“Outpatient Treatment: Does it help Patients Achieve an Addiction-Free Life?”

Individuals that need treatment for their drug dependence or addiction will go through medical assessment beforehand. This way, a proper treatment plan can be made based on their specific needs. Their age, gender, health condition, body weight, drug abuse habits, and symptoms will be taken into consideration, among other factors.

After this assessment, the patient may be given an inpatient or outpatient treatment. Today we are going to discuss the outpatient method, what it entails, how it works, and how it is different from inpatient treatment.

Overview

The level of care that a person needs in order to become sober again will play a large role in determining whether they need to go through inpatient or outpatient treatment.

Outpatient treatment does not require a person to stay in a certain facility. This allows the person to continue to work or go to school. Of course, this is only for patients that are not suffering from life-threatening symptoms. It is recommended for patients that do not meet the criteria for inpatient treatment.

Patients must be able to commit to the treatment, because the outpatient method involves frequent visits to the hospital, typically every week for a few hours at a time. During this time outside of the treatment facility, the person must abstain from the drug or other similar substances.

This means patients who have children who cannot be left at home could opt for this method.

Programs under outpatient treatment are more flexible than inpatient. It varies based on the person’s needs.

There are specialized therapy types that involve music or art—depending on which would be most beneficial. It could be an individualized method, or it could involve the patient’s family.

Outpatient programs don’t always attend to the medical conditions and nutritional needs of the patient. The family would have to provide for that. But the benefit is that it is also far less expensive.

Many patients opt for this type of treatment because of the freedom it gives to live their lives as normal.

Partial Hospitalization

Outpatient treatment is also known as partial hospitalization or PHP. It is best known for being less restrictive. As long as the patient lives at home or in a sober environment, this method could work wonders. However, do keep in mind that because it gives more freedom for the patients, it also means they will be less focused on achieving sobriety. If a sober environment cannot be maintained, it might not work as well as intended.

Still, partial hospitalization is structured similarly to residential treatment, except it also provides a schedule that the patient could follow.

Many patients are more comfortable with this treatment because they can be with their friends and family more often. This allows them to receive continuous support from their loved ones. At the same time, it also creates a feeling of independence—the patient feels that they could stand on their own two feet, without constantly receiving care from medical professionals. This could be good for rebuilding their self-confidence—something that is often destroyed by addiction.

Comparison with Inpatient Treatment

Both treatment methods could be beneficial. The patient himself would have a big part in the success of either method. But if you have the option to choose between the two, you must take into consideration how convenient it would be in the long run, and then compare it with your overall goals.

Inpatient treatment would provide round-the-clock care for the patient, and their withdrawal symptoms will be managed right away. But it also would not allow the patient to stay close with their usual environment—something that can be good or bad, depending on their situation.

Outpatient treatment would help the patient live as normal. It is also more flexible and more affordable. In the end, it depends on the patient’s needs, and what they value most.

Addiction Free Solutions

Dont be problem focused. Be solution focused! At Addiction Free Solutions, we know that the solution lies within you. You have to commit to living a sober life. We help connect you with a center that can help assist you from detox and rehab to therapy. We want you to get the help that you need so you can go on and inspire others. Looking for in-patient, out-patient or sober living afterwards? We help you with that as well!