Is Outpatient Rehab Enough to Make Me Sober?
If you’ve considered starting outpatient rehab, you’ve probably wondered if if will be enough to get sober and stay sober. You’ve had it with the cravings, moodiness, bad temper, poor focus, depression, frustration, and anger. Enough with the blackouts, infections, mood swings, nausea, insomnia, shaking, anxiety and paranoia. And what about panicking over where the next fix or drink is going to come from?
In other words, you want your life back. But how can you check into an inpatient residential treatment center for a month or two when your insurance won’t cover it and you have a family to support? Is it possible to gain your sobriety and maintain it through an outpatient drug treatment program? Is it easier to relapse when you haven’t been able to spend time in a sober house?
What Does Outpatient Rehab Care Include?
Outpatient substance abuse therapy offers the same type of therapy as residential addiction treatment. Clients in both of these programs can take advantage of individual and group therapy sessions as well attending 12-step and other support groups.
Inpatient and outpatient rehabs often have similar rules and expectations. For example, clients in both of these groups must remain sober while participating in the required therapy and other recommended treatments. They may have to show proof of attendance to their counselor in order for therapy to continue.
Outpatient programs tend to be more open-ended than residential drug or alcohol treatment. The client lives at home, so you don’t have to finish the program quickly in order to return to normal life. You will usually attend therapy at least once a week and decide in conjunction with your therapist and counselor when to cut back or stop treatment. Outpatient addiction treatment allows you to fit a recovery program into your existing schedule.
Because you will continue to see your family and friends every day and may be exposed to drugs and alcohol, outpatient treatment will give you the opportunity to practice what you learn while you are learning it. The knowledge that you can count on the support of peers and counselors when you face temptation can be enough to help you make the right decisions. The ability to talk about it with people who hold you accountable and have the expertise to guide you makes outpatient rehab an extremely effective choice in drug and alcohol addiction treatment.
Every person who suffers from drug or alcohol addiction is different. Some clients respond better to outpatient treatment, while others respond better to inpatient treatment. Some clients will do better by attending outpatient substance abuse therapy from the beginning. It doesn’t matter which type of drug treatment you use as long as your rehab treatment plan is effective. Both inpatient and outpatient therapy can help drug and alcohol users stop abusing chemical substances.
Please note that in order for you to better focus on your road to sobriety, most outpatient rehabs require that you be free of withdrawal symptoms when you begin their program. If you are currently physically addicted to your drug of choice, you will need to undergo a drug and alcohol addiction detox.
Transitioning to a Life of Sobriety
At Discovery Transitions, an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) located in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, well-trained counselors are expert at helping you maintain your sobriety. If you have a dual diagnosis, they will help you stay away from negative behaviors and issues, such as eating disorders, gambling, sex or other mental illnesses.
Intensive Outpatient Programs are from one to six months or longer depending on your needs. The comprehensive no-cost Discovery Transitions Treatment Assessment will help determine which individualized level of addiction management may be right for you. While enrolled in outpatient, you will receive one weekly private session with your substance abuse counselor. You’ll also be expected to participate in interactive support groups for a minimum of nine hours per week.
The support groups at Discovery Transitions are designed to encompass a variety of topics that will help you achieve and maintain long-term sobriety and recovery. Day and/or evening programs include relapse prevention, stress and anger management, living and social skills, vocational therapy, psychodrama and expressive arts groups as well as health and wellness and recreational groups.
It’s a Family Affair
Since addiction does not just affect you, your family’s support is an important part of your recovery. Addiction therapy and family counseling sessions help everyone involved learn how to maintain healthy relationships to heal each member. With your permission, Discovery Transitions’ compassionate counselors will make weekly contact with your loved ones. If family members are not in the Southern California area, Skype or other electronic applications can be utilized for face-to-face sessions.
Your support system will not end when you are discharged from Discovery Transitions. You will need a good relapse prevention plan. The Alumni Program is offered to all those who have successfully completed the addiction treatment program. The alumni association regularly schedules outings and provides mentorship to newcomers. This group will help you remain in close contact with the recovery community. It is a great way for you to stay connected and maintain a healthy and sober lifestyle.
Discovery Transitions offers outpatient treatment programs for men and women seeking either to initiate or to continue recovery from alcoholism and/or drug addiction. The rehab center works with other professionals and therapists to provide a full range of care.
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