Many patients will benefit from outpatient addiction treatment programs due to their flexibility and affordability. Outpatient care is also an excellent way to transition from residential care into your everyday routine. It provides access to a professional support system that can be there for you as needed while teaching you essential coping skills you can use after completing your program.
Outpatient addiction treatment centers are an excellent choice for many patients. While there are many reasons to choose outpatient substance use disorder treatment centers, flexibility is perhaps the most important. All too often, prospective patients decide to skip over addiction treatment in favor of getting back to real life. Outpatient drug treatment centers allow patients to have the best of both worlds.
Outpatient programs allow you to maintain your everyday schedule while receiving crucial addiction care. These programs are ideal if you need additional treatment or if certain life factors make it challenging to follow a residential treatment program. Generally, the following people can benefit most from the flexibility of outpatient care:
One of the misconceptions about outpatient addiction treatment centers is that they leave patients vulnerable to relapse. While patients may not be in a sober, controlled environment 24 hours a day, they will still have access to support around the clock with our addiction recovery support groups.
Although patients might only have scheduled treatment for a few hours each week, they can still have a place to turn when the wheels are falling off. Knowing that experts are on hand can be comforting and reassuring when cravings or questions arise. For instance, when you’re experiencing cravings or need someone to turn to, professionals might provide advice and help you nurture the following skills:
patients should never feel alone in the midst of recovery. Each of Gateway’s locations aims to support patients when needed.
Outpatient programs can also be used as a transition from residential care to your everyday routine. When you enter treatment, you can immediately apply what you’ve learned in your home setting. As you practice these skills in the real world, you can get feedback and support from your treatment staff to adjust the program as needed.
In other words, outpatient programs can provide the tools you need to maintain a substance-free life. If you’ve recently finished a residential or partial hospitalization program (PHP), outpatient care can help you smoothly transition into your daily routine. As you learn and grow, professionals will track your progress and add or subtract services as needed.
Since some patients might not have lived alone successfully in the past, you can also learn crucial life skills like cooking, budgeting, and how to secure a job or housing.
Sustaining your long-term addiction recovery will begin with treatments tailored to your needs, history, and severity of your SUD. Evidence-based therapies, recovery support groups, and a commitment to change can help you in times of need. You’ll add healthy hobbies to your sobriety toolbox and gain much-needed structure from this level of care. In outpatient care, you can learn the best strategies to maintain your sobriety and continue down a healthy, fulfilling path.
The popularity of outpatient drug treatment centers is partially due to their affordable nature. Since outpatient care is typically offered a few times each week, often for two or three hours at a time, patients can expect to pay less than they would for a 24/7 treatment experience. Because of this, a person might also receive treatment over an extended period, potentially increasing the chance of a successful treatment outcome.
It is worth noting that cost should never be the deciding factor when choosing the right addiction treatment program. Thanks to rehab insurance coverage and financing options, patients should focus on the route to recovery that best meets their needs. It is simply an added advantage that outpatient care can be an inexpensive option for the right candidates.
Gateway can provide an exceptional amount of support for those who are fighting back against addiction. Even more valuable, however, is helping patients create their own lifelong support network.
Long after treatment ends, patients will still face the risk of relapse. The best way to stay on track is to have access to care and accountability for years to come. That support system can include family, or it could consist of local support groups and peers from treatment.
Building a support system in outpatient care allows you to continue these rewarding relationships outside of a professional setting. Knowing this can provide a sense of relief for anyone who might be wary of the transition from treatment into their everyday life. After all, the real world can bring potential triggers and cravings you might not have anticipated. Rest assured that even after completing your program, the connections you’ve made in outpatient treatment can be there for you when you need them.
Being able to rely on others in times of need can give you a better chance of preventing relapse. You can also be a source of encouragement for your peers as you progress through the journey together.
Gateway provides valuable resources and opportunities for alums to gather and partake in substance-free activities. These might include sports and recreational fun or addiction recovery support groups. We even use technology to keep in contact with graduates for the long term. The strongest indicator of lasting success is sustaining that engagement in recovery activities and support.
Learning to recruit and foster these relationships is vital. In outpatient programs, patients will determine the value of a team in and out of recovery. Having support can be the catalyst that leads to sobriety for life.
People often have the following questions about outpatient treatment:
At Gateway, when you begin an outpatient program, you’ll first meet with a medical professional to develop a treatment plan. The plan will include your goals for recovery. The health professional will ask questions about your substance use, medical history, mental health concerns, living situation, and previous treatment experiences to create a more effective plan to meet your unique needs.
Ideally, your treatment plan will be created alongside a mental health professional involved in your care, medical providers, and you, the patient. Once you’ve developed a clear path, sessions with therapists will be scheduled and provided according to your needs. Every outpatient addiction treatment program is different and will have varying schedules and structures. For instance, some programs require you to attend therapy sessions several hours a day, five days a week. Others might require you to meet once or twice a week.
The schedule will depend on the severity of your addiction and whether you have a dual diagnosis that requires more intense treatment.
Depending on your history, needs and the type of services needed, outpatient addiction treatment can last a week, many months, or even years. That said, most outpatient plans require you to attend sessions two to five days a week. Outpatient care that requires multiple contracts per week might last three to nine months while continuing care can continue for as long as needed since recovery is a lifelong process.
Depending on your schedule preferences and those of your providers, sessions might range from 30 to 60 minutes in length. And in most cases, patients might be expected to finish assigned exercises or activities between therapy sessions at their own homes. Following through on these outside activities is essential for ensuring you meet your recovery goals set in place by you and your therapists.
Discussing this question with your healthcare team will give you a more specific answer. Generally, outpatient is appropriate for people recovering from mild to moderate addiction and those who can independently manage their daily routines and sobriety. Suppose you feel confident in your ability to control cravings outside of treatment sessions and can take prescribed medications and care for yourself without outside help. In that case, outpatient care might suit you best.
It’s also crucial that you can get to medical and therapy appointments reliably, whether you have your own transportation or a loved one who can hold you accountable to attend these sessions. A more intensive treatment plan might work better if you lack a healthy support system. It’s also crucial that you are not in a problematic unsafe living situation. Outpatient care works best for those willing and dedicated to their recovery efforts.
Gateway offers three types of outpatient programs — standard outpatient, intensive outpatient programs (IOP), and partial hospitalization programs (PHP). Each varies in intensity, structure, and types of services offered. Traditional outpatient programs are the least intense, with sessions often just a few times a week. They tend to provide little medical supervision, though they include most services offered in the other programs, like group therapy and one-on-one sessions with licensed therapists.
IOP requires participants to meet more often throughout the week, offering services like group and individual counseling, medication management, case management, and 12-step meetings. Some might seek traditional IOP if their addiction severity doesn’t warrant inpatient care. Others might seek IOP after completing a residential program.
Partial hospitalization often meets seven days a week, for a few hours daily. These programs often include individual, group, and family therapy, medication, on-site medical care, and social services. PHP programs can be helpful for anyone who requires intensive medical care or serve as a transition from inpatient to traditional outpatient care.
Gateway Foundation offers numerous outpatient treatment centers throughout the Chicago, Illinois area. We also provide virtual outpatient services, an excellent option for patients needing additional flexibility. Using our virtual platform, you can engage with our therapists and peers in the group and participate in therapy, psycho-educational groups, and other treatment modalities from the comfort of your own home.
