If you or a loved one are struggling with a substance use disorder, you might be a bit confused about your options. What’s the difference between inpatient and outpatient rehab, and which one is a better choice for me? There’s no one right answer; instead, it depends on each individual’s unique circumstances. In this article, you’ll read about the difference between the two and see which one might be a better fit.
What is Inpatient Rehab?
Inpatient rehab involves spending a set period of time — from days to weeks — at a residential facility with around-the-clock supervision. Days are highly structured, and patients eat, sleep, and receive treatment at the facility, and don’t usually leave until treatment is completed. Inpatient rehab removes behavioral addiction triggers and the stressors of everyday life, which can lead to relapse. It’s ideal for people who need extra support in the initial phases of their recovery.
What are the Benefits of Inpatient Rehab?
Inpatient rehab provides an extra safeguard against the risk of relapse and worsening mental health issues. It lets you take the focus off your life circumstances and center your own healing. By removing the temptation of relapse and the stressors of housing, cooking, cleaning, work, childcare, and more, inpatient care makes it easier to focus on yourself. You also have 24/7 support from staff and a built-in community of others who can relate to your experience.
What is Outpatient Rehab?
Outpatient programs, on the other hand, offer more flexibility for individuals who need to maintain their daily routines during treatment. Patients attend sessions for several hours or days a week, but don’t sleep at the facility. Outpatient programs are usually divided into different levels of care, including general, intensive, and partial hospitalization. These levels vary in the number of hours and days per week of services, depending on addiction severity and phase of recovery.
What are the Benefits of Outpatient Rehab?
Outpatient rehab takes the healing capacity of rehab and makes it accessible to a wider audience. It makes it possible for people to get the care they need even if they can’t take the time away from work or home. While it isn’t always a fit for people with more severe, acute drug or alcohol addictions, it can often be a good fit. It can also help people who’ve already been through inpatient cure maintain the progress they’ve already made.
Similarities Between Inpatient and Outpatient Rehab
Both inpatient and outpatient rehab can offer a path to lasting recovery from abuse. Both include individual and group therapy sessions, and teach valuable lifelong skills for coping with alcohol or drug addiction. Inpatient and outpatient programs may not also address comorbid disorders, like the mental health issues that often co-occur with addiction. Both types of programs may or may not require individuals to go through a separate detox program first.
Key Decision-Making Factors
While inpatient and outpatient rehab both offer significant benefits for recovery from addiction, they also have several key differences, like the following:
Severity and Type of Addiction
Inpatient rehab is usually a better choice for people with severe addictions, intense withdrawal symptoms, or comorbid mental health disorders. The structure and supervision of the inpatient environment make it much more difficult, if not impossible, for participants to relapse during rehab. They can also be safer for those who might experience worsening mental health symptoms or risk of self-harm while going through withdrawal.
Cost and Coverage
Inpatient rehab programs can be much more expensive than outpatient programs because they provide housing, meals, and 24-hour care. Even with insurance coverage, individuals may find themselves responsible for some or all of the cost of their stay. In the U.S., inpatient rehab can cost up to tens of thousands of dollars, while outpatient rehab can cost several hundred dollars per day. If you have insurance, it usually pays to find out which type of rehab your plan covers best.
Personal Obligations
Some people can (and should) take time off from their jobs and responsibilities while going through rehab. Work stressors and family obligations can make it much harder to focus on recovery and avoid slipping into relapse. Unfortunately, not all individuals have the luxury of taking time off to focus completely on their recovery. For people with unavoidable personal or professional responsibilities, outpatient rehab may be a better – or the only — option.
Support System
Personal circumstances also matter when it comes to the level of support an individual receives at home. For some in recovery, friends and loved ones provide an extra layer of comfort, reassurance, and even relapse prevention. For others, solitary living conditions, a toxic home environment, or homelessness or housing insecurity can make recovery much more challenging. Individuals without a solid support system should usually choose inpatient rehab when possible.
Accessibility and Other Needs
In some cases, inpatient rehab facilities may not have the capacity or training to accommodate certain individuals. For examples, individuals with severe disabilities or complex medical conditions may need to live and sleep at home or in the hospital during rehabilitation. People who are pregnant may also not be a good fit for standard rehabilitation. Individuals who display violent behaviors or extreme PTSD triggers may also be a poor fit due to safety risks for others.
Deciding Which is Right for You
Choosing the right type of rehab will ultimately depend on your own unique needs. For more severe addictions, most people benefit more from a residential inpatient program. Those who are more motivated or have more support may find an outpatient program more accessible and affordable. In some cases, such as a court order or involuntary commitment, you may be legally required to attend a specific type of rehab program.
Pathways Real Life Recovery, we offer a range of services and care levels to suit most peoples’ needs. We also offer customized addiction treatment programs tailored to each person’s unique journey. Before starting rehab, work with the facility and/or your healthcare providers to determine the right kind of support for you. Call 801-895-3006 to speak with a caring advisor who can walk you through all of your options, or contact us here.
