In the United States, 11.7 percent of people over 12 said they used illicit drugs in the last month. Our country has a very real drug problem, and people need help getting sober.
Of course, the first thing that comes to mind is rehabilitation programs. But did you know there are two kinds available? They are inpatient and outpatient rehab, both of which have their own pros and cons.
If you’re interested in going to outpatient rehab in Austin, TX, then read on. We’ll discuss what outpatient rehab is and what benefits you can get from it.
What Is Inpatient Rehab?
Before we can get into what outpatient rehab is, let’s first explore what the inpatient version is so you can get a better understanding on both.
Inpatient rehab is where you receive addiction treatment at a facility 24 hours a day. What this means is you’ll live at the facility, so you’ll have to pack your bags and be prepared for a long stay.
In inpatient rehab, you’ll work with medical professionals to detox from drugs. Then, you’ll attend both individual and group therapy sessions to dig into past traumas and to learn how to deal with triggers.
There might also be some alternative therapies available too, such as music and art therapy, as well as yoga and meditation.
What Is Outpatient Rehab?
Outpatient rehab is generally the same thing as inpatient rehab, except you only go on a part-time basis rather than full-time.
In most cases, if you need to detox, you’ll stay at the rehab center for the entire duration of detox. But once you’re through with that stage, you’ll be able to return home and only go to the rehab facility when you have appointments for therapy or drug management.
On that note, if you need to be on medications to manage your addiction, you’re usually not allowed to take them at home, especially if there are addiction risks for those medications. Instead, you’ll go to the rehab center to take your meds and attend therapy when needed.
Outpatient Rehab Benefits
Now you know the difference between inpatient and outpatient rehab, plus what they offer. Next, let’s take a look at what benefits you can get from choosing outpatient over inpatient rehab.
You Don’t Have to Ask for Time off of Work or School
Chances are, you’re either employed or in college. Either way, neither of these things will wait for you while you take a few weeks (or even months) off to get sober.
Outpatient hours are very flexible and in fact, many facilities have evening and weekend appointments. This way, you’ll be able to stay employed and in school while you walk the road to recovery.
You’ll Save Money
Because you won’t have to take time off of work, you’ll naturally save money by choosing outpatient rehab. But that’s not the only way you’ll save.
Because you have to live at the facility if you go to inpatient rehab, they’ll charge you for a room, food, and access to amenities. With outpatient rehab, you’ll just go in and out for your appointments, which means this cuts down on costs.
You Can Still Take Care of Your Family
You might not just be the main breadwinner; you might also be the main caretaker of your family too.
Outpatient programs allow you to still live at home and carry out these responsibilities with no interruptions. You can spend quality time with your loved ones and not miss out on their growth while you yourself go through some tremendous changes.
You’ll Have More Privacy in Recovery
What would people say if you packed up and left for weeks or months? Even if you come up with an adequate excuse, they’ll still be curious and will try to pry for more details.
This might make you feel uncomfortable, especially if you’re trying to keep your recovery on the down-low.
Going to rehab will be very discreet with the outpatient option. You can still keep up with normal life while getting help with addiction.
It Can Build on Inpatient Rehab
If you can afford to do so, it can actually be beneficial to go to both types of rehab. You can first start out with inpatient treatment, which will immerse you in the recovery process.
Then, once you’re ready, you can then transition to outpatient treatment. This acts as a stepping stone to getting you back to normal life, all without throwing you into the deep end right away.
Outpatient rehab will teach you how to recognize triggers and handle them in a healthy fashion once you face them in the real world. This can drastically reduce the chances of relapse, which will set you up for success.
You’ll Get a Great Support Network
Whether you go to inpatient or outpatient rehab, you’ll build a great support network. Not everyone is lucky enough to have loved ones who understand addiction, so this network will be invaluable, especially after you complete the program.
Once you’re done, you can keep in touch with others. You can meet up to do sober activities and discuss your struggles and challenges so you don’t feel as alone in your journey.
Look Into Outpatient Rehab Today
After reading about outpatient rehab, you might decide that this is the best choice for you. It offers you some guidance to sobriety, all without interjecting a major interruption in your life that you can’t afford.
So if you’re on a budget and lead a busy life, but need to go to rehab, the outpatient option just might be right for you.
If you want to go to outpatient rehab in Texas, then get in touch with us now. We’ll discuss your options and get you the help you need.
