Outpatient Treatment

In contrast to inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment means that the client lives at home outside treatment hours, allowing them to continue work or school. Furthermore, daily or weekly group and individual therapy sessions tend to be mandatory in an outpatient rehab. Moreover, medical monitoring of withdrawal symptoms and medication needs are monitored in outpatient care.

In terms of inpatient vs outpatient care, inpatient treatment provides the safety net of 24-hour monitoring. However, outpatient care often is more suitable for people with jobs or other commitments, as long as the level of care is adequate for recovery.

Sources: National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH), National Center for Biotechnology Information, Treatment Advocacy Center