Are Inpatient Rehab Options Better Than Outpatient Ones?
With literally hundreds of alcohol and drug rehab clinics dotted around the world – and dozens of them calling Florida their home, it can be pretty difficult to choose one that will be right for your exact needs. You might want to think about your location first; especially if you’re planning on staying close to your family and friends while you are treated.
There’s also your budget to consider, but if you’re opting for a free alcohol rehab, this will be a fairly minimal concern. Finally there’s the type of clinic itself – with some offering inpatient options, others focusing on outpatient alternatives, and a few specific centres providing both solutions. But what exactly makes these types of services different and how can they be of benefit?
Inpatient Options
The first thing that you need to know about this type of service is that the addict being treated will be expected to remain on site for a pre-defined period of time. This will usually be calculated based on the type of alcohol or drugs that the person is addicted to, the length of their addiction and the severity of their dependency.
In the majority of cases a specialist will evaluate the condition of a patient and then decide on the right amount of time that they should remain under the clinic’s supervision. Early on, this time can be considered an estimate – as some people demonstrate improvement before too long, and others might need to extend their stay. In any event the shortest duration is typically thirty days, with the longest being up to a year.
Outpatient Alternatives
If a person is only minimally dependent on a particular narcotic, if they aren’t deemed to be a risk to themselves or to others, or if they have already undergone an extensive inpatient course of rehabilitation, then it may be possible to visit a clinic on an outpatient basis. In the simplest terms, this means that a patient will be able to attend and leave as they prefer, which can be especially beneficial if the rehab centre is close to where the person lives.
Many people prefer to opt for this solution, but in some cases it will be denied based on a person’s addiction to a particular substance. In cases of heroin for example, where the detoxing period will need to be monitored by medical experts, or else run the risk of potentially fatal side effects – a patient may be given no choice but to remain present until they are entirely sober.
As the majority of clinics will strive to evaluate the specific needs of every individual that is admitted to their services and treatments, their specialists will usually propose terms relating to the type of stay that the person could benefit from the most