Inpatient Vs Outpatient Rehab Treatments, Specifics, Preparation, Family Support & Detoxification

Programs, services, and treatments vary. We Level Up CA rehab center offers inpatient substance abuse treatment coupled with co-occurring dual-diagnosis programs. We treat the entirety of addiction and behavioral health disorders including their secondary corresponding illnesses to improve long-term recovery outcomes. Presently we do not offer outpatient nor PHP level of care. Get a free […]


Programs, services, and treatments vary. We Level Up CA rehab center offers inpatient substance abuse treatment coupled with co-occurring dual-diagnosis programs. We treat the entirety of addiction and behavioral health disorders including their secondary corresponding illnesses to improve long-term recovery outcomes. Presently we do not offer outpatient nor PHP level of care. Get a free health assessment and find out what treatment options are most suitable for you. Call to learn more.

Drug and alcohol treatment programs generally fall into 1 of 2 categories, outpatient and inpatient rehab. While equally focused on rehabilitation, each type has unique attributes and benefits to offer. Inpatient rehabs are intensive, residential treatment programs designed to treat serious addictions. Outpatient rehabs are part-time programs, allowing the recovering user to keep going to work or school during the day.

It’s important that both individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD) and their loved ones understand the differences before selecting inpatient vs outpatient treatment programs. Exploring all options before making a decision can put you or a loved one on the road to long-term sobriety.

Inpatient Vs Outpatient
Inpatient Vs Outpatient: Addiction treatment programs fall into 1 of 2 categories, outpatient and inpatient rehab. While equally focused on rehabilitation, each type has unique benefits to offer.

Inpatient Vs Outpatient: Inpatient Rehab And Treatment

Inpatient recovery programs, also known as residential treatment, require patients to check themselves into a controlled environment to overcome their addictions. Patients stay at a clinic with 24-hour medical and emotional support.

Preparing For Inpatient Rehab

It’s important to properly prepare for rehab. There’s no set amount of time needed to prepare for treatment. It is important to set an entry date for rehab and to have affairs settled before that date. Some of the things to take care of before entering rehab include:

  • Planning how to get to and from the rehab center
  • Finding out what personal items are allowed
  • Talking to your employer
  • Finding living arrangements for children or other family members

Family Support And Contact In Inpatient Rehab

Successful inpatient clinics know family involvement is crucial to recovery. Family members can contact loved ones in residential treatment to provide emotional support and encouragement.

When it comes to how and how often residents can communicate with their loved ones, each inpatient center’s policy is different. Some rehab centers also provide counseling for the family of the individual in treatment.

Daily Life During Inpatient Rehab

During inpatient treatment, residents can completely focus on getting well and sober without the distractions of everyday life. A typical day in residential treatment is carefully scheduled and accounted for. Psychologists, counselors, and psychiatrists meet with patients individually and in a group. A typical inpatient program runs anywhere from 28 days to 6 months.

The first step in inpatient treatment is medically assisted detox. Physicians and addiction specialists monitor patients’ vital signs while the drugs exit the system. Drug cravings are common during detox and can be difficult to overcome, often leading to relapse. Constant medical care provided during inpatient treatment helps guard against relapse. Clinicians can provide necessary medicine and medical expertise to lessen cravings and withdrawals.

The brain reacts differently to different addictive substances over time and a course of frequent use. Withdrawal symptoms aren’t pleasant for any drug, but some drugs should never be quit without medical supervision. Some withdrawals can be fatal. Lethal withdrawals are linked to drugs like synthetic Opiates, Benzodiazepines, alcohol, and Heroin. During inpatient rehab, patients have access to 24-hour medical attention. This attention can mean the difference between relapse and recovery.

Inpatient Vs Outpatient
Inpatient Vs Outpatient: A typical day in residential treatment is carefully scheduled and accounted for. Psychologists, counselors, and psychiatrists meet with patients individually and in a group.

How Do I Know If I Need Inpatient Rehab for Substance Abuse?

People who benefit most from an inpatient level of addiction treatment typically fall into one of three categories:

  • Individuals who are at a high risk of experiencing drug or alcohol withdrawal
  • Individuals who have experienced a relapse
  • Individuals who have tried a less intensive level of drug or alcohol treatment but were unable to stay sober

Most patients who come to us for inpatient rehab also struggle with a co-occurring mental health condition, such as depressionanxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), that needs to be addressed during addiction treatment.

Another factor to consider in choosing between an inpatient and outpatient rehab center is whether you have a healthy and supportive home environment where your recovery will be a priority. Otherwise, a residential treatment program where you will have a built-in system of support will probably be the most effective option.

A licensed addiction professional can help you weigh all of the different factors and determine the best level and type of treatment program to meet your needs.

Who is Inpatient Rehab For?

The process of recovery can have many steps. The first step after resolving to quit using alcohol or drugs is usually detox. Detox is the initial state of treatment when drugs and alcohol are eliminated from the bodyWithdrawal symptoms occur when the body stops receiving drugs and alcohol. Hence, it’s recommended that detox be supervised by medical professionals. But what happens once you’ve successfully detoxed? Chances are, you’ll be ready to move on to inpatient rehab.

Inpatient rehab is for anyone struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol. It is also suitable for those who have quit using substances and have recently relapsed, and people who have already been through rehab. Inpatient rehab can take anywhere from 28 to 90 days and requires you to live at the treatment center and attend group and individual therapy during your stay.  Depending on your personal your physician’s recommendation other considerations such as insurance and facility availability, the actual duration of your inpatient rehab experience may vary.

How Long Is Inpatient Rehab for alcoholism?

Your length of stay in inpatient alcohol or drug rehab will be based on your progress in meeting specific clinical milestones. Our clinical team will work with you and your family as well as your insurance provider to come up with the best timetable and plan for you. Just as addiction doesn’t happen in the course of a few weeks or months, it’s unrealistic to expect recovery to occur that quickly.

As you discharge from inpatient treatment, you will receive recommendations for follow-up care and ongoing recovery support to strengthen your sobriety and reduce the risk of relapse. Like diabetes or hypertension, addiction is a chronic disease. Regaining your health means learning to manage your symptoms, first within the structure of an inpatient rehab program and eventually in your home environment where you are in charge of maintaining and strengthening your recovery.

Inpatient Vs Outpatient: Outpatient Rehab And Treatment

Outpatient drug rehab is less restrictive than inpatient programs. Outpatient recovery programs usually require 10 to 12 hours a week spent visiting a local treatment center.

These sessions focus on drug abuse education, individual and group counseling, and teaching addicted people how to cope without their drugs. Outpatient drug rehab can be a good standalone option for someone with a mild addiction, or it can be part of a long-term treatment program. Outpatient drug rehab can last 3 to 6 months — something similar to inpatient treatment — or over a year.

Outpatient Detox Programs

Patients with mild-to-moderate drug withdrawal symptoms might find outpatient detoxification a fitting alternative to residential detox. Outpatient detox is safe, effective, and takes less time to complete than inpatient detox; the average outpatient detox is 6.5 days.

Patients must visit a hospital or other treatment facility for physical and mental check-ups during outpatient detox. Clinicians or doctors might administer medications on-site to soothe withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, depression, and increased heart rate.

Social Support During Outpatient Rehab

Outpatient drug rehab allows those in recovery to remain at home during treatment. Those undergoing outpatient drug rehab can continue working and remain close to family and friends. Outpatient treatment centers usually conduct meetings at night or in the early morning, helping those in the program maintain their normal schedules.

Twelve-step groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) may be used as part of outpatient treatment. Studies show that participating in recovery groups like AA and NA helps recovering addicts stay sober. Many individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD) also turn to outpatient treatment after completing an inpatient program as part of their continued recovery.

Inpatient treatment programs typically cost more than outpatient drug rehab. The on-hand medical care and psychotherapy available to residential rehab patients increase treatment costs. The price difference should not encourage or discourage someone from choosing the best treatment route for them.

Inpatient Vs Outpatient
Inpatient Vs Outpatient: Outpatient drug rehab allows those in recovery to remain at home during treatment. Those undergoing outpatient drug rehab can continue working and remain close to family and friends.

Reclaim Your Life From Substance Use Disorder

Substance abuse disorder is a condition that can cause health, social, and economic problems that should not be taken lightly. We Level Up California can provide you, or someone you love, inpatient rehab with professional and safe care. Feel free to call us to speak with one of our counselors. We can inform you about the differences between inpatient vs outpatient rehab treatment. Our specialists know what you are going through. Please know that each call is private and confidential.

We Level Up CA treatment center can help with inpatient therapy programs exclusively. Depending on the extent of secondary behavioral disorders such as depression, trauma, or anxiety, for example, we can first help assess your condition and thereafter guide you to suitable treatment options. We do not provide outpatient and PHP services at this time. Call to learn more.