Outpatient Drug Rehab: PHP, IOP, & More

According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s (ASAM) continuum of addiction treatment, levels one and two consist of outpatient drug rehabilitation programs. 

Outpatient rehab programs may help people with addiction who have already completed an inpatient rehab program, or who are in the continuing care phase of recovery.

At each level of outpatient care, you can access addiction treatment services to meet your individual needs. 

How Does Outpatient Treatment For Addiction Work?

Outpatient treatment lets you get help for addiction without putting the rest of your life completely on hold. Most people continue working, living at home, and maintaining their family and social commitments while attending scheduled treatment sessions throughout the week.

The process typically starts with an intake evaluation where a clinician assesses your history and needs and recommends a treatment plan, but outpatient programs are more flexible than inpatient care, giving you more input into the types of services you engage with based on what works for your schedule and situation.

Outpatient Counseling Services

Outpatient counseling is one of the most common forms of outpatient treatment. Depending on your preferences, you may engage in group or individual sessions. 

Individual Counseling

Individual counseling usually involves a form of talk therapy. This is a forum where you are free to discuss the challenges you’re facing and the ways they relate to addiction.

Family Counseling

Substance abuse can cause you to act in ways you later regret, which may significantly damage your most important relationships. 

Many outpatient programs offer couples and family therapy to help address that harm and create a path forward while you undergo additional addiction treatment. 

Group Counseling

Group therapy sessions and support groups can be a useful tool for people who feel isolated by their addiction. In the setting provided by programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, you can share your experiences and listen to others who are going through similar moments in their lives. 

For many people, these groups provide a sense of community and solidarity that can help bolster efforts to lead a sober life. 

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Dual diagnosis treatment is a specialized kind of individual therapy that is reserved for people who have co-occurring disorders. Mental health disorders like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia commonly occur alongside substance use disorders, and they require targeted treatment. 

Behavioral health programs and other dual diagnosis treatment tools are used to address both conditions simultaneously for better long-term outcomes. 

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is usually available through outpatient programs that work alongside clinics with the appropriate accreditations. 

MAT is typically used to assist people who are addicted to alcohol or opiates. Depending on the type of medication, it may block the high, minimize withdrawal symptoms, and reduce cravings.

Methadone Maintenance

Methadone is an oral opioid that is administered to people who want to avoid the more serious side effects of drug use. The drug is administered daily to block the high associated with opioid use and to reduce withdrawal and cravings. It provides safe access, not independence from opioid addiction. 

While some may choose to use methadone maintenance as a long-term treatment, others combine methadone maintenance with other addiction treatments to eventually achieve recovery. 

Suboxone Therapy

Suboxone is a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone. It is technically an opioid, but it does not produce the high associated with other opiates. 

Suboxone therapy can be useful during detox, as it reduces the risk of serious withdrawal symptoms and helps to make cravings more manageable. 

Naltrexone Treatment

Naltrexone is used to treat alcohol addiction as well as opioid addiction. In both cases, this medication actively blocks the euphoric and sedative effects of illicit drugs. By removing the feeling of reward in the brain associated with drug and alcohol use, naltrexone treatment can break down chemical dependency.

It also makes it easier for some people to work through drug and alcohol treatment. 

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)

Most low-intensity outpatient programs only meet for a couple of hours per week, but that isn’t necessarily enough for some people. If you would like the flexibility of an outpatient program but feel that you need more frequent access to care, intensive outpatient treatment may be the right fit for you.

IOPs typically meet a few times per week for a couple of hours at a time. Treatment plans are more structured to meet your needs. 

Day Treatment

Day treatment, also known as a partial hospitalization program or PHP, sits between an IOP and inpatient care on the treatment spectrum. It’s a more intensive commitment than an IOP, typically four to six hours of programming three to four days per week, but you still return home at the end of each day rather than staying overnight at a facility.

Because of the time involved, most people find it difficult to maintain a regular work schedule while enrolled, but the structure and clinical intensity make it a strong option for people who need more support than outpatient alone can provide without requiring a full residential stay.

Are Harm Reduction Programs A Form Of Outpatient Treatment?

Harm reduction programs occupy a different space than traditional outpatient treatment. Rather than focusing on sobriety as a goal, these programs are designed to keep people safer while they’re still using substances with the understanding that not everyone is ready or able to pursue abstinence-based treatment right away.

Services typically include overdose reversal education, naloxone distribution, fentanyl test strips, STI prevention and testing, and access to sterile injection and smoking supplies.

Aftercare Services And Relapse Prevention

More than half of all people who go through addiction treatment will relapse at some point in their lives. Most of those cases occur in the first 90 days of sobriety. Aftercare and relapse prevention programs are outpatient services that many rehab centers offer to provide continued support and reduce the rate of relapse.

While the nature of these services may vary depending on your location and program, there are several approaches that are commonly used. 

Aftercare Counseling Services

Outpatient counseling services can provide a necessary outlet for someone in recovery. By helping you deal with emotional stress, your therapist can help reduce the risk of relapse.

Vocational Support

Stress is one of the most common reasons that people relapse. If you are having a hard time finding gainful employment, that stress could make it more difficult to resist cravings. 

To prevent that from happening, some rehab programs offer vocational classes and life-skills training to help you find work and housing. 

Community Involvement

Isolation is another major factor in relapse. Aftercare services often offer opportunities for community involvement to provide a healthy outlet and a social network. 

FAQs For Outpatient Addiction Treatment

If you’re wondering whether an outpatient treatment option is the right fit for your substance use disorder, consider answers to the following frequently asked questions. 

Why Should You Choose Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment?

Outpatient substance abuse treatment is an effective option for people who have stable housing and a strong support system at home. 

While your ability to work and take part in daily activities may be somewhat impaired by outpatient treatment, it does allow you to maintain a daily connection with your family at home. 

Is Outpatient Addiction Treatment As Effective As Inpatient Treatment?

Outpatient treatment can be just as effective as inpatient substance abuse treatment under the right circumstances. 

An outpatient treatment center may not necessarily be the best choice for someone experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms or a serious co-occurring health issue. 

A referral from your physician or an assessment with your rehab program of choice can help you to make an informed decision based on your personal medical history. 

How Long Will I Need To Be In Outpatient Treatment?

Outpatient treatment is more likely to be long-term, because addiction is a chronic condition that requires ongoing treatment. 

While you may gradually decrease the intensity of your care, you may find it necessary to attend a support group or other form of casual outpatient care whenever you feel you may relapse.

How Much Does An Outpatient Rehab Program Cost?

The cost of outpatient addiction treatment varies dramatically depending on the intensity of the program. 

While a structured IOP costs between $3,000 and $10,000 per month without Medicaid or private insurance, there are many outpatient options available for free or at little to no cost on a short-term basis.

Written by the Affordable Rehabs Editorial Staff