How Does Outpatient Rehab Work?
Overcoming a substance use disorder is a process and a journey you will be on for the rest of your life. One of the first steps towards defeating addiction to drugs or alcohol is rehabilitation, where you attend a variety of therapies and educational sessions to help give you the tools you need to be successful. Many addiction treatment centers in Florida offer both inpatient and outpatient rehab options, depending on your daily needs. Outpatient services provide access to the therapies and programs you need, without requiring you to stay at a facility for a specified period.
Table of contents
» What Is Outpatient Rehab?
» Who Is a Good Candidate for Outpatient Rehab?
» What Happens During a Typical Day in Outpatient Rehab?
» How Long Does Outpatient Rehab Last?
» Key Takeaways on Outpatient Rehab
» Resources
What Is Outpatient Rehab?
Outpatient rehab offers substance use disorder treatment without a person needing to stay at the center 24/7. Instead, they can still live at their home and continue to work and care for themselves and their family during the treatment process.
Many outpatient programs are offered during the day or in the evenings. Some treatment programs offer Florida weekend drug rehab for individuals who cannot attend their program during weekdays.
According to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), of the 12.8 million people who received substance use treatment in 2023, about 9.8 million of them chose to use outpatient programs.
Depending on your personal needs, there are a few different types of outpatient services that your mental health professional might suggest for you, including:
- Traditional outpatient treatment: The least intensive option, where a person may come in for one or two therapy sessions per week.
- Intensive outpatient program (IOP): A more structured treatment program where a person would attend between three and five hours of therapy per week.
- Partial hospitalization program (PHP): The most intensive outpatient option, where a person attends 20 or more hours of therapy every week.
A wide variety of therapies and services are offered through outpatient rehab, including:
- Behavioral counseling
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Education programs
- Family therapy
- Group therapy
- Holistic and alternative treatments such as yoga and art therapy
- Individual therapy
- Medically-assisted treatment (MAT)
- Motivational enhancement therapy
- Recovery programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
- Relapse prevention
Outpatient drug and alcohol treatment programs offer several benefits when compared to inpatient programs, such as:
- Can make treatment more confidential
- Easier transition back into your normal life
- Greater flexibility
- Immediately put what you learn into practice in your daily life
- Normally, more cost-effective than inpatient treatment
- Potential option for telehealth services
How Successful Are Outpatient Services?
It is not uncommon for people to have a misconception regarding outpatient treatment, thinking it does not work as well as inpatient services. This is untrue—many people have great success using outpatient services to recover from a substance use disorder. A study published in the journal Psychiatric Services found that intensive outpatient programs have the same effectiveness as inpatient rehab.
And outpatient programs can have good retention, which is always an issue with substance use disorder treatment. A study published in the journal Psychiatry Research reports that 52% of people who start outpatient treatment complete the program.
As with any program, what you put into it is what you will get out of it. Family and friends can do their part to help set someone with substance use disorder up for success by talking about rehab options during their drug or effective alcohol intervention in Florida.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Outpatient Rehab?
Outpatient rehab is a very common treatment option for people with substance use disorder as it gives them the flexibility to receive the therapy they need, without sacrificing their work and home life.
For example, single parents may not seek out rehab because they cannot be away from their children for an extended period of time. And some people may opt not to receive substance use disorder treatment because they are afraid to talk to employers about drug rehab, and that they may lose their job. Outpatient programs provide an excellent alternative for these types of situations.
Outpatient drug or alcohol treatment can be a good choice for people who:
- They are highly motivated to beat their addiction and be successful.
- Do not require 24-hour supervision.
- Have a mild to moderate addiction to drugs or alcohol.
- Have a strong support group at home and an environment free of triggers.
- Insurance does not cover inpatient services.
- Needs to continue to work or go to school during treatment.
- Those who have children and need to provide childcare during the day.
However, it’s important to note that an outpatient program is not for everyone. There are some potential drawbacks when comparing outpatient to inpatient rehab, including:
- Easier access to triggers and substances.
- Greater need for self-discipline.
- Less daily support than you would receive with inpatient rehab.
- Limited supervision, especially at night.
- There is a need for consistent transportation every day.
People who should opt for inpatient, rather than outpatient programs, include those who:
- Also have an underlying mental health issue.
- Experience extreme withdrawal symptoms.
- Have no support system at home.
- Have a severe substance use disorder.
- History of relapse or unfinished outpatient treatment.
- Required 24/7 support and supervision.
- Struggle with getting transportation every day to and from outpatient programs.
What Happens During a Typical Day in Outpatient Rehab?
Your normal day of outpatient services depends on your substance use disorder and your personal needs. On the first day of your rehab, you will undergo an assessment by a mental health professional to gauge your:
- Current mental health status
- Daily requirements that would require outpatient programs
- Medical history
- Recovery goals
- Substance addiction severity
From there, your doctor will provide you with a customized outpatient treatment plan that will help you in the best way possible.
Then, from day two onward, each day may be different, depending on your schedule. For example, one day you may have individual therapy, while the next day you have group or family therapy.
Most outpatient programs provide an educational component to help you learn more about your addiction and the tools and methods that can help you stay sober, such as stress management techniques and coping skills.
And depending on your needs, your outpatient treatment may also include medication-assisted treatment (MAT), where your mental health professional will prescribe you medications to help reduce withdrawal symptoms.
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How Long Does Outpatient Rehab Last?
Just like inpatient treatment, outpatient services can last anywhere from one week to several months or years, depending on the individual and their specific needs.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, most people with a substance use disorder require at least three months of rehab to not only stop their drug and alcohol use but also to stay clean for the rest of their lives.
Key Takeaways on Outpatient Rehab
- Outpatient rehab offers the same therapies and programs as inpatient rehab, but with more flexibility.
- There are three different types of outpatient services available with varying intensities of treatment.
- Outpatient substance use disorder treatment can be just as effective as inpatient rehab.
- While outpatient services are a good choice for certain people, for some, inpatient services are the best option.
- Outpatient treatment can last anywhere from one week to several years, depending on the individual’s needs.
All addiction treatment centers across Florida, run by WhiteSands Treatment, offer outpatient rehab services, providing convenient care throughout the state. Whether you or a loved one has a drug, alcohol, or prescription drug substance use disorder, our outpatient programs—including an intensive outpatient program—provide the support that our patients need to be successful in their daily lives. Outpatient services also offer access to our holistic and alternative treatment options, including art therapy and yoga, for a well-rounded therapeutic approach. And WhiteSands Treatment specializes in dual diagnosis treatment, where we treat not only your substance use disorder, but any underlying mental health issues that may be causing it.
If you or a loved one requires drug or alcohol use rehabilitation, and you would like to learn more about WhiteSands Treatment’s outpatient options, call us today at 877-855-3470.
Resources
- U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) — Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2023 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
- Psychiatric Services — Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Programs: Assessing the Evidence
- Psychiatry Research — Profiles of patients with substance-related disorders who dropped out or not from addiction treatment
If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.
About the Author
Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. She has a passion for writing and continuously works to create informative pieces that not only educate and inform the public about the disease of addiction but also provide solutions for those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.
