With inpatient addiction treatment, each client is required to follow very strict rules. The rules exist for their own protection and the protection of other clients. The rules also exist to make sure each client does what they need to do to keep moving towards recovery. Outpatient treatment doesn’t offer the same level of protection.
There are rules in place, but the rules are more directed towards keeping clients in treatment as opposed to preventing them from having access to drugs/alcohol. Outpatient rehab clients have more responsibility for keeping themselves on the straight and narrow path of recovery. It’s okay if you have reasons for not being able to commit to inpatient treatment. However, you need to understand that you will be more vulnerable to outside interference while trying to get through treatment.
If you aren’t diligent about your work towards recovery, you will face the possibility of living a life of chronic relapse. We are not trying to dissuade you from choosing outpatient treatment. We happen to believe it can be just as effective as inpatient treatment for responsible individuals. What concerns us is people wasting their time and money with outpatient treatment if they can’t act in a responsible manner. What does a responsible manner mean? It means you being able to put your well-being ahead of anything else. Once you start down the path of recovery from your addiction, you have to be ready to properly protect yourself from temptation and the triggers that cause you to want drugs or alcohol.
What Are 5 Ways to Make Sure You Get the Most Out of Outpatient Rehab Centers?
If you are going to choose outpatient treatment, there are things you can do to make sure you get what you need from treatment. Remember, the responsibility for your sobriety is solely on your shoulders when you commit to outpatient treatment. There won’t be any staff members standing outside your home, telling you to say no to drugs and alcohol.
To prepare you for what lies ahead, here are five things you need to do to be successful in an outpatient treatment program:
- Commit to the process
- Find outside support resources to help keep you sober
- Be accountable
- Steer clear of bad influences
- Communicate honestly with your therapist
Let’s look at each of these items in a little more detail.
Commit to the Process
Committing to the process is the first thing on this list for a reason. If you don’t fully commit yourself to the treatment process, you will very likely fail. Failure would likely result in you continuing to use drugs/alcohol until your life is devastated. A good outpatient treatment program can save you from that fate if you commit to the process.
Find Outside Support Resources
No one can get through treatment alone. With outpatient treatment, you won’t have constant help from people who are vested in seeing you succeed in treatment. There are opportunities for you to create support resources outside of the rehab facility. You can always find support with 12 Step groups like AA and NA. Your family will likely be supportive if they see you making an effort. Finally, you should be able to find faith-based support regardless of where your faith lies.
Be Accountable
Being accountable means being responsible. You can’t use drugs or alcohol for any reason. You need to show up for all of your scheduled appointments on time. Finally, you need to be willing to submit for drug testing as a means of judging your progress.
Steer Clear of Bad Influences
Since you will be living at home, you need to steer clear of bad influences. You know who and what that means. It means staying away from drug users, dealers, power drinkers, and anyone who is not supportive of your efforts.
Communicate Honestly with Your Therapist
You won’t be subject to 24/7 monitoring. That means your therapist will only know what you tell them. If you are truthful, they will always be able to guide you. It’s up to you to decide which treatment option makes the most sense given your circumstances. Regardless of which option you choose, we would like to be there to help. You can reach one of our staff members by calling 844-639-8371. That call will be your first big step towards reclaiming your life from the cycle of addiction.