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

Who Answers?

Is Inpatient Treatment Better than Outpatient Treatment?

When you finally do decide to seek help for yourself or a loved one who is addicted to drugs or alcohol, the growing concern may be what type of treatment is going to be most effective—is inpatient treatment better than outpatient treatment? The answer to this question depends on a variety of different circumstantial factors that will differ from one individual to the next. For instance, some may not be able to go directly into an outpatient program because their addiction level is too severe, in this case, inpatient treatment would be better.

Each circumstance is slightly different but generally, if you:

Are heavily addicted physically to a drug or alcohol
Have been using for a very long time
Have tried outpatient treatment and not seen success
Have tried group support
Have co-occurring addiction or mental health conditions
Have dual diagnosis such as other health conditions
Do not have support at home

Then you will need to seek inpatient treatment. In any of the above cases, it will generally be better to seek the help of a residential or inpatient treatment facility than it would be to go into outpatient treatment. This is because all of the above cases signify a greater need for help than what is found in outpatient treatment. For instance, if you’ve already tried other treatment options and not had success, why continue trying outpatient programs that do not offer enough monitoring for your successful recovery?

Inpatient treatment is an intense program that offers around the clock support.

If you:

Have already completed inpatient treatment
Are simply looking for some follow up care
Are mildly addicted and do not have a major physical addiction
Have succeeded at outpatient treatment in the past
Do not suffer from other disorders or conditions

Then you may benefit greatly from outpatient treatment. The truth is, what form of treatment is better will depend on your individual situation. The only way to make a judgment call on that is to know the exact details of your individual health, your addiction and your life. When you talk to a rehab placement specialist or counselor, be sure to include these details and to be open about them so that the counselor can provide you with adequate advice and help.

The type of treatment that works best for you will depend on a variety of factors and even if one program doesn’t work, it’s important to keep on trying. In many cases, it will take trying a few programs of treatment out before you find one that truly works for your needs and provides you with the best chance at recovery. It’s ok if you slip up or relapse along the way, the most important thing to do is to pick up where you left off and continue your recovery journey.

More Treatment & Detox Articles

Pill could fight alcoholism

For alcoholics, experts say the consequences of addiction last long after an evening binge to affect abusers’ entire lives, from restless mornings to sleepless nights. BU School of Medicine is conducting a clinical trial to test the effectiveness of a psychiatric medication that could eliminate or significantly reduce heavy drinkers’ cravings for alcohol, according to….

Signs of drug and alcohol abuse in teenagers

A large number of the total number of world population is under substance abuse. Since, most of the populations under substance abuse are teenagers; it has become the need of the time that parents, must get educated and made aware of the signs and symptoms and also about the adverse effects and treatment options available….

Alcohol may fuel bad behavior during holidays

Survey says … alcohol may fuel bad behavior during the holidays with harmful effects that could extend way beyond a family feud. Such behavior could involve hurtful or embarrassing words, endangerment of self and others (drunk driving), acts of violence and sexual antics at the workplace and in the home. Such alcohol-induced acts may not….

Treatment for bulimia eating disorder

Most often, sufferers of bulimia do not seek medical help for improving their disorder, as they are ashamed or ignorant of their condition. Therefore, many times it is the parents, friends and the relatives of the sufferers, who need to be alert and on suspecting any symptoms of bulimia seek medical advice. The treatment for….

Benefits clampdown on heroin and crack users

Nearly 267,000 heroin and crack users are on benefits and will be required to own up to their drug problems and take treatment – or lose their money, James Purnell the work and pensions secretary, will say today. He will also announce measures that may take as many as 200,000 families out of child poverty…..