Sobriety can be elusive. Cravings, relapse and personal challenges can all be major roadblocks in the journey to break free from drugs or alcohol. The good news is, there is hope for long-term recovery when you commit to outpatient treatment.
What does outpatient treatment look like?
In the realm of recovery there are many different terms thrown around to describe different types of programs and services that compromise treatment. Outpatient is one of these terms, and while the exact definition may differ for each facility, outpatient generally means that individuals come and go between sessions.
Participants reside at home, partake in work or school and generally keep to a regular life schedule with a few hours devoted to treatment throughout the week. The exception being intensive outpatient, which occurs during regular work hours.
Outpatient treatment is better understood compared to inpatient treatment. Inpatient programs are residential, and individuals spend the day and night at the facility. Outpatient is anything that does not include an overnight stay. Each option has unique pros and cons, and both can be effective in helping a person get sober. The best treatment is generally a combination of the two.
When will I participate in outpatient treatment?
Each person’s situation and recovery is unique, but there are some commonalities to addiction treatment. A typical timeline of recovery starts with hospitalization or detox, continues through inpatient services or residential programming and then outpatient services are offered.
While some choose to forgo participating in outpatient treatment because the hard work of withdrawal is over, skipping outpatient services is a mistake. Although the time commitment and intensity of treatment are scaled back during outpatient treatment, continuing to build skills and process your experiences is critical to staying sober in the long-term.
How can outpatient treatment solidify my sobriety?
There are numerous addiction outpatient treatment benefits that you’ll want to take advantage of. Here are the top reasons you’ll want to stick with treatment even when it feels like you don’t need to.
Connection to other services: While you may have built a repertoire of skills and knowledge to handle triggers and cravings, outpatient treatment can give you tools to improve other areas of your life. Educational and vocational assistance, help with housing, financial management and life skills training are all common services you can benefit from when you participate in outpatient treatment. These adjunct services help you build a life that supports recovery instead of letting life stress work against your sobriety.
More affordable: Inpatient stays can be more costly than outpatient stays due to the nature of the program. When you are partaking in outpatient treatment you’re responsible for covering your own meals, housing, transportation and more, which can majorly cut costs.
Flexibility: Continuing to support your recovery with professional therapy and other services doesn’t mean you need to compromise your personal life. One of the best perks of outpatient treatment is that for most programs you will be able to schedule treatment at times that work for you. The shorter duration of sessions means you’ll be able to add in addiction treatment without major sacrifices to your routine.
Slow transition: Sometimes, returning to regular life too quickly can reverse the progress a person has made in inpatient treatment. Outpatient treatment can act as a buffer, helping you readjust to your normal life surrounded by support. Sadly, relapse often occurs when a person abruptly leaves inpatient treatment for his or her old environment. A great addiction outpatient treatment benefit is that you’ll ease back into your day-to-day life with tools to manage triggers.
Creature comforts: Recovery from substance use is a grueling process, and the sterile atmosphere of inpatient treatment can be helpful, but it can also feel uncomfortable. Outpatient treatment allows you to enjoy the solace of the place you call home. You’ll be able to return home after treatment to enjoy some alone time, the familiarity of your favorite meals and the space you need to reflect.
You can take advantage of these and other outpatient treatment benefits for your recovery- and soon. Talk to an addiction specialist to see if outpatient services are right for you and how to get started.
Take back control and start professional treatment. You deserve to lead a happy life where you’re in charge- not drugs or alcohol. Rehab After Work can help you hold the power in your life. With convenient scheduling to accommodate your work and family life, there’s no reason to let sobriety wait another moment. Call 610-644-6464 now.
