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1. Inpatient Vs. Outpatient: Which to Choose
Although there are other
various types of substance
abuse treatment programs out
there, they all largely fall
into two categories: inpatient
and outpatient treatment.
Inpatient rehabilitation
demands that the patient live
on the premises for varying amount of time, while outpatient offers the same active methodologies but
allows the patient to return home to sleep and go to work. Understanding the differences between these
two categories and the severity of the addiction of the patient will help you make the most appropriate
decision of which to use.
Inpatient Drug Rehabilitation
This type of treatment will require a temporary residence at the facility, whether that is a hospital or
other establishment. For more acute instances of addiction, this is suggested for several reasons. The
first is that the patient can be under professional observation, receive helpful medications, and be
guided through the process of detox and withdrawal.
The second reason inpatient treatment is suggested for acute cases is that it removes the individual from
their typical environment and social circle which was supporting their negative habits. By remaining at
the facility for as few as one month or as many as six months, they can learn the skills needed to resist
relapse and establish new routines and habits that support this goal. This time will be used to teach the
individual all of the same skills that outpatient treatment will, with the advantage of isolation and the
removal of professional and familial responsibilities.

2. Outpatient Drug Treatment
For less severe cases where physical addiction may not be present, but abuse and misuse of
substances still occurs, outpatient treatment may be more convenient and less costly. Patients will visit
treatment centers with on-staff psychiatrists and counselors to receive the training they need to quit and
resist starting drug abuse again.
The immediate aspects of this training will help patients identify behaviors, environments, people, and
triggers that lead to substance abuse. They will also be taught techniques such as self-awareness and
journaling to gather data to guide them through this process. They will also perform homework
assignments and be taught to perform cognitive behavioral therapy on themselves to correct negative
mental habits.
Addiction is often a symptom of other problems, and so these are addressed as well. Individual mental
health counseling sessions will be prioritized with the eventual inclusion of family therapy sessions
where parents, spouses, siblings, and children will come in to help the patient and themselves learn
how to be more healthy and supportive of one another.
Conclusion
When choosing between inpatient versus outpatient treatment when it comes to substance abuse is to
identify the depth of the problem. If physical addiction is present and isolation from the environment
and social circles would assist in recovery, then inpatient may be most appropriate. If things haven’t
progressed this far, it is always preferable if patients can continue attending to their jobs and household
responsibilities. Either option will prepare the person to confront and conquer addiction and substance
abuse and continue to resist relapse as they live a new life of recovery.