Frequently Asked Questions About Rehab

Outpatient rehab treats substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. Outpatient rehab provides traditional psychotherapy (therapy), holistic therapy, medication management, social support, relapse prevention, aftercare, and case management services for healing and recovery.

Outpatient rehab programs are intensive and structured. At the same time, they are flexible in that you do not have to stay at a hospital or a facility. You receive treatment for several hours and get to go to the comfort of your home after. If you do not have a safe and stable living environment, then you can also live at a sober living residence.

Outpatient rehab programs are not all the same. There is a diverse range 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:

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs):

Partial hospitalization programs offer the highest level of outpatient care. They run up to 6 - 8 hours a day and up to 5 days a week. They can serve as stand-alone care programs, however, they can also serve as a step-down option as you transition back from residential treatment to independent living.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs):

Intensive Outpatient Programs are the second-highest level of care in outpatient treatment. IOPs run for 3 - 5 hours in a day and for 3 - 5 days in a week. These programs provide a high level of personalized care as you regain stability and functionality during recovery. IOPs can be a stand-alone care program or a step-down from PHPs.

Outpatient Programs (OPs):

Outpatient programs provide the standard care for those who struggle with substance use disorders and mental health conditions. You meet once or twice a week for a few hours. OPs are generally recommended after you have completed either PHP or IOP.

Aftercare Planning:

Outpatient rehab programs offer aftercare to prevent relapse and maintain recovery in case of substance use disorders. This typically involves ongoing therapy/counseling, medication management, and social support.

Traditional and holistic therapies are typically used in outpatient rehab. They are provided in individual or group settings.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT):

CBT seeks to identify and restructure maladaptive thinking, emotional, and behavioral patterns into healthier, productive ones.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT):

DBT functions on the basis of an acceptance-based and problem-solving framework. It utilizes tools like mindfulness, emotion regulation, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness.

Motivational Interviewing (MI):

Motivational Interviewing seeks to change ambivalence and instill motivation toward changing negative factors in life, like substance use.

The Matrix Model:

Widely used in the treatment of substance use disorders, it combines MI, CBT, contingency management, and 12-step recovery programs for healing and recovery.

Family Therapy:

As social support is crucial in overcoming substance use and mental health disorders, it is provided to equip families with the tools and skills they need to support their loved ones as they heal. Family therapy also serves as a form of support for families.

Holistic Therapy:

Complementary therapies like meditation, mindfulness, yoga, art therapy, music therapy, and other therapies are provided alongside evidence-based therapies to heal and strengthen your body, mind, and spirit.

Outpatient rehab is meant for those who struggle with mild to moderate substance use disorders or mental health conditions. This means you need to have relative stability outside of the treatment center. In case of severe substance use disorders or mental health conditions, more intensive levels of treatment, like residential care, are recommended.

You might be the best candidate for outpatient rehab if:

• You have relative stability outside of the treatment center.
• You have a stable, trigger-free living environment.
• You have a loving support system.
• You have completed medically supervised detoxification and/or residential treatment.
• You need structure and support as you transition back to daily life after rehab.
• You have a history of relapse.
• You can commute to and from the treatment center.

Yes, outpatient rehab programs do treat a broad spectrum of mental health disorders. In fact, as mental health disorders can often underlie or co-occur with substance use disorders, dual diagnosis treatment is provided wherein both these conditions are treated at the same time.

Yes, outpatient rehab can prescribe medications. Typically, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) combines medication management and therapy for lasting outcomes.

Medications commonly used in the treatment of substance use disorders are methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone, suboxone, acamprosate, and naltrexone. Medications commonly used in the treatment of mental health disorders are antidepressants, mood stabilizers, anxiolytics (anti-anxiety medication), and antipsychotics.

Outpatient rehabs treat a diverse range of substance use disorders or addictions, such as:

• Alcohol use disorder
• Tobacco use disorder
• Cannabis use disorder
• Prescription/over-the-counter medication abuse
• Opioid use disorders (like morphine, heroin, fentanyl, and others)
• Stimulant use disorders (like cocaine, methamphetamine, and others).

Outpatient rehabs do not require hospital stays. Hence, traveling to and from the treatment center will be needed. While some outpatient rehab facilities do offer transportation, most do not. You will have to speak to your treatment center about this. Regardless, it is best to choose a treatment center close to you so that commuting can be easy.

Yes! You can work while attending treatment. Outpatient rehab is designed to be flexible like that. In fact, the evening track is an evening IOP that runs from 6 PM - 9 PM for 3 - 5 days a week. It is specifically designed for those who have to fulfill daytime commitments like academics or a job.

Relapse rates tend to run high for substance use disorders, regardless of the kind of rehab program. The National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) reports that relapse risk is as high as 40% - 75%. This is why outpatient rehab programs offer personalized relapse prevention and aftercare services to mitigate its risk to a great extent.

Yes, outpatient rehab can be the bridge as you transition back from inpatient rehab to independent living. It provides you with just that bit of structure and support you need. In fact, experts suggest that moving from inpatient rehab to outpatient rehab can significantly enhance healing and recovery outcomes.

The cost of outpatient rehab varies depending on the facility, treatment type, and duration. It is more affordable than residential care as it does not involve round-the-clock supervision or hospital stays.

Your insurance typically covers outpatient rehab. Moreover, as outpatient rehab involves sessions rather than hospital stays, your insurance can cover a greater number of sessions as well.