With so many different types of drug treatment programs available, it can be hard to find a program that’s best 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, it’s important to understand the role these programs fill in the recovery process in order 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 entails a series of stages that work to help those in recovery overcome the effects of addiction in their daily lives. Detox and residential-based programs provide the most structure and support, which is necessary during the early stages of recovery.

According to the Office of National Drug Control Policy, outpatient opiate addiction treatment options are best suited for people at the early stages of addiction or those who have a solid footing in the recovery process. In effect, these programs are designed to help a person apply the principles of recovery in his or her everyday life.

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

Types of Outpatient Opiate Addiction Treatment Options

In general, outpatient-based programs don’t require patients to live at the facility, but rather offer daytime treatment sessions that can be scheduled around a person’s existing schedule. 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 – this 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 – this program type focuses on relapse prevention, with patients attending treatment sessions three times a week or more with sessions lasting two to four hours.
• Therapy and counseling – this is the least intensive program type made up of weekly therapy sessions and 12 Step support group work.

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

Who Should NOT Consider Outpatient Treatment

As a person progresses through the recovery process, he or she acquires skills on how to cope with daily life without the need for drugs, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. In effect, he or she learns 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 a person’s being able to live at home and carry out the affairs of everyday life. While convenient, someone just coming off a severe addiction or someone struggling with an emotional or psychological disorder on top of an addiction requires a more stable, structured treatment environment in order 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 will best meet your needs, call our toll-free helpline at 800-934-1582(Who Answers?) to speak with one of our addiction counselors.