What Is Outpatient Drug Rehab?

Outpatient drug rehab is a treatment solution for individuals who want to have more flexibility during the treatment process. Treatment clients can maintain their work and family life and still take part in a moderately intensive treatment program while in outpatient drug rehab. Outpatient drug rehab is a convenient option because it doesn't require as much of a commitment as an inpatient or residential program. However, this could present a problem for individuals whose treatment needs exceed that which an outpatient rehab is prepared to treat. The flexibility and freedom offered is contraindicative for someone who needs an extreme change of environment and more intensive treatment which cannot be provided on an outpatient basis. So while outpatient drug rehab may provide individuals who don't have extensive histories of substance abuse with a beneficial and helpful outlet, this treatment option lacks the intensity needed for those with serious substance abuse and dependency issues who actually require in-patient or residential care.

Individuals in an outpatient drug rehab program will either have received detox services prior to their arrival in rehab, or may be detoxing on their own when they arrive at an outpatient drug rehab. If they are detoxing when they arrive to rehab, treatment counselors will ensure that they receive any additional care or medical attention required during this time. Aside from this, outpatient drug rehab clients receive treatment services which will help them stay off of drugs even though they may be prone to environmental drug triggers on a day-to-day basis and will have access to drugs. Treatment clients benefit from group counseling with the peers and also often receive individual therapy sessions. Treatment services can be administered part-time or full-time, although clients typically receive these services 5-7 days per week.

Because outpatient drug rehab treatment clients are being exposed to so many things in their lives each day which could affect the recovery process, their treatment needs can change quite rapidly. For instance, progress in treatment could be being sabotaged by things or people in their environment which they have no choice but to be around. Treatment counselors may recognize that the individual isn't progressing as hoped and may recommend that the individual commit to an inpatient or residential program. This is all in their best interests of course, and it is sometimes impossible to fully recover when an individual is in the same environment and around the same people who trigger their substance abuse. So while out-patient drug rehabs seem appealing for most people seeking treatment, they are really only an option for a very small group of clients whose treatment needs are typically not very significant.

Aside from the typical treatment client who would benefit from this type of program, an outpatient drug rehab may be a good idea for someone who wants to maintain a support system for themselves following a more extensive inpatient or residential stay in drug rehab. This is a good example of how an outpatient drug rehab program can complement a more intensive and comprehensive recovery plan.