Outpatient rehab is used more often than inpatient, but there are several reasons for that. Not all of them are completely by choice. There are pros and cons to every situation and that applies to outpatient rehab as well. Weigh the pros and cons, talk to drug counselors or even current patients, and jot down your own pros and cons. When that is done a decision is possible.
Pros of Outpatient Rehab:
- Work: If you have a job, and there is a chance you could lose it if you were in inpatient rehab, then outpatient makes more sense.
- Family: This can be a pro or a con, depending on the circumstances, but you do have the comforts of home when in outpatient rehab
- Flexibility: You control when the appointments are made and at what pace you move in rehab
- Insurance: Many insurance companies cover outpatient rehab
Cons of Outpatient Rehab:
- Temptation: The biggest problem addicts face when trying to quit is the constant temptation of being around the same places and faces as they were in their life as an addict.
- Procrastination: It’s only human. Most people tend to procrastinate either and if you’re not looking forward to any phase of rehab, chances are appointments will be missed.
- Lack of 24/7 support: Breaking an addiction is tough. Especially at first, many people find that they need a lot of support. With outpatient, an hour appointment every week just may not be enough.
- Lack of complete treatment: Addiction controls a person’s entire life, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. In outpatient, normally only the physical aspect is treated meaning the whole person isn’t being treated.
What is right for one person may not be right for everyone. Listing pros and cons has proven to be very helpful when there is a decision to be made. A person struggling with addiction may be able to come up with their own pros and cons to outpatient treatment. Consulting a drug rehab counselor could be helpful to as you can find out exactly what to expect from outpatient treatment. The important thing is beating the drug addiction. Giving the control back to you and away from the drug is the ultimate goal. Think carefully and consider what would be best for you and what is possible for you.
