Receiving treatment for drug or alcohol addiction is always preferable to going “cold turkey” at home. However, with such a diverse range of treatment types available, it can be hard to know which program to choose. When compared to outpatient rehab, inpatient treatment has significantly higher rates of long-term success.
If you’ve been dealing with severe addiction, have relapsed multiple times before, or if you’ve been using highly addictive substances, inpatient rehab may be the best option for you. Unlike outpatient treatment, inpatient rehab is held on a closed, secure campus.
Rather than leaving the treatment center to return home in the evenings, attend school, or go to work, you’ll remain onsite throughout the entire duration of your program. You’ll have access to around-the-clock medical care, therapies, and other support services. More importantly, you’ll be completely removed from all outside stressors, triggers, and other challenges. Inpatient treatment makes it easier for people with serious addictions or co-occurring disorders to stay on course.
You Can Focus Solely on Getting Better in Inpatient Treatment
One very large part of addiction treatment is learning more about the underlying causes of your addiction. This is often easiest to do when you aren’t already dealing with the challenges of toxic or enabling relationships, or with high-risk living or social environments. In inpatient rehab, the majority of your days will be filled with activities that encourage introspection, teach you how to plan for the future, and help you better understand yourself. In inpatient rehab you’ll:
- Participate in group therapy
- Receive one-on-one counseling
- Take part in goal-setting exercises
- Complete stress management workshops
and more. Best of all, while you’re away from home, your family members can start taking therapy on their own. This will allow them to begin healing from the trauma caused by addiction. It will also help them identify and address enabling behaviors and other problems that could prove detrimental to your recovery later on.
Outpatient Rehab Requires Diligent Self-Management
When people succeed in outpatient programs, it’s often because they’re truly ready to take a self-managed approach to getting well. Outpatient rehab generally works best for people who haven’t been using drugs or alcohol for long, haven’t relapsed before, and aren’t living with co-occurring disorders. In an outpatient program, you’ll be responsible for avoiding high-risk relationships and environments on your own.
You’ll need the fortitude to walk away from temptations and other challenges, even as you’re still learning new and healthier coping skills. Comparatively, in inpatient rehab, you’ll be constantly surrounded by compassionate people who can help you stay motivated and on track.
Given that inpatient rehab centers are on closed campuses, there’s no risk of encountering drugs or alcohol, and no risk of engaging with relatives or friends who’ve contributed to your addiction in the past.
This means that you’ll have plenty of time to understand your substance use disorder, and plenty of time to establish new coping strategies and new, healthy responses to temptation. By the time that your treatment is done, you’ll be ready to face all the challenges that life throws your way, and without using.
Inpatient Rehab and Co-Occurring Disorders
Inpatient rehab can be especially beneficial for anyone living with an untreated and undiagnosed mental health disorder. Often known as a co-occurring disorder, this might be:
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- General anxiety disorder
- Major depressive disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
or others. Because inpatient treatment programs can last between one and six months, they give patients ample opportunity to learn how to successfully manage both substance use disorder and any secondary, co-occurring mental health issues that they’re diagnosed with.
Inpatient treatment centers have a wealth of strategies for treating co-occurring disorders including making strategic lifestyle changes, focusing on improved nutrition, and using proven stress management techniques. When necessary, medication management can also be used to help patients achieve and maintain mood balance, and a general sense of peace.
In a closed campus facility that’s structured to be largely stress-free, dealing with the added challenges of a dual diagnosis can be easier and more successful. You’ll also have the benefit of a comprehensive post-treatment plan when you reenter the outside world. Onsite counselors will help you establish a solid and reliable support system, identify the right housing options, get legal help, and even find job placement assistance among other things.
These measures eliminate some of the most common barriers to long-term recovery by helping recovering addicts establish sustainable, comfortable lives. If you’re ready to start addiction treatment and aren’t sure whether inpatient or outpatient rehab is right for you, we can help. Call us today at 844-639-8371.