Inpatient Care Versus Outpatient Addiction Treatment
Addiction treatment is not a standardized process but rather an individualized care plan designed to meet your specific needs. The severity of your substance use disorder (SUD) determines the type of care you need. For many people, treatment starts with medical detox, a time when you receive medical care as you let the substance/s leave your system. Detox is typically followed by inpatient care, which is then followed by outpatient care. For those who don’t need detox, going directly to outpatient care may be an option.
What Is Inpatient Care?
Inpatient care, sometimes called residential treatment, requires a person to live at the treatment center for a period of time. It is an immersive, in-depth treatment process that allows you to focus heavily on your personal needs and build confidence to tackle life without the use of substances.
Inpatient care is often beneficial to those who:
- Do not have a drug-free or supportive environment at home
- Need to start with medical detox to safely stop using substances
- Have been using substances a long time
- Have tried to stop using substances in the past and failed to do so
- Have a co-occurring mental health disorder, like anxiety or depression
Inpatient care can seem overwhelming, but it can also be life-changing. You will leave treatment with a healthier body, good friends to stay in touch with, relapse prevention skills, and a plan for continued treatment.
What Is Outpatient Care?
Some people do not need to live in a treatment center to stop using substances and repair their lives. Instead, they can benefit from outpatient care, in which they visit the facility daily or several times a week for therapy and group sessions, and then return home each night.
Outpatient care is often beneficial to those who:
- Have a stable, drug-free environment to live in where they will receive support
- Do not experience intense cravings when they stop using the substance
- Want to work on addiction while having the support of family or friends
- Do not need 24-hour care
- Want more flexible treatment for addiction
- Have already completed residential treatment and need a less intense level of care
Many people appreciate outpatient care because it allows them to continue to work and meet their day-to-day responsibilities while also focusing on recovery.
What Are the Benefits of Outpatient Addiction Care?
Outpatient addiction care offers individuals a number of potential benefits in the right circumstances, including:
- It allows you to live at home and continue to work during your treatment
- It is more affordable, which could be important if you do not have insurance
- It allows you to individualize your treatment frequency based on your needs
At Victory Addiction Recovery Center in Louisiana, we offer IOP treatment that meets 3 nights a week for 3 hours each, in addition to weekly individual counseling sessions. Programming is centered on group therapy and addiction education, and family members can participate as well.
What Are the Benefits of Inpatient Addiction Care?
Inpatient care is beneficial to those who have a serious level of addiction. Inpatient residential care may offer benefits such as:
- Allowing you to step away from the factors that may contribute to your drug addiction and dependence, such as high stressors in your life
- The opportunity to surround yourself with 24/7 support, including medical and mental health support
- A robust treatment strategy that includes support after treatment ends