Intensive Out Patient Drug Treatment

There are many different drug treatment programs. The type of drug treatment that you choose to help you overcome your addiction might not work for others. The truth is that who you are as a person should play just as big a part in choosing your addiction recovery program as the type of drug you are addicted to or what kind of treatment you can afford. No two drug treatment programs are exactly alike. In-patient drug treatment programs offer something different than out-patient drug treatment programs. Intensive out patient drug treatment is different than medication based or other types of out patient drug treatment programs.

What is intensive out patient drug treatment?

An out patient drug treatment plan is a plan for someone who cannot or does not wish to enter into an in-patient drug addiction program. When you enroll in an out patient drug treatment program you will live at home and will attend scheduled meetings and sessions according to the program that you are a part of. Out patient programs work will for people who already have a system of social support in place and who do not need the constant supervision and medical attention that is offered at an in-patient addiction recovery program.

An intensive out patient drug treatment program will last longer than other types of drug addiction treatment programs because the addict needs more time and specialized attention than he or she will get in other types of out patient programs. Often the patient will have a busy schedule of required activities including individual and group therapy sessions, educational classes and skill building workshops.

Before a person can enter an intensive out patient drug treatment program he or she will need to find a way to safely wean themselves off of the drug. While there are some drugs that can be stopped immediately, there are other drugs (especially prescription drugs) that a person needs to be gradually weaned off of in order to prevent further medical problems. Before the patient can start all of the programs offered by intensive out patient drug treatment he or she usually checks into a hospital or other medical facility that can help the person safely work through the withdrawal symptoms that accompany drug recovery.

Some intensive out patient drug treatment programs offer medications that can help a person overcome his physical addiction to drugs. Some of these addiction treatment programs, like methadone clinics, will have medication on hand that can help curb the physical cravings to a drug as well as help the person ease through the physical symptoms of withdrawal.

Once the physical withdrawal symptoms have passed, the patient can choose the intensive out patient drug treatment that is right for him or her. Once enrolled in the drug addiction treatment program, the patient will meet with professionals who will put together a schedule of the aforementioned counseling, classes and workshops. Some patients will be required to submit to regular drug tests to make sure that he or she has not started abusing drugs again. This schedule is often strict. While the patient lives at home and is free to do as he pleases during his free time, he is usually required to attend classes, etc. Some intensive outpatient drug treatment programs will expel patients who do not make it to required appointments and classes. Make sure you understand exactly what is required of you when you enter one of these programs.

The fact is that intensive out patient drug treatment is becoming very popular. While the “typical” twenty eight day stay in rehab used to be popular among celebrities and other trend setters, many people are finding that out patient rehab is just as effective! According to a recent article on CNN.com, three times as many drug addicts choose out patient recovery programs as choose in patient recovery programs. There are a number of reasons for this among them: time, scheduling demands, cost and personal freedom.

Personal freedom is the major reason that intensive out patient drug treatment is so popular. Certainly there are out patient programs that are offered for lower fees (or even for free) but it is the freedom to live at home and surround themselves with things that offer comfort that allow people to find success in out patient recovery programs even after in patient treatments have failed.

It is important to remember; however, that intensive out patient drug treatment is not for everyone. If you do not already have a strong system of social support in place, opting for an out patient drug rehab program could be more harmful than beneficial. If you already have a busy schedule and cannot take a lot of time off of work or away from your family, you might opt for an out patient program that offers more flexibility. The important thing is that you get the treatment you need to stay sober!

When you are choosing a drug addiction treatment program you need to ask yourself what kind of person you truly are and what stimuli you are more likely to respond to. If you need to have a lot of freedom, an in-patient facility won’t be helpful. If you want to live at home but still need the structure of required appointments and classes, the intensive out patient drug treatment program will be your best option. Good luck!