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  • Inpatient vs Outpatient: Which Treatment Program Is Right for Me?

Finding the right treatment program can feel a little intimidating at first. Some conditions, such as addiction, require more intensive care compared to a condition like seasonal affective disorder. All conditions are serious and require specialized care to recover from. When you find the right treatment program, it offers several benefits. It saves time, lowers stress, and provides the accurate care you need to recover.

Many addiction and mental health care treatment facilities, such as Driftwood Recovery, offer various treatment programs. As each client is different and has different needs, care is taken to ensure these needs are met. Sometimes, clients will move from one treatment program to another as they recover. By having a robust selection of treatment programs, more clients can be helped.

Discovering which treatment program is right for you requires an understanding of what happens within these programs. Every treatment facility will focus on how it conducts treatment. For example, Driftwood Recovery focuses on a holistic method of treatment. However, there are some universal standards that clients can expect in their treatment program.

What Can I Expect From a Treatment Program?

Before a client starts a treatment program, they must first be assessed. Assessment is a process in which specialists examine a client to determine their needs. As mentioned before, some clients will need more intensive care compared to others. This is a collaborative process, and clients work closely with their treatment providers to develop an accurate treatment plan.

A client in a treatment plan, regardless of type, follows a schedule. This schedule includes receiving treatment, practicing self-care, taking care of responsibilities, and taking time to relax. Having a properly balanced schedule allows clients time to care for themselves while also enjoying some recreational time. Being in a treatment plan involves a lot of hard work. However, care is taken to make sure the client gets plenty of rest and downtime.

Again, a treatment program is a collaborative process. Clients often check in with their treatment providers to see if there have been improvements or concerns. The exact contents of a treatment program can change as needed, especially if a treatment or therapy is shown to be ineffective.

Inpatient vs Outpatient Treatment

There are two main forms of treatment programs found at most treatment facilities. These are inpatient and outpatient programs. Inpatient programs require clients to stay in a hospital or on campus, where they reside to receive treatment. Outpatient programs allow clients to receive treatment during the day and then go home once the treatment is over. Both play different roles in the recovery process. For example, many clients struggling with addiction begin their recovery journey in residential treatment before moving to an outpatient treatment program.

Inpatient treatment is most commonly used for those struggling with addiction and other severe conditions. Clients in inpatient residential treatment stay on campus to find sanctuary away from common life stressors. Residential treatment is also helpful for those who require medical or medication assistance. These clients find comfort and safety in knowing that there are on-staff medical professionals ready to assist. Residential treatment has a set timetable with programs lasting between 30 and 90 days. Because of this, clients must make arrangements before starting residential treatment.

An outpatient treatment program is best for those with conditions that require less intensive care. How frequently a client needs to meet for treatment during the week, and for how long, depends on the condition. Those needing intensive outpatient treatment meet for four to five days a week for three to five hours a day. This treatment program is best for clients who need extra support, such as those recovering from addiction.

Those who need help but not as intensely as others can utilize a regular outpatient treatment program. This less intense treatment program typically meets between one to three days a week for an hour or two at a time for treatment. Outpatient programs are flexible, allowing clients to resume responsibilities at home, work, and school.

Finding the Right Treatment Program for You

Which treatment program is right for you depends on your needs and conditions. If you are struggling with addiction and require medical detox, a residential treatment program may be best for you. However, if you struggle with mild depression but can still maintain your home and work life, an outpatient program may be best. The important thing is to be honest with your treatment provider. That way, they can provide the best care possible for you.

Sometimes, a person may need time to fully recover. Residential treatment lasts a set amount of time. However, for outpatient treatment, a client can use them as long as it’s needed. Clients spend an average of a few months in an outpatient treatment program. However, it’s not unheard of for some clients to need a year or more of treatment to fully recover. Treatment is not a race, and clients should not feel like a failure for needing extra time to recover.

Deciding on which treatment program will help you the most is ultimately between you and your treatment provider. This guide serves to give you an idea of what you can expect from inpatient and outpatient treatment programs. Every treatment facility is different, so it’s important to do your research and ask for assistance to be sure it’s the right fit. At Driftwood Recovery, potential clients are always welcome to call and ask questions. By working together, you are sure to find the right treatment program that can improve or even save your life.

Every person will have different needs which require the right treatment to address. Discovering which treatment program is right for you is an essential part of recovery. However, it can be hard for some to decide which program will best meet their needs. With the help of a mental health care professional, clients can make this choice with minimal stress. At Driftwood Recovery in Driftwood and Austin, Texas, all clients undergo an assessment process designed to accurately identify and examine their needs. Clients are then guided to the programs that are best able to help them heal and achieve recovery. To learn more about the treatment programs offered at Driftwood Recovery, call (512) 759-8330 today.

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