Deciding to get professional help for addiction is an important step in the recovery process, but it’s not the only decision patients must make regarding rehab. Other decisions might include where to receive treatment, how long to stay in the program and which kinds of therapy to seek. While many people attend either inpatient or outpatient treatment, some people begin their treatment at an inpatient facility, and then transition to an outpatient one. Some people go directly from inpatient rehab back to their daily lives, but other people need continued structure and support, which they can get in outpatient care.
In 2023, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) administered a National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which reported that 47.7 million Americans aged 12 and over had used an illicit drug in the previous month. Furthermore, 61.4 million Americans in this age group binged on alcohol in the previous month, and 16.4 million Americans 12 and over reported heavy drinking in the previous month. However, out of these millions of people who struggle with addiction, only a small percentage receive professional care. SAMHSA’s 2020 National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services found that less than 1.1 million people had enrolled in treatment services at some type of addiction rehab center. Of these people, over 1 million received treatment from outpatient care, while less than 60,000 received treatment at an inpatient center.
How Inpatient and Outpatient Rehab Work
Inpatient and outpatient rehab programs are similar in the following ways:
- Voluntary treatment for substance addictions
- Various kinds of individual and group therapy
- Education about drugs, alcohol and addiction
- Medication, if needed
But the two facilities are also different in several ways. For instance, inpatient rehab offers the following features:
- Patients stay in facilities for a minimum length of 28 days
- Detox programs are included
- Removes patients from their regular lives, which allows them to focus on rehab
On the other hand, outpatient centers offer the following care:
- More flexible schedules
- The ability to come and go as needed
- Programs that allow patients to continue most of their everyday activities, like work and familial responsibilities
- Network of sober peers who encourage recovery
With the right help, patients can start on the path to recovery from addiction.
Additional Treatment in an Outpatient Rehab
When people complete inpatient rehab but still need additional help with their recovery, they might enroll in outpatient programs. Outpatient care is sometimes offered by the same organization that operates inpatient centers, but other times they are separate organizations that are only affiliated with each other. In this case, drug addicts can receive referrals from inpatient centers to continue treatment at outpatient centers. Some ways to transition from inpatient to outpatient treatment include the following options:
- Creating and sticking to a daily schedule that includes treatment
- Attending support group meetings
- Discussing options for individual counseling sessions
- Making a plan to return to work, school or family life
- Removing any negativity in one’s environment and replacing it with positive encouragement and support
In other words, recovery is possible if those struggling with addiction know where to look for support.
How to Transition from Inpatient to Outpatient Rehab
Transitioning out of inpatient rehab to outpatient care can help people stay sober as they return home. The process of finding treatment can help with maintaining sobriety, so if you or someone you love would like to learn more about addiction treatment and the recovery process, give us a call at 615-490-9376 or contact us online today.
