Individuals who want to free themselves from the vicious cycle of addiction and substance dependence can make no better choice than to enroll in a local outpatient rehab. It is all too common for individuals struggling with drugs and alcohol to spend years, even decades, trying to manage their addiction on their own. Even otherwise supportive friends sometimes advise people struggling with substances to “try harder” to control their use. This mistaken advice reflects a common misconception about drug and alcohol addiction: that it occurs only when a person chooses to abuse drugs and alcohol.
The reality is that individuals who suffer from addiction generally have no choice in the matter. Substance use disorders are legitimate medical conditions that not only inflict enormous emotional and physical damage, but cause neurological changes in the brain that make it difficult, if not impossible, for a person to stop using drugs on their own. In order to achieve lasting sobriety, sanity, and happiness, it is necessary to make use of a treatment facility.
What is Outpatient Drug Treatment?
Outpatient drug programs and outpatient alcohol programs help individuals who have a desire to stop abusing substances and fix their lives. Outpatient programs make use of evidence-based treatment modalities, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, group therapy, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT). They also frequently offer skills training and workshops to help individuals find employment, enroll in school, or achieve other life goals that were previously impeded by substance abuse. Outpatient treatment centers work with people on an individual level to determine their treatment needs. These programs are also flexible, allowing individuals to obtain treatment for their substance use disorders several hours a day a few times a week.How to Choose Between Outpatient Rehab vs Inpatient
Los Angeles treatment centers can be divided into two types of treatment centers: inpatient rehabs and outpatient rehabs. Whereas outpatient alcohol rehabs allow people to return to their homes at the end of the day, inpatient programs are residential programs. It can sometimes be helpful to enroll in a residential treatment program for a short period of time when a person is experiencing severe drug or alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Having staff on-hand 24/7 can be essential during medically dangerous detoxes. Inpatient treatment programs are also sometimes recommended for people who do not have homes or lack support systems in the outside world. However, the vast majority of people who stay sober end up making use of outpatient rehabs, even after attending an inpatient treatment center.When is Outpatient Drug Rehab the Best Choice?
For most people, the best drug rehab is an outpatient treatment center. Outpatient rehab in LA are as effective for dealing with drug and alcohol addiction as inpatient programs. Unlike inpatient programs, however, outpatient programs provide people with opportunities to practice their new skills and coping tools in the outside world. Because these programs meet for only a short period each day, they are ideal for individuals who have commitments in the outside world, such as jobs, family, or school. They can also be utilized by individuals who have finished inpatient programs who are interested in continuing to receive support for their sobriety while they transition back into the real world. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, successful addiction treatment must have three qualities:- It must help a person get sober
- It must help a person stay sober
- And it must help a person be productive in the family, at work, and in society
