Think of the words rehab, addiction treatment or mental health therapy. What comes to mind? Most people imagine the setting of an outpatient program (OP), where you attend therapy sessions one-on-one with your counselor or in a group setting and, when the day is done, you get to return to the comfort of your own home.
Even if you’ve never been in treatment before, this image is so common because outpatient care is one of the most well-known and recognizable forms of relief for substance abuse and mental illness — bridging structured, focused therapy with flexibility.
Time and again, outpatient care proves effective in helping people recover, with one study illustrating a 78% success rate for people who followed through and completed their outpatient program.
What exactly does traditional outpatient involve? How do you know if it’s the right path for you or someone you care about, and more importantly, what are the ways it can help? Read on to learn more.
What Is a Traditional Outpatient Program?
Outpatient care is a type of addiction and mental health treatment that allows you to live at home while attending therapy sessions at a recovery and rehab center. Treatment customarily exists on a spectrum:
- Inpatient treatment is an intensive and structured form of rehab requiring you to live onsite at a facility and commit 24/7 to recovery.
- Transitional programs like a Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) are entry points into outpatient treatment, balancing rigorous therapy with the freedom to leave the facility when sessions are done.
- Outpatient rehab is the furthest step-down from more intensive programs, designed to solidify the gains made in treatment and ease back into everyday life.
What To Expect During Outpatient
An outpatient program is meant to work around your schedule so you can still make work, school or family commitments your main priorities alongside rehab. Generally, for a less intensive type of treatment, you might attend sessions with your therapist at your outpatient treatment center about once or twice a week for a few hours, either in the morning, afternoon or early evening.
If you’ve been in residential treatment before, daytime outpatient can include some of the same inpatient amenities you might remember, like the chance to have lunch communally with other people in treatment.
When sessions are finished, it’s time to go home, a chance to reconnect with family and loved ones in a supportive environment. It’s also a chance to apply what you’ve learned in therapy in your immediate interactions and surroundings.
Outpatient Addiction Treatment Services
Because outpatient care resides at the end of the treatment spectrum, some treatment services are carried over from inpatient, PHP, or IOP, while others are unique to outpatient care. The goal is to set you up for success in sobriety once outpatient rehab ends. Services will include:
- Case management from a dedicated case manager, your main point of contact for the duration of treatment and your primary advocate to make sure you’re attending therapy and staying on point. They can help you navigate the logistics of treatment and make any changes if they arise.
- Everyone who enters outpatient alcohol treatment or outpatient drug treatment receives an individualized treatment plan, tailored to their needs, their individual issues and symptoms, and their long-term goals.
- Part of regular, ongoing therapy sessions is the chance to develop a personal relapse prevention plan. Like your treatment plan itself, think of relapse prevention as a personalized roadmap on how to identify triggers and practice coping methods and strategies to avoid drinking or using substances; valuable skills you can set into motion each time you return home from treatment.
- Aftercare services are an integral part of an outpatient treatment program. Your case manager and counselor can introduce you to 12-step programs like AA or NA, or set the wheels in motion for sober living arrangements.
- Last, but not least, is the flexible scheduling that outpatient care provides. Outpatient therapy is designed to accommodate your obligations, so, for example, if you can’t skip an important exam or work meeting during a given day, you can attend therapy sessions in the evenings.
Outpatient Therapy Services
What makes therapy such an effective tool in substance abuse treatment? It’s a chance to talk through your challenges and issues — to give voice to your story and begin better understanding the underlying reasons behind the why of an addiction. Why do you drink, where do the impulses come from and how can you take charge in changing your life?
“Grounded in dialogue, it provides a supportive environment that allows you to talk openly with someone who’s objective, neutral and nonjudgmental,” says the American Psychological Association. “You and your psychologist will work together to identify and change the thought and behavior patterns that are keeping you from feeling your best.”
In traditional outpatient settings, behavioral health can take shape in a few ways:
- Individual therapy is a private, one-on-one session with your therapist. It’s a safe space to explore struggles you’ve endured with substance use disorders, work through personal challenges and examine those root causes behind an addiction.
- Group therapy is also a powerful type of session because you can share and listen with other people like you in recovery going through the same challenges and situations. It’s not only a bonding experience, but an opportunity to learn new perspectives and stories that can resonate with your own journey.
- Bringing together members of one’s family into a family therapy session acknowledges that addiction can affect your loved ones, too, and by including them in your recovery path, it makes your bond with them stronger than ever before.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, is a type of talk therapy that works to make the connection between negative thoughts, emotions and behaviors that can contribute to mental health or substance use issues. By learning to identify, challenge and change those patterns, you can reframe your own narrative in more positive ways.
- Dialectical behavioral therapy, or DBT, is another type of psychotherapy geared for people who experience emotional dysregulation, i.e. feeling distressing emotions intensely. Like CBT, it’s an outlet to reshape your own thought processes and take charge of tangible changes to how you think, feel, act and cope.
- Holistic therapies like yoga, mindfulness meditation, expressive arts and experiential therapies take you outside the bounds of traditional outpatient therapy by fostering a mind-body-spirit connection. They’re an important part of recovery meant to reconnect you with yourself when addiction can lead you astray.
Outpatient Dual Diagnosis Treatment
Someone struggling with substance abuse may also be dealing with a mental health condition like depression, anxiety or trauma. Sadly, due to generational trauma and systemic discrimination, the co-existence of addiction and mental illness — known as a co-occurring disorder — is all too commonplace among Native American communities, with PTSD, alcohol and substance use disorders and suicide and self-harm often overlapping.
When a co-occurring disorder is present, it’s easy to assume that both conditions need to be treated separately. But this can actually weaken treatment outcomes in the long run. In this case, what’s called a dual diagnosis is necessary, a treatment track that means you need care that addresses both conditions together.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, about 50% of people, with the proper plan in motion, respond well to the combined treatment of a dual diagnosis. Part of this is on account of psychiatric medication management, where a doctor or psychiatrist, over the course of your outpatient treatment, can prescribe the right medications to help assuage symptoms and reduce cravings.
Who Can Benefit from a Traditional Outpatient Program?
Anyone can benefit from an outpatient level of care. Mental health and substance abuse treatment does not discriminate — it’s inclusive of all ages, races, genders, orientations, beliefs, values and cultural backgrounds. Most important, all conditions are treatable, and none are excluded.
Outpatient care is ideal for certain people. The appeal of its flexibility lies in the fact that you don’t have to give up family, work or school responsibilities for therapy, or vice versa — treatment doesn’t need to fall by the wayside when life becomes busy. It’s an especially good fit if you have a stable, supportive home life and you’re motivated to attend sessions and do the work.
Traditional outpatient also acts as a seamless segue from higher levels of inpatient care. If you’ve been in a residential live-in program, an outpatient program can become the next logical step in your recovery.
Is Outpatient the Right Program for Me or My Loved One?
It’s never easy to know at the outset of a substance abuse issue which treatment plan is right, for you, a family member or friend. A long, honest look at the toll a mental health or drug/alcohol problem may be taking can enlighten you to see if going into outpatient rehab is the right decision.
Consider some of these questions:
- Is my home or living situation safe and supportive — or is it a toxic trigger risk?
- Is taking time away from work, school or personal/professional responsibilities to live at a rehab center a non-negotiable impossibility?
- Given the freedom that outpatient care provides, am I able to stay sober and avoid relapsing in between therapy sessions?
- Am I motivated to show up to treatment each scheduled day, put in the work and hold myself accountable?
Speaking to a Loved One About an Outpatient Program
There’s never an easy or even ideal time to bring up the subject of going into rehab with a loved one. And many people might avoid the conversation or turn a blind eye to another’s substance abuse in fear of estranging or pushing them away.
But just as going into outpatient rehab takes bravery, courage and accountability, so does broaching the topic of therapy. The key to finding the right opportunity is to approach them during a calm moment.
Frame your concern with first-person statements that come from a place of love and caring: “I know you’ve been leaning on drugs lately, and I’m worried about you. I miss the way things used to be,” is much more effective and transparent than blaming or accusing. Likewise, in the same vein, take that “I” stance a step further by helping them get started on their recovery journey. “I know of a great outpatient treatment center. Can we look them up together?”
You might also emphasize that because family therapy is part of most outpatient treatment programs, you’re happy to be a part of those sessions with a loved one. The goal is to open a door to help, but also to follow them through that door to bolster them up in recovery.
What Happens After a Traditional Outpatient Program?
Following the conclusion of an outpatient addiction treatment program, you can begin to take further charge of your sobriety in a myriad of ways:
Aftercare and Sober Living
Transitioning out of outpatient care offers a few options. Aftercare is an ongoing type of care you can receive after leaving outpatient rehab. Your treatment team, from your therapists to your case manager and beyond, will work with you to create an aftercare plan.
For example, many people exiting rehab choose to continue attending support group and 12-Step meetings to maintain their sobriety. Your aftercare plan can include details and information on local groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, their websites, where they meet and how to start attending.
At Aliya Health Group, we also offer different forms of support through our Native American program, including our alumni group, or just regular, ongoing check-ins with your therapist, individually or in a group setting. Many people in an aftercare program who desire a more structured environment will also choose to stay for a time in a sober living home before living on their own again. Safe, substance-free residences, you’ll live with other peers newly out of rehab also committed to taking recovery seriously — a chance to share chores, divide responsibilities and hold each other accountable through a built-in support network.
Traditional Outpatient Program FAQ
Both are considered outpatient modes of treatment enabling you to leave your rehab facility at the conclusion of the day’s treatment. But unlike standard outpatient, PHP treatment is more intensive and structured, much like you’d find in residential rehab. You’ll attend therapy several hours a day for five days a week, whereas traditional outpatient may range from one to two days a week for a few hours. PHP also offers more medical oversight for people with more severe addictions or tendency to relapse.
IOP programs sit squarely between PHPs and outpatient on the continuum of care in terms of treatment intensity. Generally, IOP sessions are a bit less frequent than in a partial hospitalization setting, with three 3-hour sessions per week. Although more time- and treatment-intensive than an outpatient level of care, an IOP allows you the same benefit of independent living without the need to reside onsite.
Outpatient care benefits you, first and foremost, by providing research-based therapy that is proven, time and again in clinical settings, to help people work through their conditions, through the power of talking, analyzing, gaining perspective and approaching your mindset, feelings and behaviors in new, positive ways. Moreover, through group therapy, you gain a supportive community — peers to lean on in vulnerable moments that you can reciprocate in kind. But most important, arguably the biggest asset of outpatient care is the ability to take home and apply immediately in real life what you learned in therapy that same day.
The length of outpatient care can vary, since everyone’s conditions, needs and individual progress are unique to them. But in general, expect outpatient drug treatment to last anywhere from 30 to 90 days. The good news is that your weekly therapy schedule is mapped out in advance of your starting the program and keeps your outside obligations in mind to avoid any time constraints or conflicts.
Unlike the daily rigorous schedule of inpatient or PHP treatment, traditional outpatient care is typically one to three times per week for a few hours each session. It may see you arriving first thing in the morning and concluding in the early afternoon or beginning after lunch and ending by the early evening.
An outpatient addiction treatment program does not include the room and board of an inpatient setting, instead focusing resources on the high-level quality of care you’ll receive, elevated by a caring, compassionate staff of therapists, clinical staff and peers in recovery. Plus, you have the opportunity to sleep in your own bed at night to regroup, recharge and reflect on the day’s sessions.
Yes, at each of Aliya’s outpatient rehab centers, aftercare is offered as an option. That means the chance to return to the center as an alumnus and continue receiving care on an as-needed basis or connecting with 12-Step and support groups local to where you live.
Aliya also offers sober living opportunities both during and after outpatient treatment — meaning that the lessons you learn in rehab are brought home to a sober environment that fosters and facilitates sobriety in you and your housemates. During treatment, inquire with your case manager — or, if you haven’t signed up for treatment yet, our admissions team — to learn more.
What Are the Benefits of an Outpatient Program?
If you’ve been in a residential treatment program and graduating onto the various levels of outpatient, you’ll see the myriads of benefits that therapy can bring for a substance use or mental health disorder — namely, a tangible chance to take control of your own health.
But even if you’re just entering outpatient rehab, consider some of its inherent advantages:
- There’s the flexibility to keep your job, stay in school and commit to your family and personal schedules without needing to sacrifice treatment.
- Because outpatient care requires no need to live onsite, it’s often a more affordable option than inpatient rehab.
- You’ll build a strong support network — new through your therapist and the people you’ll meet in group therapy and renewed with your family and loved ones.
- You’ll get to practice real-world skills you learn in treatment in your actual, daily life.
How Much Does an Outpatient Program Cost?
Without insurance coverage taken into consideration, the average cost of a traditional outpatient program is $5,000 for a 90-day/3-month program, according to the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS). Compared to $6,000 for one month of residential treatment, notes the NCDAS, outpatient rehab becomes a much more cost-effective option given its absence of intensive treatment and room and board.
Does Insurance Cover Outpatient?
In most cases, yes — under the Affordable Care Act, most private health insurance plans are required to provide coverage for outpatient substance abuse treatment. Aliya works with organizations like Indian Health Services to maximize your insurance coverage, from private plans to state-subsidized coverage.
Can I Go to An Outpatient Rehab Without Insurance?
You can, but cost should never be a barrier or a hindrance. Outpatient treatment is a right and a need that nobody should forgo due to expenses. When you call Aliya’s admissions team, we can verify your insurance and determine if you’ll have any remaining out-of-pocket costs. And if you don’t have insurance coverage, we can help you explore your options with price transparency, from payment plans to sliding scale fees or researching state-sponsored programs.
Traditional Outpatient Program at Aliya Native Americans
Aliya’s outpatient program is built on a foundation of respect, compassion and research-based care. Combined, we meet you where you are in your recovery story — whether you’ve been in rehab before or just beginning.
Seeking help takes courage, bravery and commitment to see treatment through. We pledge to make this a reality by offering the structure and support you need while making treatment as important a priority as work, school or family.
Traditional Outpatient Program Near Me
You can find an outpatient treatment center — 20 in total — in eight states across the U.S., making it easier to find the right facility near home. Do you have questions about outpatient alcohol treatment or outpatient drug treatment? Call our admissions team or fill out our contact form. We’re on hand 24/7/365, every day, holidays included, for a confidential conversation with one of our expert treatment representatives.
Get Help Today
If you or someone you love is seeking treatment for addiction, our outpatient services provide a safe and supportive path to recovery. Our treatment facility specializes in helping individuals with substance use issues and mental disorders, offering both medical detoxification and ongoing care to address substance abuse and mental health needs. Through structured programming in outpatient settings, patients can participate in individual therapy sessions, group counseling, and research-based care designed for the treatment of mental health conditions alongside addiction.
Our intensive outpatient program (IOP) offers the flexibility of intensive outpatient treatment without the need for full inpatient care, while still providing the accountability and support of intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), 12-step options, and medically managed services. Whether transitioning from inpatient treatment or starting with an IOP program, we tailor care to help you achieve lasting recovery. Start your journey today—find an intensive outpatient program that fits your life and begin healing with professional support.