When addicts begin the recovery process, the most immediate question they will be faced with is which type of facility or program they will enter into. There are two distinct types of recovery programs: inpatient and outpatient.
Inpatient:
The first major difference is that when a patient goes to an inpatient treatment facility, they are relocating to an area outside of their normal living situation. They stay at the facility typically for a minimum of 30 days. The patient is removed from their day-to-day life and stays with other patients, often participating in daily group therapy.
During their time in inpatient, clients look closely at their lives, examine the role their drug use has played, and are educated on addiction. Often, clients participate in a variety of activities that serve as therapy and start new hobbies. These include things like:
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Cooking classes
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Hiking
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Yoga classes
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Equine therapy
Because of the extent of the treatment offered, inpatient programs are most often expensive. They also require patients to be away from jobs, family, and friends for a significant portion of time so the user can focus on healing and recovery without the added pressure of common triggers.
This type of facility is often the right choice for individuals who have:
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Been taken to the ER because of drug or alcohol abuse-related instances
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Spent time in jail because of drug or alcohol abuse-related instances
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Had family members or friends ask them to slow down on their drinking or drug use habits
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Experienced an inability to function at work because of drinking or drug abuse habits
Outpatient:
An outpatient facility, also called Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP), is the next level of care after inpatient programs. In some circumstances, it can be the first step for addicts. These facilities offer group therapy and recovery, but are not places where patients eat or sleep. When a patient enters an outpatient program, they are still immersed in their own lives: they live in their homes, see their family and friends, and work at their jobs.
During their time in outpatient facilities, patients can participate in a variety of activities including:
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Individual counseling
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Group counseling
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Family treatment
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Pain therapy
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Trauma therapy
It’s also important to note that when individuals make the transition from an inpatient facility to an IOP, the shift should be seamless. During the latter part of their inpatient program stay, the client should contact an IOP program and make an appointment for an initial visit and assessment the day they return home. This helps them continue the recovery process.
Which one is for me?
As previously stated, often IOPs come after inpatient programs, however this isn’t always the case. The best thing to keep in mind when deciding which kind of facility to go to is that every case is unique.
When patients contact Turning Point, we have a preliminary meeting where we evaluate if you are a good candidate to go directly into the IOP program or not. It may be appropriate if you have a lot of support from family and friends who are not abusing substances and can help you through the process. It may also be an option if you have a stable, safe environment where someone is holding you accountable and watching you to make sure you avoid relapse.
Some of the most important factors we consider when determining if going straight to an IOP is the right course of action for a patient include:
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The frequency with which the patient has been using
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The length of time the patient has been using
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The support system and living situation the patient is in
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If the patient has had clean time in between relapses
The most important part of this process is making sure we get the patient in the right program where they can thrive and have the best chance of a successful path to recovery.
For additional questions or help determining which kind of facility is correct for you, please contact Turning Point Recovery Center today.
~Paul
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