Inpatient or Outpatient Rehab: Which is Right For You?

Inpatient or Outpatient Rehab: Which is Right For You?

One of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make when choosing rehab facilities in Denver is whether you need inpatient or outpatient care. These two treatments are actually very different from one another and typically come at different points in the recovery process. By understanding what each treatment entails, you can make the best decision for your needs. 

Inpatient Rehab: Best for Starting Your Recovery and Addressing Severe Addictions 

An inpatient program requires you to live at the facility while you receive treatment for your substance abuse and mental health disorder, if you have one. This type of treatment is best for serious, active addictions. These programs generally include detox services and counseling, as well as around-the-clock medical support. 

Because inpatient treatment is for serious addiction problems, these programs are intensive and require you to work on your recovery most hours of the day. There is time for rest and relaxation, but a structured schedule ensures all hours are accounted for. 

The features of an inpatient program include: 

  • Around-the-clock medical support and supervision 
  • Medical attention for treating withdrawal symptoms 
  • Eliminate exposure to negative factors in your environment 
  • Safe and healthy environment to recover in 
  • Built-in support network 
  • No access to drug and alcohol 

Who Benefits Most from Inpatient Treatment? 

Inpatient rehab facilities in Denver are a great starting point for many addicts. They typically offer a rigorous level of care that includes 24/7 support, detoxification services and counseling. This provides you with the foundation you need to get clean and sober. 

This higher level of care is best for the following people: 

  • Active drug users 
  • Serious addictions 
  • Untreated mental illness 
  • Toxic home environment 
  • Requires constant supervision 
  • Suicidal thoughts or destructive behaviors 

Considerations for Inpatient Rehab 

While inpatient care plays an important role in the treatment process, it’s not something that everyone can do. For starters, these Denver rehab centers require you to live at the facility for at least one month, so you’ll have to leave behind your family and job. If this isn’t feasible for you, it could steer you away from treatment altogether.

Second, an inpatient program is more expensive because you have to pay for room and board in addition to treatment. Insurance does help out with these costs, but you might still have to pay significantly out of pocket. 

Finally, it’s important to know that additional treatment is often required after inpatient care. Most people are not ready to return to normal life after just 28 days in treatment. Expect to need some type of outpatient treatment as you transition into everyday life, build a stronger recovery and reduce your relapse risk. 

family spending time together

Outpatient Rehab in Denver: The “Meat and Potatoes” of Recovery 

An outpatient program does not require you to live at the treatment facility. Instead, you receive counseling and support most days of the week for several hours a day and then return home. 

Outpatient care can be used as standalone treatment, especially if your addiction is mild and poor habits are not yet firm and fixed. That said, we generally recommend this level of care for people who have completed some treatment. Most outpatient programs require you to be sober because detox services are not available. 

An intensive outpatient program in Denver is the next level of care after inpatient treatment, followed by standard outpatient. The only difference is the number of hours spent in counseling – intensive outpatient involves more. 

Here are the things you’ll work on in outpatient rehab: 

  • Learn about substance abuse and how it affects you
  • Develop skills in areas like employment, communication, anger management, goal setting and more 
  • Recognize the signs and stages of relapse and how to lower your risk
  • Participate in self-help groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) 

Can I Benefit from Outpatient Treatment? 

Outpatient treatment is a feasible treatment option for many people. It’s more affordable than inpatient rehab because you don’t have to pay for room and board. You only pay for the services you need. It’s also less intimidating because you don’t have to leave behind your job and family for an extended period of time. 

The people who benefit most from outpatient alcohol rehab in Denver are the following: 

  • Less serious addictions 
  • Diagnosed and treated mental illness 
  • Unable to leave work and family obligations 
  • Cannot afford an inpatient program
  • Has received some treatment 
  • Needs a treatment touch-up 
  • Strong support network of friends and family 

Is Outpatient Rehab as Effective as Inpatient? 

Studies show that the setting in which treatment is delivered does not matter. In other words, inpatient treatment is not better than outpatient treatment and vice versa. It all comes down to the severity of your addiction, your willingness to work the program and the support services you receive. 

Nevertheless, more and more people are leaning toward outpatient rehab facilities in Denver because they are flexible, convenient and affordable. You can get treatment quickly and efficiently without having to leave behind your family or take time off work. And, no one has to know that you’re spending your days in treatment! You can easily attend therapy at a time that makes sense for you. 

How is Outpatient Treatment Structured? 

Most outpatient programs are flexible and allow you to choose your times. Remember, if you start with intensive outpatient, you’ll spend more time in counseling at first. As you progress in your recovery, you can bump down to standard outpatient. You also need reliable transportation to get you to and from therapy sessions. 

When you attend counseling at your assigned times, you’ll also have access to a wide range of holistic therapies like music therapy, yoga, mindfulness meditation and acupuncture. Everything you need to succeed in your recovery is under one roof, plus you’ll have a strong support network you can count on any time. 

Start Your Drug Recovery Today in Denver, CO

Continuum Recovery Center of Colorado creates personalized treatment plans for every client, so you can expect your plan to be unique to your needs. You will be assessed before starting our program, but also let us know what things you want to work on. We plan to give you the tools you need to be confident in your recovery. To start or continue your alcohol recovery in Denver, contact Continuum Recovery Center of Colorado today.