In recent years, trends have moved away from inpatient treatment and toward outpatient treatment, or outpatient treatment combined with residential living. One of the primary reasons for this trend is the prohibitive cost of inpatient treatment. The most important consideration is whether or not the client would be medically compromised without hospitalization while going through detoxification. Depending on the chemical of choice and the severity of physical dependence, withdrawal symptoms can sometimes be life threatening. The assessment will determine the level of care needed.
Statistics show that success rates for outpatient treatment are the same as for inpatient treatment.
A great benefit of outpatient treatment is that the client is able to work and go about their daily routine while learning to adjust to a new lifestyle, free of chemical use. Experiencing the normal difficulties of everyday living allows the client to address these challenges in treatment and learn to cultivate alternative coping skills. Their goal is to obtain new attitudes, behaviors and living skills that are consistent with a life of recovery on a day to day basis. For male clients whose living environment is not conducive to their new lifestyle, residential living may be advised while they are going through treatment. Some clients need to break away from the crowd of friends that would draw them back into their old lifestyle.