Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Outpatient Vs. Inpatient Alcohol Rehab

On your quest to seeking help for your addiction, you may have come across many alcohol addiction treatment centers.  How do you know which program is right for you?  Start by identifying the two major types of alcohol addiction treatment: inpatient alcohol rehab and outpatient alcohol rehab.  It's important to find the right type of treatment for your unique situation so that you have the best chance at success.


When comparing inpatient alcohol rehab treatment and outpatient alcohol rehab treatment there are many factors to consider.  Each model of treatment has its benefits and disadvantages.  Whether choosing inpatient or outpatient treatment, you will want to find a treatment center that recognizes your individual needs and that is equipped to handle alcohol addiction with medical experts on staff.  Some benefits of entering treatment of any kind are medical stabilization, which means that you will have help getting through withdrawal, prevention of relapse, peer support, and much needed therapeutic intervention.

Outpatient Alcohol Rehab

If you choose an outpatient model to treat your addiction you will receive rehabilitation services while you remain living in the comfort of your own home.  You may be required to check in with your addiction specialists at your chosen treatment center throughout the week.  You may receive such services as an evaluation, medically supervised detoxification and withdrawal, medication, counseling and peer support.

You may choose from various types of outpatient centers who may use different approaches and levels of treatment.  Among outpatient treatment, you can find varying levels of intensity ranging from low-intensity substance abuse education to intensive day treatment.  Outpatient alcohol rehab is more suitable for individuals who have work or family obligations and extensive social supports to help keep them on track with recovery.  Although addiction treatment in both inpatient and outpatient settings will be very similar, the program at an inpatient facility will be much more intensive.

Inpatient Alcohol Rehab

The defining characteristic of inpatient alcohol treatment is that the individual is required to check into the treatment center and remain in the center for the entire length of the treatment program.  This allows for a more intensive and highly structured approach to treatment.  Some of the benefits of inpatient treatment includes 24-hour around-the-clock care, privacy, less distraction from everyday life and obligations make it easier to fully focus on recovery, specialized treatment for co-occurring disorders, more specialized services, and most importantly no access to alcohol lowers the risk of relapse during the length of stay.

If you are able to take a leave of absence from your job, school, or home duties you may wish to enter treatment on an inpatient basis.  Just as with outpatient treatment, you will begin the process with a medically supervised detox and withdrawal before beginning treatment or rehabilitation.  You will then go through rehabilitation before learning how to maintain your new sober living lifestyle.  During your stay, you will have 24-hour care and the level of privacy that comes with living in the inpatient community.  Without the distractions of everyday life and following the structured days, you will be able to focus solely on recovery and getting the support you need.  You may have access to specialized services such as nutritional planning, exercise programs, and various therapeutic methods.  If you have a co-occurring disorder, you may receive specialized care to address your addiction and mental health needs simultaneously.

Therapy

You may find a range of therapeutic methods available during your inpatient treatment.  Some of these may follow the 12-step program to alcohol recovery, behavioral therapy, group counseling, peer support, and other types of therapies and counseling.  You may also decide with your medical team to start medications to help with withdrawal or to address your mental health needs that will encourage you to remain sober and get on a path to successful healthy living.  Once you go through the rehab program you will learn how to maintain your new lifestyle by using resources such as Alcoholics Anonymous or other support groups to help you remain sober.

Whether you choose inpatient or outpatient alcohol treatment, the process can only begin when you accept that there is a problem and reach out for help.

References:

Choosing Inpatient Rehab vs.  Outpatient Rehabilitation.  (n.d.).  Retrieved September 07, 2016, from http://www.rehabs.com/about/inpatient-vs-outpatient-rehabs/

Types of Treatment Programs.  (n.d) Retrieved 08 September, 2016, from
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/drug-addiction-treatment-in-united-states/types-treatment-programs

This is a guest blog entry.

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