Is Outpatient Addiction Treatment Better than Inpatient Addiction Treatment?

The best type of addiction treatment for you will depend on your individual needs and circumstances. If you are struggling with opioid addiction, it is important to get a professional opinion from a healthcare professional with experience in addiction medicine.

Here are some of the benefits of Inpatient addiction treatment:

• 24/7 support: Inpatient addiction treatment provides 24/7 support from staff and other patients. This can be helpful for people who are triggered to use drugs by their current environment, friends, family, or location.
• Individual and group therapy: Inpatient addiction treatment typically includes individual and group therapy. This can help people to understand their addiction and develop coping skills.
• 12-step meetings: Inpatient addiction treatment often includes 12-step meetings, such as Narcotics Anonymous or Alcoholics Anonymous. These meetings can provide support and accountability from other people who are in recovery.
• Considered a “bubble” or “escape from daily life” since patients are kept in a secured environment.

Here are some of the benefits of outpatient addiction treatment:

• Flexibility: outpatient addiction treatment is more flexible than Inpatient addiction treatment, which is helpful for people who are unable to commit to Inpatient addiction treatment.
• Cost: outpatient addiction treatment is typically less expensive than Inpatient addiction treatment.
• Less disruptive to daily life: outpatient addiction treatment is less disruptive to daily life than Inpatient addiction treatment, which can be helpful for people who are working or going to school.
• 12-step meetings: People get to choose their preferred type of group therapy or group recovery such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, SMART Recovery, Celebrate Recovery, Women for Sobriety, Al-Anon, Adult Children of Alcoholics, S.O.S., etc. These meetings can provide support and accountability from other local people who are in recovery.
• Allows a person to live and function normally in their home environment.

Here are some of the drawbacks of Inpatient addiction treatment:

• Cost: Inpatient addiction treatment is typically more expensive than outpatient addiction treatment. According to DrugAbuse.com pricing can range from $2000 per day to over $10,000 per day.
• Disruption to daily life: Inpatient addiction treatment can be disruptive to daily life, as patients will need to take time off from work or school.
• Not always the best option: Inpatient addiction treatment may not be the best option for people who are unable to commit to a long-term treatment program.
• PAtients live in a bubble, without having to deal with everyday life such as their job, family, friends, local triggers, cooking, cleaning, and much more.

Here are some of the drawbacks of outpatient addiction treatment:

• Self-dependent support: It’s entirely up to the person whether to attend local group recovery and/or private therapy sessions.
• Less effective for severe addiction: People who suffer from additional mental health disorders or those who suffer from chronic relapse may not be good candidates initially for outpatient addiction treatment. However, outpatient addiction treatment usually follows Inpatient addiction treatment after a patient has become stabilized and is ready to return to their home environment.
• Relapse risk: It’s virtually impossible to relapse when participating in Inpatient addiction treatment due to the secured environment. outpatient addiction treatment works best for those who either:
• Are not considered “chronic” of “lifetime” drug users.
• Are not dealing with environmental issues such as living with friends or family who use drugs.

Other Factors to Consider about Inpatient addiction and Outpatient Addiction Treatment

Timing: Timing is everything. If someone has used for a few years they may have an easier road than someone who’s used for 10–20 years. I used drugs for 13 years and needed many years of outpatient addiction treatment to regain balance. Inpatient addiction was not my solution. I relapsed 6 times after Inpatient addiction treatment and found that outpatient addiction treatment was the only solution for me.

Are You Really Ready?: I had to find a solution that allowed me to function in my everyday life. Inpatient addiction treatment is easy — you’re in a bubble where you can’t make mistakes. Daily life is managed for you — no cooking, cleaning, working, laundry, kids, spouse, etc.

You can’t really make a mistake. I needed help with how to live my daily life and remain sober. I needed something in my system(Suboxone) to help with the withdrawals and cravings I felt all day every day.

Suboxone or Not?: Suboxone was the last thing I tried and the only thing that worked. I needed medication to cope with cravings and withdrawals, as well as a team of people who could help me stay accountable. I chose to attend Alcoholics Anonymous group meetings for this. I went every day for almost 18 months, and then continued to go to 3–4 meetings every week for almost nine years.

I still attend meetings now because I enjoy them and I love meeting people in recovery. I also like helping newcomers, and trust me, we all need the help and support of the group when we first start.

Group Recovery Sponsorship: Sponsorship was a lifesaver for me. I chose the oldest, grouchiest old man I could find to be my sponsor. Someone who wouldn’t tolerate my bull$sh$. I tried to fool him for a while until the day he told me, “I won’t waste another minute of my time with you unless you’re serious about your recovery”. He was firing me — the one person who could get me clean and help me change my life. From that day forward I did everything he asked and more.

Commitment: A combination of tools is what has worked for me and countless others in recovery. That, and I was committed to change my life for the better, or I was willing to die. In group recovery you get to see the people it’s already worked for and I wanted what they had, badly. They had happiness. I didn’t know what happiness was. I just knew I wanted it.

Structure Environment or DIY?: Inpatient addiction treatment provides a structured environment where patients are expected to attend therapy sessions, participate in group activities, and follow the rules of the treatment center. This can help patients to develop healthy habits and routines that they can take with them after they leave treatment.

Inpatient addiction treatment typically provides a higher level of care than outpatient addiction treatment. This means that there are more staff members available to provide support and supervision, and that patients have access to a wider range of services, such as medical detox, medication management, and therapy.

Eventually, you have to go home and deal with the real world AND your addiction at the same time.

In my years of working in addiction I have never met a single person who went to inpatient addiction treatment and stayed sober without transitioning to outpatient addiction treatment. I know it exists, but I’ve not witnessed it. Everyone I know who is successful in their recovery either:

• Started recovery with outpatient addiction treatment.
• Went to Inpatient addiction treatment and then transitioned to outpatient addiction treatment.

Outpatient addiction treatment works well for many because of one simple fact:
Eventually all patients have to return to their everyday lives, and for this they need a plan:

Inpatient addiction treatment provides a more comprehensive and intensive level of care that can help patients to get introduced to the underlying causes of their addiction and develop the skills they need to stay sober in the long term.

Outpatient addiction treatment is where they sustain a maintenance program for living sober in their daily lives.

Other Factor to Consider

• Cost: Inpatient addiction treatment can be expensive, and may not be covered by insurance.
• Time commitment: Inpatient addiction treatment can be a significant time commitment, as patients will need to stay at the treatment center for several weeks or months.
• Disruption to daily life: Inpatient addiction treatment can disrupt daily life, as patients will need to take time off from work or school.

Additional things you should consider when choosing an outpatient addiction treatment program:

• The type of treatment offered: Some programs offer a variety of treatment options, such as individual and group therapy, medication management, and 12-step meetings. Others may focus on a specific type of treatment, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or mindfulness-based stress reduction.
• Currently, MAT — Medication-Assisted Treatment using Suboxone is the most effective solution for addiction treatment.
• The cost: Outpatient addiction treatment can be expensive, so it is important to find a program that fits your budget.
• The location: If you are traveling for treatment, it is important to find a program that is located in a place that is convenient for you.
• The staff: The staff at the program should be qualified and experienced in treating addiction.
• The amenities: Some programs offer amenities, such as on-site gyms, pools, or spas. These amenities can be helpful for people who are trying to relax and de-stress during treatment.
• The reviews: It is important to read reviews of the program before you make a decision. These reviews can help you to get a sense of what other people have experienced at the program.

Choosing an outpatient addiction treatment program can be a difficult decision, but it is important to find a program that is right for you. By considering the factors listed above, you can increase your chances of finding a program that will help you to achieve your recovery goals.

My Personal Opinion about Inpatient addiction Treatment and Outpatient Addiction Treatment

I’ve attended both Inpatient addiction treatment and outpatient addiction treatment. Both have advantages and both have disadvantages. It depends on a few things that I have learned only after 10 years of being clean from daily opioid abuse and 8 years working in addiction medicine.

Home Environment is Simply too Much to Deal With Without Some Help

Inpatient addiction treatment is best for those who simply can’t get clean in their home environment and need a vacation from life. Other than attending meetings all day, the rest is done for you, except for maybe your laundry. Well-prepared meals and a structured environment are what some people need to kickstart their recovery. Often people will realize it’s their life that they’re struggling with and the drugs are just the symptom.

“Living life on life’s terms” is a popular saying in Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. Why? Because it’s true. Rarely is it the family, the friends, the circumstances or the job that drive people to use drugs. It’s the inability to take ownership of their life and accept life for what it is.

In my early recovery, my sponsor used to tell me almost daily, “Life isn’t always hats and horns!” At first I wasn’t sure what he meant, but I later understood it. It meant that my expectations were unrealistic. I had a “I deserve it” attitude, but wasn’t doing the work required to deserve anything good in life. I thought I was kind, charming, helpful, witty, smart and more. What I learned is that I was self-centered, egotistic, arrogant and not quite as smart as I thought I was.

Group recovery in Alcoholics Anonymous is where I learned to live life on life’s terms, not Inpatient addiction or outpatient addiction treatment. Inpatient addiction and outpatient addiction treatment are where you remove the fog that prevents you from becoming a good listener. It’s only the beginning.

I have a saying I share with everyone I meet who needs help with their addiction:

“Suboxone saved my life. Group recovery and therapy changed my life.”

No single thing is going to provide successful, lifelong sobriety. It takes a village. And, it takes a willingness to do whatever it takes to change your life. You have to want it. There are good days and bad days. You will have frequent challenges. Sometimes it takes a few tries to get some traction. Again, you have to want a better life, and willingness to do things to make permanent changes.

In inpatient addiction treatment I met people in their twenties who had been to inpatient addiction treatment more than six (6) times already. I met older men and women who had been in inpatient addiction treatment more than ten (10) times. They became part of my motivation to do whatever it takes to change my life. I was willing to do anything to not become like them. Anything.

If someone asked me to sweep the floor, I swept the floor. If someone asked me to pick someone up and bring them to a meeting, I picked them up and drove them to a meeting. When I had money I helped newcomers by buying them lunch and talking to them about recovery. The task didn’t matter, I was willing to do anything to change my life.

Outpatient addiction treatment and group recovery meetings in AA changed my life.

Your recovery may be completely different. I learned what I needed to learn to become a better person, and I will continue trying for the rest of my life. What used to feel like work now brings me joy. I’m happy now for the very first time in my life. I haven;t desired taking drugs in over 10 years.

If I can do this, you can too!

Don’t wait for a sign, a push or anything else to begin your recovery. Start outpatient addiction treatment today and look forward to living a new, drug-free life tomorrow. You can do this!

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