When to Consider Outpatient Opiate Addiction Treatment Options

With so many different types of drug treatment programs available, it can be difficult to find a program equipped to address your specific treatment needs. Unlike residential-based programs, outpatient opiate addiction treatment options allow a person to live at home and attend scheduled treatment sessions at a facility.

While outpatient programs are more flexible, they may have limits. It’s important to understand the role these programs fill in the recovery process to ensure you receive the level of care most needed to maintain abstinence on a day-to-day basis.

The Role of Outpatient-Based Treatment

Addiction recovery consists of a series of stages that guide those in recovery to overcome the effects of drug use in their daily lives. Detox and residential-based programs provide the most structure and support, which is often necessary during the early stages of recovery.

Outpatient opiate addiction treatment options are best suited for people at the early stages of dependency or those who have a solid footing in the recovery process. These programs are designed to help participants apply the principles of recovery while allowing them independence to go about their daily lives.

Please feel free to call our toll-free helpline at 800-934-1582(Sponsored) to inquire about available treatment options.

Types of Outpatient Opiate Addiction Treatment Options

Outpatient Opiate Addiction Treatment

Outpatient programs work best for those with a solid footing in the recovery process.

In general, outpatient-based programs don’t require patients to live at the facility. Instead, they offer daytime treatment sessions scheduled around a person’s existing work and family obligations. From there, outpatient opiate addiction treatment options can vary based on the level or intensity of treatment offered.

Overall, three program types exist:

  • Partial hospitalization is the most intensive program type, designed for people who still require ongoing monitoring for medical conditions. Patients attend treatment sessions three to five days out of the week with sessions lasting four to six hours.
  • Intensive outpatient care focuses on relapse prevention. Patients attending treatment sessions three times a week or more with sessions lasting two to four hours.
  • Standard therapy and counseling is the least intensive program type made up of weekly therapy sessions and 12 Step support groups.

As a general rule, outpatient opiate addiction treatment options work well for those who have work and family obligations to meet, provided they’re well-grounded in the recovery process.

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Who Should NOT Consider Outpatient Treatment

As people progress through the recovery process, they acquire skills on how to cope with daily life without the need for drugs. They learn to replace addiction-based thinking and behavior with healthy, daily living skills.

Outpatient opiate addiction treatment options offer the most flexibility and freedom in terms of being able to live at home and carry out the affairs of daily life. While this feature is convenient, others who are just coming off severe addictions or have emotional or psychological disorders on top of their recovery typically require more stable, structured treatment environments to maintain abstinence during the first few months of recovery.

Ultimately, outpatient opiate addiction treatment should only be considered:

  • During the early stages of addiction
  • After a person successfully completes a residential treatment program
  • While living in a sober house program

If you’re considering addiction treatment and need help determining what level of treatment best meets your needs, call our toll-free helpline at 800-934-1582(Sponsored) to speak with one of our professional counselors.

the Take-Away

It is usually suggested that a recovering opiate addict attend and complete residential treatment prior to considering outpatient care.

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