If you or a loved one suffers from drug addiction, you might struggle with the decision between inpatient and outpatient drug rehab. Both methods of treatment have their advantages and disadvantages, but many people opt for outpatient care. Before you make your decision, there are a few things you should consider before agreeing to live at home and seek treatment on your own.
The Threat of the Environment
When you seek outpatient treatment, you will have a lot of extra work to do. Coming home to the place where you likely used drugs in the first place can be upsetting and difficult. If you are unable to fight the urge to use drugs again or will be surrounded by the environment and people with whom you used before, it might be difficult to switch gears so quickly. You should be prepared to mentally fight the urges while you are at home. If you are alone, this could be difficult to do.
Getting to Treatments
In addition, when you are seeking outpatient drug rehab, it will be your responsibility to get yourself to your treatments. For some people, this is a struggle that causes their recovery to be unsuccessful. If you have relapsed or are feeling generally unmotivated, there is no one there to push you to your appointments or even bring the therapy to you. This is different than inpatient care where you receive 24/7 supervision and are motivated, if not pushed, to your therapy sessions.
People around You
If you do not live alone, yet the people who live with you are not supportive of your treatment or do not see your drug addiction as an illness, you might feel more discouraged than if you were surrounded by those who are in the same situation as you. If you are unable to surround yourself with supportive people who will do whatever they can to make your recovery a successful one, inpatient treatment might be the better choice in the beginning.
Determining whether inpatient or outpatient drug rehab is right for you is a serious decision. If you think you can handle the threat of the environment at home, including the ability to abstain from drugs if you choose to, and can get yourself to treatments, outpatient care will work for you. If you are not surrounded by supportive people and you are not easily motivated, you might do best with inpatient care in the beginning stages of your treatment.
