In 2015, over 20 million Americans over 12 had a substance use disorder. And the shocking and unfortunate fact is only about 10% of these people receive treatment for their addictions.
If you’re struggling with substance abuse and don’t want to be in the majority of people who don’t seek treatment, then you’re already doing yourself a huge favor. Checking yourself into rehab can turn your whole life around.
While you have 2 choices for treatment, when it comes to inpatient vs. outpatient rehab, the first option is better. Are you wondering why? Then read out to find out.
Pros of Inpatient Rehab
Inpatient rehab is where you check in for a certain period of time to fully immerse yourself in recovery. This means you’ll basically live at the facility for the duration of treatment.
So what other benefits of inpatient rehab will you enjoy? What gives this type of treatment an edge on outpatient treatment? Here are some benefits you should know about.
You Can Get Help With Detox
Detoxing from substances can be one of the hardest things you do in your life. Not to mention, it can also be dangerous in some cases.
Many inpatient rehab facilities offer detox programs as the first step to your time in recovery with them. You’ll have round-the-clock care from medical professionals who will keep you from relapsing during such a critical time. Not only that, but they have the authority to prescribe you medications to make withdrawal symptoms safer and more comfortable (if needed).
In the case of alcohol addiction, these medical professionals can also put you on a safe tapering plan. That way, you can avoid serious and potentially fatal withdrawal symptoms.
Considering that withdrawal can be the hardest hump to get over for many people, having professional help for detox can dramatically boost their chances for success.
No Distractions From Recovery
If you try to get sober on your own, or you go to outpatient rehab, the reality is that you’ll have so many everyday distractions in your life. It can be as innocent as having to take care of your children or as sinister as interacting with your “friends” who encourage you to use drugs and/or alcohol with them.
Inpatient rehab offers you a sober environment that’s stable so you won’t have to worry about temptation.
Get Structure in Your Life
For some people, their struggle with addiction is due to a lack of structure in their lives. Being in rehab 24/7 can give you some structure and a sense of routine, which can make it easier to stay sober.
In addition to structure, you can also get some purpose to your daily life.
Participation in Unique Experiences
With outpatient treatment, you’ll miss out on many unique experiences since you’re in rehab on a part-time basis. If you’re in rehab 24/7, then you’ll have more opportunities to participate in things like adventure therapy.
These experiences are vital for recovery since you’ll learn to heal on a holistic level. Not only will you break addiction in a physical sense, but you’ll also break free from it in mind and spirit. Holistic and adventure therapies will offer you ways to learn about yourself and grow to be a better person.
Receive Immediate Care
Because you’re in a facility with 24/7 medical care, should anything happen, you’ll get immediate attention. This includes if you have sudden intrusive thoughts. Whether you have a mental or physical health condition that suddenly gets worse, you can count on the expert staff to help you out promptly.
If you’re someone who has many comorbid conditions with your substance abuse disorder, then inpatient treatment will benefit you much more than outpatient treatment would.
Have a Better Chance at Recovery
In general, success rates are higher with inpatient rehab. This is thanks to all the above factors, which you wouldn’t necessarily get in outpatient treatment.
For instance, if you have a bad home environment, outpatient rehab might not be a good choice. Even if you attend rehab regularly, you still might be tempted by circumstances or people in your home environment, which can cause you to relapse more easily.
Cons of Inpatient Rehab
It’s true that inpatient rehab comes with quite a few pros. But what about the cons?
For one, inpatient treatment is more expensive than outpatient. This is because the facility has to accommodate your stay, which includes lodging, food, and use of the facilities. But if money is of no object to you, or you feel like it’s worth spending extra for the higher inpatient rehab cost, then it’s definitely the better choice.
Another drawback of inpatient rehab is you’ll have to be gone for a good chunk of time, which can be disruptive to you and your family’s lives, as well as any other obligations like work. However, with some advanced planning, it’s certainly possible to arrange for everything to be taken care of before you set off for inpatient rehab.
As you can see, there aren’t many cons compared to the pros of this type of rehab. This makes it a much better choice.
Inpatient vs. Outpatient Rehab: Choose Inpatient Treatment if Possible
When it comes to inpatient vs. outpatient rehab, inpatient treatment is the optimal option for all the above reasons. While it does come with its own sets of cons, as you can see, when it comes to the pros and cons of inpatient rehab, the pros far outweigh the cons!
So take the first step in your journey to sobriety. Reach out and see what a rehab center can do for you.
If you would like more information about inpatient rehab, then contact us today. We’ll help you get started on recovery if you feel like you’re ready for it.
