Frequently Asked Questions About Rehab

Outpatient rehabs treat a range of conditions, including substance use disorders (such as alcohol, opioids, and other drugs) and co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and bipolar disorder. These programs focus on helping individuals manage their substance use, address underlying mental health issues, and develop coping skills for long-term recovery.

n outpatient programs, individuals live at home or in a sober living environment while attending treatment. This allows them to maintain their daily responsibilities, such as work, school, or family obligations, while receiving the support they need through regular therapy sessions and other treatments. Outpatient care offers flexibility and independence compared to residential programs.

Outpatient rehabs are not all the same. In fact, there are many varieties of outpatient programs. Substance use disorders exist on a spectrum, with some requiring more acute care than others. For this reason, different outpatient programs are designed to offer different levels of care. These distinct outpatient program types meet for different lengths of time, at different frequencies, and offer unique resources, services, and treatment modalities. Outpatient rehabs can be grouped into several different types, including:

Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs)

Partial hospitalization programs, or PHPs, offer the highest level of care. They employ physicians and other medical professionals who are prepared to meet the needs of clients who are suffering mental or physical health problems or withdrawal complications. PHPs generally meet for a significant portion of the day multiple times a week. Partial hospitalization programs are generally recommended for people whose addictions have made it difficult to function in everyday life. They are also frequently utilized as a transitional program for individuals who have recently completed a residential treatment program.

Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs)

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) are the second-highest level of care in outpatient treatment. Similar to Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs), IOPs typically require clients to participate in treatment several times a week. These programs provide a high level of care, offering individualized support to help clients regain stability and functionality during early sobriety. IOPs are particularly beneficial for individuals with more severe substance use challenges or those transitioning from inpatient treatment or a PHP.

Outpatient programs (OPs)

Outpatient programs provide the standard care that most people who suffer from substance use disorders need. These programs generally meet once a week for a few hours. These outpatient rehabs help people develop new coping tools and strategies for dealing with triggers, and they provide support as clients rebuild their lives in the outside world. Outpatient programs are generally recommended for people who have recently graduated from a PHP or IOP, but they are also ideal for individuals who require substance use treatment but require a high degree of flexibility.

Aftercare planning

Outpatient rehabs help clients make long-term plans for managing their substance use disorder. Aftercare services are resources that graduates use to maintain their sobriety, develop their sober social support systems, and keep progressing in recovery.

Outpatient rehabs are designed to be flexible programs that people can easily incorporate into their lives. The three main types of outpatient programs vary in terms of their structure and intensity. Individuals with highly developed substance use disorders often struggle to function in their everyday lives, and they therefore require a greater quantity of treatment and support during the week. Even among outpatient programs of the same time, there is considerable variation, however.

Partial hospitalization programs meet every or almost every day of the week. Participants attend treatment for 3-8 hours a day, depending on their needs.

Intensive outpatient programs generally meet several days a week. Most participants attend treatment every week for a total of 9-20 hours.

Standard outpatient programs offer less acute care, so they tend to meet only once or twice a week. One session at an outpatient program lasts on average between 1 and 2 hours. This can make outpatient rehab very easy to fit into a busy schedule.

All outpatient programs are different. Each one has its own treatment philosophy, emphasis, and unique resources. Moreover, the specific therapies an outpatient rehab uses will depend on the needs of the individual client. Factors that affect which therapies are used include what substance or substances a client used, whether they have a comorbid mental health disorder, or any other glaring needs. Quality outpatient programs utilize evidence-based therapies, often in combination, to help people develop the tools and confidence they need to achieve sobriety. These research-based treatment modalities include:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) equips clients with tools to prevent relapse by addressing the root of addictive behaviors. It is based on the idea that irrational thought patterns contribute to problematic behaviors and emotional responses. By challenging and replacing these thoughts with healthier ones, clients can better manage their substance use at its core. CBT is highly effective for identifying triggers, developing coping strategies for cravings, and improving interpersonal relationships. It is one of the most evidence-based treatment modalities for various substance use disorders, including those involving cocaine, marijuana, alcohol, and methamphetamine.

Dialectical-behavioral therapy (DBT)

Dialectical-behavioral therapy is technically a type of cognitive-behavioral therapy. However, it is unique in that it emphasizes radical self-acceptance in addition to cognitive-behavioral change. Clients engaged in DBT benefit considerably from the compassionate approach, which utilizes aspects of mindfulness meditation.

Motivational enhancement therapy

Motivational enhancement therapy, sometimes known as motivational interviewing, helps clients address any issues they have that make them reluctant to get sober. Therapists help clients work through their reluctance and find the motivation to make a change. Motivational enhancement therapy is most commonly used for marijuana and alcohol use challenges.

Family therapy

Family therapy sessions involve both the individual with a substance use disorder and one or more family members, such as a spouse or parent. While these sessions primarily focus on substance use issues, they also address related interpersonal conflicts, such as communication difficulties, unemployment, boundary-setting, and general relationship stress. By working through these challenges, family therapy supports sobriety and helps repair relationships that may have been strained or damaged during active substance use.

The Matrix Model

The Matrix Model is most commonly used to help people who suffer from substance use to stimulants, including methamphetamine and cocaine. The clinician works as both a teacher and a coach, working to develop an encouraging and positive relationship with their patients. The Matrix Model combines multiple therapeutic elements, including 12-step meetings, relapse prevention, family therapy, drug testing, and drug education.

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)

Medication-assisted treatment combines pharmaceutical medications with behavioral therapy to help people during the difficult stages of drug and alcohol withdrawal. These medications can mitigate cravings and withdrawal symptoms, allowing clients to build a strong foundation of sober tools before they gradually wean off of the drugs.

Outpatient rehab is designed to meet the needs of a wide variety of people. Since the different types of outpatient programs address different levels of care, outpatient rehabs can benefit people who are barely functioning as well as those who are already in the process of rebuilding their lives. Because outpatient rehab programs are flexible nonresidential programs, they are also highly suited for individuals who have significant commitments in their lives, including work, school, and family. For this reason, outpatient rehab is an excellent first-line treatment for substance use disorder, and it is also often recommended after a person has finished a more acute treatment program. People who are the best candidates for outpatient rehab include:

• People who have a strong support system consisting of friends and family members
• People who have a supportive and trigger-free living environment
• People who are motivated to to attend counseling sessions and pursue recovery
• People who have consistent transportation to their outpatient center
• People who want support building their lives back up
• People who have recently finished a residential treatment program
• People who want an affordable treatment program
• People who want help with comorbid mental health conditions
• People with a history of relapse
• People with work, school, or family commitments

Yes, many outpatient programs focus on mental health recovery, and substance use rehabs also treat mental health conditions, which is vital for recovery. Dual diagnosis, when substance use and mental illness coexist, is common. Many people use substances to self-medicate conditions like depression or anxiety, but this often worsens both issues. Quality outpatient programs offer integrated care, treating both substance use and mental health simultaneously to break the cycle and provide lasting relief.

Many outpatient rehabs use medication to aid the recovery process and to treat comorbid mental health conditions. Partial hospitalization programs are the best equipped programs for prescribing medications, since physicians and other medical professionals work on-site to support clients. However, lower levels of care, including IOPs and OPs, also often prescribe medications.

Outpatient rehabs often use medications to help people get through difficult or dangerous withdrawal symptoms, especially alcohol withdrawal and opioid withdrawal. These medications can reduce the intensity of withdrawal symptoms and mitigate the strong cravings that people feel when they quit physically addictive drugs. Most outpatient programs prescribe these medications in the context of medication-assisted treatment (MAT), a modality that combines medication with behavioral therapy.

Medications commonly utilized for opioid use treatment include:

• Methadone
• Buprenorphine
• Naltrexone
• Suboxone

Medications commonly utilized for alcohol use treatment include:

• Disulfiram (Antabuse)
• Acamprosate
• Naltrexone

Dual diagnosis clients who suffer from a comorbid mental health condition can be prescribed medications for these conditions. Combined with counseling and behavioral therapies, medications can help clients function better, and they also ensure that symptoms do not interfere in the substance use recovery process. Medications commonly utilized to treat mental health disorders include:

Antidepressants

SSRIs and other antidepressants can relieve the symptoms of depression, though they are also effective for anxiety and insomnia as well.

Anti-anxiety medications

Benzodiazepines and other anti-anxiety medications relieve the symptoms of anxiety disorders and panic disorders, and they can also help people with sleep, stress, fear, and worry.

Mood stabilizers

These drugs help control the mood swings that occur with bipolar disorder.

Antipsychotics

Antipsychotics can be used to treat the symptoms of psychosis, which include hallucinations, delusions, and mood fluctuations.

While some outpatient programs specialize in specific addictions, the vast majority are designed to treat all drug and alcohol addictions. This is important, since many people are addicted to multiple substances, a condition known as polysubstance addiction. In many cases, people do not even have a particular drug of choice, and they engage in a pattern of polysubstance abuse without a particular preference for any one drug. In many cases, distinct addictions mutually reinforce each other, with some people abusing a drug to cope with alcohol withdrawal symptoms, for example. Quality outpatient programs treat addictions to all types of substances, from legal prescription medications to illicit street drugs. Addictions that outpatient rehabs treat include but are not limited to:

• Heroin addiction (Opioid addiction)
• Prescription painkiller addiction (Opioid addiction)
• Alcohol addiction
• Marijuana addiction
• Crystal meth addiction
• Cocaine addiction
• Crack addiction
• Prescription stimulant addiction
• Benzodiazepine addiction
• And many more

Since outpatient rehab programs are not residential programs, it is essential for participants to have reliable transportation to their outpatient rehab center. Understandably, people who have DUIs or financial problems are often unable to drive, but public transportation can be just as effective. In many cases, supportive friends or family members can be relied upon for transportation. For clients who are unsure how to get to their rehab center, most outpatient programs are willing to help devise a suitable transportation plan.

Most outpatient rehabs, however, do not offer their own pickup service or transportation. While staff can assist with coordinating travel arrangements, it is crucial that clients manage getting to their rehab center themselves. For clients who are unable to do so, an outpatient treatment program may not be appropriate.

Yes! In fact, outpatient programs are flexible so that clients can attend to their work duties. People with highly developed addictions often struggle to function at work, and many are habitually unemployed. For these individuals, a PHP or IOP program is generally appropriate. While they may not have a job at the start of their outpatient program, their treatment program is designed to help them develop the skills and coping tools they need to be able to pursue employment successfully. Many people begin jobs while attending treatment. This not only helps them rebuild their lives and achieve financial independence, but it is also an opportunity to put their newfound sober skills into practice.

For people who are already employed and wondering if they have the time to pursue substance use treatment, standard outpatient programs are a great option. These programs meet once or twice a week for 1-2 hours, allowing people to pursue treatment when they are finished with work. Outpatient programs aim to support people as they face challenges at work in early sobriety.

Substance use disorders are mental health conditions that cause people to chronically relapse. Sometimes, with or without outside help, people are able to withdraw from the drugs they are physically dependent on. After withdrawal, physical cravings may disappear, but people who fail to treat their underlying substance use disorder are likely to relapse. Substance use hijacks the brain, causing people to experience cravings and obsessive thoughts about drugs and alcohol even when they know what the consequences of a relapse will be. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the relapse rate for substance use disorders is between 40% of 60%.

As a chronic disorder with a high rate of relapse, it is important to recognize that relapse is a normal and expected outcome — and an important part of the process. Quality outpatient programs support people who have a high rate of relapse, and each relapse is a source of new information, helping treatment staff re-evaluate and modify their individualized treatment plan.

Outpatient programs are as effective as inpatient programs for preventing relapse. One comprehensive study of people with alcohol use disorder showed that two years after attending an outpatient rehab, they had a 79% improvement in abstinence rates. Another study that compared residential treatment programs with outpatient rehabs showed that 6 months after graduating participants in outpatient programs were more likely to be sober. The abstinence rate for graduates of inpatient programs was 60%, whereas it was 75% for graduates of outpatient programs. However, this does not mean that one type of program is more effective. Ultimately, the people who are most likely to remain sober are people who engage in treatment over a longer period of time. For many, this means making use of both types of treatment programs.

Inpatient programs are very effective for dealing with severe substance use disorders. However, inpatient programs tend to be shorter in length than outpatient programs. While residential treatment can help people reach a better place, most people benefit from longer term care. In fact, research shows that people who continue to treat their substance use challenges for longer periods of time are more likely to remain sober over the long term.

After finishing an inpatient rehab, graduates benefit considerably from moving to a less acute level of outpatient treatment. Even if they have already achieved sobriety, it is still important to treat the underlying issues that are motivating substance abuse. Outpatient programs can help people develop new coping skills and make plans for dealing with common triggers. Moreover, they are an essential source of support while people rebuild their lives in sobriety.

Rather than jumping back into the outside world after finishing a residential treatment program, attending an outpatient program can be a great way to make the transition less jarring. Outpatient programs also offer a spectrum of levels of care, allowing participants to move from a PHP to an IOP, an IOP to an OP, and an OP to aftercare. As they progress through their recovery, gaining confidence and skills, their lives open up and become full. Flexible outpatient programs provide support and guidance throughout the entire process.

The cost of outpatient rehab varies depending on the facility, treatment type, and duration. Typically, it is more affordable than inpatient rehab since clients only pay for therapy and treatment sessions.

The duration of outpatient rehab varies depending on individual needs and the treatment plan. Generally, outpatient programs can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months. Many programs offer flexibility, allowing clients to attend therapy multiple times per week while maintaining their daily responsibilities. Some individuals may continue outpatient treatment for ongoing support even after completing the initial program.

If you have more questions about outpatient rehab, the best way to get them answered is to talk to the director or staff of an actual outpatient rehab. At NuView Treatment Center, we offer every level of care, including partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), outpatient programs (OPs), and aftercare planning. Our highly trained staff take a compassionate person-centered approach to every client. At NuView Treatment Center, we make use of the latest evidence-based treatment modalities in constructing our individualized treatment plans. We aim to empower our clients to not only get sober, but address underlying issues and rebuild their lives from the ground up.

If you are ready to make a change, or if you have any other questions about the recovery process, contact NuView Treatment Center today.