How is outpatient opiate addiction treatment different from inpatient rehab program?
Not all addictions are the same. An alcohol-addicted person may not benefit much from drug treatment. It is because each substance behaves in a certain way and impacts our brain. When you use opiates - the substances that attach themselves to opioid receptors in our brain, you need to specifically look for opiate addiction treatment. Now, the question arises whether one should seek outpatient opiate addiction treatment or inpatient rehab. In this blog, we will discuss the same in detail to help you make an informed choice.
What is an outpatient treatment program?
Outpatient treatment is more flexible than inpatient treatment because outpatient treatment allows staying with the family and keeping up with work, friends, and other obligations. This treatment is suitable for people who are not as severely dependent on substances.
Thus, if you are not severely dependent on opiates and don’t need an extreme level of care as many others do, you should prefer seeking outpatient opiate addiction treatment.
What is an inpatient treatment program?
Inpatient treatment is prescribed for those individuals who are severely addicted to substances and who need to live inside the drug addiction treatment facility for the entire duration of drug addiction treatment. This treatment is meant for individuals who need round-the-clock care and supervision.
An individual qualifies for inpatient treatment only if he/she is battling drug dependence significantly, mental health disorders, who abuses more than one type of drug or mind-altering substances, and who doesn’t have a supporting or stable environment at home.
Inpatient vs. outpatient opiate addiction treatment: Which is better?
No one treatment is better than the other. The eligibility of inpatient and outpatient opiate addiction treatments is determined based on different parameters such as the severity of drug abuse, withdrawal symptoms, and various other factors.
Outpatient treatment is best for those who don’t need medical detox or 24-hour care and supervision and who have a supportive and stable home environment.
During an outpatient opiate addiction treatment program, you will care in different forms. Sometimes, an outpatient program is also joined as a step-down level of care from a residential or inpatient treatment program to slowly transition individuals back into everyday life.
What is included in an outpatient opiate addiction treatment?
Different types of therapies are offered during outpatient opiate addiction treatment. Some of these are:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: During this therapy, individuals learn how behaviors and thinking patterns connect and work to improve negative behavior patterns by modifying how they think. It also involves coping and relapse prevention strategies.
Intensive Family Systemic Therapy: This kind of therapy is often given during weekends and involves the entire family unit to improve communication and the workings of the overall family.
Contingency Management: This type of therapy includes giving small rewards to remain drug-free as an incentive.
Individual or Group Therapy Sessions: Based on your comfort level, your drug addiction treatment specialist might also recommend attending individual therapy or group therapy. Group therapy is often a good way to know so many people and their journey.
So, with outpatient opiate addiction treatment, you can make your behavior and habits more controlled and live a happy life while receiving expert advice and guidance.
