Deciding to undergo treatment for your addiction (or coping with a co-occurring mental health disorder) is a major decision, one that comes with many factors to consider. You’re choosing to dedicate time and focus to your own recovery, which is a big step to a healthier lifestyle and hopeful outlook.
One of the biggest descisions is dchoosing whether inpatient or outpatient treatment is right for you and your life. This will depend on many factors, including the severity of your addiction and your day-to-day life. Your health insurance may not cover every potential option available to you.
Remember, the right solution is the one that best leads to positive outcomes for you, your life, and your loved ones. Read on to learn more about different levels of care available at Acqua Recovery, so you can decide what will best serve your needs.
Inpatient vs. Outpatient Addiction Treatment
The key difference between inpatient and outpatient treatments is visible in their names. Inpatient treatment programs are completed while a patient is staying at a designated rehabilitation center, and outpatient treatment involves completing rehabilitation programs while not living full-time at the facility.
Within each type, there are spectrums of enforcement and flexibility. Some inpatient treatments permit visits from family members and loved ones, while others insist on complete independence to help build coping skills. Outpatient treatment centers can offer options that demand as much commitment as a full-time job, or can only consist of a few hours of treatment during work days. Often, both types of programs are available at the same locations.
In terms of success rate, it’s highly dependent on the individual and the severity of their addiction. There is no rule that one form of treatment is universally more successful than another. Every type of facility will vary in terms of what populations they serve, upfront cost, and systems of accountability. But inpatient and outpatient treatment options also differ in regards to insurance coverage. Outpatient treatment options tend to be of much lower cost to patients paying out of pocket.
What Conditions Are Treated in Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment?
When it comes to inpatient treatment, there are a variety of conditions that can be treated in that kind of intensive environment. It can vastly depend on what types of medical services and personnel the facility is able to provide, especially regarding detox. There is also increased accountability in these facilities, so patients (or loved ones) worried about relapsing can feel safe detoxing in a more controlled environment.
At Acqua Recovery, we have inpatient options to treat:
- Alcohol use disorder
- Cocaine use disorder
- Prescription drug abuse
- Opioid addiction disorder
- Heroin use disorder
- Benzodiazepine addiction
- Fentanyl use disorder
- Methamphetamine use disorder
- Adderall addiction disorder
- Marijuana use disorder
We also have options for patients facing a dual diagnosis, such as addiction and PTSD. All inpatient programs take place at our Utah facility, while some outpatient programs can be completed remotely.
Patients facing a dual diagnosis may benefit in particular from inpatient treatment because of the ready access to emotional and medical support. Detoxing can be a strenuous and stressful process. If you have concerns about detoxing in a safe manner, or if your substance use is strong enough that you’re worried about the effects of detoxing, inpatient treatment may be the better option.
The Benefits of Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment for addiction frequently involves the patient living full-time at a designated facility. They remain there for a set period of time, depending on the severity of their addiction, personal goals, or in some cases, the decision of a judge. The patient eats, sleeps, and attends related classes or therapy sessions related to their treatment. They are residing in a controlled environment wherein they can focus primarily on recovery.
Patients looking to heal from an addiction may prefer inpatient treatment as an opportunity to “step away” from life and address their addiction in a focused way. Factors such as medication distribution and personal schedules are monitored by the facility staff. As a result, the average stay at an inpatient treatment center is 28 days, compared to outpatient programs which can often take months.
If a patient is concerned about withdrawal symptoms and their effects, they may prefer inpatient treatment so they have guaranteed access to medical professionals trained to help in those moments. Inpatient recovery may also be preferred by patients undergoing a dual diagnosis, because they will also have regular emotional support that takes their addiction into account.
The Benefits of Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment options are generally considered more flexible than inpatient treatment, often allowing for patients to attend school or work while still completing treatment programs. This can be a good option for patients who want to undergo addiction or dual diagnosis treatment without stepping away from life obligations (such as raising children).
Most rehabilitation centers offer two different levels of outpatient treatment: partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient treatment.
Partial hospitalization acts as a step between rehab and normal life, wherein the patient treats rehabilitation like a job. Usually, 5-6 hours of therapy and other rehabilitating work takes place during the day, and the patient goes home or to a halfway house at night. Some outpatient programs mandate that the patient live at the treatment facility during the workweek, allowing them to go home on weekends. The goal is to support the patient during times of withdrawal and/or to help them reestablish healthy life routines.
Intensive outpatient treatment often involves less commitment and/or hospital oversight, and may be the ideal choice for patients with careers or family obligations. Both types of outpatient treatments may better suit patients with less intense addictions, and can be completed over the course of months rather than weeks. They are also likely to be lower cost than inpatient treatment.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Between Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment
Now that you know the basics of each type of program, it’s time to critically think about which program type is best for you. Every individual’s needs are different. But there are a few overriding factors that are important to consider when picking a program.
The primary concern when choosing between inpatient and outpatient treatment options is how much time the patient wants to devote to their treatment. Outpatient therapy may be the best option for a patient looking for treatment over a longer period of time, with the option to still participate in their daily lives. Inpatient treatment requires the patient to remove themselves from their friends, family, and routine — which may be very desirable to a patient who feels like their addiction is interfering with their daily life.
Insurance companies frequently have different coverage options for inpatient and outpatient programs. Outpatient programs may be covered entirely by your insurance company because they tend to be lower cost. However, this is not a consistent rule. Your insurance may cover inpatient treatment because they believe it leads to fewer relapses. It’s important to verify this information before committing to a certain treatment program.
It’s important to take into account just how much you would like to stay in touch with your regular support system during treatment. Outpatient recovery is supplemental to a patient’s daily life, while inpatient treatment requires that the patient remove themselves from their routines. However, this doesn’t mean that the patient will be forced to completely cut themselves off from friends and family.
Some treatment centers are developed with connection in mind, allowing for visitations from a patient’s loved ones to help support the healing process. If you choose to pursue inpatient treatment, research the rules regarding visitation and make sure that you’re comfortable with the level of supported connection.
Choosing the Right Addiction Treatment Program Option for You
Ultimately, the right treatment option for you is whatever best supports your recovery. Whether it’s to enter a 28-day intensive program or commit to six months of outpatient meetings, the most important aspect is how the program helps to aid your recovery.
At Acqua Recovery, we work to help our patients build up their personal resilience and reclaim hope for the future through recovery. Our team focuses on both relapse prevention and aftercare support, so you can be supported throughout the entire process. Our goal is to help you develop the proper coping skills for integrating healthfully back into daily life. This can include connection with support groups, ongoing therapy, and more.
We create individual treatment plans based on evidence, designed to both aid in your recovery and restore your sense of hope in the future. If you or one of your loved ones is looking for support in their recovery, call us today!
