How Inpatient Rehabs Differ from Outpatient Programs

If you are trying to choose a rehab center option for your addiction treatment, it is very important to understand the difference between the two main types of rehab facilities: inpatient and outpatient. Once you know how inpatient rehabs differ from outpatient programs, you can decide on the treatment option that is best for you.

24-hour Care

Inpatient rehab provides constant care.

Inpatient rehab centers provide 24-hour care to those patients who need it most, whether they require intensive medical treatment round-the-clock or they are merely not ready to start their recovery without this type of long-term surveillance. Inpatient centers also often provide medical care to patients as well as a place to sleep, meals, and any other necessities they would require from day to day. Outpatient treatment facilities do not provide these types of accommodations to patients, and therefore, are often less costly (The National Institute on Drug Abuse). Still, only those individuals who do not need 24-hour surveillance and care should consider attending outpatient care; even though inpatient treatment can be more expensive, it may also be necessary for certain patients.

Controlled Environment

In addition to providing constant care for patients, inpatient centers also create a controlled environment in which the patient can recover safely without the threat of triggers or other issues causing them to relapse. Some individuals do not need this level of control to their treatment and choose outpatient care instead, but this kind of safety and seclusion from the rest of the world can be very necessary for patients with severe addictions or other serious issues affecting their ability to recover.

More Treatment Options

Because patients are attending a program where they will be living for a specific duration of time, there are often more treatment options available in most inpatient programs than there are in most outpatient programs. The NIDA warns that many of the latter facilities offer very little in the way of treatment options and that it is important to ensure that the program you choose has what you need. Most inpatient programs, however, regardless of the cost, at least offer a full treatment regimen including medication and behavioral therapy as well as, in many cases, holistic methods, vocational and housing help, and family or couples counseling.

Better for High-Severity Patients

According to a medical study titled Inpatient vs. Outpatient Treatment for Substance Abuse, “Patients with high psychiatric severity and/or a poor social support system are predicted to have a better outcome in inpatient treatment” than in outpatient treatment. Those who are not struggling with these additional problems, or do not have severe addiction syndromes in general, could often succeed more easily when receiving treatment from an outpatient program. It is important to consider your needs as an individual patient and to ask yourself if you need what inpatient treatment provides so you can determine which of these programs is right for you.

Do You Believe Inpatient Care May Be the Treatment Type for You?

Call 800-430-1407Who Answers? today, and we will help you find an inpatient care center in your area that fits your needs. We will also answer any questions you have about inpatient rehab in order to help you along on your path to recovery.