Most people are familiar with group therapy, individual therapy, and other mental health services that help treat addiction. These can be part of inpatient therapy, where the person stays at the treatment center full time for a few weeks or months, or part of outpatient therapy, where they visit the clinic on a part-time basis. 

Outpatient rehab treatment can involve much more than therapy: physical health services, community-based activities, sober living options, and more can be included. It’s also a great option for people who can’t take off time to go to a residential clinic, or who meet some of the more mild criteria for addiction. Read on to learn more about the great benefits of outpatient treatment. 

1. On Your Schedule

Outpatient addiction treatment fits into your life and your schedule much more easily than inpatient services do. You may only need to go to treatment a few times a week or in a month, letting you continue with work, school, or any other important responsibilities.

2. Variable Program Lengths 

It is much more likely that you will be able to find an outpatient program that takes place over a number of weeks or months that works for you. At an inpatient care facility, oftentimes they only offer services for a set number of weeks, and you will have to complete your treatment within that allotted time. With outpatient, you can find a program that lasts as long as you need: short-term intensive programs, long-term options for extended care, or somewhere in between.

3. More Private 

By only going to a treatment clinic a few times a week or a month, you will have much more privacy about your treatment than you would with inpatient services. There is no need to explain a prolonged absence to coworkers if you don’t want to. Only the people you want to tell about your journey will know. 

4. More Affordable 

One of the biggest barriers to addiction treatment is the cost of services. Inpatient care can get expensive very quickly, but outpatient care tends to be much more affordable. The average cost of outpatient addiction treatment is between $1,400 and $10,000 for three months of services, whereas inpatient care often costs $5,000 to $20,000, or more depending on the type of facility and length of stay.

5. Strong Focus on Mental Health 

With outpatient care, there’s a heavy focus on mental health services. Aspects of recovery like group therapy and community-building activities offer social support to people who need it. You’ll receive regular therapy in group and individual settings, building on coping skills and putting them into practice in your everyday life.

6. Unique Services 

Outpatient services can come in many forms, such as: 

• dual diagnosis treatment, which treats both substance abuse disorder and an underlying physical or mental health disorder at the same time
• family services, which can be a great option for adolescents 
• motivational interviewing, which uncovers what motivates you to make mental and behavioral changes
• partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), and day treatment, which provide addiction healthcare in a full range of intensities
• sober living homes and transitional housing, for people who are stable in their addiction treatment and want to live among peers in recovery who share similar values and goals

7. Continued Care

Outpatient services are a fantastic option for continued care. Perhaps you have already been to inpatient rehab, and now are looking for long-term support to help you through your lifelong sober journey. Outpatient addiction care can ease a person into re-entering the world outside of substance abuse, and remind them that there are people all around them who know exactly what they’re going through. These services provide ongoing support, which studies show can help to prevent relapse. 

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