While there are different levels of addiction treatment, not all will help someone who needs a lower level of care. Some people may need the extra support and guidance of an outpatient treatment program while maintaining home, work, or school life.
However, life events, friends, or associates can spur relapse triggers that can be a real challenge to avoid. It is because of this that outpatient treatment programs are essential for long-term recovery.
Outpatient treatment entails different types of therapies that are usually more affordable than inpatient or residential programs. They are designed to help people make a smooth transition into society and their lives without putting their lives on hold.
Generally, if someone is in good health, has a secure support system, and a stable home environment, outpatient treatment can be beneficial. It is also an effective option for someone who is in the early stage of a substance use disorder.
Read on to find out what outpatient treatment is and what it entails.
What Is Outpatient Treatment?
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) outlines outpatient treatment in their Continuum of Care™ as “less than 9 hours of service/week for adults or less than 6 hours a week for adolescents for recovery or motivational enhancement therapies and strategies.”
Outpatient treatment offers the same level of care from licensed and experienced medical and clinical professionals as an inpatient program. The difference is the person can return home when their therapy session ends. It allows individuals to use their newly learned coping skills and techniques right away in their everyday lives.
Outpatient treatment can benefit people who:
- Has an early-stage substance use disorder or a mild addiction
- Does not need drug or alcohol detoxification services
- Would like to continue aftercare after completing an inpatient or residential program
- Needs treatment but cannot afford lengthier treatment programs
- Cannot put family, work or school activities on hold
- Can remain on a schedule and commit to sobriety; and
- Needs structure and has a strong, stable support network
At Family Recovery Specialists, we pride ourselves on therapies that are evidence-based, meaning they have been scientifically proven to work. We also provide therapy options that are based in different settings, such as 12-step programs and behavioral therapies.
Some of the typical services provided in outpatient treatment are:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy
- Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
- EMDR Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing
- Life Skills Coaching
- Individual Therapy
- Group Therapy
- Family Therapy
- Adolescent Treatment
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
- 12-Step Program
- Motivational Interviewing
- Dual Diagnosis
Types of Outpatient Treatments
While not everyone will have a severe enough substance abuse problem that they need inpatient care, someone might have certain needs that require a higher level of treatment than a basic outpatient program can provide, such as someone with a co-occurring disorder.
These different choices in outpatient programs still allow someone to go home after their treatment session, but they vary in how often someone would need to check in per week and for how long.
OP (Outpatient Program)
This is the basic form of an outpatient addiction treatment program. It is much less rigid and structured compared to other programs under outpatient treatment.
Usually, an individual can expect some type of counseling, a medical check-in, and educational workshops for a minimum of a few hours per week.
It is necessary to understand, though, that the specific needs of the individual will determine which therapies are provided and for how long.
An outpatient program is a step down from an intensive outpatient program. It focuses on preparing a person to transition back into everyday life.
For someone in recovery, the key to successfully completing an OP is to have a home environment free of drugs and/or alcohol.
The main aspects of an OP are:
- One to two sessions a week lasting an hour or so.
- Programs can last up to six months or longer.
- Individuals are solely responsible for their recovery.
- It is geared toward people who have more time in recovery and need only minor support.
- It may cost less than an IOP.
Benefits of Outpatient Treatment
There are some real benefits to outpatient treatment versus other substance use treatment programs. Among them are:
- It is lower in cost than long-term residential or inpatient care programs, and it still provides much of the same services and therapies. It is also likely to be covered by insurance, which makes it a realistic and better solution for most people.
- It gives individuals an opportunity to immediately use different techniques and skills they’ve been practicing to manage their substance use disorder throughout their daily routine. Doing so offers them the chance to see what works and what doesn’t and try different coping approaches if needed.
- It is a more feasible way to obtain recovery treatment for individuals who cannot afford to take time off from work, school, or family by entering an inpatient rehab program.
- It provides flexible treatment scheduling so that individuals can make appointments that fit into their schedules.
Get Help Today
At Family Recovery Specialists, our outpatient treatment programs for substance abuse can help individuals understand and overcome their addictions. Addiction is a chronic disease that can be overcome with help. Therapy is essential for people who truly desire to be free from addiction and are committed to it. We provide licensed and experienced addiction specialists who work with people individually and in groups to successfully maintain long-term sobriety.
