Inpatient vs Outpatient Rehab in PA: How To Decide Which Is Right For You?
First things first – if you are even researching whether inpatient vs outpatient rehab in PA works best for you, that means that you acknowledge that you have a problem and are looking for a way to fix it. By admitting that you need help, you are already one step ahead of many other individuals who will never seek professional assistance for their addiction. However, once you start looking into different treatment options, there’s a good chance that you will become confused. It’s for that reason that we here at Little Creek Recovery always advise you to contact us without any hesitations and ask whatever it is that interests you.
However, before you do get in touch with us, it wouldn’t hurt to know what your two main options are. Inpatient and outpatient programs are two forms of treatment that people begin with after embarking on their journey to recovery. You can try to decide which one is the right one for you, or you can leave it up to professionals to assess. Keep in mind that a professional’s suggestion is just that – a suggestion. You are not in any obligation to abide by it. However, due to their rich experience and significant educational background, it’s always a good idea to rely on your counselors and therapists for these things.
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Inpatient rehab – the advantages and disadvantages
Inpatient care is a form of treatment where individuals are required to stay inside residential or clinical facilities. The programs can last anywhere from one month to more than three months. Throughout the duration of the program, individuals will be surrounded by medical professionals who will administer FDA-approved medications and be at their disposal 24/7. Our Men’s Residential Program in PA is the perfect example of what inpatient care entails.
While in our facilities, our clients will get a chance to focus on themselves and their recovery. We, just like many other treatment centers, aim to integrate a few different types of therapy into the program. Thus, you can enjoy one-on-one therapy with a licensed counselor, but you can also create music in our music studio and work on surpassing your addiction this way. Because of the intensity of this program, we find it to be best suited for people with a severe form of addiction. Most often, those with a cocaine or heroin addiction in PA start by attending inpatient care.
Likewise, you should know that finishing an inpatient program doesn’t have to mark the end of your treatment. If you are not sure that you are ready to face the real world, you can always make a stop at our Sober Living in PA. You’ll get to share the house with many other individuals who have been going through the same experiences and events. There’s always a lot to be gained when bonding with others over shared events. The stay in our sober living facility will teach you how to re-integrate back into society and get used to normal life. Plus, we have no doubt that you will also form valuable friendships while there.
The benefits
The benefits of inpatient care are obvious, as this program provides the perfect environment for a person to get better. Individuals will always have support at arm’s reach, and they won’t have to feel neglected or unsupported. While there will be many different individuals who will attend inpatient treatment at the same time, every person will get the staff’s undivided attention.
Moreover, by opting for inpatient care, you are directly putting yourself first. Because you will be out of touch with your day-to-day life, you will have a lot more time to focus on yourself. Your daily responsibilities will be there even after you finish treatment, but your health can’t wait. When it comes to addiction, every second is precious.
Finally, being in an environment that is controlled and monitored 24/7, a person won’t have a chance to fall into temptation. If you are attending rehab for your cocaine addiction in PA, then you should take it very seriously. Cocaine is a highly addictive substance, which is why inpatient vs outpatient rehab in PA might be the better option for you.
The downsides
We can’t say that inpatient care is perfect. At least, it won’t be for everyone. Just like some people love the extra control that comes with constant monitoring, others hate it. Some people cannot imagine being watched every day for a few months, which is why they wouldn’t give inpatient care a thought. Likewise, a person that is considering this program will have to understand that they won’t have a lot of free time on their hands. Inpatient programs are incredibly structured, as they want to provide recovering addicts with a sustainable routine.
Outpatient rehab – the advantages and disadvantages
It’s quite obvious that our Outpatient Program in PA is a lot more lenient when compared to its counterpart. The premises of outpatient care are simple. An individual will attend rehab a few times a week for a few hours per day, all the while living in their own homes. Now, you have to keep in mind that there are a few different types of outpatient treatment. The ones we here at Little Creek Recovery offer are:
- Intensive Outpatient (IOP). IOP is the second most intense form of outpatient care, and it involves spending a few days per week in rehab and attending it for a few hours per day. Since opting for IOP doesn’t take a lot of time, we always recommend it to people who have a moderate addiction.
- The General Outpatient Program. As the least intense form of outpatient rehab, this program is generally good for people with marijuana addiction in PA. It’s definitely suited for individuals with a mild addiction, as a person will only be going to rehab once or twice a week for a few hours.
It’s generally a good idea to opt for inpatient vs outpatient rehab in PA if your addiction is severe. However, if you are struggling with a mild to moderate addiction, there’s no doubt that one form of outpatient care would be best for you. But since it can also be tricky to choose the right Outpatient treatment for you, we once again suggest consulting a professional.
The benefits
You were probably able to identify the biggest benefit of outpatient care by reading its description. Liberty is the number one thing that people love about this form of treatment. As you will not have to attend treatment at all times, you will have a lot of free time to explore your other hobbies and interests. At the same time, you will get as much help as you need. That’s why outpatient programs are usually the perfect form of treatment for most people.
Likewise, you get to stay inside your own home while getting the help that you need. This means that you will not have to go through an adjustment period or be away from your family. Being in familiar surroundings isn’t crucial for recovery. However, we have to admit that it doesn’t hurt when a person feels comfortable. Plus, your family members will be able to provide you with plenty of support and love. When it comes to addiction, you can be certain that things like these are going to make a huge difference.
Finally, one of the most significant benefits of outpatient treatment lies in the cost. You are most likely already aware that a rehab facility is a costly place. A lot of times, a recovering addict’s finances will have already taken a blow due to their addiction. If you are unable to afford treatment, then you might be looking for a cheaper option. When compared with inpatient treatment, outpatient programs are a cheaper solution. Of course, this isn’t of importance if your form of addiction requires inpatient care. But if you could go with either and you want to save money, outpatient treatment is a clear winner.
The downsides
The biggest downside of outpatient care is in structure – or lack thereof. Outpatient programs do not provide 24/7 monitoring, which is great for some. However, this much liberty is also less than ideal for others. Some people with severe addictions should receive round-the-clock care. After all, less time equals fewer chances for mistakes and slip-ups. Therefore, you need to be honest with yourself, as well as your healthcare providers. Do you find yourself in constant temptation to consume drugs or alcohol? Are you using your free time to hang around the people who are enabling your addiction? If the answer to these two questions is yes, then you should think about inpatient vs outpatient rehab in PA.
Inpatient vs Outpatient Rehab in PA – which one wins out?
There’s no clear winner when it comes to this battle of the two most common programs. As a rehab facility ourselves, we don’t have one program that we prefer over the others. We simply believe that addiction is a completely individual and unique process. The approach that will work for you is probably not going to be as successful for someone else. That’s why we believe that you should only make decisions of this magnitude by taking a look at your unique situation. However, there’s one thing that we advise first and foremost – and that’s consulting a professional.
You can be certain that your therapist or healthcare provider will have the same goal as you. They want to see you sober and happy. That’s why they will do their best to choose a suitable program for your needs. First, they are going to assess your situation by asking questions such as:
- When did you first consume drugs/alcohol?
- How many times per week do you use these substances?
- Can you function on a daily basis if you don’t consume drugs or alcohol?
- Have they started to take a toll on your personal, financial, and social life?
- What are your long-term goals when it comes to recovery?
With these pieces of information in mind, your healthcare provider will be able to determine your needs. Once they have an idea of what it is that you need, they won’t have a problem recommending the best program. So if you are wondering whether to go for inpatient vs outpatient rehab in PA, all you have to do is consult a professional. Don’t hesitate to contact us and allow our specialists to guide you through your journey to recovery. We want to see you happy and recovered as much as your closest family members.