If you’re seeking addiction treatment, you’ll notice that there are two major rehab categories to choose from. Inpatient and outpatient programs can both be effective, but they’re not identical. The decision of inpatient vs outpatient can be tough, but this guide can help you make the right choice.
Inpatient vs Outpatient: Learning the Difference
In many ways, inpatient and outpatient programs are very similar. They both seek to identify the root cause of addiction and help patients avoid relapse. Both rehab formats also use a wide range of treatment methods to accomplish those goals. At Crestview Recovery, some methods that we use in inpatient and outpatient programs include:
The biggest difference between inpatient and outpatient care is how long each day lasts. Inpatient programs are 24/7, which means that patients are there every day and every night. They don’t leave the premises without chaperones and eat all meals on the property. Rehab centers provide accommodation for patients in inpatient programs.
Outpatient programs, on the other hand, don’t include overnight accommodation. Patients may attend treatment or group meetings during the day but will go back to their own residences each night. Intensive outpatient treatment goes one step further, requiring patients to attend just a few hours of treatment each week. These options allow for more flexibility.
Consider the Severity of the Addiction
Patients with a severe addiction or co-occurring disorders typically do best in an inpatient program. Intensive treatment and around-the-clock care will increase the chance of reversing addiction and embracing a lifetime of successful sobriety. Individuals with severe health problems may also want to consider inpatient rehab for ongoing medical supervision and immediate attention.
Factoring in the Existing Support System
Another factor to consider when deciding on inpatient vs outpatient treatment is whether patients have a support system. It’s nearly impossible to recover from an addiction alone. If you want to have the best chance of success, it makes sense to surround yourself with people who want you to succeed.
Some patients have a strong family network. These patients can go home each night and stay with their family members, who might also be taking family therapy or addiction education classes. This is the right kind of environment for someone in an outpatient program.
If this support network isn’t available, inpatient care might be best. In residential programs, patients can create their own support network and increase their chances of lifelong sobriety.
The Step-Down Approach to Addiction Recovery
It’s also possible to choose both inpatient and outpatient rehab. Both addiction treatment programs can be effective in the step-down approach. In this strategy, patients complete 90 days of an inpatient program and then step down to an outpatient program. This allows for an extra step in the transition from residential care to independent living.
If you’re ready to tackle addiction, Crestview Recovery in Portland, Oregon, can help. Choose from a variety of addiction rehab programs that fit your needs and your lifestyle. Call 866.262.0531 to take the next step to sobriety.
