Selecting a rehab center to help you through the addiction recovery process can be daunting. There are basically two main types of rehab facilities: outpatient and inpatient. In an outpatient center, the patient receives therapy and treatment and then goes home, whereas with an inpatient facility, the patient lives there until treatment is complete.
When deciding if an outpatient facility is for you, it’s important to take into account the pros and cons:
Pros
• Flexible schedule. An outpatient facility is a good choice if you have responsibilities and obligations such as school or a job you have to go to each day. An outpatient allows you to make appointments based on your schedule.
• Family responsibilities. If you have a family you must take care of, an outpatient facility will allow you to go home to them each day, get them ready for school, and so forth.
• Cost. Outpatient centers are more affordable than inpatient, and most insurance companies will cover the cost.
Cons
• Greater temptation. The biggest threat of outpatient is the uncontrolled environment. This is especially true in the beginning of treatment and during the difficult detox period, when it’s easier to go back to old habits when not under constant monitoring.
• Less monitoring. An outpatient facility does not provide the constant monitoring that an inpatient facility provides. This is important because 24/7 monitoring of the facilities and patients’ coming and going means less chance of relapse. Once they leave the outpatient facility, patients may go back to surroundings that don’t monitor usage.
• Less support. 24/7 support is important to help recovering addicts get through the most difficult parts of their treatment. Outpatient facilities don’t have the 24/7 support that is so important for recovery.
Choosing the right outpatient facility is an important part of recovery. Weighing the pros and cons of each type can help you choose the best one for you.