Inpatient or Outpatient?

One of the first decisions to be made regarding the decision to enter an alcohol treatment program is whether an inpatient or outpatient program would be best. Both have their benefits and drawbacks, and what is most important is deciding which type of program best meets your specific needs.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient alcohol treatment programs are best suited for people who know they have a problem abusing alcohol, but whose problem is not completely out of control. Someone who is able to uphold his responsibilities and maintain his relationships is a good candidate for an outpatient alcohol treatment program. It may also be a more appropriate choice for someone who has significant responsibilities that can’t be put on hold.

The time commitment required for outpatient programs can range from an hour or two per day to more than 15 hours per week.

One of the newer outpatient programs is called “medical management” treatment. It includes regular doctor visits, a type of counseling called Combined Behavioral Intervention (CBI), and a prescription for naltrexone. Naltrexone is a medication that blocks opioid receptors in the brain, which helps reduce a person’s dependence on alcohol.

There are numerous options for people seeking outpatient treatment. The best place to start is with your primary care physician, who can assess your situation, identify your specific needs, and make recommendations.

Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient alcohol treatment programs are, of course, much more intense and are best suited for someone who has been struggling with alcohol for a long time, or whose dependence is particularly intense. People who experience delirium tremens (DTs) during withdrawal, who have coexisting disorders (either psychiatric or physical), who have unsuccessfully tried to follow an outpatient program, or who have a dysfunctional home life are also well suited for inpatient alcohol treatment.

An inpatient program can include anything from a 30-day hospital stay to several months at a residential facility. The 30-day programs typically focus on managing withdrawal symptoms and getting the patient started in counseling sessions. Residential alcohol treatment facilities, on the other hand, involve longer stays – typically three months to a year.

Some residential alcohol treatment centers do not handle detoxification, and require patients to already be free of alcohol and other drugs prior to entering their program. Others have limited space available for detox, and potential clients have to request the service.

Regardless of whether they’re involved in the detoxification process, residential alcohol treatment centers do have some things in common. They are very structured, scheduling nearly every minute of the day for their clients. Time is spent in counseling, group therapy, work programs and sometimes in Alcoholics Anonymous or other 12-Step meetings.

Interaction with the “outside world” is often restricted and heavily supervised at residential alcohol treatment facilities. Though this can be hard on patients and family members, it gives the patient a chance to focus only on getting better, and helps protect them from situations or people which may encourage addictive behavior.

Remember, both inpatient and outpatient programs have benefits. One isn’t better than the other, but some patients are better suited for one than the other. Assessing which will best meet your needs or the needs of a loved one is an important first step on the road to recovery.