Outpatient Substance Abuse Rehab in the United States
When looking for help for yourself or a loved one, you may be wondering whether you need inpatient or outpatient substance abuse treatment. While inpatient rehabs are best for people with severe drug addictions, outpatient programming serves people with mild substance use disorders or who cannot take the time away from their responsibilities to attend a more intensive program. However, outpatient drug rehab in the United States usually serves as one key component of a comprehensive addiction treatment program.
Millions of people around the country use drugs and alcohol freely and at their own discretion. Many people assume that someone abusing substances must be disheveled in appearance, behaving erratically, and financially devastated. But, more often than not, that isn’t the case. In fact, some people who abuse addictive drugs remain high functioning, yet still, suffer immensely from the disease of addiction. If this sounds like you, outpatient substance abuse treatment can be your way out of addiction.
Another major misconception is that someone who abuses substances is an addict. Substance abuse and addiction are different, as substance abuse is the act of abusing substances while still in control, and addiction is the act of abusing substances without the ability to be in control. The ability to control alcohol and drug consumption typically lessens as substance abuse continues. This is because the brain experiences an array of structural changes due to long-term drug abuse that affects impulses, decision making, and more.
What Qualifies as Substance Abuse?
So, what actions qualify as substance abuse?
- Using drugs and/or alcohol to cope with stressful situations.
- Taking drugs and/or alcohol to enhance a positive experience.
- Using drugs and/or alcohol even if you have experienced consequences.
- Regularly overusing drugs and/or alcohol in certain situations (such as at parties, weddings, and other celebrations).
- Feeling like something is not as fun as it can be when using drugs and/or alcohol.
- Taking a medication that isn’t prescribed to you or taking more than is directed by your physician.
The most dangerous aspect of substance abuse is that repeated and long-term use of drugs can ultimately lead to substance use disorder or addiction. The progression of substance abuse to addiction is characterized by changes in the brain. These changes impact the user’s ability to control his or her drug use. While addiction itself cannot be cured, it can be treated through several different types of programs. These programs include inpatient treatment and outpatient drug rehab.
How Do I Know Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment is Right For Me?
Whether you are abusing substances or experiencing the disease of addiction, it’s imperative to obtain treatment to prevent further problems.
- Have completed another treatment program, such as inpatient drug rehab.
- Your substance abuse has not yet progressed to addiction.
- You are experiencing addiction but to a mild extent.
- You have relapsed after receiving treatment but require additional treatment to help you regain your footing in recovery.
- You’re in need of treatment but can’t take time away from your family members or job to attend a residential rehab center.
- Have a supportive environment to live in and can manage their physical and mental health while living at home.
Depending on your situation, you may begin your treatment in outpatient care. On the other hand, some enroll in outpatient substance abuse treatment once they complete one or more levels of treatment.
The best way to determine which level of care is right for you is to reach out to staff at the treatment center you are considering and go over your situation with them. For those already receiving treatment in another program, the staff who are providing you with care can help you decide on potential enrollment in an outpatient rehab program.
Outpatient Drug Rehab in the United States
Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOP)
An intensive outpatient program, or an IOP, is an addiction treatment option that is often viewed as a transitional stage of care for people who are leaving a residential facility and are planning to move into a lower level of care.
Intensive outpatient programming requires a large time commitment from patients but does not require them to live at the facility. Instead, an IOP will have patients come to the facility for at least three days per week and participate in counseling sessions. On the days that patients go to their IOP, they will spend their time in individual and group therapy sessions. When therapy is done for the day, patients return home or to their sober living environment.
Outpatient Programming (OP)
Outpatient programming is extremely similar to IOP. The most prominent difference between the two is the time commitment. Those in an IOP spend the majority of their week at the facility, while patients of an outpatient drug rehab spend at least one day per week there. They will participate in many of the same therapies, however, the majority of them will be conducted in a group setting rather than individually.
Therapies used in Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment
Several therapeutic treatments, techniques, and approaches are highly effective in treating substance abuse and addiction. That’s why our United States outpatient substance abuse treatment programs revolve around evidence-based therapies that really work.
Patients who attend outpatient addiction treatment participate in both individual therapy and group counseling. It is also common for patients of these programs to go through family therapy, as well.
- Behavioral therapies — Behavioral therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) or dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), are designed to help patients learn how to modify problematic behaviors, thoughts, beliefs, and feelings to support their recovery rather than their relapse.
- Experiential therapies — Getting hands-on in therapy has proven to be extremely effective in treating drug and alcohol addiction. These therapies include art therapy, music therapy, equine therapy, and yoga. Their sole purpose is to allow patients to utilize other forms of expression to work through their challenges.
- Trauma therapies — The vast majority of people who struggle with substance abuse have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lives. Trauma therapies, such as eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) and psychodynamic therapy, can help patients process their trauma in a healthy manner so the effects of it no longer create a negative impact on their lives.
The types of therapies that patients receive is based on their individual needs. The length of time that they spend participating in those therapies will be determined both by their progress and by the effectiveness of the therapy itself. We know that every person is different – which is why we tailor our treatment plans to most effectively target your unique needs.
Getting Into Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment in the United States
If outpatient substance abuse treatment is right for you, it is helpful to know what to do prior to beginning your care. For starters, many addiction treatment providers are either fully or partially covered by most major insurance providers. If you are insured, reach out to your provider to determine which programs are in-network and affordable. If you are uninsured, you can still get treatment either through financing it or utilizing state assistance if you qualify.
When you have a better idea of which programs you can attend, call the ones you are most interested in to find out more information. Take the time to learn about each place so that you will have a good idea of what to expect.
Upon deciding what program you will attend, make an effort to adjust your schedule in order to meet all of your treatment obligations. If you need help from others in order to do that, do not be afraid to ask.
Do You Need Help For Substance Abuse? Call Us Today.
If you are addicted to drugs or alcohol or are abusing them, call A Forever Recovery right now. It’s not always easy knowing where to look or where to begin, but that’s why we’re here to help.