Choosing between Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment, also known as residential rehab, involves staying at a treatment centre full-time for a set period, usually ranging from 28 days to several months. In this time, you’ll live on-site, utilising on-site services like one-to-one and group therapy. The environment is optimised to keep cravings and urges at bay, with mindful decor used to keep you calm and focused.

The intensive and immersive nature of inpatient treatment is its biggest strength. The facilities are designed to make you feel safe and stable, even through the most tumultuous periods of recovery. Medical and emotional support is on hand at all times, making it more beneficial for people with severe addictions, co-occurring mental health disorders, or unstable home environments.

Outpatient treatment means a person generally lives at home while attending scheduled treatment sessions at a clinic or rehab centre. Sessions may take place several times a week and include therapy and check-ins with the recovery team.

As outpatient treatment doesn’t require you to live on-site, its structure is more flexible and it is usually more cost-effective. It can be especially suited to people with mild-to-moderate addictions or those who must maintain work and family commitments. Therefore, outpatient treatment generally involves a higher level of personal discipline, as well as a greater onus placed on having a stable home environment. Naturally, many people have greater triggers and urges when in their home environment, so outpatient treatment may be a tool for those who already have a greater inner strength.

The biggest structural difference lies in where and how the treatment is delivered.

In inpatient rehab, you live full-time at the facility. Days are tightly scheduled with therapy, activities, meals, and rest periods. Every aspect of recovery is done in a very recovery-focused setting.

Outpatient rehab, in contrast, is more decentralised. You live at home and come to the treatment facility session by session. The structure of outpatient treatment is generally looser and can be aligned to your requirements for work and home life.

The cost difference between inpatient and outpatient treatment will differ greatly between service providers. Generally speaking, outpatient treatment is more affordable than inpatient care.

2023 research from The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS) shows that in the United States, inpatient rehab averages at $6,000 per month, while outpatient rehab is around $5,000 for a three-month programme. In English pounds, this is roughly £4,300 and £3,600, respectively.

Inpatient, residential rehab includes accommodation, meals, round-the-clock care and extra facility costs. Outpatient treatment naturally uses fewer resources, which drives its price down. This makes outpatient treatment a more viable option for many people with financial limitations.

As mentioned, outpatient treatment may be better suited to those with a less-severe addiction. A person may be struggling with addiction, yet still have a busy work and family schedule. Outpatient treatment is flexible enough to be crafted around your commitments. It often encourages you to build resilience in the face of everyday stressors and cravings.

Inpatient treatment, on the other hand, generally removes you from your current routines. This might be a crucial benefit for those in high-risk or chaotic situations, which is tragically common for those battling addiction long-term. Generally, this means a greater amount of time is needed between learning the coping strategies needed to stay sober, and applying them to the real-world stressors of relapse themselves.

One of the biggest indicators of which treatment you need is how severe your addiction has become. If you’ve experienced frequent relapses or find it nearly impossible to function without drugs or alcohol, an inpatient programme may be your best option.

A very important factor to remember is the way that addiction generally impairs the ability to make the right decision in the first place. Make sure you’re spending time getting second opinions and insights from loved ones and people you know have your best interests at heart.

Assess earnestly and speak with a treatment provider to find the best step forward.

The home environment plays a larger role in the recovery process than many people first realise. Behavioural psychologists often declare the critical importance of changing “People, Places and Things” in early recovery. Inpatient treatment will remove many of the stimuli that drive urges and cravings, so spend time thinking about whether your home life will influence you later.

Another aspect to consider is that life insurance providers may cover inpatient and outpatient plans differently. Coverage is often limited for those in outpatient treatment. Treatment providers can help you manage your plan and give further information.

Additionally, in the UK, you may be able to access forms of free outpatient care, such as through the NHS. In some cases, they may be able to refer you to a private rehab facility, complete with behavioural therapy sessions.

Lastly, it is important to remember that not every person has the same recovery goals and desires. Take a moment and earnestly ask yourself what you want from recovery.

• Do you need time away from your current life to reset?
• Do you want to rebuild routines while staying at home?
• Are there mental health concerns like depression, anxiety or trauma that need attention?

Inpatient programmes often provide more intensive mental health support and a clean break from daily life, while outpatient rehab may suit those who want to gradually apply new coping strategies in their current setting.