How Do Residential and Outpatient Rehab Programs Compare?

Treatment should always be considered when detoxing from drug addiction. If you avoid treatment, you are likely to relapse (1). If you are considering addiction treatment, you might be asking how residential and outpatient rehab programs compare to each other. The difference between inpatient and outpatient rehab can include the timeline, treatment intensity, cost, and more.

So in this article, we will discuss inpatient and outpatient rehab, their differences, and what they entail so you can make the best choice for yourself or your loved one.

What Is Outpatient Rehab?

With outpatient rehab, people attend meetings or appointments for their challenges. They are not obligated to stay at the facility for long periods of time. Outpatient rehab programs are typically an option for people with ongoing responsibilities such as childcare, home maintenance, or a job.

What Is Residential Rehab?

On the other hand, a residential rehab program is different, also known as an inpatient rehab program. A residential program requires individuals to remain in a treatment facility for an extended time until their treatment program has concluded.

People who check into residential rehab programs often must miss time away from work and home as they work to overcome their drug addiction or other mental illness. That way, they have the necessary therapy sessions, medical detox, and other benefits of residential programs to eliminate their substance abuse and start living a sober lifestyle.

So How do Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab Programs Compare?

Residential and outpatient rehab programs each have their advantages and disadvantages. When deciding between residential vs. outpatient rehab, there is not a one-size-fits-all answer. Instead, the individual’s history with addictive substances, alcohol abuse, everyday life, and other factors will determine the best treatment options.

Benefits Of Outpatient Rehab

Many individuals choose outpatient care because of the numerous benefits. It offers flexible options and typically lower costs. This makes it achievable for the average person with substance addiction. But outpatient therapy is not the best solution for everyone. So let’s explore the pros of the outpatient program more in-depth:

More Flexibility

Even with more intensive outpatient programs, flexibility is a major benefit. For example, you don’t need to commit to living at the facility until the outpatient therapy is finished.

Sometimes patients deal with many ongoing challenges in their daily lives, and outpatient rehab programs allow them to balance everything. In some cases, you can even schedule your own appointments, making them favorable to inpatient programs in that regard.

Less Expensive

At Profound Treatment, we believe everyone deserves help for substance abuse recovery. It’s one of the reasons why we provide an intensive outpatient program at your rehab center. Of course, residential and outpatient therapy have pros and cons, but you can enjoy lower costs with outpatient treatment programs.

More Discrete

If you are concerned about your employer finding out about your drug abuse problem, outpatient therapies are very discrete. No one has to know that you visit the treatment center a few times per week, and you can maintain your current occupation.

Benefits Of Residential Rehab

Outpatient treatment certainly offers various upsides. However, certain people decide that an inpatient program is better when they see how residential and outpatient rehab programs compare.

Residential treatment often includes a more comprehensive process — such as group therapy, group meetings, individual therapy sessions, and family therapy — all while living at the treatment center.

Additional benefits include:

24/7 Care

One of the biggest differences in residential and outpatient rehab is receiving care around the clock. With residential treatment, you check-in for weeks or months. The professional staff helps recovering addicts stay safe in a caring way, with zero lapses in care.

Effective For Long-Term Addiction Patients

Both residential and outpatient rehab success rates are better than simply not receiving care at all. However, some individuals find that checking into a residential rehab facility is necessary to receive the well-rounded substance abuse treatment they require. This makes it an ideal long-term solution for many.

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Treatment

The way treatment occurs in residential and outpatient settings tends to vary. Let’s look at the primary differences in treatment.

With inpatient treatment, individuals will:

• Stay at the facility, removed from their normal life
• Work on self-improvement and overcoming the addiction full time
• Receive medication appropriate for the rehab, or existing medical conditions
• Potentially receive partial hospitalization during the detox process
• Receive group therapy — crucial (2) for recovery

With outpatient treatment, individuals will:

• Be self-responsible for sobriety when not at the facility
• Find time in their daily life to work on themselves
• Be able to build a network of supportive peers from outpatient services

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Therapy

When it comes to inpatient vs. outpatient rehab therapy, their goals are the same. Both formats involve a treatment center, group counseling, and family therapy. In addition, patients will receive help in planning their future life and reaching their goals.

Both inpatient and outpatient programs compare similarly regarding the type of psychological tools patients will gain. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and other methods of understanding emotions, are utilized to allow individuals to take full control over their thoughts and actions in the future.

How to Decide While Choosing What Suits You

When it comes to treatment programs, they are all created differently. This is to cater to different life situations, budgets, and goals of the patient.

When looking at residential vs. outpatient rehab programs, compare their time commitments, treatments, and requirements. That way, you can determine the right treatment program for you.

When you are ready to get help for your substance abuse problem from a local treatment center, contact Profound Treatment. We will discuss your options and help you find your way.