Outpatient Alcohol Rehab

Alcohol is a common and familiar thing within our culture. According to a survey conducted in 2019, 85.6% of people ages 18 and older had drunk alcohol at some point in their lifetime. In addition to this, 54,9% had drunk alcohol within the last month.[i] Alcohol in and of itself is not necessarily a bad thing, but it can be a powerful source of addiction and danger for many. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Addiction reports that nearly 15 million people ages 12 and above have an alcohol use disorder (AUD).[ii]

Part of what drives these issues is the prevalence of alcohol around us; for those who have become addicted or are recovering, the temptation is almost always just around the corner. It is sometimes possible that the amount to which alcohol surrounds us has also caused us to grow numb to the reality of the difficulty for those struggling with an alcohol use disorder of some sort. These considerations serve to remind us of the importance of proper treatment. Getting the treatment and care you need can be embarrassing and scary, but you can do the wisest thing.

Outpatient Alcohol Addiction

Outpatient rehab can come in many forms, but the main distinction comes in the word “outpatient,” which is, of course, in contrast to “inpatient.” With outpatient care, individuals are generally not required to remain in a treatment facility overnight. Outpatient care offers greater flexibility, in general, than inpatient care does since patients can stay engaged in their work, life, or family responsibilities while still retaining the care and some of the structure from a treatment program. Some of the main types of outpatient alcohol rehab programs include the following:

Day Treatment: This form of treatment usually involves spending a full day or half day anywhere from five to seven days a week participating in the rehab program. While it is more involved than some other outpatient programs, it still allows individuals to return home and be with their loved ones outside participating in the program.
Intensive Outpatient Program: These programs are generally less intense than the day treatment programs and have fewer and shorter meeting times, often with availability for either daytime or evening meetings. This program is often more flexible and useful for those who work during the day and/or have a stable support system at home.
Continuing Care Groups: There are many varieties of groups that count as “continuing care,” and these will often be much less rigorous in nature than other outpatient formats. In many cases, this will not be the starting point for care but one of the later steps in the recovery process. It does not provide quite as much structure and medical assistance as is often needed during the beginning of the recovery process.[iii]

Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab Compared

As has been mentioned briefly, outpatient rehab often provides more flexibility. Other features may make it the better route in some circumstances and others that might make it the wrong route. When contemplating these decisions, you do your best to learn about the options and consult a professional who can help guide you through the options. Some of the benefits of outpatient treatment programs versus inpatient treatment programs include the following:

Lower cost
More suitable for individuals with work responsibilities
More suitable for individuals with extensive social supports

Also, outpatient treatment programs will often include the following:

Drug education and knowledge of resources
Group counseling
Assistance with co-occurring mental disorders

It is important to remember that outpatient treatment may not always be the best option for treatment. In cases where the patient has a severe alcohol use disorder, does not have a support system at home, or has tried multiple times unsuccessfully to break the addiction, further treatment through inpatient programs may be the adequate way of getting help.

Seeking Addiction Treatment

Alcohol use disorder can sometimes be unnoticed for long periods of time or be difficult to distinguish from casual use of alcohol. Because of how common alcohol use is, others may not understand the nature or difficulty of the problem, especially if they have used alcohol but not experienced addiction in the same way. It is important to note these things and not let them get in the way of seeking proper treatment.

If there is any doubt or thought that there might be a problem, the best course of action is to seek professional advice. We would much rather be able to have a conversation and let you know there is nothing to worry about than to have a problem that never gets addressed. You may be embarrassed, or ashamed, or feel guilty, and these are not easy things to deal with. In some cases, they may be deserved. But ignoring these things, avoiding the problem are not answers. They are simply ways of pushing the problem off into the future. The problem is that the future is always getting closer, and you can only avoid things for so long. If you are embarrassed, ashamed, or feeling guilty, the only way out is to face the source of these things directly. By taking charge and addressing the problem as forthrightly as you can (with the help of professionals), you can be equipped to end the cycle of self-destruction caused by alcohol abuse.

Cycles of Change Recovery

Alcohol addiction is a serious and complicated issue. Difficulties with the possibility of withdrawal or co-occurring mental disorders serve only to compound the difficult nature of substance abuse. The last thing that any of us wants is to miss an opportunity to get the needed help.

Because of the dangers involved in addiction and substance abuse, it is of great importance that helps in the form of treatment is sought out as soon as possible. At Cycles of Change Recovery Services, we want to come alongside those struggling with alcohol addiction and withdrawal symptoms to help transition into recovery. We can offer 24/7 on-site medical help and supervision, counseling, and consistent care to facilitate the process of healing. Please review our various programs^[iv] to see what meets the situation or need. It is also recommended to review our accreditation,^[v] staff,^[vi] and facility,^[vii] so that you can be confident Cycles of Change Recovery is the right path for you or your loved one.

Sources:

[i] NIH, “Facts and Statistics on Alcohol Usage,” National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Addiction, https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/brochures-and-fact-sheets/alcohol-facts-and-statistics, (accessed 4/14/2021).
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] Galbicsek, Carol, “Outpatient Rehab,” Alcohol Rehab Guide, https://www.alcoholrehabguide.org/treatment/outpatient-rehab/, accessed 4/14/2021.
[iv] https://cyclesofchangerecovery.com/programs/.
[v] https://cyclesofchangerecovery.com/about/accreditation/.
[vi] https://cyclesofchangerecovery.com/about/staff/.
[vii] https://cyclesofchangerecovery.com/about/palmdale/.