California Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers

Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Treatment Centers

When it comes to drug and alcohol addiction treatment, most programs in California fall into one of two categories: Inpatient and outpatient. While inpatient programs provide effective treatment within a residential setting, outpatient treatment offers a number of benefits to patients seeking help with mild to moderate addiction. As a result, this type of program can be a wise step toward recovery for many individuals.

What is outpatient treatment?

Overview of Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient drug and alcohol rehab is a treatment approach that allows the patient to live at home while traveling to the rehab center on a regular basis for therapy and support.

The amount of time patients spend at the treatment center every week will depend upon the program they choose and their treatment needs. However, most programs offer a step-down format that takes about 10-12 weeks to complete.

This means that as patients achieve their recovery goals, they spend less and less time at the outpatient center receiving treatment. For example, over time, a patient may go from spending several hours a day at a treatment center to attending therapy sessions once a week.

Types of Outpatient Treatment

Here is a look at the most common types of outpatient treatment programs available in California:

Day Programs

A day program, as its name implies, is an outpatient treatment program that takes place for several hours a day for 5-7 days a week. This intensive program is designed for maximum structure and therapy outside of a residential setting.

Intensive Outpatient Programs

Also known as IOPs, these programs provide about 9 hours of intensive therapy per week at the outpatient treatment center, but patients do not need to attend the program every day. This program is often suited for those with mild addiction or who are stepping down from more intense residential or outpatient day programs.

Continuing Care Programs

The least intensive form of outpatient treatment are continuing care programs. These offer weekly, usually 12-step-based, therapy and group sessions. These are often used as a long-term supportive step for patients who are transitioning back to their daily lives.

Components of Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment centers often provide the same types of treatments as do inpatient centers: They just do so on a less intense schedule. Patients can even detox through an outpatient center. Instead of receiving 24/7 monitoring, they check in daily with the center to have their health evaluated and receive any necessary medications.

Some of the treatments outpatient rehab programs provide include the following:

• Outpatient detox
• Cognitive behavioral therapy
• Group therapy
• Motivational enhancement therapy
• The Matrix Model
• Family therapy
• Psychiatric screening
• Support groups
• Medication management

Can I work while attending outpatient drug treatment?

One of the primary benefits of outpatient treatment is the opportunity it affords patients to live their daily lives while pursuing rehab. This means that many patients can even continue to work while attending outpatient therapy.

Outpatient treatment programs often schedule sessions around the traditional workday to make it easier for patients to hold down a job while pursuing their recovery. For example, early morning, later afternoon, and even evening appointments are common at outpatient centers in California.

Patients should also be aware that the protections of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) forbid employers from firing employees who take advantage of these acts to pursue drug and alcohol rehab. Patients' jobs should be safe while they attend drug and alcohol rehab.

In addition to being able to work, participants in outpatient rehab can often go to school, live at home, spend time with their families, and pursue other important daily activities. As a result, outpatient rehab can offer a desirable approach for individuals who are unable or unwilling to put their lives on hold while pursuing their recoveries.

What is the cost of an outpatient drug rehab program?

Another benefit of outpatient drug rehab programs is that they are significantly less expensive than residential programs. Costs for a 3-month outpatient program can cost between $1,400 and $10,00, but they average $5,000.

While much less expensive than inpatient programs, outpatient rehab can still present a significant financial obstacle for many patients. The good news that these programs in California accept a wide variety of payment options in order to make treatment more affordable. Patients can find centers that accept any of the following methods of payment:

• Self-pay
• Private insurance
• Medicaid and Medicare
• TRICARE (Military insurance)
• Financial assistance
• Payment plans
• Sliding scale fees

Does outpatient treatment work?

According to one study, success rates are about the same for inpatient and outpatient rehab. As a result, patients should choose between inpatient and outpatient programs based on their needs. In general, outpatient treatment programs work best for patients for whom any of the following are true:

• Mild addiction
• Transitioning out of residential treatment
• Strong friends or family support system
• Reliable transportation to and from therapy
• Reduced likelihood of a complicated withdrawal

Patients who need careful monitoring, who lack the motivation to attend rehab, who lack support systems or transportation, or who suffer from severe addiction will likely do better at an inpatient rehab center before moving to outpatient care.

Outpatient treatment is an appealing choice for patients who want to recover from addiction while pursuing their daily lives. Those who are interested in this type of rehab should explore their options in California as they pursue a long-lasting recovery.