When to Choose an Outpatient Facility

Outpatient Program

An outpatient program is ideal for those patients who have less severe addictions and also for those individuals, who are in the process of making a transition out of inpatient or residential program. Outpatient programs can be a good alternative for people, who can’t go for a residential program for any reason whatsoever, but are serious about reclaiming lasting sobriety. With an outpatient program, you don’t need to walk away from your everyday responsibilities. 

Choosing between a residential program and an outpatient program depends entirely on the stage of your addiction and your personal situation. As far as residential programs are concerned, they are meant for those individuals with severe addiction. These programs require a full-time stay at the treatment center. But, this is not the case with intensive outpatient programs (IOP). While the IOPs offered by some of the California drug treatment centers are comparable to the level of treatment offered at residential treatment programs, most of the IOPs don’t require you to stay at the facility full-time.

IOPs are meant for the individuals, who are in the early stages of an addiction or if their addiction isn't severe. The outpatient programs offer the necessary support to completely recover from addiction and prevent relapse. The program doesn’t require you to stay full time but offers all the sessions crucial to your safe recovery. These sessions include individual and group session in psychotherapy and counseling. Some of the more holistic programs also include meditation sessions, yoga, and music therapy that make the approach more holistic. 

IOPs address both drug and alcohol addiction issues and consists of treatment sessions spread over the week at different times. The schedule is designed to allow patients continue with their regular responsibilities. Specific slots are allotted for medication and other sessions meant for counseling and therapies. The patient is free to leave, once these sessions are completed.

All outpatients programs don’t have the same format or level of intensity. They can be tailored to match your needs and even replace the need for a residential program. It all depends on the assessment done by your physician. 

Most of the outpatient programs have intensive sessions of therapy, education, and counseling. They also offer you a network of support. The focus is also on creating awareness about the underlying reasons that might be responsible for substance abuse. Once these underlying issues are addressed, a strong foundation is laid for lasting recovery.  The counseling sessions help you to understand who you are and where you’re heading towards.

However, in order to benefit from a less structured program like these, you need to have a strong will and commitment.

When the addiction isn't as severe

An outpatient program can be very effective if you are in the early stages of an addiction or when you are not in the grip of a more “severe” addiction. However, it offers you the necessary support to fight your addiction forcefully.  

If you're using it as continuing care

Once, you have already completed treatment at a residential program and are ready to go back to work or to take charge of other responsibilities, a brief outpatient treatment is recommended to make sure relapse doesn’t take place. 

If you need support of family and friends

An outpatient program offers you a support network including your family and friends, which are a part of a larger interdisciplinary team. It’s a must to achieve a lasting recovery.

When you can't commit to a residential program

Sometimes, we are restricted by our professional or personal commitments and responsibilities that prevent us from joining a residential program for drug addiction. We can however go for an intensive outpatient program that fits our lifestyle. 

You can't afford an inpatient or residential program  

Financial reasons may also prevent you from getting treatment at a residential program. In this case, intensive outpatient programs can be a good option for you. In a California alcohol rehab outpatient program, progress is indicated through measurable milestones. As you keep on meeting these milestones, you require less time commitment per week.

So, outpatient programs can be a good alternative for people, who can’t go for a residential program for some or the other reason but are serious about reclaiming lasting sobriety. With a California drug treatment outpatient program, you don’t need to walk away from your everyday responsibilities. All it requires is to attend a few sessions every week that include individual and group counseling, education about relapse prevention, meditation, music therapy and yoga etc.