Are you leaving an inpatient rehab facility and wondering where to go next for further treatment? Are you considering attending treatment for a substance use disorder, but you can’t take off from work to participate in an inpatient treatment?
You are not alone in these questions. In 2022, 54,000 people over the age of 18 received substance use disorder treatment in New Hampshire. Many of them had similar questions regarding what steps they should take regarding recovery. Addiction Recovery Services has discovered a better way to treat people. While we only offer intensive outpatient (IOP), we offer flexibility to allow workers and students to receive treatment that works around their schedules. However, you may be wondering, what is outpatient rehab?
What Is an Outpatient Rehab Facility?
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An outpatient rehab facility is where you attend treatment during the day for several hours. This time commitment may be an hour or so a week or several hours over multiple days, depending on the type of outpatient rehab you attend. After completing your treatment that day, you will return home until your next session or appointment. These treatments are less intensive than inpatient programs, but they still provide many of the same types of therapy as an inpatient program, just less often and with less structure.
Types of Outpatient Rehab
There are 3 main types of outpatient rehab, which vary in intensity and time commitment. They will utilize the same or similar therapies, and someone might experience all three types during their entire treatment journey. These types of outpatient rehab are as follows:
The most intensive and time-committed outpatient option is a partial hospitalization program (PHP). During PHP, you will spend the majority of the day, every day, at the facility receiving treatment. PHP is the highest level of outpatient out there and works well for those leaving detox or an inpatient program but feel like they still need intensive treatment despite no longer needing inpatient care.
The next level of outpatient care, which is less intensive and time-consuming than PHP, is an intensive outpatient program (IOP). IOP is the only level of care we offer at Addiction Recovery Services. Intensive outpatient treatment combines different forms of therapies and groups in the course of a few hours a day. IOP also meets less frequently than PHP. For example, a PHP program may require you to be at the facility 5 days a week, while an IOP program may only require your attendance 3 or 4 days a week.
The lowest level of outpatient care is traditional outpatient treatment, similar to going to your doctor for an appointment. At this level of care, you may only receive treatment once or twice a week for an hour or so. This treatment may include individual counseling, group therapy, or both. As you progress in your treatment journey, this level of care may become less frequent.
How Does Outpatient Rehab Work?
An outpatient rehab will involve daily or weekly therapies that help with the recovery from a substance use disorder. These therapies may be individual counseling, group therapy, or both and take place at a licensed treatment facility. People attend this treatment daily to learn skills and techniques, then go home and fulfill their responsibilities outside recovery.
Outpatient Rehab Techniques
During outpatient rehab, you may experience a combination of prescribed medications, individual, group, or family therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Other therapies may also occur, but these are the most common.
The medications prescribed during an outpatient rehab may help with lingering withdrawal symptoms or treat co-occurring mental health conditions. Psychiatrists will monitor these medications, and they may eventually taper them with time and improvement.
Individual therapy allows you to meet with a counselor in a safe and supportive environment as you explore current concerns in your life. In group therapy, you will be in a group of peers experiencing the same things you are. You will be able to form close relationships as you share experiences, communicate emotions, and provide support for others like yourself. Family therapy focuses on restructuring communication and support within your family dynamic.
CBT is a type of therapy that occurs throughout all of the above therapies. It teaches techniques for identifying harmful thoughts and altering them into healthy thoughts. These techniques may include stress management, goal setting, relaxation, or meditation.
The Benefits of Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment involves individual and group therapies and is often the next step after inpatient treatment. This level of treatment tends to be less expensive than inpatient treatment, but it also comes with less intensive care.
Pros and Cons of Outpatient Treatment and Inpatient Treatment
People should consider the pros and cons when deciding whether to attend outpatient or inpatient treatment. During your recovery journey, you may experience both, as they can be beneficial at different points.
Benefits of an outpatient treatment may include:
- Being able to live at home during treatment
- Being able to maintain employment and relationships
- In some cases, treatment may be available in the evenings or weekends
- There are several types of therapy offered
However, a few drawbacks might occur when someone has decided to attend an outpatient treatment. These might include not having access to immediate care in the event of cravings or crises. You will also need to ensure you can attend your treatment sessions. Since you are not living at the facility, you will need to be able to attend and participate in your treatment sessions.
Inpatient treatment also has benefits. These benefits may include:
- You receive 24/7 support with medical staff available at all times
- Treatment is highly structured
- Treatment prepares you for long-term success in recovery
Just like outpatient treatment, inpatient treatment always has some drawbacks. For example, inpatient treatment often disconnects people from their daily lives. They may need to find care for their children or leave work or school to receive treatment. Inpatient care can also be more expensive than outpatient.
How Much Does Outpatient Rehab Cost?
How much outpatient rehab will cost you depends on whether you have insurance and the type of outpatient you attend. Some insurances require a copay or deductible, while others may pay in full. At Addiction Recovery Services, we currently accept several insurance plans. If you don’t have insurance or don’t have insurance we take, we will work with you to determine an appropriate payment plan or help you find a service that will work best for you.
How Long Is Outpatient Rehab?
Outpatient rehab can vary in length for each person. One person may only need a few months, while others may need longer. It depends on your specific needs and how well you progress through treatment and recovery. Do not worry if it takes longer to progress through an outpatient treatment than someone else. Everyone progresses at their own pace, and no two lengths of time are wrong.
Why Are Outpatient Services So Popular?
Outpatient services are becoming popular for several reasons, including the benefits they offer that are not available at an inpatient level. Outpatient services are often cheaper than inpatient services, which makes them appealing to those who wish to get treatment for a substance use disorder but don’t want the expensive medical bill that comes with inpatient treatment.
Outpatient care is also more accessible and convenient for many people. When people attend an outpatient service over an inpatient service, they do not have to leave their jobs, education, or children behind to get treatment. Outpatient treatment provides them with flexibility that ensures they can maintain their responsibilities at work and in their personal lives while also recovering from a substance use disorder.
Outpatient Rehab at Addiction Recovery Services
Whether you are starting your treatment for the first time or deciding on where to go for continuing your treatment following inpatient, it can feel like an overwhelming task. At Addiction Recovery Services, we provide intensive outpatient treatment, allowing you to maintain your relationships, work, and education while you are recovering with us.
Addiction Recovery Services has developed a better way to treat people in Greenland, NH. We address mental health through specific programming and have psychiatric appointments available. Call us at 978-228-5853 today for more information.
FAQs About Outpatient Rehab
Why are outpatient services so popular?
Outpatient services are becoming popular because they are often cheaper, more accessible, and more convenient than inpatient services.
What type of outpatient rehab is right for me?
The right type of outpatient rehab for you depends on your unique needs. If you would benefit from a more structured and intensive form of outpatient, a partial hospitalization program is the right choice for your needs. However, if you want something that requires less commitment and time but still supports you, an intensive outpatient program may suit you.