Call 888-647-0579 to speak with an alcohol or drug abuse counselor.

Who Answers?

What Treatment Program is Right for Me?

If you are suffering from addiction to drugs or alcohol, finding the right treatment program for your individual needs can be challenging and time consuming but it can also save your life. There are various types of treatment programs available to assist people just like you in overcoming addiction, mental illness or a wide range of other conditions. The most common types of treatment include inpatient treatment and outpatient treatment. Each has benefits of its own.

Pros & Cons of Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient treatment is a highly effective method of care for those who are addicted to hard drugs such as painkillers, opiates, heroin, methamphetamine or prescription medications. Inpatient treatment programs are also the most effective method of treatment for alcoholics who cannot avoid alcohol without suffering from serious side effects associated with withdrawal.

Benefits of inpatient treatment include:

Around-the-clock monitoring
Continuous support
Routine setting
Healthy meals
Medical care
Removal from dangerous situations
Consistency
Tailored treatment

It is best to look at all of your options when you are looking for a treatment program.

The benefits most often outweigh the few minor disadvantages of inpatient treatment programs which include:

Can’t live at home with family
Can’t work while in treatment
Can’t continue without normal family routine
Typically higher cost than outpatient treatment

Choosing an inpatient treatment program is the ideal and most suitable option for a recovering addict who has tried other methods of treatment and had little success or has relapsed. This method of treatment is also well suited to those who suffer from co-occurring disorders such as mental illness or co-occurring addictions.

Pros & Cons of Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment is often the secondary source of treatment for those who suffer from addiction and have already received help at a residential treatment facility. If the patient does not go through residential treatment first, then outpatient treatment should only be considered if the addiction is minor, does not include major physical dependence and does not pose any serious health risks to the recovering addict.

Benefits of outpatient treatment include:

Lower cost
Flexibility
Ability to live at home with family & care for children
Ability to continue working or going to school while receiving treatment
Less invasiveness or controlling atmosphere

Like any treatment program, there are a number of potential disadvantages associated with outpatient treatment if it is not chosen under the right circumstances. Some of the potential disadvantages include:

Too much time left to fend for one’s self in recovery
Too much free time
Not enough support
Not enough monitoring
No removal from dangerous situations of drug or alcohol abuse
Increased risk of relapse

There is No One-Size-Fits-All

When choosing a treatment program, it’s important to recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all method of treatment that works for every recovering addict. Every situation is different and everybody has their own recovery needs. Choosing a treatment program that’s right for your unique needs and individual situation could save your life.

More Treatment & Detox Articles

Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms Treatment

Those who suffer from alcohol addiction often continue to drink simply to forgo any withdrawal symptoms from occurring. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome is a potentially life threatening illness that can last for many days or even weeks following an individual’s decision to stop drinking but there is help. Many options are available for alcohol withdrawal symptoms treatment….

Study links violence to take-away alcohol

US scientists have shown what they say is a direct link between the number of shops selling alcohol in an area and the violence occurring there. The study was conducted in Cincinnati and considered all types of outlet, including bars and restaurants. The more shops selling alcohol in an area, the scientists say, the more….

Researchers Pinpoint How Smoking Causes Cancer

Oregon Health & Science University Cancer Institute researchers have pinpointed the protein that can lead to genetic changes that cause lung cancer. Researchers discovered that the production of a protein called FANCD2 is slowed when lung cells are exposed to cigarette smoke. Low levels of FANCD2 leads to DNA damage, triggering cancer. Cigarette smoke curbs….

Understanding the Treatments for Anorexia

According to the world renowned Mayo Clinic the definition of Anorexia Nervosa (Anorexia) is: “an eating disorder that causes people to obsess about their weight and the food they eat” (Mayo Definition). Anorexia can cause unrealistic expectations of body type and a distorted view of body image, causing Anorexia suffers to starve themselves trying to….

5 Things You’ll Learn in Drug Treatment

When you first walk into a drug treatment center you’ll have a lot of questions and there will likely be some apprehensions. You want to know what to expect and you want to know that drug treatment is going to be safe and effective. You’ll learn a lot of new things over the course of….