Coming to the realization that you or your loved one needs to seek treatment for their alcohol or drug use is a great first step toward recovery. After all, recovery is a journey, and there are programs out there that can walk with you on the road to a healthier life. But what are the different levels of treatment and which one is best for your unique addiction?
There is no shortage of addiction rehab programs, but many fall under two categories: outpatient treatment and residential (inpatient) treatment. In this article, we’ll break down the difference between inpatient vs outpatient addiction treatment. While neither is better than the other, we want you to have as much knowledge as possible to help you make this important decision.
What is Outpatient Treatment?
The biggest difference between inpatient vs outpatient treatment is where you live while in rehab. Think of outpatient addiction treatment like a commuter college, where you’re given the opportunity to live at home while going through treatment.
In Silver Maple Recovery’s intensive outpatient treatment program, you’ll be on a three-day-a-week schedule where you’ll spend three hours a day receiving addiction treatment and relapse-prevention therapy. After each three-hour session, you’ll have the remainder of the day for work, school or other personal responsibilities.
Many outpatient addiction programs also have a step-down approach. This means that as time progresses and you or your loved one improve, the intensity of treatment decreases. It’s also important to keep in mind that outpatient treatment is best for those who don’t need 24-hour supervision or care for a severe addiction. You or your loved one will need to be evaluated to determine if outpatient treatment is the best approach.
When You Should Consider Outpatient Treatment Near You
Outpatient treatment is a great option for people who have completed a residential program in the past. If you or your loved one worry about staying sober or relapsing, outpatient treatment is a good way to continue practicing what you learned in inpatient treatment while you slowly transition back to everyday life.
However, that doesn’t mean you have to be in residential treatment in order to enter outpatient treatment. Here are some reasons why outpatient treatment could be right for you:
- You don’t suffer from constant cravings that derail your daily responsibilities.
- You don’t have a dual-diagnosis condition that requires additional treatment.
- Your level of addiction doesn’t require detox services.
What is Inpatient Addiction Treatment?
Inpatient addiction rehab is where you or your loved one will live at the rehab facility. These treatments are more extensive and remove you from any outside influences or temptations. The goal is to have you in a healing environment that supports your path to recovery.
With inpatient addiction treatment at Silver Maple Recovery, you’ll receive 24-hour support. You’ll complete medication-assisted detox at the very beginning to help you get the drugs out of your system and cope with uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, then you’ll enter our residential program that includes extensive individual therapy and group therapy sessions.
This is where you’ll dig into the reasons why you started abusing alcohol or drugs in the first place, work through any depression or anxiety you may be struggling with, and develop the skills necessary to help you remain sober following treatment.
When You Should Consider Inpatient Treatment Near You
Inpatient rehab is a great option if your craving for alcohol or drugs is affecting your life on a daily basis. Therapists and staff will work with you to decide what your daily schedule will be like. And while you won’t be able to come and go from treatment like in outpatient treatment, you’ll have access to a greater level of medical care at all hours of the day and night.
Here are some of the reasons why inpatient treatment might be right for you:
- If you have a co-occurring condition, inpatient treatment is better equipped to treat you.
- If your addiction cravings have taken priority and you can’t seem to stop drinking or using drugs.
- If you go through withdrawal whenever you try to stop drinking or using drugs.
Break the Cycle of Addiction at Silver Maple Recovery
At Silver Maple Recovery, we offer both outpatient and residential treatment to help you reach recovery. We know that no two addictions are alike. That’s why our professional staff will work with you to create a treatment plan based on your unique situation.
If you or a loved one is suffering from a drug or alcohol addiction, we’re here to support your recovery journey. Contact our compassionate team today. We have professional caregivers available 24/7.
