an extended time. For individuals who have supportive family members, this can be very beneficial. It’s also ideal for parents with small children who would have to make arrangements for childcare if they attended an inpatient program.
Access to the recovery community
When you attend outpatient treatment, you can also build connections in your local recovery community. 12-step programs and other support meetings can help to reinforce your therapies and treatment modalities.
Affordability
Outpatient treatment is often significantly less expensive than inpatient treatment as you don’t have to pay the costs of living at a facility for a period of time. However, your private insurance provider should cover some or all of the costs.
Who Should Attend Outpatient Rehab?
Many studies show that inpatient addiction treatment is an effective way for people to get sober. However, many individuals with substance use disorders do not need that intensive level of care.
If you are not at risk of severe withdrawal symptoms and have no co-occurring mental health issues, then you may be a good candidate for outpatient treatment.
Those who are more likely to be successful in recovery with outpatient addiction treatment have:
- Mild to moderate drug or alcohol addiction
- No risk of severe withdrawal symptoms with medical complications
- Motivation to attend sessions regularly
- Reliable transportation to and from treatment sessions
- A supportive group of family and friends
- Previously been to inpatient treatment but relapsed
- Close sober partners who will assist if there’s a crisis
- Good mental health, aside from addiction
People who relate to all the above may have an addiction, but not need monitoring and 24/7 care. They often succeed in outpatient programs that provide a moderate level of help.
Those who may NOT be a good fit for outpatient treatment have:
- Serious, long-lasting, or multiple addictions
- Poor support systems at home
- Co-occurring mental health conditions
- A history of chronic relapsing
- Risk of severe withdrawal or past complications with withdrawal
- Quit attending outpatient treatment in the past
If you’re unsure about how to decide whether outpatient rehab is the right fit for your needs, you should talk with an addiction treatment professional and see what is recommended.
What to Look for in an Outpatient Rehab in Fresno
Fresno is home to many drug and alcohol treatment centers that offer outpatient rehab, so you must know what to look for and which questions you should ask when narrowing your search.
The first consideration is your specific needs and which rehab program will best address those needs. Some of the most important factors to consider are the program quality, accreditation, credentials and experience of the staff, success rates, cost, and insurance acceptance.
As you evaluate outpatient rehabs for those factors, look for the following:
- Positive client ratings, reviews, and testimonials
- Conducting a comprehensive substance abuse assessment
- Individualized treatment plans
- A holistic approach to recovery
- Various treatments, including group, individual, and family therapies
- Aftercare programs that provide long-term support
- Use of evidence-based methods of treatment
- Life and coping skills instruction
- Relapse prevention education and techniques
- Payment options that fit your budget
Questions to Ask Before Signing Up For an Outpatient Treatment Program
There are a variety of questions that you should ask treatment providers as you decide which outpatient program to attend.
Here’s a list of some questions to consider:
- Is the facility accredited and licensed? By which agencies?
- What education, certifications, or licensing does the clinical staff have?
- How long have you been providing addiction treatment?
- Do you offer a detox program?
- Do you offer treatment specific to young adults, older adults, or other populations? (as it applies to you)
- How long does the outpatient treatment program last?
- What is the patient-to-counselor ratio?
- Do you use evidence-based practices?
- How successful is your treatment program?
- Do you accept my health insurance?
- Do you provide mental health services for co-occurring disorders?
- What kind of aftercare support do you provide?
- Do you offer family participation and support?
Your list may have only a handful of the following, or you may have even more. The important thing is that you feel comfortable with the program you choose.
How My Time Recovery Can Help With a Trusted Outpatient Rehab Program
Addiction treatment marks the beginning of a new way of living. What you learn and the positive changes you make during treatment will become a solid foundation for your long-term recovery.
With the outpatient program at My Time Recovery in Fresno, you can maintain other aspects of your life, like work, school, and family responsibilities, while addressing your drug or alcohol addiction. You don’t need to worry about getting separated from your family or adjusting to a new schedule like you would in an inpatient setting.
You may contact one of the addiction professionals at My Time Recovery to inquire about our outpatient centers in Clovis, Selma, and surrounding cities. We are committed to ensuring that you are a good fit for outpatient addiction treatment and receive the highest level of care in the program.
