When we think of drug and alcohol rehabilitation, outpatient treatment often isn’t the first type of program that comes to mind. In many cases, however, patients in Pocatello, along with our Moonlight Mountain treatment team members, may opt for outpatient treatment for those with milder addiction issues.
While a serious problem, drug and alcohol addiction can be managed under the right program, supervision and support system. Our professional team of therapists, psychologists and clinical directors offer an integrated approach, working directly with patients and their families to assess and develop specialized treatment plans to help with achieving sobriety and maintaining their recovery goals.
“So,” many ask, “how will I know if an inpatient or outpatient treatment program is the better option for me?”
To answer this question, we must first look at all the variables to be taken under consideration when structuring a rehabilitation plan.
Inpatient vs. Outpatient Treatment
The process of recovery starts with the choice to change your relationship with alcohol and drugs, and is one that can be assisted by different types of treatments that include detox, therapy and counseling. The two categories these fall into are inpatient and outpatient programs.
The main difference between the two is the setting and what your individual situation calls for.
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient, or residential rehabilitation requires that you live at the facility, often for periods of 28 to 90 days for short-term programs, and 6 months to a full year for longer-term needs. Those with severe addiction problems and whom may be further suffering from other mental health disorders can often find inpatient rehab more effective.
An inpatient rehab facility, such as Moonlight Mountain Recovery, provides a healthy environment away from temptations and substance-use triggering influences. We offer round-the-clock intensive care and support, focusing on learning to incorporate a substance-free lifestyle and, when appropriate, transition to an outpatient treatment program upon completion.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient rehab involves similar therapies, counseling and group sessions while allowing the patient to live at home in order to continue their daily life, stay in their job, raise their family and in some cases, stay in school.
Typically, outpatient treatment will not involve assisted detoxification or intensive, 24-hour mental health support, but do require rigid, daily in-facility treatment, therapy and group session appointments that can be scheduled in accordance with family, work or school schedules.
In order to achieve higher long-term success rates, most programs involve a “step down” approach, requiring less frequent and intensive sessions as the patient grows throughout treatment.
Pros of Outpatient Treatment
Recovery from drug and alcohol addiction can be a difficult process, and the further inconveniences of an inpatient program may not be necessary or even beneficial to those with milder addictions. For these less severe cases, outpatient treatment offers similar success-driven therapies and group sessions to inpatient programs while maintaining these benefits:
- Receiving treatment while maintaining a schedule
Alcohol and drug addiction knows no demographic. People of all ages and from all walks of life struggle with addiction, and those who have made the choice to recover still have important aspects of their life to maintain. Outpatient treatment allows you to schedule therapies and sessions around your daily family and work life.
- Affordability
Inpatient treatment involves many aspects that can incur a long and expensive list of charges, including living quarters, assisted detox specialists, 24-hour emergency medical and mental health care providers, multiple group and one-on-one sessions with professionals, as well as facility and food charges. By eliminating many of these aspects, outpatient treatment allows for a much more affordable experience while still providing a high level of professional treatment.
- Continual development
Often, outpatient treatment can be a transition from inpatient treatment, where the focus is placed on sharpening the skills you’ve learned to maintain your recovery.
Drawbacks of Outpatient Treatment
As mentioned earlier, there are many different levels of severity to drug and alcohol addiction requiring as many different levels of intensity of treatment. Moonlight Mountain Recovery’s team members asses the individual needs of each patient, as what could be beneficial to those with milder addictions, could indeed be detrimental to more severe cases.
- History of Relapse
Unfortunately, some recovering from alcohol and drug addiction will relapse. Most outpatient treatment programs do not offer 24 hour support, so if a patient has a history of relapsing or experiences constant urges to use even after finishing a program, outpatient treatment may not be right for them.
Exposure to drugs and alcohol is strictly prohibited in inpatient facilities such as Moonlight Mountain in Pocatello, ID, ensuring the success of getting through urges to use.
- Support System at Home
One of the most important factors for a successful recovery is a healthy and supportive environment at home. As such, Moonlight Mountain would not recommend a patient whose living situation is not 100% conducive to full recovery for outpatient therapy. This would include family members or living partners who experience any dependency or enabling activity, themselves.
- Personal Health
Another very important assessment made by the staff at Moonlight Mountain Recovery is that of the patient’s personal health. If a patient requires medical assistance for detoxification, or is suffering from depression or other mental illnesses, outpatient treatment would not be recommended. Inpatient treatment at our facilities is highly structured and offers 24-hour care and observation during these critical periods.
Moonlight Mountain Recovery uses evidence-based assessment strategies to help you determine whether inpatient or outpatient treatment is right for you. If you or someone you love is in the Pocatello area and experiencing problems with alcohol or drug addiction, please do not hesitate to get help by calling us at (208)944-9655 or emailing us now.
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