Inpatient Vs Outpatient Rehab: Which Is Better?

When looking into addiction treatment programs, knowing the difference between inpatient vs outpatient rehab is important. The main difference for one is that patients in outpatient rehab remain living at home whereas inpatient rehabilitation patients live at the treatment facility. Each program focuses on rehabilitation and offers unique qualities and benefits to the patient. If you or someone you love struggles with addiction, begin the road to sobriety by learning more about inpatient vs outpatient rehab.

Inpatient Rehab Program

Inpatient rehab, also known as residential rehab, requires the patient to check themselves into a structured setting to overcome their alcohol and drug addiction. Patients remain at the center and receive 24-hour medical and emotional support. Inpatient rehab can be an effective treatment method for people with severe addiction and people who are simultaneously dealing with an addiction and mental health condition like bipolar disorder.

Living in the rehab center helps the patient avoid the influences and temptations in their daily lives that may trigger substance use. During inpatient rehab, the patient’s day is carefully scheduled out for them. Counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists meet in both group and individual settings to help guide the patient in their recovery.

The first step in recovery in inpatient rehab is most often a medically supervised detox. During this phase of rehab treatment addiction, specialists and physicians monitor patients’ vital signs while the substances leave the system. It is common for the patient to experience cravings at this time that can be difficult to overcome. In some cases, these cravings lead to relapse. Medical professionals at the rehab center can provide the patient with the needed medical expertise and medication to lessen the withdrawals and cravings.

Detox should not happen without medical supervision. Withdrawals can be fatal. Substances linked to fatal withdrawals include alcohol, benzodiazepines, synthetic opiates, and heroin.

What are the Elements of Inpatient Rehab?

Personalized Treatment

Sunshine Behavioral Health understands that not every treatment plan addresses individuals needs equally. That is why personalized treatment is an important element that many inpatient rehabs focus on. Some patients may be struggling with mental illness at the same time as their substance addiction. It is important that co-occurring illnesses are addressed since mental illness can play an integral part in a patient’s substance use. Addressing these co-occurring illnesses is known as “Dual Diagnosis Treatment”. Having this type of treatment available to patients will ensure that those who struggle with multiple illnesses receive the same quality of care as those who don’t. Once a treatment plan is customized, the likelihood of success is much higher.

Medically Assisted Detox

One of the most crucial elements of inpatient rehab is detoxification. The first part of inpatient rehab is the detox. As many already know, detoxification can be a dangerous process depending on the severity of one’s addiction, as well as the substance they are addicted to. Nicotine for example, while highly addictive, may have withdrawal symptoms during detox, but left unassisted will not be life threatening to a patient. Alcohol on the other hand can be very dangerous to quit without assistance. Without proper assistance, alcohol withdrawals can be life threatening to patients. That is why many inpatient rehab centers, such as Sunshine Behavioral Health, offer medically assisted detox to begin a patient’s inpatient rehab treatment. The detox process is an integral part of inpatient rehab as it ensures all traces of the addictive substance flushed from the patient’s body. Medical assistance is available to control the physical withdrawal symptoms that ensue after substance use is halted. Medical professionals and addiction specialists will monitor the patient’s vitals and ensure a safe detoxification.

Qualified Therapists

An integral part of any addiction treatment is therapy. There are many different types of therapy offered at inpatient rehab facilities, such as Sunshine Behavioral Health. As previously mentioned, not every patient requires the same treatment plan as others. That is why it is important to offer a variety of therapy options. Between the aforementioned dual-diagnosis treatment that aims to tackle co-occurring mental illness and substance addiction, and various forms of group and individual therapy sessions, patients at inpatient rehab facilities have access to therapy that fits their specific needs.

Structured Days

In inpatient rehab, patients do not need to worry about what their day to day life will be like. Inpatient treatment programs provide patients with daily schedules filled with activities that are conducive to their recovery process. Patients will learn to plan their days accordingly and provide structure to their everyday lives. It is behaviors like these that help ensure patients will continue their road to recovery after inpatient treatment concludes.

Aftercare Treatment

Treatment does not end once a patient’s 30, 60, or 90 day inpatient rehab stay concludes. Reintegration into a patient’s normal life outside of rehab is of the utmost importance at inpatient rehab facilities. New ways of coping with everyday stressors and triggers are learned throughout the course of a patient’s inpatient stay. Community support networks are grown and different therapy, such as individual or group sessions, continue after treatment is completed. Aftercare is designed to keep patients on their road to recovery and reduce the chances of relapse. A successful aftercare service often includes tools that will help patients find employment opportunities, or pursue their education. Addiction doesn’t just affect the individual, It also affects those close to the individual such as friends and family. Aftercare encompasses family counseling to assist those struggling with a loved ones’ drug abuse and their return home.

Contact and Support of Family in Inpatient Rehab

Family involvement is a crucial part of the recovery in successful inpatient rehabs. Family members are encouraged to contact their loved ones during their stay in a treatment facility to provide them with the emotional support they need.

It is important to learn how and how often residents can communicate with their loved ones while in a rehab facility as each facility has their own policy. Counseling is also available for family members as well in many rehab centers.

Outpatient Rehab Program

Outpatient rehab involves daily treatment. This includes counseling, therapy, or group sessions at a rehab facility or clinic. People who choose treatment as an outpatient can remain living at home while they recover, allowing them to stay in school or at their job, and letting them take care of family members or children. The cost of outpatient rehab is typically less than inpatient rehab. However, the level of support the patient receives may be less intensive.

Most outpatient rehab treatment programs involve group or individual counseling and use a step-down approach. This means as you grow during treatment, the sessions become less frequent and intensive. Outpatient recovery programs generally take 10 to 12 hours per week or more when starting and can last three to six months or more. This treatment method is best for those with a mild addiction.

Many outpatient rehab patients with mild-to-moderate drug withdrawal symptoms begin their treatment with outpatient detoxification. The process of outpatient detox is safe and effective.

During outpatient detox, patients are required to visit a treatment facility or hospital for physical and mental check-ups. Doctors or clinicians might order medications to lessen withdrawal symptoms like increased heart rate, depression, and anxiety.

Support During Outpatient Rehab

Outpatient rehab allows those who are addicted to drugs and alcohol to continue to stay at home during their treatment. Patients of outpatient rehab can remain close to friends and family and continue working or attending school. Outpatient treatment center meetings are conducted either the early morning or evening. This helps those in the rehab program maintain their normal home life schedules. Sometimes, these centers can be at Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

Recovering addicts also attend outpatient rehab programs as a way of continuing recovery after completing an inpatient program.

Costs of inpatient rehab programs are typically more than outpatient rehab programs. Treatment costs are increased with the on-hand psychotherapy and medical care available to patients. However, when considering inpatient vs outpatient rehab, the difference in cost should not be a factor in choosing the best treatment course available to them.

Highlights of Inpatient vs Outpatient Rehab

For a quick comparison of both rehab method, we listed the highlights of each below:

Inpatient Rehab

1. The patient remains in the facility.

2. Costlier.

3. Higher success rate.

4. 24-hour emotional and medical support.

5. Disrupts patient’s daily life.

6. No distractions or triggers from everyday life.

7. Created for more serious addictions.

8. Last from 28 days to six months or more.

Outpatient Rehab

1. The patient remains at home and can continue the normal schedule. Must go to the treatment center during day or evening.

2. Less costly.

3. Lower success rate.

4. The patient continues daily routine as a job or school.

5. Easy to get to their social support circle.

6. Lasts from three months to more than a year.

7. Best for someone with a mild addiction.

8. Requires 10 to 12 hours per week.

Whatever Your Decision – Inpatient vs Outpatient – Recovery is Possible

Addiction is an illness and recovery require a lifetime commitment. Regardless of which treatment option you decide on – inpatient vs outpatient – recovery is possible for you or your loved one. Take that first step today and contact an addiction specialist to learn more about inpatient vs outpatient rehab.