Outpatient Addiction Rehab Services

As with other forms of addiction treatment, the goal of outpatient rehab is to help patients identify the negative thoughts and behaviors that drive substance use and to develop healthier, more positive ways to cope.

Evidence-based therapies, holistic approaches, and discussion topics used in outpatient treatment may include:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
• Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT).
• Motivational interviewing.
• Co-occurring disorder care.
• Anger management.
• Relapse prevention.
• Recovery groups, such as AA, NA, and SMART Recovery.
• Mindfulness and yoga.
• Self-care.
• Relationships in recovery.
• Co-dependence.
• Family therapy.

Types of Outpatient Rehab

The different types of outpatient rehab range in intensity and format. Program options include:²

• Partial hospitalization: Sometimes called “day treatment,” a partial hospitalization program (PHP) is the most intensive level of outpatient care, usually involving over 20 hours of programming per week. PHPs typically provide similar curriculums to those used in inpatient or residential treatment but with the added flexibility of allowing participants to live off-site rather than at the facility.
• Intensive outpatient: An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is less structured than a PHP but still involves at least 9 hours of treatment per week. These sessions may be held during the day, before or after school or work, or on the weekends.
• Standard outpatient: Standard outpatient services are the least intensive level of outpatient care, often involving less than 9 hours of treatment per week. Programming can take place in a variety of settings and at different times during the week.

Depending on the severity of addiction, substance(s) of misuse, and other factors, outpatient rehab may serve as an entry point into treatment or as a step-down from a more intensive level of care.

Patients should work with their doctor and treatment team to determine the most appropriate level of care for their individual needs.

Inpatient vs Outpatient Rehab

The main difference between inpatient and outpatient is that inpatient or residential treatment requires the person to live on-site, while outpatient treatment allows them to live off-site and fulfill other responsibilities outside of rehab.

This can impact the cost of care, with outpatient treatment generally being less expensive than inpatient since it does not include room and board.

Additionally, outpatient rehab has more variety in terms of time commitment, structure, and intensity level. Depending on the facility and other factors, there may also be certain guidelines for who can and cannot enter an outpatient program.

For example, inpatient rehab may be more suitable for someone with a severe co-occurring disorder that requires around-the-clock supervision and who needs medical detox before starting formal treatment.

Outpatient rehab generally requires the participant to have reliable transportation to and from the facility, as well as a stable and supportive living environment.

Benefits of Outpatient Treatment

Studies show that outpatient rehab can be effective for people struggling with drug or alcohol addiction and, in many cases, can produce similar outcomes to inpatient or residential treatment.³

The possible benefits of outpatient treatment include:

• More flexibility.
• Extra time to meet obligations outside of treatment (e.g., work, school, childcare).
• The choice to live at home or somewhere other than the facility like a sober living residence.
• Continuity of care for patients stepping down from an inpatient or residential treatment program.
• Convenient access to more intensive levels of care, if needed.

How Long Is Outpatient Treatment?

The length of outpatient treatment varies from patient to patient, depending on their individual needs and other factors.

Some patients may choose to start with 30-day rehab, while others may only be able to commit to a short-term rehab program.

In many cases, patients will opt for long-term rehab that combines inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment, stepping down (or up) to different levels of care as they progress.

At Greenhouse, we offer a 90-day guarantee to patients who have been in treatment with us for three consecutive months or longer. Learn more about our 90-day brand promise here.