Outpatient treatment can be a very successful tool to help patients conquer their addiction problems. Some people do not have the time, the capacity, the will, or the money to move fully into an inpatient treatment program for an extended period of time, leaving their families and loved ones to fend for themselves in the outside world. Some people respond quite successfully to an outpatient treatment program and do not require the confines of a residential program.
So how does it all work? What is the true difference between inpatient and outpatient treatment?
Basically, both types of addiction treatment programs work in the same way with the same types of therapy. Both types of treatment have similar expectations of the patients and similar rules which must be adhered to in order to achieve the success of the program. Just one (obvious) example is that clients must remain clean and sober while they are participating in any type of therapy program. It is also imperative that patients attend the necessary therapy sessions regularly in order to be included in future therapy sessions - a rule that is much more easily to adhere to if you are participating in a residential treatment program.
For some people, outpatient treatment is the only real option they have. The benefits of this type of addiction treatment program include:
· Patients in an outpatient treatment program are still free to engage in their normal daily activities while going through the treatment program. Outpatient programs are much less obtrusive, meaning that participants can still work and live at home with their family and friends.
· People who have a particularly strong and independent streak react predominantly well to outpatient treatment programs. These people can sometimes feel confined and constricted in a residential program following the rules 24 hours a day and reporting directly to therapists about every single minute of their day. Some patients are actually helped by the fact that they are strong enough to stay sober in an independent environment which spurs them on to feel stronger and encourages them to feel in control of themselves and their situations. Nothing breeds success like success.
· Some patients who have been involved with an inpatient treatment program move onto outpatient treatments at the end of their program. In these instances the outpatient program is used as a part of the relapse prevention which is put in place to help addicts who have completed a residential treatment program to successfully re-integrate back into their previous lives.
No matter which type of drug or alcohol addiction program you choose, the end goal is always the same-to help an individual to abstain from using alcohol or drugs for the rest of their lives and to live their life in successful recovery. Living a drug free, alcohol free, self sufficient life is the goal of all programs.
Outpatient treatment programs involve the addict regularly attending the clinic throughout the week for counseling and education programs. Some will only last for a few hours, a few days each week; others will require the addict to stay for the full day several times a week. Treatment plans depend greatly upon the clinic and the individual treatment program which is recommended for each patient. The all-day programs are a much more intense type of program and are sometimes required for those patients who would benefit from an inpatient treatment program but for some reason are not able to commit to one.
Outpatient Treatment Steps to Success
As with all drug or alcohol addiction programs there is no "one size fits all" approach, and it is important that the health clinic determine the best course of action for each individual patient. Many different services are available at an outpatient treatment center including:
· Individual therapy, which gives the patient the chance to talk and be heard by an individual therapist who can really communicate with the patient about their specific addiction problems.
· Group therapy is a very important part of many outpatient treatment programs. The attendees in this type of therapy session can really support and learn from each other and their own experiences. This can make a big difference in the overall success of the program.
· Alcohol and drug education is another important step. If patients can really begin to understand the roots of the problems, they are much better equipped to deal with them.
· Spirituality group. This type of therapy is another vital service which is often used in outpatient treatment programs.
· Men's group or women's group. Same sex therapy groups can often allow the addicts to be more open than they may be in front of members of the opposite sex.
· Relapse prevention is one of the most vital elements in any type of addiction treatment program. Successfully completing the program is just the first step towards living a life free of alcohol and drugs.
· Life skills. There is no other more important element along the road to recovery. Many suffering from addiction simply have to relearn the behaviors and skills which they have "unlearned" during the course of their addiction problems. Learning these important life skills can help them to cope when they return to normal life, maintain healthy relationships, jobs, etc.
· Re-socialization skills. Those suffering from drug and alcohol addiction have turned to their addiction for a reason, and many find it difficult to socialize without the extra help they previously received from an alcoholic drink or the use of a drug of their choice. It is important they learn how to socialize and re-integrate back into society without needing to lean on such crutches.
· Mental health treatment. Mental health problems can often run hand-in-hand with alcohol or drug addiction problems so it is important that both aspects of the patients' problems are dealt with simultaneously for a satisfactory result.
One of the main advantages of outpatient treatment programs is that they cost considerably less than inpatient programs. They also give patients the option to maintain their careers and continue with their family life while going through the recovery period.
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The Mission of Santé Center for Healing is to address addictive behaviors and associated conditions with an integrated addiction disordertreatment model, drawing from traditional and innovative approaches. In patient and oupatient treatment options are available. Learn more at http://www.addictiontreatmentdfw.com
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