For treatment during the day, a patient is allowed to attend for a few hours before having to return home in the evening. This is referred to as outpatient addiction treatment; it is less invasive as inpatient treatment where a patient is admitted into the rehab facility for an extended period of time.
Explaining Outpatient Rehab
Unlike inpatient rehab, outpatient addiction treatment in Charlotte, NC gives a patient more freedom from less disruption in their daily lives. Outpatient addiction treatment allows the patient to come to the treatment facility to spend a few hours a day getting the services they need. Versus inpatient is where a person is required to stay in the facility and cannot leave until treatment is completed.
All patients, however, typically go through detox within a facility to get clean from their substance abuse prior to attending outpatient addiction treatment in Charlotte, NC. It helps them to begin treatment starting with a “clean slate.” In outpatient treatment, patients can expect to participate anywhere between 1 and 9 hours during the day usually though the week. They are expected to participate in group therapies and other methods of treatment. The other methods of treatment could be art therapy and even yoga for instance.
There are also case managers available that will provide several referrals for making connections with other outpatient providers in the area. That can be private doctors for instance, but also can be chiropractic services, and acupuncture as well. They also can help with government assistant programs too, including helping to get information on seeing if you qualify and apply for food stamps. Although some outpatient programs do offer limited medical assistance, which would be refilling prescriptions for example.
Life coaching and recovery coaching are some services outpatient programs offer too. Once outpatient addiction treatment in Charlotte, NC is over, patients will go back home to their normal life prior to beginning the treatment over again the next day. There are several outpatient addiction treatment types:
- Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) usually meet 3 hours per day. One individual therapy session of 1 hour per week.
- Standard Outpatient Programs (OPs) usually meet for 1-2 hours per day. One individual therapy session of 1 hour per week.
- Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs) Usually meet for 6-8 hours per day. One individual therapy session of 1 hour per week.
Outpatient Addiction Treatment in Charlotte, NC is Beneficial for Many
Outpatient addiction treatment is beneficial for many, although it is better for some more than others. It could be the right choice for you and even your situation. Especially, if you have the following circumstances and factors…
Less Expensive Treatment Option
Outpatient addiction treatment in Charlotte, NC is less expensive than inpatient rehab. More so even when the treatment periods are longer. Outpatient is usually cheaper and more affordable. Yet it is still cost-effective in treating drug and alcohol addiction.
Early Stages of Addiction
If you are in an early stage of your addiction or in a less severe stage, outpatient addiction treatment may be an acceptable route to go. It may require less intensive treatment to help you get the support needed in helping you achieve sobriety. Usually, those who have a more intense and long-term addiction need inpatient treatment with round-the-clock treatment. However, that is not to say any addiction no matter what stage of the disease is to be taken lightly.
It is very important to understand that a substance abuse provider will have to make the determination of the severity of a person’s substance abuse disorder. Once a person completes a thorough substance abuse evaluation the results will then be determined. The clinician will then recommend the level of care the patient will enter.
Commitments & Obligations You Can’t Break
Many people ranging from professionals to parents can’t financially afford to take a break from their jobs. Not only their jobs it is not practical for them to leave their families even, despite their addictions. The most horrendous decision would be to continue their lifestyle without any treatment and have their addiction grow with intensity. Therefore, the compromise would be for them to attend outpatient addiction treatment in Charlotte, NC. This way they can check-in for their addiction treatment for part of their weekdays. Then still come home to their home for their families and work.
Aftercare Program Following Inpatient Rehab
The majority of patients are recommended to an aftercare program after completing inpatient rehab. It is typically a PHP or IOP, which both are types of outpatient addiction treatment. It helps people in their daily lives continue on without the use of drugs and alcohol. There is outpatient therapy they can attend, including support groups. They are encouraged to practice implementing new coping skills they have learned within the community all the while having accountability and support for their struggles.
Additional Support to Avoid or Recovery from Relapse
There is no guarantee that you will not relapse, however, having constant support surrounding you is helpful. Also attending counseling regularly is very important too in decreasing your chances of having a relapse. People who have gone through the very long process of sobriety still get cravings. That being the case, you may need additional help months or years after your initial treatment to continue to stay sober. Outpatient addiction treatment in Charlotte, NC has many resources that can help further your support system which will help you in maintaining your sobriety.
Outpatient Rehab Benefits
Here are some of the many advantages of outpatient addiction treatment:
Affordability
Outpatient addiction treatment is typically less expensive than inpatient rehab since there are fewer services and amenities. Also, you are not residing in the facility itself. Though each rehab facility’s pricing does differ being they all offer different amenities and services.
Ability to See Family
Outpatient addiction treatment in Charlotte, NC allows the patient to continue to take care of family members who are reliant upon them. The outpatient program allows the patient to go home at the end of the day. It is also an important thing for the patient to be able to go home as well because it provides the patient with love and support from their friends and family members each day.
Flexibility
Outpatient addiction treatment gives the ultimate flexibility and freedom where the patient can continue to resume their daily activities, unlike inpatient rehab. Even though patients have to check into the treatment facility for a set amount of hours and days, they still get to go back home at the end of the day, each day.
Outpatient Rehab Disadvantages
Limited Access to Medical and Clinical Support
Sometimes it can be a disadvantage not to have the support from medical professionals and staff 24/7 with being at home. With inpatient clients being in a facility for the entire treatment it provides them access the entire time to counselors, therapists, case managers, and doctors. Therefore, outpatient patients may not feel or really get all the support they need to stay focused.
Distractions
The urge to give in to drugs and alcohol can be a lot easier being at home. Temptation is literally not far away, and connections either. Also, being at home makes a lot of patients comfortable falling back into old habits with their addictions. It is easier to become distracted and lose sight of their goal of staying clean.
Supervision Reduced
In an inpatient facility, there is always a medical staff and/or provider there supervising and making sure a patient won’t fall back into old habits. Also, they are in a controlled facility itself to ensure they will not furthermore. This ensures the patient is always safe and maintains sobriety while inside the facility as an inpatient. Outpatient, however, has less supervision. Which unfortunately means patients are more subject to giving in to temptation.
When Choosing an Outpatient Rehab Facility Things to Consider
It’s important to remember every program is different and they all offer different things. Some will be a better fit for you than others. This is why choosing the right outpatient addiction treatment in Charlotte, NC is important in order to receive the most beneficial help you can get. Something to take into considering for when you are deciding which is the best treatment center for you:
Do They Accept My Insurance?
It’s important before committing to any rehab program to make sure if your insurance will cover it. Rehab programs can be very costly, whether inpatient or outpatient. Make sure you are covered before committing.
Do They Have Specialties in Your Substance Disorder?
Rehab centers tend to treat several substance abuse disorders, however, it’s best to double-check to make sure they actually treat your specific addiction.
How Intense Will the Program Be?
Knowing how often you have to attend, the hours of the treatment, the actual schedule, all this information is important to know for outpatients. You need to make sure you can commit to attending. If you cannot commit to attending, perhaps this treatment program isn’t for you. Perhaps you need to rearrange your schedule or find another treatment center that offers another schedule that fits better with your current schedule so you can attend.
You don’t want to commit to attending knowing you can’t or it will be burdensome. You will then ultimately get overwhelmed and just quit. That will be the opposite of what you’re trying to achieve! Therefore, make sure you find an outpatient treatment schedule that works within your schedule.
How Available Will My Treatment Providers Be?
Support is important and it means everything. In an outpatient program, that means you will not be around your therapist, doctor, and other medical providers or staff for support 24/7, unlike in an inpatient program. Therefore, find out about the protocol between treatment providers for outpatients in case there is an emergency once you go home for the day after treatment.
Discovering an Outpatient Program That Works for You
An outpatient program might definitely be for you if you cannot find the time or conjure up the financial resources for an inpatient program. Outpatient has several benefits and it allows you to take care of your responsibilities like your job and family. All the while, help you achieve your sobriety simultaneously. You can begin today, by contacting a treatment provider for additional information on how to get started!