Is Outpatient Treatment Enough To Treat Addiction?

Outpatient treatment programs provide care and support for people facing drug or alcohol addiction. Treatment is administered in non-restrictive settings, where clients receiving care return home after treatment sessions end for the day. Outpatient programs (OPs) help people learn and develop tools to handle difficult situations, emotions, and triggers in their day-to-day lives. These levels of care may be where people with milder addictions begin treatment, but they also often serve as transitional, or “step down,” forms of care following inpatient rehab, assisting with reintegration into day-to-day life.

Learn more about outpatient addiction treatment programs, what they consist of, and pros and cons to determine if an OP may be suitable for you or your loved one.

What Is Outpatient Addiction Treatment?

Participating in outpatient addiction treatment enables people in recovery to attend treatment sessions during the day and/or evening and then return home afterwards. Many people in OPs reside at a sober living facility and are required to be in an OP as a condition of their residency. OPs are generally held in hospitals, clinics, mental health centers, or counselor’s offices. Unlike inpatient rehab, people in OPs have a less restrictive schedule, which allows some people to continue working, going to school, and/or maintaining family responsibilities.

Outpatient treatment can help tremendously with supporting recovery, but it isn’t for everyone. For example, OPs may not be suitable for people with severe, long-term addictions, particularly if they never received any other form of treatment. OPs also may not be suitable for people who are newly overcoming addiction while dealing with physical health issues.

OPs may benefit people who:

• are in the early phases of addiction
• are transitioning out of inpatient treatment
• have experienced a relapse

Types Of Outpatient Programs

There are three general types of outpatient programs, described below beginning with the highest-intensity program and ending with the least restrictive program.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

PHPs provide more intensive care than other OPs, but still don’t require those in care to live onsite. Rather, people return to their homes or sober living residences after attending their PHP for the day.

According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), PHPs must provide at least 20 hours of treatment each week. The duration of treatment is typically four to six weeks, but it may continue for longer depending on individual need. People in PHPs are given specialized support for co-occurring physical and mental health issues, as well as medication management. PHPs may incorporate various alternative therapies, including animal therapy, art therapy, and music therapy, in addition to evidence-based therapies. People in PHPs also learn life skills such as healthy coping mechanisms, emotional regulation techniques, and problem-solving strategies.

PHPs are for people who still want a high level of care but don’t require 24-hour support. People in PHPs may not be able to continue working or going to school throughout their treatment depending on the hours and the hourly requirements of their employer and class schedule.

PHPs can provide:

• higher-level general support than other outpatient options
• more oversight for medical and/or behavioral health issues that do not require 24-hour monitoring
• support for people experiencing mild to moderate withdrawal symptoms

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

Intensive outpatient programs may serve as a step down from PHPs. IOPs are a type of outpatient addiction treatment that is between inpatient rehab and conventional therapy. People in IOPs continue to receive treatment in facilities like hospitals, clinics, and behavioral health centers but leave after sessions are over. Unlike PHPs, healthcare professionals do not provide support for medical issues, though support remains for mental health concerns. According to ASAM, IOPs must provide nine to 19 hours of treatment per week, and typically last for two weeks to three months. People in IOPs are usually able to continue working and/or attending school throughout their treatment.

IOPs involve a combination of one-on-one and group therapies, helping people further develop the life skills they need to manage their day-to-day lives while abstaining from substances. IOPs often also require participation in peer-led recovery groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA). The peer recovery aspect of IOPs helps communicate the notion of never having to feel alone. People are given the chance to speak on topics related to addiction and recovery, and connect with like-minded individuals who are also navigating newfound sobriety. Overall, IOPs help people develop a deeper understanding of addiction and their own experience with addiction, and how to manage their reactions to life situations that may have otherwise been triggering.

IOPs can provide:

• skill-building opportunities to support employment, relationships, and day-to-day life
• education on the causes of substance abuse
• relapse prevention techniques
• communication strategies for navigating family dynamics

Outpatient Therapy

The least-intensive form of outpatient treatment is traditional therapy. Outpatient therapy entails meeting with a psychologist, social worker, therapist, peer recovery specialist, or other mental health professional. Immediately after an IOP finishes, outpatient therapy can serve as a place to further discuss relapse prevention techniques, work through triggers, and work on developing healthier thought and behavioral patterns to discourage further substance use. Individuals may also join peer-led recovery groups to discuss similar topics with members and a sponsor.

The Cost Of Outpatient Addiction Treatment

Outpatient treatment is significantly less costly than inpatient treatment. Inpatient treatment centers provide 24-hour supervision, serve meals and snacks throughout the day, house residents for extended periods, and more, all of which involves higher fees. According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS), a single month of inpatient treatment at the most inexpensive facilities averages $6,000 a month, while three months of outpatient treatment at the most inexpensive programs averages $5,000.

Out-of-pocket costs will vary depending on your insurance provider and plan. If you don’t have insurance, you may be eligible for free or low-cost outpatient treatment from public hospitals or other public facilities.

Benefits And Challenges Of Outpatient Rehab

There are benefits and challenges associated with outpatient addiction treatment, depending on where someone is in their recovery.

Some of the benefits of participating in an OP include:

• greater familial involvement
• less restrictive environment
• more affordability
• flexibility to maintain employment and/or school schedules

Some people are prepared for the higher-level responsibility that’s required to participate in OPs, and other people aren’t. Potential challenges of being in an OP revolve mainly around the readiness for such a program. Because preparedness varies from person to person, there are different levels of outpatient treatment to meet individuals where they are in their recovery journeys.

Some of the challenges of participating in an OP include:

• less supervision
• greater ease of access to addictive substances and temptations to use
• difficulty balancing treatment and recovery with home life, employment, and/or school
• access to a vehicle and/or public transportation to travel to and from the facility
• reintegrating back into life, where triggers, difficult situations, responsibilities, and expectations are factors

If you start attending an OP and you feel you could benefit from additional support, speak to your counselor immediately. It’s crucial for the care you receive to accommodate your specific recovery needs.

Begin Your Journey At Bedrock Recovery Center Today

If you or a loved one are looking to break free from addiction and are worried that outpatient treatment may not be enough, we can help. Bedrock Recovery Center offers residential care to help provide the support you need to overcome addiction. Call us today to learn more.