Oftentimes, for individuals with substance abuse concerns, one challenge can be the seemingly daunting nature of the care. For them, one option might be outpatient drug rehab.
The USA.gov site states: “Substance abuse is the misuse of alcohol (including underage drinking), use of illegal drugs, and the improper use of prescription or over-the-counter medications. It can damage your health and well-being at any age. Find treatment and recovery services for substance abuse, get help setting up a drug-free workplace, and learn how to prevent drug and alcohol problems.”
Of course, “outpatient treatment varies in the types and intensity of services offered,” writes the U.S. National Institutes of Health.
The agency further notes: “Such treatment costs less than residential or inpatient treatment and often is more suitable for people with jobs or extensive social supports. It should be noted, however, that low-intensity programs may offer little more than drug education. Other outpatient models, such as intensive day treatment, can be comparable to residential programs in services and effectiveness, depending on the individual patient’s characteristics and needs. In many outpatient programs, group counseling can be a major component. Some outpatient programs are also designed to treat patients with medical or other mental health problems in addition to their drug disorders.”
Of course, one challenge can be identifying: What are some signs and symptoms of someone with a drug use problem? For this, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism notes that “people with drug problems might not act like they used to. They might:”
- change their friends a lot
- spend a lot of time alone
- choose not to spend time with family and friends like they used to
- lose interest in their favorite things
- not take care of themselves—for example, not take showers, change clothes, or brush their teeth
- be really tired and sad
- have changes in eating habits (eating more or eating less)
- be very energetic, talk fast, or say things that don’t make sense
- be in a bad mood
- quickly change between feeling bad and feeling good
- sleep at strange hours
- miss important appointments
- have problems at work or at school
- have problems in personal or family relationships
Outpatient Drug Rehab
How can someone know if outpatient drug rehab is right for them? What can it look like? It’s important to do the research, ask questions, seek help, and find the right solution. As we note: Since virtually all addictions, chemical or otherwise, are rooted in some form of co-occurring psychological disorder, it takes both time and supportive therapy to identify and address the root causes of your addiction.
Further, the outpatient drug rehab experience is designed with a “treatment / life” balance in mind.
Done right, individuals will receive effective and sometimes intense group and individual therapy, but in an outpatient structure, so they can continue to work their regular jobs and spend time with family while getting the help they need.