According to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, around 50% of the U.S. population aged 12 or older has used illicit drugs at least once in their lives. Rehab facilities play a vital role in helping people recover from addiction. However, depending on the type of addiction and its severity, the method of treatment they offer could vary significantly. One common challenge people face is deciding between inpatient vs. outpatient rehab. Selecting the right option can make a big difference in your recovery journey.
In this guide, we’ll look at the differences between inpatient care and outpatient care and how to decide which one is most likely to be beneficial for your loved one.
Inpatient vs. Outpatient: What’s the Difference?
The main difference between inpatient vs. outpatient care is whether the person stays at the rehab facility. With inpatient rehab, patients stay at the facility for several weeks (or longer) and receive around-the-clock care and support. Inpatient rehab is often used if someone is likely to go through severe withdrawal symptoms or needs a medically supervised detox.
In contrast, outpatient care is delivered at a treatment facility, but in between sessions, the patient can go to work or keep up with other family responsibilities. Outpatient rehab treatments enable someone who’s in recovery to continue their daily life and practice their newly learned skills in a real-world setting while still having professional support during the recovery process.
Transitioning Between Levels of Care
In most cases, if someone starts their recovery journey as an inpatient, they’ll eventually graduate to ongoing support as an outpatient. This helps them adapt to the challenges of daily life and keeps them accountable while they’re at a vulnerable point in their recovery.
Assessing Symptom Severity and Functionality
There are many factors to take into account when choosing a care program, including:
- Existing responsibilities. If you’re the sole provider for your family or you have people you need to care for, you might prefer outpatient rehab so you can keep your job and fulfill your care obligations.
- The type of addiction you’re struggling with. Some substances are difficult to withdraw from and you may require intensive medical supervision during the early stages of withdrawal, making inpatient care a good option.
- A need for privacy. Professionals and public figures may wish to go through rehab in an environment where their privacy is respected. Attending an out-of-town inpatient facility could reduce the risk of colleagues, students, friends or the press finding out about a person’s addiction.
- Your existing support network. Individuals with a good support network and stable home life may benefit from staying at home during their recovery. Those who don’t have a stable, supportive environment to return to might find the calm, distraction-free nature of inpatient rehab appealing.
- Financial and insurance issues. Depending on your health insurance, financial status and any funding available to you, the cost of rehab may be a challenge. Most treatment centers have a finance team that can help people access funding and support and will do their best to ensure people get the right kind of care for their circumstances.
Considerations: Safety, Support and Environment
Inpatient care facilities typically provide people with a safe, calming and distraction-free environment where they can go through a medically supervised withdrawal and start the journey to recovery.
These facilities use the weeks or months a person spends in rehab to focus on the physical and mental aspects of addiction. They offer people the opportunity to learn new skills and coping strategies and help them understand why they fell into a pattern of substance abuse. Taking the time to understand this can help reduce the risk of a relapse once the person returns to their daily life.
In contrast, outpatient facilities offer more flexibility. For someone with a stable and supportive family, this can be beneficial because it means they have access to a support network they already know and trust and don’t have to worry about being away from home.
Unfortunately, not everyone is lucky enough to be in this situation. Someone who comes from a family of people who all struggle with substance abuse or who’s in an abusive relationship might find it difficult to avoid falling back into old habits when they’re at home and surrounded by temptation.
One of the things any rehab facility will consider during the intake interview is whether the individual they’re talking to is at risk of a relapse if they return home after a detox.
Role of a Mental Health Professional in the Decision
Counselors and medical professionals interview people when they check into a rehab facility and consider the individual’s physical and mental health, the addiction they’re checking in for and any co-occurring disorders or challenges.
They’ll also consider the person’s support network and any responsibilities they have to their employer or family. Based on this information, they’ll recommend the most suitable type of treatment. Any recommendations are just suggestions, and there’s no obligation to follow them, but if inpatient care is recommended, it’s a good idea to follow the suggestion, since round-the-clock support offers the greatest chance of a successful and long-lasting recovery.
Find Treatment Options in Your Area
If you’re struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, know that help is available. Many rehab facilities offer financial support or have a sliding scale of fees to make their facilities accessible to as many people as possible. At Mental Health Hotline, we offer 24-hour help and support and can connect you with resources in your area. Contact us now to take the first step on the road to a better life.
