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Finding the best treatment for teens with mental health and substance problems is an important part of the decision process for parents. It’s natural for parents to want the best standard of care for their teens. Two options for treatment include inpatient and outpatient.
Both have benefits and different factors to consider when choosing. Understanding how both programs work is important for parents to make the most informed decision possible.
What Is Inpatient Care?
Inpatient treatment provides 24/7 care to help teens overcome mental health and substance abuse disorders. This is the best choice for those who require medical monitoring such as detox or suicide watch.
Inpatient is usually recommended for teens dealing with drug and alcohol problems, eating disorders, aggression, violence, or anything that impacts safety. It is the highest level of care. It offers a structured environment where teens receive intense therapy, medication management, and medical care.
What Is Outpatient Care?
Outpatient is one of the lowest levels of care. It may be the first line of treatment for mental health problems like depression, anxiety, or trauma. Outpatient is more flexible and less intense. It allows teens to stay in their home communities, and attend school and extracurricular activities.
This line of treatment provides flexibility, allowing teens to stay active in their daily lives while still benefiting from therapy and support.
Outpatient Care vs Inpatient Care
Understand the biggest differences between inpatient and outpatient care. They may be structured differently, have varying costs and treatment goals may be different based on the type of condition.
Factors to Consider | Outpatient | Inpatient |
Stability | May only meet with 1-2x a week | 24-hour supervision, highly structured |
Cost | Less costly, insurance usually covers | More expensive, depending on insurance plan may not be fully covered |
Treatment Goals | Less intense, may be better for less severe conditions to provide teens with extra support or positive coping skills | Intense therapy and support, usually will move into outpatient after teen is stabilized |
Flexibility of Program | More flexible, teens can still attend school or stay in extra-curriculars | Teens will go into a residential facility and removed from their home environment for anywhere from 1 week to 3 months |
Type of Condition | First line of treatment for less severe conditions such as depression or anxiety | Recommended option for substance abuse disorders, eating disorders, mood disorders with high aggression or violence |
Inpatient Care for Mental Health vs Substance Abuse
Inpatient care for mental health is recommended for teens who need around-the-clock care to protect the safety of themselves or others. Mental health disorders that are usually recommended for inpatients include eating disorders, mood disorders or depression with suicidal ideation, and behavioral disorders with violent episodes such as conduct disorder or oppositional defiant disorder.
Inpatient care for substance abuse is often recommended as the first line of treatment for a safe and medically supervised detox. During inpatient, teens will have highly structured care and staff is available 24/7 to monitor vitals. Medication can also be provided to help reduce cravings or ease withdrawal symptoms. After inpatient is completed for substance abuse, usually outpatient will be the next recommended step to help teens transition back into their community.
Outpatient Care for Mental Health Vs Substance Abuse
Outpatient care for mental health is often the first line of treatment. Especially for more common mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety or trauma. Outpatient gives more flexibility for teens and allows them to stay in school, their homes and extracurricular activities.
Outpatient for substance abuse is recommended to help transition a teen from inpatient back into their home & community. It can help teens implement positive coping skills they learned during residential back into their daily lives.
How to Choose The Right Treatment
It’s important for parents to work with the providers of their teens to find what the best plan of treatment is. Choosing the right treatment can feel overwhelming, so consider some of the factors discussed in the table to help you make the right choice.
Another large factor to consider is insurance coverage. Some insurance plans may not fully cover inpatient programs.
Should you be the one choosing the treatment?
Parents are encouraged to have a say in their teens´ treatment program, and ultimately have the final say. However, it is important to listen to the recommendation of the teens’ provider or mental health care professional.
Outpatient is usually easier to access and may be the first line of treatment for teens. The outpatient therapist may recommend transitioning into inpatient if they notice signs of aggression, suicidal tendencies or substance abuse.
Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment for Teens in Texas
If you identify warning signs of a mental health or substance abuse disorder in your teen, reach out for professional support to help find the best plan of treatment.
At Clearfork Academy our team of compassionate, licensed therapists understands the complex nature of mental health disorders and substance abuse in teens. Reach out to our admissions team to learn more.
Originally from the Saginaw, Eagle Mountain area, Austin Davis earned a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Ministry from Lee University in Cleveland, TN and a Master of Arts in Counseling from The Church of God Theological Seminary. He then went on to become a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in the State of Texas.
Austin’s professional history includes both local church ministry and clinical counseling. At a young age, he began serving youth at the local church in various capacities which led to clinical training and education. Austin gained a vast knowledge of mental health disorders while working in state and public mental health hospitals. This is where he was exposed to almost every type of diagnosis and carries this experience into the daily treatment.
Austin’s longtime passion is Clearfork Academy, a christ-centered residential facility focused on mental health and substance abuse. He finds joy and fulfillment working with “difficult” clients that challenge his heart and clinical skill set. It is his hope and desire that each resident that passes through Clearfork Academy will be one step closer to their created design.
Austin’s greatest pleasures in life are being a husband to his wife, and a father to his growing children. He serves at his local church by playing guitar, speaking and helping with tech arts. Austin also enjoys being physically active, reading, woodworking, and music.
