Drug and alcohol addiction can affect every part of your life. Your health, relationships, emotional well-being, and more can suffer when you struggle with substance abuse.
People with addiction require comprehensive, compassionate treatment. Treatment programs must help each person overcome the emotional, physical, and behavioral aspects of their addiction.
Everyone has different needs during treatment. There are several levels of care in addiction treatment. Inpatient and outpatient care are the two primary levels of care.
Before starting treatment, you must decide which type of care is best for you. Understanding what happens during inpatient vs. outpatient care can help you make the best choice for your unique needs.
This article will give you an overview of what to expect from inpatient and outpatient rehab programs. Contact the Alamo Behavioral Health specialists to learn more or explore your treatment options.
Inpatient and Outpatient Rehab: An Overview
Mental health and addiction professionals design substance abuse treatment programs to help people safely stop using addictive substances.
During an addiction treatment program, people follow a personalized treatment plan. Treatment plans include therapies, support, and medical care that can help them detox safely and prevent relapse.
People may choose between inpatient and outpatient treatment. Here is an overview of what to expect from these levels of care,
Inpatient rehab
Inpatient substance use disorder treatment programs provide around-the-clock supervision and treatment. People who have long-lasting or severe addictions may require inpatient treatment.
Some people call inpatient rehab “residential rehab.” People in inpatient programs live in the treatment facility while receiving treatment.
Every patient in an inpatient rehab program follows a personalized treatment plan. Treatment plans consist of evidence-based treatments, including:
- Medical detox
- Individual counseling and behavioral therapies
- Support groups
- Family therapy and education
- Medications
- Screenings
- Mental health and medical treatment
- Coping skills and relapse prevention education
- Exercise, mindfulness, art therapy, nutrition support, and other holistic practices
During inpatient rehab, people have 24/7 access to mental health and medical professionals. They have a safe place to detox and stabilize.
Many people participate in inpatient rehab before moving on to an outpatient rehab program.
Outpatient rehab
People who need consistent treatment but don’t require round-the-clock care and supervision may benefit from outpatient rehab.
There are several levels of outpatient rehab, including:
- Outpatient detox programs
- Intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
- Partial hospitalization programs (PHP)
Outpatient rehab programs provide different levels of treatment and support. They are a more flexible type of addiction treatment.
People who attend outpatient rehab do not stay overnight in the treatment center. They may be able to continue working, going to school, or caring for family members while getting the help they need.
People often attend outpatient rehab after completing an inpatient treatment program. Outpatient rehab can provide structure and support as people transition from residential care to daily life.
Inpatient vs. Outpatient Rehab Success Rates
Drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs can support people and give them the tools they need to stop using addictive substances. But how effective are inpatient and outpatient programs?
Determining the accurate success rates of rehab programs in the United States is very challenging. Tracking people’s success rates and recording relapses can be difficult.
However, research suggests that participating in drug and alcohol addiction treatment works. One study found that prisoners who completed a comprehensive rehab program had a 50% to 70% decline in their substance use.
Research also shows that most people have at least one relapse after completing a rehab program. A relapse can be discouraging. However, it can be a sign that a person needs more support.
Addiction and mental health experts agree that inpatient treatment programs provide more structure and treatment than outpatient programs. This structure and supervision may lower relapse rates, especially in the earliest days of recovery.
Many addiction specialists believe that longer programs are more beneficial than shorter programs. Research shows that staying in treatment for longer can increase a person’s chances of long-term success.
Participating in at least 90 days of substance abuse treatment can help people avoid relapse better than shorter programs.
People often have better outcomes when they attend inpatient treatment, including a detox program, and then continue in outpatient care.
Which Level of Treatment is Right for Me?
If you require drug or alcohol treatment, you will need to choose between inpatient and outpatient care. Before starting a treatment program, it’s important to have a substance abuse evaluation.
A substance abuse evaluation is an assessment to determine your needs during rehab. It may consist of:
- Information about your current substance use
- Family history of addiction
- Mental health and medical history
- Lab testing
- A physical exam
This information will help your treatment team determine which level of care is right for you. Contact the specialists at Alamo Behavioral Health now to schedule an intake assessment. You can also learn about our rehab programs and explore your treatment options.
