Inpatient vs Outpatient – What Type of Rehab is Best for You?

So you’ve decided that the best thing for your sobriety is a trip to rehab. That is a great first step and you should be proud that you have taken it. Now the next step is deciding which type of rehab is best suited for you.

Everyone is different. What works for me might not work for you.

I do always recommend that everyone take a long look at inpatient facilities in the first instance. I believe – and the statistics back me up – that inpatient facilities provide the best care and give you the highest chance of remaining sober long term.

But inpatient facilities are not for everyone. Whether its the cost, the time away from home or something else not everyone can use inpatient facilities. That is why outpatient programs are so popular.

Inpatient or outpatient. That is what we are going to look at it in this post.

Video overview

Here’s a really high level look at the differences between the two in this video

Inpatient

Inpatient rehab is when you stay and live in the rehab facility full time. Living at the facility helps you avoid any temptation or negative influences you may have in your day to day life. Inpatient programs are able to offer 24/7 support and care. Programs typically last between 4 and 6 weeks but there are long term programs available that can take you in for 6 or even 12 months.

Daily life during rehab

Your schedule is pretty rigid when you are in rehab. You will have set times for waking up, going to bed, meetings, group time, therapy sessions, rec time etc.

Here is what my friend Joe wrote when he described his rehab experience for us:

Things to consider

Inpatient programs provide 24 hour care. You are never really alone from the moment you check in to the moment you leave. This would be particularly helpful for those of you who believe they need to be looked in on in order to not slip.

Inpatient programs often cater for a number of different issues. This is useful if alcohol abuse isn’t the only issue you need help with. Any underlying mental health conditions are more likely to be treated when doing an inpatient program.

Treatment schedules are pretty rigid. Like Joe said before it could be described as “prison-esque” in how strict the demands are. Maybe this is good for you or maybe this will be difficult. It really depends on your personality and how you cope when giving up control.

There is no leaving once you are in. (Well you can if you want, it’s not actually prison!) Leaving the facility is walking out on the program so to stay with the program you are required to remain in the facility grounds the whole time – unless advised otherwise by your carers. This means that any family or personal obligations need to be taken care of before you go in or else they will not get done.

Costs. Living in a facility like this with 24 hour care does not come cheap. Not just the payment for the care itself, if applicable, but also for the time you need to spend off work in order to devote 24 hours a day to treatment.

Outpatient

Outpatient rehab usually involves daily treatment. Either in the form of medication, therapy, counseling or group sessions. Outpatient is usually a lot less restrictive. Once you are done with any treatments you can go. You are not expected to remain in the facility and will be sleeping at home in your own bed.

Most programs follow a “ramp up – wind down” approach. This means that treatments will be intense to begin with (ramp up) but will become less and less intensive until they finally cease (wind down).

Things to consider about an outpatient program

Treatments can be scheduled around your commitments. A lot of programs will offer evening or weekend treatments. This could be good for those of you working a 9 to 5 where you don’t think you could get the time off.

You can live at home while taking part. This is good if you have a support network at home that can take care of you outside of your treatments.

Costs. Outpatient programs are usually much cheaper than inpatient programs.

Outpatient programs might not be suitable if you:

• Experience constant urges that you are unable to overcome.
• You have a history of not committing to treatment programs
• You need treatment for alcohol abuse AND an underlying mental health condition or co-occurring dependency disorder.

In the end the decision is yours and yours alone. Different programs appeal to different people and only you can know which one is right for you.

Have you been to rehab before? If you are open to it please share in the comments below. Your experiences may help someone else get sober!