When you’re looking for substance use help, the choice is between inpatient and outpatient treatment. For many, an inpatient program does not offer the flexibility needed. Reach out to our Portland, Maine outpatient center or connect with our team to learn more. We’re here to help you begin the road to recovery with a strong foundation.
What Is Outpatient Treatment?
Outpatient treatment is a general term that addiction treatment centers utilize to describe a rehab that doesn’t require the individual to engage in an overnight stay. Generally, there are three outpatient treatment options at our Maine rehab outpatient center. What distinguishes each outpatient option from the other is the amount of time the client has to contribute to treatment. The main three outpatient treatment options from most restrictive to least restrictive are the following:
- Partial hospitalization (PHP)
- Intensive outpatient (IOP)
- Standard outpatient (OP)
Partial hospitalization (PHP)
A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is by far the most restrictive outpatient rehab option. It requires the client to attend treatment at least five days a week. In some cases, the treatment facility might even prescribe a patient a full week of treatment.
In terms of time requirements, the PHP client is expected to attend various counseling sessions for five to eight hours a day. For the most part, it’s expected that the time restrictions will generally remain the same until the client shows a significant improvement and overall progress toward recovery.
During PHP treatment, the client will dedicate a numerous amount of time to individual therapy. Clients will also have mental health services available to them (if needed).
In the majority of PHP cases, individuals will also be allowed to participate in group therapy sessions. This act will allow PHP patients to interact and participate with fellow individuals who are struggling with similar issues.
Intensive Outpatient Treatment
With intensive outpatient programs (IOP), clients will most likely report for addiction treatment at least 3 days a week. Counseling will last for a few hours each day. During IOP treatment, the client will dedicate most, if not all, of his or her time to the counseling sessions.
Standard Outpatient Treatment
If a client illustrates that his or her addiction issues are moderate and achievable, that client might be suitable for standard outpatient counseling. Outpatient programs require the patients to attend treatment a few days a week for a few hours a day. All of the time allocated to OP at our Maine rehab outpatient center would be geared toward individual counseling.
What Are the Benefits of an Outpatient Treatment Program?
There are numerous benefits to receiving outpatient program treatment at our Maine rehab outpatient center. One of the main benefits includes the option of individuals being able to continue working while attending treatment.
There are also various other benefits to our Maine outpatient treatment settings, such as reduced costs and its programs being less disruptive to daily life. Incorporating the family and receiving support during this challenging time that is an addiction treatment and recovery all adds to the overall success of recovery.
Maintaining Employment
Some outpatient services offer evening and off-hours treatment so that the participants can maintain employment while undergoing treatment. A leave of absence from work to attend a drug and alcohol rehab program is generally protected by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). This means that you cannot be fired for the act of seeking needed substance use treatment.
The FMLA protects individuals from being fired when taking time off for treatment services, but the time off is unpaid. This can pose issues for individuals that are usually the breadwinner of a family or have others that they need to take care of. When a person is a sole caregiver for their children, they might prefer not to attend an inpatient setting if their children don’t have a trusted guardian to take care of them.
The Cost of Detoxification
When a person has to detox from drugs or alcohol, it’s an extremely unpleasant experience. This is true even when the individual has a mild addiction.
Some of the side effects that are typically witnessed during a detoxification process are body aches, depression, nausea, and anxiety. When a person detoxes in an outpatient setting it’s effective and safe.
Medical staff can provide medications that can ease a person’s symptoms while also monitoring his or her vitals. It might present to be beneficial for the patients detoxing at an outpatient facility to still maintain social relationships with family and friends. The main benefit of outpatient treatment is that detoxification generally costs less money.
The Cost of Outpatient Rehab
The actual cost of outpatient programs at treatment facilities varies widely, based on the following:
- Medications used during treatment
- Substance abuse treatment offered
- The type of center
- Amenities
- Location
When undergoing outpatient drug rehab for specific substance abuse, patients might need medications to have assistance weaning off of their abused substances. This is included in the overall cost of outpatient drug treatment. Generally, outpatient rehab is less expensive than inpatient rehab.
Some of the inpatient rehab centers cost around $20,000 for a 30-day treatment program. A 3-month program of outpatient drug treatment on the other hand usually only costs around $5,000. Often, insurance covers a huge percentage of the cost of rehab. Still, for individuals paying out-of-pocket, outpatient rehab is a more suitable option financially.
Family Focus
Generally, individuals in substance abuse treatment at our Maine rehab outpatient center have a greater deal of family support than those who are in inpatient treatment. It’s much more beneficial for such individuals to maintain close relationships with their families while undergoing treatment.
Family therapy can be integrated into outpatient drug treatment. It can also offer guidance to the whole family dynamics, not just the patient. This can help families deal with overall mental health issues that may be affecting the family.
The most beneficial part of family counseling is the belief that an overall change in the system can ignite changes in other areas. One of the main goals of family therapy is to discover strengths and find resources in the family that can be used to develop ways for the person in addiction treatment and recovery to live without substances.
Family therapy is also a great opportunity to educate the family on drug and alcohol addiction and help them learn about other ongoing support resources. That way the family can also learn the behavioral, psychological, and medical consequences of substance use disorders. Also, family counseling teaches the family members how their actions can negatively or positively impact their loved ones’ recovery journeys.
What Addiction Programs and Mental Health Services Are Included in an Outpatient Rehab?
Outpatient programs can be a great independent option for persons with mild addictions. It can also be a great option for a person who’s a part of a long-term treatment improvement protocol.
Outpatient drug rehab can last 3 to 6 months, which is similar to inpatient treatment, or over a year. When patients have mild-to-moderate drug withdrawal symptoms, outpatient detox might seem like more of a fitting alternative over residential detox.
The patients that are a part of drug abuse treatment at our Maine rehab outpatient center will receive checkups for mental health conditions and physical conditions during the entire detox process. During the program, our doctors or clinicians might use medically managed withdrawal if needed, on-site, to soothe symptoms such as:
- Increased heart rate
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
Programs that might also be utilized in your individualized treatment plan are 12-Step groups such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), or other support groups. There have been studies that have shown that participating in recovery groups such as NA and AA assists recovering individuals in staying sober. Many individuals have even been known to turn to outpatient treatment after completing inpatient treatment to continue on the road to recovery.
Is Outpatient Rehab for Me?
There are numerous benefits of outpatient rehab, but it’s not necessarily for every individual. Inpatient alcohol and drug rehab doesn’t offer as much freedom or independence. Thus, patients have more access to drugs and alcohol once they complete and depart from the treatment center.
It takes a high level of determination and commitment to see the treatment process of outpatient alcohol rehab through. Outpatient rehab is more suited for individuals with mild-to-moderate addiction. Inpatient programs are more suited for individuals with severe substance addictions.
Signs an Outpatient Rehab Center Is Right for You
The only way to know for sure if an outpatient program can help you is to reach out for a full assessment. This is the time to speak to our therapists and doctors to have a formal exam and assessment of your health and needs. They will discuss inpatient and outpatient options and what to expect in terms of treatment intensity. Instead of investing in care that is not effective enough for you, take advantage of our evidence-based approach to treatment.
Casco Bay Recovery offers several levels of care. Some signs that an outpatient recovery center may be right for you include:
- You have a supportive home environment where there is no substance use present.
- The people you live with are supportive of your goal to no longer engage in alcohol or drug abuse.
- Going to drug and alcohol treatment regularly is not a problem for you.
- You’re committed to change and can keep appointments consistently.
- You’re ready to stop substance use and begin therapeutic interventions.
In these situations, an OP can be a good step for you. This is based on your overall mental health stability and your addiction treatment needs.
A Comprehensive Outpatient Rehab Program Prepares You for a Sober Future
There are many components to the outpatient program we offer. It is designed to empower you, and that means it is also customized to meet your needs. A few of the behavioral therapies and services we offer in our Portland outpatient program include:
Medication-Assisted Treatment
You may benefit from medications that can help you to gain more control over your desire to use drugs and alcohol. Medication-assisted treatment can also help you with withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
Access to a Mental Health Clinic
If you are one of the many individuals that are battling addiction along with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, or other co-occurring mental health disorders, we can help treat co-occurring conditions at one time. In fact, co-occurring disorders are common when dealing with substance abuse issues.
Therapy Programs
Our therapy programs are available to all of those who are in outpatient care. That includes cognitive-behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy group counseling, and others. These teach you how to prevent relapse and rebuild your life.
Holistic Therapy Programs
Our goal is to ensure you heal fully, and that comes with a focus on your emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual health. Yoga and meditation may help ensure your recovery.
The therapies that will be offered in an outpatient program will vary depending on the overall therapeutic approach of the patient’s rehab program. It will also depend on any co-occurring disorders, substance use, and any other specific issues in the situation. However, some holistic therapies are more common in the majority of outpatient programs. The therapies are evidence-based, meaning that they have been thoroughly researched and proven to be effective.
One of the therapies that have been discovered to assist individuals to achieve sobriety is:
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
This therapy has the potential to teach coping skills to patients to avoid a relapse. The techniques that might be learned here include exploring the negative and positive consequences of drug abuse, identifying situations and cravings that might trigger them, and creating strong strategies to deal with cravings if they were to occur.
CBT is used often to treat marijuana, cocaine, alcohol, and methamphetamine addictions.
Recovery is an ongoing process that will take the support of other people and the effort of the patient. Outpatient programs lay down the groundwork but the client will have to continue to work hard afterward to maintain recovery.
Finding the Right Type of Outpatient Rehab Center in Portland, Maine
Casco Bay Recovery offers a range of drug rehabilitation programs to support your recovery. The type of outpatient care you receive depends on your symptoms and the severity of your substance use disorder. Typically, our patients will move from one level of intensive services to the next as they meet their goals. The programs we offer include:
- Partial hospitalization program
- Intensive outpatient program
- Outpatient treatment program
- Day treatment program
- Medication-assisted treatment
Embrace Change by Calling Casco Bay Recovery Today
You can live at home, spend time with your family and friends, and still get the help you need through an outpatient rehab center. Our program is designed to support you on your way to overcoming alcohol and drug abuse. Our program does this by providing you with as much care as you need to be confident in your health and your future. Let us help you get on the right path towards recovery. Call Casco Bay Recovery or connect with us now online to get the support that you need.