Drug Rehab: Outpatient vs. Inpatient - What's the Difference?

When an addict finally decides to seek out the helpparticipating in an addiction recovery program opt for
he so desperately needs, he will have two primaryoutpatient treatment.
types of addiction treatment programs to chooseAnother option some addicts choose to follow is
from: inpatient and outpatient.partial hospitalization.
Understanding the differences and similarities of theseWith this type of treatment, the patient remains
two programs will help make it easier for the addicthome at night, but attends treatment more
and his loved ones to identify which is best for hisfrequently than a person undergoing standard
individual needs.outpatient treatment. Generally, a person in a partial
Similarities Between Inpatient and Outpatienthospitalization program attends the program three to
Addiction Treatment Programsseven days per week for three to twelve hours per
Inpatient and outpatient addiction treatmentday.
programs have many characteristics in common. ForAdvantages of Outpatient Treatment
instance, both types of programs generally utilizeWhen it comes to choosing the right addiction
individual and group therapy. Because addiction has anrecovery program, there are many factors to
effect on the entire family, most provide couples andconsider. For example, an outpatient treatment
family therapy. Inpatient and outpatient programsprogram may be best for a person that:
also educate the addict and the family about the* Needs to continue working every day while
nature of addiction while guiding the addict throughundergoing treatment
goal setting and monitoring of those goals.* Cannot afford to pay for inpatient treatment,
Differences Between Inpatient and Outpatientwhich tends to be quite costly
Addiction Treatment Programs* Needs to remain near to family
The most obvious difference between an inpatient* Has a supportive household that will ensure he
and outpatient addiction treatment program is theattends treatment programs and carries through with
location of the patient during treatment.program goals while at home
As the name implies, those who receive help throughIt is important to note that a person utilizing
an inpatient treatment program remain at aoutpatient treatment needs to be able to deal with
treatment facility 24 hours per day. The exactthe real world while recovering from addiction. For
number of days the patient remains at the inpatientsome, this is too much to bear, while for others the
treatment facility depends on the policies of thedaily tests they encounter can help to strengthen
rehab center and the individual needs of the patient.their commitment and their methods of coping with
In general, these programs last three to six weeks.addiction.
After the intensive inpatient treatment is complete, itA partial hospitalization program has many of the
is generally suggested that the patient receivesame advantages of an outpatient addiction
extensive outpatient treatment.treatment program. It does, however, provide more
An outpatient addiction treatment program, on thestructure and more intensive programming than
other hand, allows the patient to remain at homeoutpatient treatment. Partial hospitalization is usually
while undergoing treatment.more costly than outpatient treatment, but less
This makes it possible for the addict to continuecostly than inpatient.
working and to be with his family while undergoingAdvantages of Inpatient Treatment
care. In an outpatient program, the patient attendsThere are many reasons to consider inpatient
treatment during the day.addiction treatment rather than outpatient. These
As with inpatient treatment, the number of days thereasons include:
addict attends treatment per week and the length ofRead the rest of the article on Drug Rehab: Inpatient
the program depends on the rehab center policiesvs Outpatient on CalRehabGuide.
and the individual needs of the addict. 85% of people