Addiction recovery is not just about getting yourself admitted into inpatient rehab and calling it a day. It is about establishing a lifelong system that will help you stay sober and be perfectly capable of resisting any temptation that comes your way. After inpatient rehab, the next step is to choose the right outpatient treatment for you.
There are three main types of outpatient programs: partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP), and outpatient (OP). The three vary in terms of intensity of care but they all allow you to live your normal life since they require less commitment compared to inpatient rehab. Here is a guide on how to differentiate the three so that you may pick the best one for you.
Partial Hospitalization or PHP
Partial hospitalization is a combination of outpatient and residential care. The patient gets to decide whether they wish to live at home or in a controlled environment. Regardless of their choice of residence, they will be required to attend substance treatment sessions during the day.
Partial hospitalization is highly structured since each day is filled with activities and sessions dedicated to substance abuse treatment. PHP entails group sessions six days a week and provides a high level of support while still offering some flexibility. You have time to socialize with the important people in your life, pursue an education, or even get a part-time job.
The treatment sessions involve the following:
· In-depth discussion and personal assessment of your substance abuse history
· Assessment for co-occurring disorders
· Analyzing your family structure, how your family unit operates, and your role in it
· Meditation that enforces mindfulness
· Individual therapy
· Group therapy
· Life skills training
Here are the benefits of partial hospitalization:
· PHP serves as an excellent transition from inpatient rehab to outpatient treatment
· The patient can regularly interact and consult with medical and behavioral experts
· A personalized health care plan will be provided
· Significantly more affordable than inpatient rehab since there is no need to pay for accommodations
· The patient has a more flexible schedule to allow them to pursue commitments and live a relatively normal life
Intensive Outpatient or IOP
Intensive outpatient treatment is less strict and more flexible than partial hospitalization. This is an excellent option after you have completed PHP and you still wish to continue with a structured treatment plan. It provides structure and consistency with more freedom. This is particularly ideal if you have family obligations or a job. The freer schedule allows you to juggle these commitments. You may expect to commit about 15 to 25 hours each week. This depends on the time allocated for individual therapy and other aspects of the treatment.
This type of treatment includes:
· In-depth discussion and personal assessment of your substance abuse history
· Assessment for co-occurring disorders
· Analyzing your family structure, how your family unit operates, and your role in it
· Meditation that enforces mindfulness
· Individual therapy
· Group therapy
· Life skills training
· 12-step
Here are the benefits of intensive outpatient treatment:
· It provides you with additional support before you leave a program or you transition to a more flexible plan
· It helps strengthen your relationships with family and friends
· It allows you time to keep your job, pursue an education, and other commitments
· It allows you to uphold a daily routine
· This is less expensive than other treatments
Outpatient or OP
Outpatient is the least intensive treatment option among the three. This is highly useful if you are dealing with mild substance abuse. It is also the next step after you have finished more intensive treatment.
This is very flexible so you can uphold your daily or weekly routine. Unlike other treatments, this does not require you to dedicate your entire daytime to the treatment. You get enough flexibility and freedom to schedule appointments when your schedule permits. As such, it frees up your evenings and weekends to do more things.
Here are the features of outpatient treatment:
· Individual therapy
· Group therapy
· Life skills training
· In-depth analysis of your family structure, how your family unit operates, and what your roles in the unit are
· Mindfulness-focused meditation
· Guided discussions on your personality and identity
Here are the benefits of outpatient treatment:
· It is significantly cheaper compared to residential treatments or more intensive treatment options
· You get flexibility so you can keep your job or spend more time with your family
What’s The Next Step?
Now that you got an overview of the three different types of outpatient programs, the next step is to identify the best option for you. There are numerous factors that will come into play, such as the severity of your substance abuse and the progress you have made so far. Ideally, patients should transition from PHP to IOP to OP until they are fully ready to live an independent life. It is best to consult with a healthcare professional for the full assessment of your case. Contact us at R&R Recovery for more questions. Our mission is to empower you to make the right choice that suits your needs and ultimately leads to your healing.