Outpatient Drug Rehab

People who are addicted to drugs can get an essential level of care in order to ensure long-term recovery by enrolling themselves in either an outpatient drug rehab or a residential treatment program depending on the seriousness and length of their addictions. All patients are not candidates for residential drug rehabilitation. Some patients can achieve long-term favorable results through outpatient programs. As is the case with residential programs, outpatient drug programs also focus on helping addicts abstain from the use of drugs for the rest of their lives. This goal is achieved in several ways in the outpatient treatment model.

Outpatient Drug Rehab Advantages

First and foremost, the costs involved in outpatient programs are generally lower compared to that of residential drug treatment programs. Further, for patients who want to maintain their family life and careers during the course of the recovery period, outpatient treatment provides them with a chance to seek help without any disruption to the flow of their normal life. Some people associate a negative feeling towards residential care because of the feeling that it may be difficult to see through such programs. In simple terms, a patient who is uncomfortable with the residential program might take longer to successfully complete the rehab process.

Outpatient Drug Rehab How It Works

In the case of outpatient rehabilitation programs, the addicts are required to regularly attend education and counseling sessions. Whereas some programs last for few hours a week, some others will require the addict to be present throughout the day several times in a week. The all-day programs are intense and are more suited to those addicts who need a higher level of care to get out of drug usage.

Typically, outpatient drug treatment programs are flexible and sessions last for three hours in a day and are held on four days in a week. Group times can vary from one rehabilitation center to another. Generally, outpatient group sessions last for four to six weeks. Outpatient drug rehabs generally make adjustments to their programs so that they fit into the daily lifestyle of the patients. Patients who have work as well as other commitments benefit from outpatient programs.

An intensive outpatient drug rehab program may include the following:

Outpatient Detoxification Program:

The detox program is carried out under medical supervision during the drug addiction withdrawal stage to achieve abstinence.

Individual Counseling:

These are sessions wherein the addict and the counselor discuss in detail about the patient's recovery issues.

Family Program:

Drug addiction not only affects the individual, but also his/her family. The intention of organizing family programs, therefore, is to educate the patient's family about addiction. This will be greatly helpful in getting the patient to heal and recover faster.

Group Counseling:

The group counseling sessions are intended to build trust as well as compassion. These sessions will help the patient realize that he/she is not the only one that has to deal with the addiction problem.

Drug Addiction Education:

These education sessions help patients and their family members understand the emotional and behavioral aspects as well as spiritual and psychological effects related to addiction.

12-Step Integration:

Patients are taught as to how they can use the tools of this program and are integrated into the 12-step program of their own communities.

Community Resources:

The patient groups are connected with local health care professionals and resources which will help them return to a positive path.

Discharge Planning:

This includes help for patients to return to their normal daily life, equipping them with the tools they need to remain sober. Discharge plans are worked out to meet the specific needs of each patient.

Relapse Prevention:

The groups that work on relapse prevention, help patients to understand the warning signs of a relapse. They also help them build the skills required to not only cope, but also prevent a relapse.

Unlike residential programs, addicts may not find themselves in a secure and safe environment that cut them off from negative factors when they are treated as outpatients. They go back to their normal environments after the treatment each day and are therefore required to diligently abstain from usage of drugs. However, the benefit of an outpatient program is that patients are provided with support groups so that they never feel that they are alone during their recovery process.