Addiction to drugs and alcohol can destroy lives and tear families apart. This downward spiral of drug abuse can seem out of control – causing people to lose jobs, friends, and claiming over 70,000 lives each year.
Once you have decided to seek help, there are many options to choose from in terms of the type of program you will attend. Many people choose outpatient rehab because it allows them to remain somewhat independent while seeking treatment.
Denver Recovery Center has many options available that provide holistic, evidence-based treatment for drug or alcohol abuse, including our outpatient rehab in Colorado.
According to the Center for Disease Control1https://www.cdc.gov/, there were an estimated 72,000 deaths in 2017 that were caused by drug overdose, and more than 88,000 people died from alcohol-related deaths in the United States. The World Health Organization2https://www.who.int/ found that over 3 million people died worldwide in 2016 due to consuming too much alcohol.
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Any drug addiction rehab program you attend will have the same ultimate goal: to get you on the road to sobriety. However, the choice between inpatient and outpatient rehab may be the difference between success and relapse.
Outpatient rehab is a treatment program designed around an individual’s needs in which the patient attends classes and meetings throughout the week but returns home at the end of each day. Outpatient programs are designed to work best for someone with mild addiction issues, or someone who has already completed an inpatient program and is ready to step down in their level of care.
An outpatient rehab schedule will vary depending on the patient’s needs. However, clients can expect to attend classes at the facility 3-5 days per week for 2-3 hours each day. Patients also receive their case management and counseling services through the facility. Outpatient rehab programs typically last anywhere from 90 days to one year or longer.
For the right candidate, an outpatient program can be far more beneficial than any other level of care. Outpatient drug treatment programs are typically far less demanding in terms of time requirements, which allows the patient the ability to continue to work or attend school part-time. Usually, outpatient clients will continue to stay in their own homes as well, making it easier to care for children or pets in the home.
Outpatient rehab programs are ideal for clients with less severe addiction issues, who can be extremely committed to their recovery without needing to be completely removed from outside resources. Typically, clients who have already undergone an inpatient program are suitable for this type of treatment when they either need a step down in their level of care or if they have a brief relapse.
Rehab programs in an outpatient setting are also often the best choice for people who are in the early stages of addiction. If you are fortunate enough to be able to recognize the early warning signs of addiction and are willing to address them immediately, then outpatient treatment might be ideal for you.
There is also a lower cost associated with outpatient treatment programs compared to inpatient treatment. This is beneficial for many people who do not have insurance that will cover their treatment fully or who cannot afford a full residential program option.
There are many differences between residential and outpatient rehab programs, but perhaps the biggest difference is the fact that you remain living in your home. This is very important to some people who have obligations to their family members or to those who will benefit more from remaining close to loved ones.
With an inpatient (or residential) treatment program, clients reside at the treatment facility for the duration of the program. This could last anywhere from 28 days up to one year. That can be a very long time to be away from your family, friends, and social obligations. If you go to school or work, you will have to take a leave of absence to attend residential treatment, and depending on how long your stay will be, some employers may not be willing to hold your job for too long. However, when you enroll in outpatient therapy, you can still go to work or attend class at school as long as it fits in your schedule.
There is a lot of freedom that comes with outpatient rehab programs. You are not under 24/7 supervision and will need to be vigilant about maintaining sobriety during your unsupervised time. For this reason, people who are more mature, early on in their addiction, or who are completely dedicated to their recovery are best suited for an outpatient option.
With an inpatient program, you will have all of your basic needs taken care of so that you can focus on your recovery. All of your meals are prepared for you, you have a place to stay at night, and any medical needs or medication concerns will be closely monitored. If you opt for an outpatient program, you will be responsible for all of these aspects.
Every situation is different, and each person will have their own unique needs and concerns. That is why there is no black and white answer when it comes to deciding which type of treatment is best for you. There are many factors to weigh and options to take into consideration, but outpatient therapy may be right for you.
Here are some pros and cons about outpatient therapy:
| Pros | Cons |
| – Offers flexibility | – No direct observation by medical personnel |
| – Freedom to still have a life | – Requires high self-discipline |
| – Can provide child care or care for pets | – Lower success rate |
| – Can still live at home | – Limited access to your counselor |
| – Can work or attend school | – Less growth in your support network |
| – Most insurance covers outpatient therapy | – May be difficult to focus on recovery |
The good thing about outpatient therapy is that you can usually receive the same types of therapy in these programs that you can expect to receive in residential programs. There are a variety of different approaches that can be used during your treatment. Some of these include:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
This type of therapy helps change the negative thought patterns that can lead a person to become addicted to a substance. CBT is designed around the belief that your thoughts impact your feelings and behaviors. Therefore, if you can change those thoughts, you can modify certain behaviors as well.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Similar to CBT, dialectical behavior therapy also focuses on thoughts and behaviors. The main difference with DBT is that there is a great emphasis placed on acceptance and change. This method is often very suitable for someone struggling with addiction issues.
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
This type of therapy comes from the belief that the body instinctively knows how to heal itself, and therefore, given the right opportunity, so can the mind. When the mind is unable to heal from a traumatic or troubling event, it gets stuck and cannot process it. This can cause underlying issues that may lead to substance abuse later in life. By going back and giving the
mind enough time and the necessary tools to process that event, these issues are removed, allowing the individual to let them go.
Experiential Therapy
Some people learn better by hearing or reading information; others learn best by doing. That is what experiential therapy is all about. This type of therapy uses scenarios and role-playing to help individuals in their recovery.
Individual Counseling
There are some issues that people may feel comfortable sharing in a group setting, while others are best discussed during one-on-one counseling sessions. That is what individual counseling involves. It gives the patient an opportunity to sit down with their therapist to discuss the roots of their troubles and find solutions.
Group Counseling
This type of treatment allows individuals to interact with their peers, find similarities in their struggles, and collectively brainstorm to come up with solutions. Group therapy also helps to promote strong bonds with each other.
Family Therapy
Family therapy is another type of group therapy, but it involves members of your immediate family and close friends. Many of the family dynamics and roles can be significantly affected by addiction. In these sessions, it is important to that everyone involved participates.
Holistic Therapy
Many people believe that you cannot heal addiction by simply treating one’s body or mind. To have truly effective results, you must treat the body, the mind, and the soul of the individual. That is the focus of holistic therapy, which may include methods such as meditation, yoga, fitness, and more.
Life Skills Training
In some cases of addiction, the basic principles of how to live a healthy, drug-free lifestyle are forgotten. Simple tasks like interviewing for a job can become so overwhelming that a person may resort back to using rather than facing the stressful situation. Life skills training teaches you some of the basics and helps get you back on track.
Outdoor Therapy
Some individuals benefit more from a variety of treatment settings. A change of environment can frequently be the key to progress. Outdoor therapy builds upon that and restores confidence in patients through activities such as camping, hiking, and outdoor challenge activities. In addition, it is proven that being out in nature can help a person relax and be better able to receive treatment.
Dual Diagnosis
Many patients not only struggle with an addiction to drugs or alcohol but also from a mental illness. This is known as dual-diagnosis treatment. Often, patients may have co-occurring issues like depression, anxiety, manic-depression, or other mental conditions that may even contribute to the addiction. Dual diagnosis treatment focuses on addressing both conditions simultaneously.
If you have decided that it is time to seek help, Denver Recovery Center may be the right place for you. Located just outside Denver, Colorado, our facility utilizes evidence-based treatment methods to treat addiction issues. Our caring staff is dedicated to seeing our clients succeed. We take each client as an individual – with their own strengths, weaknesses, struggles, and triumphs – and build a treatment program around them.
Our outpatient drug rehab program in Colorado is surrounded by the beautiful mountain landscape, offering a serene environment where you can achieve your goals.
From the moment you contact our facility, you will notice how important your needs are to us. We want you to succeed in this journey and will do anything we can to help. We believe that any successful treatment approach must be multi-faceted and address the patient’s mind, body, and soul.
Today could be the start of a new beginning for you or a loved one struggling with addiction. All it takes is one phone call to turn everything around.
Call us now at (844) 967-4542 One of our dedicated staff members will help you get started. You don’t have to live like this anymore. Call today to take the first step toward the rest of your life.
