Every year, drugs are directly and indirectly responsible for more than 11 million deaths.

But drug abuse doesn’t have to end in death. For those that seek it, there is plenty of help and support for overcoming drug addiction.

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction and looking for help, you’ll have to know what type of help to look for. Outpatient rehab centers allow patients to maintain some normalcy in life while receiving treatment for an addiction, but it’s not for everyone.

Keep reading to learn more about outpatient rehab and how it treats drug addiction.

How Outpatient Rehab Centers Treat Patients

Every good treatment program begins with an assessment. In this initial phase of the recovery process, physicians and counselors evaluate the prospective patients.

They’ll want to know what type of drug is involved and how severe the addiction is in order to determine the best course of treatment. Depending on the drug, the amount of time a person has been using, and how much they’ve been using, treatment recommendation can vary in length and rigidity. 

Outpatient rehab is a recovery program wherein patients live at home and receive treatment from a facility that they visit for 10 to 12 hours per week. In this type of treatment, patients can continue to work and live with their family.

An outpatient rehab typically involves individual and group counseling and drug abuse education. In many cases, twelve-step groups like Alcoholics Anonymous are used to support treatment.

Who Should Attend Outpatient Rehab?

There are two main types of rehabilitation programs: inpatient and outpatient. Which one is right depends on the individual.

For severe addiction, patients typically require the rigidity of an inpatient program. These programs involve medically assisted detox and an arrangement wherein the patient lives in the rehab facility for a predetermined period of time. This allows for around-the-clock care and support for serious addicitions.

When the addiction is less severe, an outpatient rehab program will suffice to put an individual on the road to recovery. Sometimes outpatient rehab is used as secondary treatment following an inpatient program.

What Are the Benefits of Outpatient Rehab?

Overcoming addiction is an extremely difficult process. It takes long-term care and support in order to achieve long-term recovery. Rehabilitation programs, both inpatient and outpatient, start individuals out on that path.

But outpatient programs offer unique benefits. Above all, they can be scheduled to suit a person’s needs, according to their work and family schedule. That gives patients the ability to receive counseling, medication, and group therapy while still seeing to their responsbilities.

More Health and Wellness

Addicition in America is a more common problem than we might think. If you or someone you love is struggling with drug addiction and you’re looking for help, there is help out there. Outpatient rehab centers are a good place to start if the addiction isn’t severe.

And for more health and wellness advice, be sure to check the blog regularly.