Addiction Help: Why You Should Choose an Outpatient Treatment Program

Do you want to get the help you need for a drug or alcohol problem that you've been dealing with for a long time now?

Your best option might be to check yourself into a rehab facility and go through an inpatient treatment program. Over the course of anywhere from 30 to 90 days, you can equip yourself with the tools necessary to fight back against addiction.

You should also know that an inpatient treatment program isn't your only option. You might be able to benefit from an outpatient treatment program in a big way as well.

An outpatient program will give you the chance to take advantage of everything a rehab facility has to offer—without requiring you to move into the facility.

Here are seven reasons why you should choose an outpatient program to help with your drug or alcohol problem.

Helps You Stick With Your Normal Routine

When people think about drug addicts and alcoholics, they tend to think about those in worst-case scenarios. They envision people living out on the streets and doing whatever it takes to get their next high or their next drink.

These people do exist and could benefit from rehab. But it's important to remember that there are also lots of people who lead normal lives while abusing drugs and alcohol during them.

These people wake up and go to school or work like everyone else. They also have families and responsibilities that they need to tend to on a regular basis. And they can't always afford to stop living their lives to get help for drug addiction or alcoholism.

If you fall into this category, you should know that you can get help for your drug or alcohol problem without going off the grid. An outpatient treatment program will be the perfect solution for you.

Unlike an inpatient treatment program, an outpatient program won't disrupt your daily schedule. You'll still be able to go to school or work every day and fulfill all your other personal obligations while getting help at night or on weekends.

Keeps Your Rehab Treatment Private

According to a survey conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, about 90 percent of people who could benefit from rehab don't ever get around to checking themselves into a treatment facility.

Some don't do it because they don't believe they have a drug or alcohol problem. Others don't do it because they can't afford the high costs that come along with some rehab centers.

But there are also people who steer clear of a rehab stint because of the stigma that is often attached to it within our society. Some people look down on others who make the decision to check themselves into a rehab center, even though it's one of the bravest decisions a person can ever make.

If you're worried about what other people will say when they find out you've checked into a rehab center, using an outpatient treatment program is a good way to keep your treatment private. People are unlikely to find out that you're doing it when you're keeping up with your daily routine.

That's not to say that you should be ashamed of getting the help you need and hide your addiction from others forever. But it's nice to know that you can keep your early addiction treatments under wraps if you want.

Allows You to Stay Close to Your Support System

It's pretty much impossible for a person to beat an addiction to drugs or alcohol on their own. They need other people in their corner cheering them on and telling them that they can win their battle with addiction.

An outpatient treatment program will provide you with an opportunity to stay close to your personal support system. You'll be able to maintain a connection with your spouse, your parents, your siblings, your kids, and your close friends while getting help for yourself.

You'll also be able to surround yourself with a support system when you enroll in an inpatient treatment program. Your support system, in that case, will be your doctors, your counselors, and your fellow rehab patients.

But there's nothing like relying on your family and friends for support. And an outpatient program will give you the opportunity to do it. It'll keep you nearby those who love you the most and allow you to turn to them for strength when you need it.

Provides You With Intensive Rehab Services

There are some people who are under the impression that outpatient treatment programs aren't as intensive as inpatient ones. This might be true to some degree in certain situations, but outpatient programs can be every bit as intensive as inpatient ones are.

When you start taking part in an outpatient program, you'll get access to rehab services like:

Individualized therapy sessions with an experienced counselor

Group therapy sessions with others who struggle with addiction

Family therapy sessions that incorporate members of your immediate family

Withdrawal management that makes it easier to manage the physical and mental withdrawal symptoms

Relapse prevention training to help you avoid using drugs or alcohol in the future

All these services are important in their own way and will make it easier for you to conquer drug or alcohol addiction. The last service we mentioned, in particular, is especially important since anywhere from 40 to 60 percent of the people who go to rehab end up relapsing at some point.

Introduces You to the Idea of Support Groups

At this point, every city and town in the U.S. offers support groups for those struggling with almost any kind of addiction. These support groups can prove to be very beneficial for those fighting drug and alcohol addictions.

The problem is that not everyone feels comfortable with the idea of showing up to a support group one day to get the help they need. So they put off doing it and continue using drugs and alcohol in the meantime

An outpatient treatment program can make you a whole lot more comfortable with the idea of attending support groups and using them to make progress in your fight with addiction. You'll get to see first-hand how helpful it can be to talk about your addiction in a group setting.

You'll feel better about attending a support group for your addiction in your area once you're done with your outpatient program. You'll also find that your support group will work wonders for you over the years as long as you stick with it.

Holds You Accountable for Your Actions

While an outpatient treatment program will provide you with a sense of freedom that you won't always get with an inpatient treatment program, you won't be 100 percent free to do whatever you want.

Most outpatient programs require you to take regular drug tests just like inpatient ones do. These drug tests will hold you accountable for your actions and prevent you from using drugs again undetected.

You might not love the idea of taking drug tests at first when you sign up for an outpatient program. But you'll start to see how much they motivate you to stay away from using drugs.

These drugs tests can keep you on track and help you avoid going back to your old ways.

Reduces Your Rehab Costs

The costs associated with rehab can be a major deterrent for some people. There are insurance companies that will help foot the bill for rehab for those struggling with addiction. But they won't always pick up the entire tab.

This can make it difficult for people to enroll in inpatient treatment programs. They can't afford to pay to spend 30, 60, or even 90 days at a rehab facility.

An outpatient program is often the solution to this problem for many people. Since people don't have to pay for room and board at a rehab center when they sign up for an outpatient program, it's a lot more affordable.

These are even some insurance companies that are more willing to pay for outpatient programs than inpatient ones. It's worth considering the difference in cost between inpatient and outpatient programs when you're thinking about which one would be best for you.

Consider Enrolling in an Outpatient Treatment Program Today

Both inpatient and outpatient treatment programs can benefit those who want to make drug and alcohol addiction a thing of the past. Though they use slightly different approaches, each one can help someone stuck in the cycle of addiction.

Think about which one would be better for you if you need help with drug or alcohol addiction. The benefits of an outpatient treatment program listed here might be more than enough to convince you that it's the right choice for you.

Are you unsure if you need help for drug addiction? Read our blog to see the signs of drug abuse.