When looking at potential treatment programs, it is important to understand the difference between inpatient and outpatient care. For many looking for addiction help, it is not an easy answer about what treatment program may be the best for long term recovery.
While inpatient care can be more expensive, it also provides a more stable environment for severe cases of addiction. If a person does not have a stable home to return to, inpatient care may be a viable option for long-term recovery.
Outpatient care is often considered for less severe cases, or as a cheaper alternative to inpatient care. It gives the ability for a person to still go to work and return home for support from family and friends. However, it does leave easier access for potential substance abuse without twenty-four care.
Different treatment centers offer varying amenities and programs that contribute to an inpatient or outpatient care program. To understand the benefits and downsides to different treatment methods more, here are key differences between the two programs.
Questions to Ask Before Looking Into Potential Treatment Programs
Recognizing what factors play a role in recovery can help make a better decision for your particular situation or a loved one’s addiction care. Before researching “inpatient center near me,” take a moment to consider the following questions:
- Are you currently living in a safe home environment?
- Are you involved in any codependent relationships that may hinder recovery?
- Are there drugs or alcohol where you currently live?
- Are you exposed to friends or family that abuse drugs and alcohol?
- Do you have a network of friends and family that are willing to support your sober journey?
- Do you have co-occurring disorders that may impact your recovery?
- Is there a treatment center near you that you could commute to for care?
- Are you able to take time off of work?
- Do you need specialized services for a disability or gender-specific rehab?
Discuss these questions with a trusted friend or medical professional that is helping you take the next steps for recovery. Having a safe environment for recovery and the right support systems in place before being admitted into a treatment center gives you a better opportunity for long-term recovery.
Duration of Treatment Programs
The duration of treatment programs varies depending on the severity of the addiction and what an individual may need for long-term recovery. While it is recommended to have a longer treatment plan, not all individuals may need 90 days or more of care in order to put the steps in place for sober living.
Month-Long (30 days) Treatment Program
A month-long program typically involves “lockdown” inpatient care for 30 days within a rehab facility. For 30 days, there are 12-step meetings to attend, group, and individualized therapy sessions, as well as medical supervision throughout the withdrawal process. The program often limits visitation from family and friends during the initial phase.
30 day programs are usually a good starting point for someone who is looking for addiction help for the first time or has suffered a severe relapse. By having an intensive care approach, it gives enough time for an individual to clear their head and begin to put the steps in place for a sober life.
60 Day Treatment Program
60-day treatment programs are more intensive but can be accessed through either an inpatient or outpatient care program. 60 days allows for life skills training for a person to gradually adapt new habits into their everyday living.
Much like the 30-day program, it involves group therapy, detoxification, and individualized therapy. It also may include revising a treatment plan after the initial 30 days, as the situation may change over time from the original schedule put in place.
90 Day Treatment Program
90-day treatment programs are mainly used for severe cases such as heroin, alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and prescription drug addictions. The schedule is more structured with detoxification treatment, behavioral therapy, and twenty-four-hour care. 
Aftercare planning also takes place during the program to ensure an individual has an easier transition back into regular life. Aftercare arrangements can include sober living communities, outpatient group therapy, or attending regular 12-step meetings.
Inpatient Care
Inpatient care means being admitted into a facility for a certain number of days, depending on what is needed for recovery. Residential programs help facilitate medical supervision and daily structure for better recovery outcomes.
Inpatient Care Benefits Include:
- Stable and safe environment
- 24-hour care
- Treatment for co-occurring disorders
- Reduced risk of potential relapse
- Intensive group therapy support
- Individualized therapy
- Reduced stressors
- Less potential triggers
- Specialized treatment services
- Alternative therapy methods
- Facility amenities, such as nature reserves or recreation centers
- Higher recovery success rate
Inpatient care has shown to be a highly effective treatment method for long-term recovery but does come with potential downsides.
The Downsides To Inpatient Care Includes:
- Limited access to life outside the facility
- Less opportunity to have family and friends nearby for support
- The inability to work
- No opportunity to take care of a household or dependents
- Higher cost for accommodation
Inpatient care may not be needed for every situation, but it is recommended for severe cases, or if an individual has experienced continuous relapses. For those who need a new environment that is away from addictive habits, it is the best option for around the clock care and shifting daily habits for sober living.
The Financial Side of Rehab
For many looking at inpatient care, the cost can feel prohibitive in receiving the right care. When searching for a center near you, check for what insurance policies may cover the stay. Rehab can cost anywhere from $300 to $800 per day, depending on the facility.
There are also financing plans available, or public rehab facilities that come at a cheaper inpatient cost. Check with your insurance provider and medical professional about potential options that may be available to you.
Outpatient Care
Outpatient care is more accessible to less severe cases of addiction, and also comes at a lower cost than inpatient care. Before searching for an “outpatient center near me” consider the benefits and downsides to admittance into an outpatient program.
Benefits of Outpatient Care Include:
- The ability to go to work still
- The opportunity to go home and take care of a household
- Full support by being around family and friends more
- Ability to practice relapse prevention in the real world
Outpatient care gives the opportunity to have some regular activity within the day. Whether you have a family to look after at home, or need to keep working, outpatient care allows for care alongside your daily life. If there is a stable environment at home to return to, family support increases positives outcomes for long-term recovery.
The Downside to Outpatient Care Includes:
- No in-person access to 24-hour care
- Higher opportunity for potential substance abuse
- Increased chance of relapse being in a home environment with familiar habits
- Continued friendships or family relations that may trigger a potential relapse
- Potentially still returning home to a stressful or unstable environment
- Detox protocol may not be adequate enough for a comfortable withdrawal process
While outpatient care has many benefits, it also has major downsides for long-term recovery. For many people visiting a rehab facility for 2-3 hours a day, it may not be enough to break old habits to develop new life skills. Having the right support in place at home and within daily activity is vital for successful outcomes.
The Lower Cost of Outpatient Care
Outpatient care is often more accessible because the cost is significantly lower. Intensive outpatient care can range from $100 to $500 per treatment session. The total cost of a program depends on how long an individual is admitted into a program and what potential insurance options are available.
Determining the Best Treatment Program
Every person is different in what they may need for a treatment program. For severe cases, it is important to consider the benefits of what an inpatient care facility can provide for long-term recovery. For those who are able to lean on family or friend support, an outpatient program may provide the comfortability they need from home in order to recover.
It is important to recognize that sobriety is a lifetime of recovery. Rehab gives the space to learn life skills and receive therapy support to rewire old habits into new ones. However, it still needs a long-term treatment plan in place in order to shift repeated addiction behavior.
Search for “outpatient center near me” or “inpatient center near me” to find the closest facilities to where you are.
What To Look Out For
Inpatient and outpatient care often have overlaps in the approach to care. The main difference is whether you are staying within a facility, or visiting a facility during the day.
When looking at potential treatment programs make sure to look for:
- Qualified clinicians
- Evidence-based treatment methods
- Behavioral therapy options
- Support Groups
- Supervised medical detoxification
- A program specifically suited for the type of addiction
By assessing the type of care that is needed, you can determine whether a program is right for your needs. There are always accessible ways for you or a loved one to receive the addiction needed to live an empowered sober life. Get in touch with local centers to schedule an appointment for a personalized plan towards recovery.
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