The Main Differences Between Outpatient and Inpatient Programs

So you or a loved one has made the decision to get sober. That’s great! At Choice House, we know it takes a lot of strength to ask for help. But now comes the hard part — choosing an appropriate recovery program. With so many options available, things can quickly get overwhelming. And the more research you do, the more confused you might get… people often throw around industry terms and jargon without any explanation.

We’re here to help simplify things and break down the key differences between two of the most common treatment options available: inpatient and outpatient programs. While both have their pros and cons, it’s important to understand how they work and who they’re recommended for so you can make an informed decision.

Residential / Inpatient Treatment: Hitting the Pause Button

Residential care, also known as inpatient treatment, is what people often think of when they envision rehab. It’s a comprehensive approach to recovery where clients live on-site at a treatment facility and work closely with psychiatrists, addiction recovery specialists and other professionals to address their issues with substance abuse. Each day is highly structured, with clients following a strict schedule of therapeutic activities, such as individual or group therapy, exercise, life skills training, relapse prevention, and more. Residential treatment is one of the most intensive levels of care available and removes individuals from their daily lives so they can focus on healing from addiction without any distractions. It’s usually recommended for first-timers, clients without a stable home environment, or those with an extensive substance abuse history.

While residential care is the cornerstone of most treatment programs, there’s a catch: you have to put your life on hold for 30, 60, or 90 days while in rehab. For clients with demanding careers, hectic schedules or family obligations, this level of commitment isn’t always possible. Another caveat is that it can be harder to stay sober after being in such a structured, supportive environment for so long. While aftercare programs and sober living homes can help ease the transition back into the real world, outpatient treatment provides an effective alternative to help individuals get clean while integrating recovery into their daily lives.

Detox: Starting With a Clean Slate

Before moving on to outpatient treatment, we want to talk a little bit about detox. If you’re never heard of detox, it is the process of removing traces of drugs or alcohol from the body so individuals can begin treatment with a clear mind and no withdrawal symptoms. While not all drugs cause withdrawal, most people experience physical or mental side effects like anxiety, insomnia, depression, restlessness, muscle aches and extreme cravings after abruptly stopping or decreasing their usage. These symptoms can linger for days or weeks and make addiction difficult to overcome alone, but detox helps individuals get through this stage safely.

Whether or not a client needs detox is determined by factors like their substance abuse history and frequency of use. Some drugs, such as opioids, alcohol and benzodiazepines, almost always require this step due to the severity of the withdrawal process. After detox, clients can choose which level of care they want to enroll in, but residential treatment is often recommended to provide a higher level of support.

Outpatient Treatment: Integrating Recovery Into the Real World

Now that we’ve covered residential treatment, let’s learn more about outpatient services. Instead of staying overnight at a rehab facility for several months, outpatient programs let clients live at home and attend therapy sessions in the evenings, giving them the ability to work, attend school or manage other responsibilities during the day. There are different levels of outpatient care available, but each is more flexible and accommodating of busy schedules than residential treatment. Outpatient programs are often recommended when clients can’t put their lives on hold to get sober, but it can also be the preferred option for those who are high-functioning, stable, or trying to get back on track after relapse.

One of the biggest benefits of the outpatient approach is that it integrates recovery into daily life, allowing clients to apply what they’ve learned to the real world with ongoing support from their peers and treatment providers. Throughout treatment, individuals will be able to encounter and react to everyday problems or obstacles to find out which sober strategies work best for them. While outpatient programs might seem “less” supportive than residential treatment, research shows that integrating recovery into daily life is highly effective and produces outcomes comparable to even the most comprehensive inpatient care.

Ultimately, the right recovery solution will be the one that meets your needs, whether you need a highly structured program or more flexibility to achieve lasting sobriety.

Levels of Outpatient Care

We mentioned that there are different levels of outpatient care, and we want to cover these briefly so you’re well informed. The key difference between each is the frequency or duration of treatment, but most outpatient programs follow a similar structure and schedule.

Standard Outpatient Program

Standard outpatient programs are less intensive than similar treatment options, but still provide the support and structure needed to maintain lasting recovery. Clients in this level of care live at home and attend therapy sessions a few times a week, making it ideal for those who are ready to transition back into their daily life and take on more freedoms.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

IOPs fall somewhere between residential treatment and standard outpatient programming. You still live at home while enrolled in IOP, but this level of care requires at least 10 clinical hours each week of therapy and other treatment services. Scheduling is flexible, so you’ll be able to keep your job and manage daily responsibilities while working on your recovery. IOPs provide a little more support than standard outpatient programs, making them appropriate for a wide range of clients, whether you’ve recently completed residential treatment and are transitioning back into independent living, or just starting your recovery journey.

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

PHP is one of the most intensive and structured forms of outpatient care. You don’t check into a hospital full-time for treatment but will spend most of your day in rehab engaged in therapy and other recovery services. Most programming takes place from 9 a.m to 3 p.m., and although this may vary depending on the provider, PHPs typically require 20 to 30 clinical hours a week and essentially become your new “day job” while enrolled.

Choosing the Right Path

The best treatment option for you or a loved one depends on several factors, including personal preference, addiction severity, substance abuse history, mental health, and how much time you’re willing or able to commit to your recovery. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself to determine which level of care is right for you:

• Do I need to detox?
• Is my current living situation stable?
• Are my friends and family supportive?
• Do I need to take a step back from things?
• Will I be able to take time off from work, home or family obligations?
• How much flexibility do I need?
• Do I want to integrate my recovery with my daily life?

If you have to detox and need a safe, supportive environment away from home, inpatient or residential treatment might be your best option. But if you find yourself needing more flexibility, you can’t afford to put your life on hold, or you prefer to put your new recovery skills to use right away, then outpatient services are likely a better fit.

Once you determine which path to take, the next step is finding a rehab facility that meets your needs. Choice House in Boulder, Colorado, provides residential and outpatient programming for men and professionals who want to build a strong foundation for their recovery, combining holistic modalities, outdoor therapy and a sense of community to give each individual the best chance at lifelong sobriety.

If you or a loved one needs help overcoming a drug or alcohol problem, we can help. Choice House understands that there’s more than one way to heal from addiction, so our treatment programming is tailored to meet your unique needs. Contact or call us today at 303-578-4975 to learn more about our recovery solutions.