Choosing Between Outpatient and Inpatient Drug and Alcohol Rehab Programs

Ultimately, once you and your family members have decided that someone needs to attend a drug and alcohol rehab program, then everyone needs to choose the type of drug or alcohol program that the person is going to attend; whether it is outpatient or inpatient is completely up to you. Choosing a drug or alcohol program can be difficult, especially if you do not have all of the information that you will need; thus, when picking a program, refer to this article as it will outline for you the major differences between inpatient and outpatient drug and alcohol treatment programs.

You will need to pick out which one will cure the addicted person faster and more efficiently; ask yourself if that method needs to be outpatient or inpatient treatment, because it will go a long way in deciding whether or not that drug addicted person becomes permanently sober. Learn more about dual diagnosis residential treatment. Yet another thing most people need to research is if inpatient or outpatient treatment is more expensive; people all across the country need to know this if they have tight budgets right now as a result of the struggling economy.

The first major thing you should know about inpatient drug rehab programs is that these are the best option, by far, for people who are currently and actively addicted to drugs or alcohol; this is a result of the fact that there is constant supervision of the addicted person and it is what most people need if they are addicted to strong drugs or have been addicted to their drug for a very long time. It takes a long time to change someone's entire life approach to drugs and alcohol, so when someone is in rehab in an inpatient center, they will usually have to stay there between thirty and ninety days, depending on the severity of each individual case; the time is well spent, however, because the addict will have been in a good, safe community away from old drug and alcohol habits and of course will not have access to any dealers or illegal substances.

In other words, inpatient drug rehab brings the addicted person to the point where they can use the less restrictive outpatient drug rehab programs. Learn more about intensive outpatient treatment. People can also quit drugs or alcohol on their own and then decide they only need outpatient treatment, although it can be a little risky since technically they still have access to drugs and alcohol this way.

Some people who are already pretty far along on the road to being sober just need someone to check in on them from time to time to make sure they are doing okay. Preventing the addict from meeting with friends who are also addicts or dealers who might sell the person drugs is only one part of outpatient treatment; the other part is to offer friendly, truthful support and advice to prevent relapse.