Online Rehab vs Inpatient Rehab: Comparing The Two And Choosing The Right Option
Today, people struggling with addiction can choose between different types of treatment programs. Whether you or a loved one struggles with alcohol addiction, prescription drug addiction, or illicit substance abuse, there’s more than just one type of rehab program. To put it simply, the two main pathways for treatments are inpatient rehab and outpatient rehab.
When you’re seeking treatment for addiction or substance abuse, you’ll need to choose between inpatient and outpatient treatment programs. In one, you’ll be staying at a specialised facility receiving round-the-clock care for your drug or alcohol addiction. Meanwhile, the other option is much more flexible and allows you to remain at home for much of the time. To help you make the right choice for addiction treatment, you need to know the pros and cons of both. It’s worth exploring what to consider when making a choice, as well as the strengths and limitations of inpatient and outpatient care.
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient programs are an intensive treatment option where you reside at a rehab facility for a specific period. Over the course of your stay, you’ll undergo treatment for addiction, substance abuse, or mental health condition.
An inpatient treatment facility is a controlled environment where you’re under supervision by a multidisciplinary team of medical professionals. The goal is to provide a supportive environment that’s conducive to the recovery process. How long you receive treatment at an inpatient rehab center can vary depending on the severity of your condition, treatment goals, and whether you have any specific needs.
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What To Expect At Inpatient Rehab
While staying at an inpatient care facility, you can expect to undergo a medical detox, medication management, informational sessions, and therapy sessions. These include individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy.
The process typically starts with inpatient detoxification to remove traces of alcohol and illicit substances from the body. The reason experts recommend medically supervised detox is to help you manage withdrawal symptoms. This is especially the case with alcohol withdrawal symptoms like delirium tremens, which can be especially dangerous. During this time, your doctor will also prescribe medication to help manage symptoms.
After a detox, which typically takes two weeks, you can start undergoing therapy, like CBT, group sessions, and even family therapy. An inpatient program can give you an immersive experience through an environment where you can focus on recovery. You’ll learn coping skills and receive support as you try adopting a sustainable lifestyle.
Pros and Cons of Inpatient Treatment
Here’s a quick run-down of the different pros and cons you get with residential rehab:
Pros
You receive round-the-clock supervision and support.
You live in a controlled environment that’s away from triggers and focused on recovery.
You build a sense of community because you’re surrounding by other people who’ve had similar experiences.
Cons
It disrupts your everyday life and keeps you from fulfilling responsibilities.
You won’t have much personal freedom while staying at a sober living facility.
It costs more compared to online outpatient rehab.
You may struggle with the transition from a structured to an unstructured environment.
Online Outpatient Treatment
In outpatient rehab, you’ll be attending a day program, so you’ll be staying at home for a majority of the treatment period. Instead of living at the facility, you only visit the clinic or treatment centre a few times a week. Outpatient programs for substance use disorder are far less intensive than inpatient rehabilitation, but they still comprise similar components. For example, group therapy, one-on-one sessions, and psychoeducation.
What to Expect From An Outpatient Program
With outpatient rehab, you get more flexibility during the treatment process. It means that you’ll be able to carry on routine activities and take care of responsibilities. For example, going to work and handling childcare duties. For many people, taking a few weeks off work for alcohol or drug addiction treatment can be very difficult. Outpatient rehab settings allow you to attend treatment and receive support without compromising on school, work, or caregiving responsibilities.
Just like in inpatient treatment programs, the structure and length of outpatient rehab depends on your specific needs, what the program offers, and the severity of your addiction. It can range from a few hours each week to multiple sessions per week.
Accessible Online Rehab Program
Another option that’s available these days thanks to the proliferation of teletherapy is online rehab. It’s where you can opt for online treatment after completing a detox on-site. This option makes therapy sessions, check-ins, and other therapeutic activities much more accessible, especially if you work odd hours or have trouble commuting to a treatment centre. With UK Home Detox, you can access professional help through online treatment programs. To learn about pricing and options for remote treatment, check out How Much Online Rehab Costs.
Pros and Cons of Outpatient Rehab
Here’s a summary of the pros and cons you get with online or outpatient care:
Pros
You can continue with everyday responsibilities
You’ll have the opportunity to apply learned skills in everyday situations.
You pay less in comparison to inpatient treatment.
You can rely on emotional support from family members.
Cons
You’ll need to stay committed and motivated to the recovery journey.
You won’t have as much supervision and support as in residential treatment.
May not be suitable for people with severe addiction or co-occurring mental health conditions.
Main Differences Between Inpatient and Outpatient Rehab
To help you weigh inpatient and outpatient programs, let’s take a look at their main differences:
Controlled Setting Versus At-Home
For starters, the biggest difference is where you’ll be staying for a majority of the time during the addiction treatment program. An inpatient setting means living at a specialised facility throughout the treatment process.
Meanwhile, an outpatient setting is where you stop by for an individual, group, or family therapy session at a specific time. Other than that, you spend the majority of your time at home and carrying out everyday tasks.
Structured Versus Less Intensive
When you choose inpatient rehab, you receive specialized treatment services via a structured experience. Even when you’re not actively undergoing therapy, you’ll be under medical supervision 24/7 and receive round-the-clock support.
In contrast, outpatient rehab is less intensive, with treatment sessions scheduled at different times throughout the week. This gives you plenty of time to take care of other responsibilities.
Supportive Versus Everyday Environment
One of the reasons people struggling with severe substance use disorders are prescribed inpatient treatment is that it provides a supportive environment. It takes you away from a setting that could potentially cause you to relapse. Instead, you have access to a supportive environment where you can focus on relapse prevention without distractions.
But if you enrol in an outpatient treatment program, you’ll need to navigate daily life while making time for therapy sessions. You’ll also need to rely on whatever support system you have.
Costly Versus Affordable
Cost is a major consideration for many people who struggle with addiction. Severe addictions can impair your ability to hold a job, thereby affecting your access to psychological and medical care. Residential treatment usually costs more because you’ll be paying for accomodation, round-the-clock supervision, and consistent care.
If you’re looking for something more affordable, outpatient rehab cuts down the cost since you don’t have to pay for 24/7 care and accommodation. You’ll still be seeing addiction specialists and have access to various treatment options.
Significant Time Commitment Versus Flexible Timings
When entering treatment at a residential rehab facility, you’ll have to commit a significant amount of time. Inpatient program stays can range from a couple of weeks to several months for severe addiction.
Opting for outpatient rehab means that you have more flexibility. That’s because healthcare professionals alter your treatment plan based on your specific needs. Sessions can take between 3 to 5 hours each week, but it’s possible that your treatment provider may require more hours.
How To Choose The Right Option
Now that we’ve gone over the differences between inpatient and outpatient rehab, it begs the question: which one is the right choice for me? If we’re looking at success rates, the numbers show that residential treatment is among the most successful types of rehab.
But despite the recovery support that inpatient treatment offers, it doesn’t align with everyone’s lifestyle. For many people looking to achieve long term sobriety, staying a treatment centre for a significant period can be inconvenient. If you enrol in inpatient rehab for alcohol or drug abuse, you’ll need to take a break from other duties.
That makes it a less accessible option for people with young children or other caregiving responsibilities. In this case, outpatient treatment, combined with a strong support network, can prove effective.
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Author / Jason Shiers / Dip.Psych MBACP
Jason Shiers is a Certified Transformative Coach & Certified Psychotherapist who is a specialist in addiction, trauma and eating disorders. He has been working in the field of addiction for 25 years now.
