Drug Addiction: Inpatient VS Outpatient Treatment

The road to recovering from a drug addiction can be difficult; however, the first step is admitting that you need help in the recovery process. Professional drug addiction treatment is the best way to ensure that you have the support required to end, and move beyond, your addiction. When it comes to drug addiction treatment, there are a wide variety of options available, which can be broken down into two categories: inpatient and outpatient treatment. Given that addiction is a complex illness involving genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors, different treatment options work best with different individuals. If you or a loved one is suffering from a drug addiction, here is a quick overview of the benefits of each treatment type.

Inpatient Care

Individual Attention

Inpatient rehab requires patients to live at a treatment facility for a period of time determined by their physician based on each individual’s needs. Patients stay in the facility 24 hours a day, so that they can be watched over and attended to. This 24/7 care can be extremely beneficial to patients, as they will receive personalized attention around the clock when they need it most. Patients are not left alone during this trying time as they might have been if they were outside the treatment facility.

Supervision

One of the greatest benefits of inpatient treatment is that, for many individuals, it provides supervision and accountability when they need it most. The beginning days of a detox can be extremely difficult and is when patients are most likely to relapse. Inpatient care then helps to ensure that these individuals make it through the detox process without slipping up. This can make inpatient treatment particularly beneficial for those who have been prone to relapses in the past.

Building a Community

Inpatient treatment facilities allow patients to build a sense of community with their fellow residents. Each individual one encounters will be facing similar difficulties and struggles as they all overcome their addictions together. This allows patients to bond and support each other throughout the recovery process.

As the name suggests, outpatient care allows patients to receive treatment without having to live at the treatment facility. With outpatient care, individuals usually participate in counseling and rehabilitation programs during the day and are then able to return home to their families during the afternoon and evening. This treatment option can provide some advantages over inpatient care for certain individuals.

Outpatient Care

As the name suggests, outpatient care allows patients to receive treatment without having to live at the treatment facility. With outpatient care, individuals usually participate in counseling and rehabilitation programs during the day and are then able to return home to their families during the afternoon and evening. This treatment option can provide some advantages over inpatient care for certain individuals.

Flexibility

For many people, particularly those with families to take care of and support, inpatient care is simply not an option. Whether your job will not allow you to take the time off, or you have children who cannot be left alone, outpatient care can provide much-needed flexibility. Generally, outpatient rehab can be structured around your personal life so that you can heal yourself while maintaining your day-to-day schedule.

Live in the Real World

For many individuals, outpatient treatment helps to provide a good transition from addiction to leading a normal life, as they are required to continue their daily life while they seek treatment. While being in the real world can mean exposure to temptation and the risk of relapse, this helps patients to learn to fight the temptations they may encounter when treatment ends. This is something patients who receive inpatient treatment are not exposed to.

Family Support

One of the greatest benefits of outpatient care for many individuals is that this treatment option allows them to see their families on a daily basis. Recovering from addiction can be an extremely difficult process; however, the support of loved ones can help to make it easier. Rather than being isolated from your family, outpatient care allows them to help you on your journey towards rehabilitation.

As you can see, each of these treatment options provides certain benefits. However, the drug addiction treatment option that will work best for you will depend on your unique situation. The important thing is to choose a treatment option that will have the best chances of leading you on a path to recovery. Contact us to find out more about drug addiction treatment options, as well as to learn about enrolling yourself or a loved one in a treatment program.

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