Outpatient Services for Addiction Treatment

Although addiction is a chronic disease, it is treatable.² During outpatient drug and alcohol rehab, patients attend various program sessions. These sessions typically involve group or individual therapy to help individuals recognize negative behavior and thought patterns or learn the skills needed for lasting sobriety.

There are many different evidence-based ways to treat addiction. Outpatient addiction rehab programs at Desert Hope commonly employ the following addiction treatment therapies:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Psychoeducation
• Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• Motivational interviewing (MI)
• Family therapy

Types of Outpatient Treatment

To ensure each patient receives the right level of support during outpatient care, Desert Hope provides the following levels of outpatient rehab programming:

• Partial hospitalization program (PHP): The partial hospitalization program offers the most intensive level of outpatient rehab. All-day programming takes place every weekday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. This level of outpatient addiction treatment is similar in treatment services to an inpatient program.³ PHPs include individual and group therapy as well as recovery skills education and training.
• Intensive outpatient program (IOP): The intensive outpatient program is less intensive than a PHP, but more intensive than a standard outpatient program. IOPs also involve individual and group therapy to address underlying behavioral issues.¹ This level of outpatient addiction treatment involves a minimum of 9 hours a week and is available every weekday from 9 a.m. – 12 noon.

It is common for individuals to “step down” through the different levels of outpatient care as their treatment needs change. While at the onset, they may require more intensive care, as their recovery skills grow, the course of treatment transitions into disease management and aftercare.¹

Differences Between Inpatient & Outpatient Rehab

The main differences between inpatient addiction treatment and outpatient drug and alcohol rehab are the level of intensity and that during inpatient care, individuals stay at the treatment center 24/7, whereas, during outpatient addiction treatment individuals reside at home.

Typically, outpatient rehab involves fewer hours of substance use treatment at a lower level of intensity than inpatient addiction treatment. While inpatient rehab may be necessary for a person with severe addiction or addiction to a substance that requires constant medical supervision during withdrawal, outpatient rehab may be a good option for a person with less severe addiction, or withdrawal that is safe without continuous medical oversight.

Outpatient rehab programs at Desert Hope in Las Vegas can be a good option for people looking for drug and alcohol treatment they can attend while still fulfilling their responsibilities at home or at work.

It is recommended that individuals interested in attending outpatient rehab have the following:⁴

• A stable living environment
• The support of family and friends
• Reliable transportation

In cases where a person lacks a safe and supportive home environment, inpatient treatment may be a better fit. This is because inpatient treatment provides a safe environment and removes common triggers that may exist outside of the treatment facility.^2,4

The experienced clinical team at Desert Hope works with each individual to determine the level of addiction treatment that is the best fit for their situation.

Benefits of Outpatient Rehab

Outpatient rehab programs offer several benefits, including the following:

• Offers flexibility with partial-day and full-day treatment options.
• Allows a person to continue fulfilling their day-to-day responsibilities, such as work or family obligations.
• Provides continued addiction treatment and recovery support for people transitioning out of inpatient care.
• It is easy to step up to inpatient care if a person finds they need more support than an outpatient rehab program provides.
• Several levels of outpatient rehab are available, allowing treatment plans to change alongside a person’s treatment needs.
• Outpatient treatment options tend to be more cost-effective because they do not include room and board.

How Long Does Outpatient Rehab Last?

The length of time a person spends in outpatient rehab depends on their individual needs. There is no set timeframe for staying in an outpatient addiction treatment program at Desert Hope. Each person works with their clinical team to determine the length of time that is best for them and their needs.

Some patients may begin in one level of outpatient care and transition to a more intensive level or step down to a less intensive level. This as well as many other factors can impact the length of time a person spends in an outpatient addiction treatment program.