Inpatient vs. Outpatient Programs: Which Is Right for Your Heroin Addiction?

One thing that’s important to realize about addiction is that no one’s experience is the same. Everyone will be going through a different set of challenges and struggles. It’s important not to compare yourself to others during the treatment and recovery process.

Because of that, there’s no cookie-cutter treatment plan that will work for everyone. When deciding which rehab treatment plan is right for you, you’ll have to do a bit of research and consider your needs closely.

Perhaps the biggest factor to consider is whether you’d like to do an inpatient or an outpatient program.

While both can have effective outcomes, they do have very different features, costs, and advantages when compared with each other.

What Is an Inpatient Program?

You can overcome heroin addiction! Call us today for help choosing the best program for your needs.

An inpatient program is any sort of rehab treatment where you physically stay in the treatment location. It will become your temporary home as you work through your issues and get off drugs.

There are two main types of inpatient programs: long-term and short-term.

Long-term residential treatment programs:

Last 6 to 12 months
Provide care 24-hours a day
Help you relearn how to socialize with other residents and staff
Are highly-structured and include many different activities to help break unhealthy mental and physical habits

Short-term residential treatment programs, on the other hand:

Last three to six weeks
Are based out of a hospital-setting
Utilize a 12-step approach
Are followed-up with outpatient therapy and self-help groups

What Is an Outpatient Program?

An outpatient program is similar to an inpatient program, in that it provides higher levels of intensive intervention and care. However, the key difference is that you will not be living at the facility.

In general, outpatient programs:

Offer drug education
Sometimes last the entire day
Feature group counseling
Can treat other mental health or medical conditions

How to Get Rid of Heroin Addiction

Quitting heroin addiction is far easier said than done. Getting the right treatment for your needs, avoiding triggers, and being motivated to change are all necessary in order to recover.

What’s the Cost Difference?

Unfortunately, because inpatient programs have a much higher level of care, they are typically far more expensive than a standard outpatient program.

While insurance may cover this treatment, patients will still be left to handle their deductible and other out-of-pocket expenses, which can sometimes be too much.

Outpatient treatment, on the other hand, is far less expensive because you’re only getting help for a few hours each day.

Outpatient treatment also gives you the freedom to have a job and make money to care for yourself. This may not be possible while staying at an inpatient facility.

Which Has Better Outcomes?

Both methods of treatment can be effective. However, inpatient care does have an edge on outpatient care.

In a 1993 study that looked at 183 inpatients and 120 outpatients, the outpatients were found to be four times more likely to relapse and fail treatment.

However, another study done in 1989 found that there was no real significant difference in overall treatment effectiveness.

What does all of this mean for you? Well, for outpatient care, it just means you’ll have to curate a more extensive network of social support, which can help you rebuild relationships with family and friends.

Outpatient care will also allow you to lead a normal life where you can go to work, attend social engagements, and more.

So in the end, which type of facility is right for you? Only you can decide.

Ready to begin your recovery journey? Call 800-678-5931(Paid Advertiser) to learn about available treatment programs for drug and alcohol addiction.