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Outpatient Treatment Centers

Grandmother and daughter hugging mother, fictional concept of family support during outpatient treatmentDrug abuse and addiction is, when left unchecked, a devastating condition that affects everyone involved whether or not they are the ones abusing the drug in question. Families can be split, friendships can be ended, and quality of life can be destroyed due to an addiction. However, because of the nature of addiction, it is difficult to impossible to recover without help. Outpatient drug treatment centers are institutions that offer help in treating a drug addiction without the necessity of staying in residence elsewhere, allowing friends and family to be close by. If you or someone you know needs help, call us toll-free, any time of the day at 1-888-968-9816 Who Answers? .

What is Outpatient Therapy?

Some drugs, such as heroin or some methamphetamines, are highly addictive and therefore require an involuntary detox from the body because they cause cravings too strong to resist while traces of the drug remain in the system. Not all drugs produce this reaction; some softer drugs can be treated without requiring a stay in residential treatment. Outpatient drug treatment centers incorporate a variety of approaches to treating addiction. Because of the nature of outpatient treatment, overcoming addiction this way requires extreme self-discipline to succeed in the long run. Outpatient therapy uses a combination of medication and counseling for maximum success. According to the 2008 National Survey on Drug Use, 1.45 million people over age 12 received outpatient treatment for drug abuse – the second most prevalent treatment to self-help groups.

Medication

The best outpatient drug treatment centers determine what drug the patient is dependent on and ascertain how severe the addiction is, as well as how long the patient has had the addiction. All of these factors will play a part in determining what medication is prescribed. It’s also possible that the medications themselves can cause dependency, but this will be decided by a physician and a psychiatrist when treatment begins.

Behavior Modification Therapy

Medication only suppresses withdrawal symptoms associated with not having the drug of choice, and each drug has its own medication associated with withdrawal symptoms. To prevent relapse, it’s important that the patient be given behavioral therapy. Outpatient drug treatment centers tend to schedule counseling sessions with the patient on a regular basis, usually weekly or bi-weekly. Several types of behavioral therapy are used on patients; cognitive-behavioral therapy is the most common. It aids the patient in dealing with situations that might cause a relapse to drug use, such as stress.

Multidimensional family therapy is another type of treatment. The best outpatient drug treatment centers recognize that sometimes family-related stress can play a part in drug abuse. Observing or speaking to family members can reveal insights into their relationships with the patient. If problems are found, they can then begin working toward healthier means of conflict resolution. It can also help the family cope with and support the patient during recovery. The third type of behavioral therapy is motivational interviewing. This is used when the patient seems ambivalent or reluctant about treatment; the counselor helps the patient explore the reasons for reluctance.

Support Groups

Outpatient drug treatment programs can also include membership in a support group. Drug addiction is a hard condition to overcome, and sometimes may require a little tough love that family members or friends may be reluctant to give. Strangers and acquaintances are more likely to be candid with the patient. This makes it easier for them to be held accountable for their actions. Support groups typically meet at a regular time and date, and during meetings the participants discuss issues that occurred since the last session. One of the most well-known support groups is Alcoholics Anonymous.

Why Choose Outpatient Rehab?

Outpatient drug treatment centers give your loved one the opportunity to continue with present obligations without having to take an extended time for residential treatment, which can take months away from work or school. Things that keep the mind occupied make it easier to keep the mind off drug cravings. In addition, outpatient treatment facilities are less expensive; staying in residential treatment can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Less social stigma is often attached to outpatient treatment.

Considerations

Outpatient drug treatment programs are less time consuming in the sense that they do not require constant supervision by staff, but they are no less emotionally demanding to the patient. Strict discipline is required; in 2005, according to data collected by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, only 44 percent of people completed drug rehab of any type, residential or outpatient. Also, not all insurance programs will cover outpatient treatment, so it’s best to consult with insurance providers before seeking treatment to be sure the costs will be covered. Notifying teachers, professors, coworkers and employers is also a wise preparatory step, as long as they can be trusted with confidential information. If you or someone you know is suffering drug addiction, call 1-888-968-9816 Who Answers? to learn about outpatient drug treatment programs near you.