Can’t put your life on hold?
You’re not the only one. Millions of people suffer from substance use disorders and don’t have the time or money to stop their lives for weeks or months at a time. If that sounds like you, it’s time to look at outpatient rehab services.
There’s a real problem for people like you. The standard treatment model is residential or inpatient care. This involves checking into a facility and living there for 30, 60, or 90 days. For many people, that’s completely unrealistic. Bills need to be paid, kids need to be taken care of, and you can’t just disappear from your job.
But addiction doesn’t get better without treatment.
The good news is that more and more rehab facilities are offering outpatient services. Flexible, non-residential treatment can be a real option. In fact, outpatient programs are now offered by 83% of treatment facilities.
Searching for addiction treatment you can actually use? Look into outpatient rehab in Phoenix. The outpatient programs offer real treatment options while you continue to manage your life at home. These programs provide effective therapy and resources for people who can’t afford to leave their support systems behind.
Table of Contents
In this guide you will learn:
- What outpatient rehab services are.
- How outpatient rehab works.
- Different types of outpatient programs.
- How to make the most of outpatient rehab services.
What Are Outpatient Rehab Services?
Outpatient rehab is addiction treatment that can be done without living at a rehab facility.
You do not check into a program for weeks or months. Instead, you attend sessions at a treatment facility during the day and return home in the evenings.
It’s that simple.
Outpatient programs typically meet for a few hours per week up to several hours per day depending on the intensity of the program and your needs. The goal is to fit rehab into your life, not the other way around.
Outpatient programs use the same therapeutic modalities and techniques that inpatient programs use. You will get individual therapy, group counseling, family sessions, education about addiction and recovery, coping skills training, and relapse prevention. The key difference with outpatient rehab is that you immediately use the skills and strategies you are learning with the real challenges in your life.
The Benefits Of Outpatient Treatment
Ever wonder why 9.8 million Americans received outpatient care in 2023?
It’s because outpatient rehab works.
Here are a few reasons why:
Keep Going With Life
You do not have to leave your family or job to receive help. Outpatient rehab works around your life, not the other way around.
Most programs offer evening and weekend hours specifically to accommodate working professionals. This means you can even receive treatment without your employer finding out if you so choose.
Less Expensive, High-Quality Care
Outpatient rehab is less expensive than inpatient or residential treatment.
There is no room and board to pay for since you are living at home. You only pay for the services you receive, which makes professional treatment available to far more people. Many insurance providers also cover outpatient rehab services for little to no out-of-pocket cost.
Build A Support Network
Here’s a little known fact about outpatient rehab.
Staying at home during treatment allows you to immediately apply what you are learning in therapy to your real-life support systems. Your family, friends, and significant other become an active part of your recovery on day one.
You are learning how to navigate life in your regular environment with new skills and coping strategies. This builds stronger, more sustainable change and recovery habits.
Practice Coping Skills In The Real World
Outpatient rehab puts you in your real world environment while you are still receiving treatment.
You will face triggers and cravings and challenging life situations while still being supported by your treatment team. This is different from residential care where you leave a very controlled, safe environment and suddenly have to deal with everything on your own. With outpatient rehab, you get the best of both worlds.
It is a huge difference.
It means you’re building real-world coping skills and not just ideas of how to handle things.
Types Of Outpatient Programs
Outpatient programs aren’t all the same.
There are different levels of outpatient care, based on your individual needs.
Standard Outpatient Programs
Standard outpatient is the least intensive level of outpatient rehab.
You will typically attend a few hours per week of therapy. Most of these programs offer evening or weekend hours for people who work or have family obligations. Standard outpatient treatment is most effective for those with mild SUDs or who are transitioning down from a more intensive treatment level.
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)
IOPs require more of a time commitment from you than standard outpatient.
You will receive treatment 9 to 12 hours per week. The hours are usually split across three to four days. Intensive outpatient programs provide structure and support but still leave you time to work or go to school.
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)
PHP is the most intensive outpatient level.
You will spend 5 to 6 hours per day at the rehab facility, usually 5 days per week. It is like being in a hospital without the overnight stay. This type of care is best for people stepping down from residential treatment or who can’t leave home but need serious help.
Do Outpatient Programs Actually Work?
Outpatient treatment does work for many people.
However, it does take effort and commitment on your part to make sure the program is effective. Here are some statistics about outpatient treatment and why it is so helpful.
About 43% of people who enter outpatient care complete their program. While this might not sound very good, it is important to remember that everyone who even starts an outpatient program is likely to improve.
There are other statistics that are more meaningful:
Many people who leave treatment early still gain benefits from receiving some care. Remember, any time spent with professional support is a positive step forward in recovery.
Long-term success rates are good for those who complete outpatient programs. Research shows that people who go through outpatient rehab and engage in aftercare have long-term sobriety rates similar to inpatient treatment graduates.
The setting of care is not the most important factor for success. Staying in treatment long enough and following through with recommended steps are what matter most.
Making Outpatient Rehab Work For You
Want to get the most out of outpatient treatment?
Follow a few simple guidelines:
Stick With The Program
Don’t skip sessions or try to get out early. Consistency is more important than intensity when it comes to creating long-term change.
The recommended length of treatment is not an arbitrary number. If your treatment team says you should be in a program for X amount of time, then do it even if you feel like you no longer need it.
Be Honest In Treatment
Your treatment team can only help you if you are honest about your struggles and challenges.
Tell them about the close calls and triggers. Let them in on the things you would rather not talk about. This vulnerability is what allows real change to occur.
Build A Support System
You do not have to go through recovery alone.
Reach out to other people in your outpatient program. Attend support group meetings like AA and NA. Tell your family what they can do to help you in recovery. The more people you have supporting you, the better off you will be long-term.
Create Structure In Your Life
Living at home does not mean that anything goes.
Work on creating healthy routines for yourself. Avoid people and places associated with your addiction. Fill your life with positive activities and relationships. Creating structure will help you stay sober.
Time To Take Action
Outpatient rehab services are real addiction treatment programs that can help you.
Millions of Americans use outpatient programs each year and many experience long-term success. The key is to find the right program and fully commit to recovery.
Don’t wait until your life is over.
If you are struggling with addiction, then outpatient rehab can be the solution. Get help now and take the first step toward full recovery. You will thank yourself in the future.