Rehab is best looked at as happening along a continuum. The stages of going from addict to living a sober life melt into one another to make the transitions as smooth and painless as possible.

The move from detox to inpatient rehab is a pretty clear one. It’s easy to see the benefits and needs but what of the shift from inpatient to outpatient, is there a need for the latter? 

There is indeed. Outpatient treatment is all about flexibility and having the ability to be active in your day to day life and get the help you need in staying sober. Things like work, school, family obligations are all doable while participating in an outpatient program, whereas those are on hold during inpatient care.

Outpatient rehab also gives you a lifeline and safe space to deal with the triggers that come with everyday life. The same temptations that caused you to fall into addiction in the first place will largely still be there after detox and inpatient care so having a resource like outpatient treatment can be a godsend in those particularly trying times.

What Is Outpatient Rehab?

Simply put, outpatient rehab is a type of rehab where clients visit a treatment center rather than move in like they would for inpatient rehab.

It’s a very viable solution for those with milder addictions and a strong support network. Without a doubt, this is a more flexible and practical option that doesn’t interfere as much with your normal life.

Outpatient rehab also has the advantage of being more affordable.

In general, you’re still getting the hands-on care you need in the form of counseling and other treatment methodologies your particular program requires but it’s built around your life and schedule. That’s one of the major reasons one would opt for outpatient treatment over inpatient.

At Principles Recovery Center we actually offer 3 types of outpatient treatment to accommodate the needs of as many people as possible. The main difference between each type is the amount of time spent in treatment each week:

• Partial Hospitalization Programs (~25 hours)
• Intensive Outpatient Programs (~20 hours)
• Traditional Outpatient Treatment (~12 hours)

Why It’s Important to Do Outpatient Rehab After Inpatient

You might be thinking, can someone just skip inpatient treatment altogether and go straight into outpatient care?

Absolutely, that’s very much doable.

While inpatient care is more effective due to the intensity of the treatment and the fact that it’s the only thing you’re focused on, it’s just not feasible for everyone. That’s understandable. Nonetheless, to give yourself the best shot at success and to set yourself up with all the tools you need to combat against the possibility of relapse, the ideal scenario is to transition from inpatient to outpatient care.

Outpatient care is really part of the continuum mentioned earlier. To go from intensive treatment to nothing overnight is tough, particularly if you were dealing with an intense addiction or are going back into an environment that’s full of potential triggers. The transition of inpatient to outpatient and outpatient to a fully regular life makes things less overwhelming.

That feeling of being left hanging isn’t as harsh and there’s a comfort in the hand-holding that builds confidence in the decisions you’ll make after rehab.

Get Help With Addiction at Principles Recovery Center

The need to be able to participate in one’s own life is something we understand well at Principles Recovery Center in Davie, Florida so we have outpatient rehab programs of various types to support just about everyone in their goal of getting sober. Give us a call and we’d be happy to advise you on the best options for you.

Dr. Carlos Satulovsky( Medical Director )

Dr. Carlos Satulovsky is a board-certified psychiatrist and has over 30 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from Facultad De Ciencias Medicas/Universidad Nacional. He is affiliated with medical facilities North Shore Medical Center.