Inpatient Vs Outpatient: Which is Right for You?

Addiction recovery often takes one of two different forms: inpatient or outpatient care. The treatments provided at both are usually the same or very similar. However, each varies slightly in their approach. So, when choosing between inpatient vs outpatient, you need to be very careful and fully understand the benefits offered by both, as you may get more help from one than you do the other.

The Benefits of Inpatient Care

Inpatient care is often what most addiction specialists want for their clients. That’s because the residential treatment program gives them a comprehensive recovery package. For example, you’ll get a comfortable place to sleep while you visit. Then, you will get well-cooked meals based on your cultural sensitivity. These include religion-appropriate meals and even options for vegetarian or vegan clients.

Then, you can get a multitude of care types that help you recover, each of which may also be provided in outpatient. However, staying in a rehab facility gives you access to the following treatments more quickly:

• Detox to get dangerous chemicals out of your body
• Dietary and exercise advice to enhance your strength
• Psychological care to manage emotional problems
• Behavioral treatments to manage your relapse triggers

So in the inpatient vs outpatient debate, is residential care the clear winner? Not at all. Many lifestyles may not be compatible with inpatient care. Therefore, you should also fully understand when outpatient is the right choice.

How Outpatient Care Benefits You

Some may think that the benefits of inpatient treatment outweigh those of outpatient care centers. This perception is not entirely accurate. Outpatient care provides the same types of procedures, such as dual-diagnosis, for rehab clients. However, you go home at the end of your treatment and come when you need care.

The benefits of this approach are numerous. You don’t have to spend as much time or money on outpatient care and can live your life as you need. People who often need outpatient treatment include:

• Parents – If you need to take your children to or pick them up from school, outpatient care is a great choice
• Active professionals – Those with a hectic career may be unable to take time off for inpatient rehab, though many centers have “professional” treatment for such individuals
• Students – Any serious college student may need outpatient care to ensure that they can get to class and take important exams for their degree

And don’t forget: aftercare and other recovery options are all outpatient treatments program. These benefits help make the inpatient vs outpatient debate more complicated than you may think. Therefore, you need to be very careful when choosing.

Inpatient vs Outpatient: Making the Final Call

When debating inpatient vs outpatient, weigh the benefits above to decide which option is necessary for you. Do you need isolation from abuse triggers? Then inpatient treatment may be the best choice. Visiting these centers can give you the chance to recover in a controlled and caring environment. Even better, you can get round-the-clock medical care for any related problems, including dual-diagnosis treatment.

However, some people may struggle against constant supervision. Those with authority issues may need outpatient care. Instead of having somebody talking to you every day about your addiction, you can come and go and get treatment as you need. In this way, you are less likely to run into personality conflicts if you struggle to accept authority.

Other factors to consider include cost, facility location, the time you need to spend in care, and much more. All of these elements will make it easier for you to choose whether you want inpatient or outpatient treatment. You should also talk to your primary care physician to get their opinion. They may have an insight that you don’t because they will be more objective.

Let Us Help You Recover

At Phoenix Rising, we provide a four-acre ranch where you can relax and feel more hopeful about your recovery. Our Palm Springs location makes us one of the most desirable centers in all of California. And our caring treatment specialists provide detox, residential care, inpatient, outpatient, and sober living help. So please call 8552328211 to learn more and verify your insurance to get started.