What is an Outpatient Rehab?
When you think of a drug and alcohol rehab, you might first think of a facility where you go, stay for a month or two, and leave. Outpatient therapy might not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, an intensive outpatient program can help bring addiction treatment to the vast majority.
Outpatient drug rehab definition
An outpatient drug rehab incorporates normal therapies like counseling and group therapy but does not require patients to live on-site. However, facilities like Coalition Recovery offer sober living to still provide structure and a transition back into everyday life.
Outpatient rehabs offer rehabilitaiton services like mental health treatment, counseling, psychiatric evaluations; and family/group thearpy.
Outpatient programs give individuals the opportunity to maintain their current job and family life while continuing to seek therapy for their substance abuse.
An outpatient rehab is a drug or alcohol treatment facility that offers individualized and group therapy options from weekly to monthly drive-in sessions. Our outpatient program is typically reserved for individuals who have successfully completed our in-house treatment program and would like to continue fostering their recovery process. While not recommended, outpatient treatment can also be an alternative to an inpatient level of care. Unlike inpatient addiction rehab programs, outpatient programs can be a viable option for people who might not be able to take time off work, spend time away from family, or other financial obligations making it difficult for a full inpatient program.
Of course, outpatient is the lowest level of care when it comes to substance abuse treatment. Residential and/or Day/Night treatment is the highest level of care available. Generally speaking, the higher the level of care, the more care an individual receives, making long-term success more likely. PHP treatment is the next highest level of care. Participants in a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) typically drive in to treatment from their homes each day. It is during this stage where participants can encounter compliance issues due to the lack of continual oversight compared to inpatient settings like Residential and Day/Night.
Who should attend outpatient rehab?
This form of rehab involves a specific level of involvement per day or week in group/individual activities, however does not need that you remain at a facility full-time. A lot of outpatient rehabilitations advise 6-9 hours each week, while more intensive programs consist of 9+ hours of therapy.
For working professionals, students, and parents, outpatient therapy can be a viable option to receive addiction treatment while still maintaining daily obligations.
What is Intensive Outpatient Therapy (IOP)?
When looking at outpatient rehabs near you, you might find some offer outpatient therapy and others might also offer intensive outpatient therapy (IOP). IOP is a program that provides a level of addiction care between PHP and outpatient. During outpatient care, you may attend therapy sessions once a week or once a month – depending on your personal goals and recovery. Intensive outpatient care on the other hand is more frequent – typically 3-5 days per week.
IOP programs will typically involve group therapy, weekly meetings with a psychiatrist, individualized psychotherapies with a licensed therapist, and possibly family sessions as well. PHP is typically followed by some form of IOP. It is during this IOP stage where individuals learn to reintegrate back into their normal everyday life while still maintaining some form of treatment.
Outpatient Rehabilitation Goals
There are numerous goals for outpatient drug rehabilitation. Of these goals, the most crucial is recovery from drug abuse. Throughout drug rehabilitation, you will find out how to cope with life and how to get through challenges without using drugs. In addition to drug-free living, harm reduction may additionally be promoted. Below is a complete list of potential outpatient drug rehab goals:
- Gain abstinence
- Reduce antisocial behavior (criminal activity)
- Satisfy employment and academic needs
- Improve basic health
- Lower substance abuse (harm reduction)
- Treat psychological conditions and psychological issues
- Increase socially productive behavior (employment or school participation)
- Address a variety of psychosocial problems
- Establish a positive support group
- Resolve legal problems
- Enhance personal circumstances
What Happens During Outpatient Drug Rehabilitation?
1. Screening and Intake
Throughout the screening process, the treatment team uses diagnostic criteria to identify whether your drug use constitutes abuse. Personnel will recommend an alternative program if you are found ineligible or unsuitable for outpatient drug rehabilitation. Necessary factors for screening for substance abuse include:.
- Personal motivation
- Physical health
- Previous therapy instances
- Psychological health
- Outside support/resources
- The nature of the substance abuse
When you are found to be eligible for outpatient drug rehabilitation, you will be asked to finish various forms. Normally, you complete an admission or intake sheet, finish appropriate releases of information, submit financial data, sign a consent for therapy, and are appointed your primary counselor throughout this phase of treatment.
2. Orientation
During orientation, personnel of the outpatient rehab center will explain to you the general nature and goals of the program, rules governing conduct and violations that can lead to disciplinary action or discharge from the program, the hours during which services are offered, expenses, and client rights.
3. Assessment
Next, an outpatient addiction treatment center will take you through the procedure of intake and evaluation. The goal of assessment is to determine and review your private strengths, weaknesses, problems, and requirements for the development of a drug addiction treatment plan. During this procedure, the facility personnel will examine your present condition, define the nature of drug abuse or addiction, and identify a specified treatment plan for you as an individual.
4. Drug Screening
Typically, when entering an outpatient facility you will be drug tested as a formality. Drug screening happens in order to keep everyone at the facility safe and accountable.
5. The facilitation of treatment modalities.
Groups create the crux of a lot of outpatient rehab programs. In fact, group counseling and therapies are at the core of outpatient drug therapy. Core services offered by outpatient drug rehabs might include:
- Case management
- Vocational training and employment services
- Community-based support groups
- Psycho-educational programs
- Family involvement and counseling
- Monitoring drug use
- Individual therapy
- 24-hour crisis coverage
Groups are preferred throughout outpatient drug rehab because they give chances for clients to establish social skills and take part in communication experiences. These types of communications are particularly beneficial for individuals whose communication skills have revolved around drugs.
Establishing a setting in which clients aid, support, and, when necessary, confront each other, is also essential. Groups likewise give standards that strengthen healthy ways of communicating and are encouraging and safe.
6. Supporting services and aftercare.
This is normally the last step of outpatient therapy, and it aims to encourage an individual to look for services outside of rehab in order to keep abstinence and begin to produce a support network. Outpatient personnel can likewise assist in connecting clients to the following services, which may or may not be delivered via the rehab facility:
- Leisure activities
- Licensed daycare
- Housing and food
- Parent skills training
- Adult education
- Transport services
- Adjunctive therapies
- Nicotine cessation treatment
What happens after outpatient drug rehab?
After your outpatient substance abuse treatment ends, you will be urged to continue to seek services on your own. Structured relapse prevention, addiction counseling, and 12-Step facilitation are encouraged. These can include Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, SMART Recovery groups, or various other community or religious groups. The idea is to construct a group of positive supporters that you can rely on in times of help. This will help you accomplish long-lasting sobriety and will work as a prevention of future relapse.
Want to Learn More?
Call our addiction specialists today to learn more about Coalition Recovery’s Outpatient rehab program in Tampa, Florida. We are available 24/7 to answer any questions or concerns you might have. Life doesn’t have to get in the way of your physical and mental health. Whatever stage of life you are in, there’s a program to fit your needs!
Reference Sources: State of Hawaii Substance Abuse: TWELVE CORE FUNCTIONS OF THE ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG ABUSE COUNSELOR.
SAMHSA: Substance Abuse Treatment: Addressing the Specific Needs of Women, Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 51.
Drug Abuse: Clinical Issues in Intensive Outpatient Treatment, Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 47.
NIDA: DrugFacts: Treatment Approaches for Drug Addiction.
NIDA: Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research-Based Guide (Third Edition).
