Inpatient vs. Outpatient: What’s the Best Fit?

Getting treatment for alcohol or substance abuse is a great decision, but it is only the first of many. People also have to decide between inpatient and outpatient rehab and how long they will stay in treatment. The cost of treatment is one of the main reasons why people delay getting help. 

Inpatient treatment is usually the most comprehensive approach, but there are intensive outpatient programs that can be just as effective. When it comes to a decision between inpatient and outpatient treatment, it is important that people think about their goals before deciding which is the best fit.

Key Differences Between Inpatient and Outpatient Programs

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that treatment can be separated into two broad categories: inpatient and outpatient. Though both types of treatment have a lot in common, there are several key differences.

• Outpatient treatment programs can differ in their treatment approaches. Some programs may only offer education, while other programs can be nearly as comprehensive as inpatient programs. Outpatient programs are usually a good fit for people with an extensive social network or for people who cannot take too much time off work to complete a residential program. As is implied, clients at outpatient treatment programs must commute to their treatment site.
  
• Inpatient treatment programs have clients live at the treatment facility. Inpatient treatment is still divided into two types.
  
  • Long-term treatment: NIDA says that a therapeutic community (TC) is the most widely known type of long-term treatment. Such treatments plan for a client to stay between six and 12 months, and all aspects of treatment are meant to help individuals relearn social skills to deal with addiction. Activities are structured and meant to help clients become more responsible and balanced individuals.
    
    This treatment can be modified to treat clients will all kinds of needs. It can be tailored to suit the needs of women, teens, and other communities.
    
  • Short-term treatment: These treatments were first designed to treat alcohol misuse issues, but they have been modified to assist clients who are addicted to other substances, as stated by NIDA. Clients may stay in these programs anywhere from three to six weeks, but they will be expected to take part in outpatient treatment later on or to participate in ongoing self-help or peer support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous. Aftercare is an important component of short-term programs.

How Effective Is Inpatient or Outpatient Rehab?

NIDA’s Principles of Effective Treatment state that no one-size-fits-all approach works for everyone. Treatment must address a person’s specific needs. It must always be modified in accordance with the client’s changing needs. 

A 2014 case study published by Psychiatric Services found that the intensity of a person’s addiction and their mental health influenced how successful treatment was. People who were addicted to cocaine or who dealt with suicidal ideation were more likely to do better in inpatient programs. 

Data from the study also shows that people with severe drug misuse issues benefited most from long-term programs. Those with severe drug or alcohol use disorders fared better in residential programs than long-term programs that were not residential. 

The study did mention that intensive outpatient programs were very effective in dealing with drug and alcohol misuse, especially when combined with residential treatment. Even so, the study determined that there were no major differences between outpatient and inpatient programs when controlling for intensity. 

Outpatient programs had the advantage that people were able to live at home and put new skills into practice immediately.

Things to Consider When Choosing Treatment Type

Whether you choose an inpatient or outpatient treatment, you still need to discuss your plans with your insurance provider. The following factors can influence that cost of your treatment:

In addition to considering cost, you should take the drug used, the severity of misuse, and possible co-occurring mental health issues into account. As a general rule, co-occurring disorders benefit from inpatient treatment as do severe or long-term substance use disorders. Your intake team will be able to advise you on which type of treatment is best for your situation.

What to Expect Regardless of Treatment Type

Whether or not you decide to seek treatment at a residential or outpatient facility, you should expect evidence-based treatment. Treatment may include:

Whether you choose inpatient or outpatient treatment, choose a program that offers an individualized approach based on evidence-based treatment.