For people with opioid use disorder (OUD), treatment isn’t one size fits all. Learning about your options and finding out how they may work for you and your needs can make navigating the path ahead of you easier. Outpatient treatment is often helpful for people whose withdrawal symptoms are more manageable. It may suit people who have already completed inpatient treatment or those who can’t participate in inpatient treatment because of family or job-related obligations. Groups offers comprehensive outpatient care.
Inpatient treatment may be more helpful for people with severe withdrawal symptoms, those who haven’t seen results from previous treatment, and those who need more intensive treatment.
What does each treatment type include?
Outpatient treatment
Outpatient treatment can include social, emotional, and medical support without disrupting your routine, taking you away from your home, or requiring you to spend time in a treatment facility. Groups can provide this in person or online.
You can keep living your life while:
- Managing withdrawal symptoms and cravings through medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD)
- Connecting with other Groups members in support groups
- Identifying life goals and working toward them outside of treatment (care planning)
- Addressing chronic or acute pain without the use of opioids
- Working with our professionals throughout your treatment process
Outpatient therapy may be a more affordable option in addition to a more convenient one. However, it isn’t the best option for everyone — some people, possibly including you, may benefit more from inpatient care.
Inpatient treatment
Inpatient care can take many forms, but each version of it has a few things in common. During inpatient care, you live in a treatment center with other clients dealing with substance use disorder, mental health conditions, or both. You can provide support to each other, often in support group sessions. You may or may not have a roommate.
You get frequent treatment from medical professionals, including oversight during withdrawal, so that you can weather severe symptoms safely. You may take MOUD, participate in therapy, or receive psychiatric care.
The goal of treatment is to help you ground yourself in your recovery and get prepared for life outside of the treatment center. You may be connected with an outpatient treatment provider or support groups.
Consider several factors
Choosing inpatient or outpatient treatment depends on several factors in your life. Try to think about:
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Severity and symptoms
While it may be incorrect to call any experience of addiction to opioids “mild,” you may have few withdrawal symptoms. You might avoid high-risk behaviors such as getting medication from unreliable sources, injecting medication, or taking extremely high doses. In this case, you may find outpatient care more suitable.
If your opioid use disorder has reached an extreme point, with high-risk behaviors and severe withdrawal symptoms, you may need inpatient care in order to quit using opioids safely. Continuous medical care may be necessary to provide stability and reduce discomfort.
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Use of single or multiple substances
If you are using one substance consistently, such as a specific opioid pain medication, outpatient treatment may be helpful. You may be able to make significant progress with outpatient check-ins, support groups, and MOUD.
If you are taking multiple medications or drugs, discontinuing them may be a more complex process requiring more intensive care. Withdrawing from benzodiazepines, for example, can require medical supervision for your safety. It may also require a slow, controlled treatment plan. In a situation like this, inpatient care is likely more suitable.
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Physical or mental health conditions
Opioid use is only one piece of the bigger picture of your health. You may have other issues to deal with, such as chronic pain, chronic illness, a disability, or a mental health condition. Outpatient care may be appropriate if you have few other concerns to manage.
However, inpatient care can provide the support that you may need to recover while living with a serious condition. Inpatient treatment providers may help you adjust to life with chronic pain, chronic illness, or disability without opioids. They can provide mental health care on a more frequent basis than outpatient professionals, too.
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Support outside of treatment
A supportive environment can make all the difference. You might find it easier to make progress in outpatient treatment with a supportive family, friends who lift you up, and an environment that benefits your health.
When some of these sources of support aren’t in your life, you may need to find extra support in inpatient treatment. Living in a treatment center can help you make a clean break from an environment that isn’t serving you. It can help you prepare to build a better life after treatment, too.
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Occupational and financial considerations
Unfortunately, not everyone facing addiction has all the free time and money that they could use to pursue treatment. You might have a job that doesn’t allow much time off or a manager who wouldn’t respond well to an employee being in treatment. Workplace stigma around treatment can be serious. Outpatient treatment can allow you to keep living your life with few disruptions. It is typically less costly than inpatient care.
If your workplace allows enough time off, you may find participating in inpatient care to be straightforward. You might have a supportive team at work. You may have the finances to pursue inpatient treatment without significant concerns, too. In this case, you have more options.
Considering outpatient care for opioid use disorder?
Groups offers care online and in person. Give our Recovery Support Specialists a call today at 888-858-1723 for more information or to begin your recovery. We provide treatment across the country — and we’re always expanding. See if we offer care in your state, either online or at one of our 130+ local offices. If Groups doesn’t offer treatment in your area, you can locate other treatment options here.
