You’ve made the difficult decision to seek help for your substance use problem. Now the question is: what’s the best form of treatment? Only you and your doctor can make that decision, but you should consider the benefits of outpatient treatment.
Outpatient treatment, including intensive outpatient treatment programs, enables participants to maintain a sense of normalcy as they move towards recovery from addiction.
Outpatient treatment may not be the right for everyone. Others may need the attention of full hospitalization. But for those who participate, the benefits of outpatient treatment are numerous.
Types of Treatment Programs
Substance use disorders come in many forms. So do treatment programs. The right treatment will be built around your individual needs. These can differ based on factors like your gender, your age, and the type of substances you are using.
Treatment programs fall into two categories: residential and outpatient. The different formats include:
- Intensive outpatient treatment programs meet several times a week for anywhere from three to five hours each day
- Partial hospitalization programs require a larger commitment and are sometimes referred to as day hospitals, with meeting five to seven days a week for at least six or hours a day
- Long-term residential treatment involves 24-hour stays of six to 12 months in duration in a specialized facility designed specifically for the treatment of substance abuse challenges
- Short-term residential programs are loosely based on 12-step programs and involve stays of three to six weeks
Both types of programs can be useful for people in recovery. For many, the benefits of outpatient treatment help speed a return to sobriety.
Benefits of Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment allows people with substance use disorders to maintain a sense of normalcy in their daily lives. One of the big benefits is the ability to retain employment while going through outpatient treatment. Some of these programs schedule their services in evening hours, for instance.
Intensive outpatient participants receive one-on-one and group therapy, as well as nutritional services and other forms of counseling. IOP programs generally are for people in a good place whose conditions are stable.
Outpatient treatment is generally more affordable than residential treatment. Finally, outpatient treatment allows participants to maintain important social and familial connections. For some people recovering from substance abuse, that support is crucial to success.
What Happens After Treatment
The process of recovery doesn’t end once you finish the active phases of treatment. Many people relapse in the first year of recovery — and not because they’ve done anything wrong. Substance-use disorders are chronic conditions; they do not produce antibodies.
Aftercare provides resources to help rehab graduates lower the risk of relapse. Aftercare programs take different forms with different people. They generally involve additional counseling, as well as the opportunity to join peer-support, 12-step anonymous groups.
The premise of aftercare is that the urge to resume drinking or use drugs will resurface at some point. Having the skills to walk back from the edge is crucial to avoid another stay in treatment.
Outpatient Treatment at Blueprint Recovery Center
The benefits of outpatient treatment are well defined. Outpatient treatment allows you to keep your job and remain in a comfortable setting while you proceed through the different phases of recovery. At Blueprint Recovery Center, our experienced clinical staff offers all forms of outpatient treatment, including a partial hospitalization program, outpatient drug rehab center, and intensive outpatient program. We have one goal: to focus on your needs as an individual and to return you to a life of hope and promise built on sobriety. We’re a no-nonsense treatment center with many years of experience in all forms of addiction treatment. Start building a new day today. Reach a counselor at Blueprint Recovery Center at 833.654.1004 to learn more.
