More than 20 million people aged 12 or older struggled with a substance abuse disorder in 2019, according to the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Among those individuals aged 12 or older in 2019, 1.7 million received treatment at an outpatient rehabilitation facility.
But what is outpatient rehabilitation and what are the benefits of seeking an outpatient option for substance abuse treatment?
An outpatient rehabilitation facility allows an individual seeking treatment for a drug or alcohol problem to attend sessions during the day but return home every night. Outpatient treatment can take place in a counselor’s offices, mental health clinic, or hospital clinics.
If you are seeking the best rehabilitation option to treat your addiction, here are five reasons outpatient help may work best for you.
You can manage your daily responsibilities
For some patients, it is not always feasible to enter an inpatient clinic for treatment, for example, if you have children or a job that you cannot afford to leave. In some outpatient clinics, counseling sessions are sometimes even offered in the evenings and even on weekends.
You have more access to your social circle and support system
Because you are not spending the night at the facility, you will have access to your friends and family. This can be both a pro and con. If you remain in contact with only those who are supportive instead of those who are a negative influence, having regular access to these relationships and this support can be an important part of your recovery. This outpatient structure and need for strong familial support also make it essential that family therapy is often part of the mix for outpatient treatment programs.
Outpatient treatment often costs less
Services at these facilities often cost less because you are not there full-time and do not spend the night. At the same time, insurance is often an option for paying for outpatient treatment. You will need to contact your insurance, however, for information on overall out-of-pocket costs for any rehabilitation option.
Outpatient treatment allows you to immediately put into practice what you’ve learned
As part of your outpatient treatment, you will learn skills and strategies for living sober that you can immediately put into practice at home, at work, and with your friends. This will help you build confidence in your abilities to live a sober life while dealing with the stresses of your real life. At the same time, you will still have access to consistent professional support and the ability to confront issues as they arise.
Outpatient treatment often makes for an easier transition
Because you did not fully disengage from your day-to-day life while seeking treatment, transitioning out of rehab will be an easier process. It can be done slowly over a period of time and in phases that allow you to test different support groups or therapies to continue with before your rehabilitation treatment is complete.
