Outpatient Addiction Treatment Services

Addiction is a treatable chronic disease.² Treatment at an outpatient rehab typically involves a range of program sessions that vary in both their content and format. Many of these sessions take place in a group setting and others in an individual format.

Therapy sessions may focus on helping individuals recognize and change negative behavior and thought patterns or learn recovery skills needed for lasting sobriety.

There are many ways to treat addiction. Outpatient addiction rehab programs at Oxford commonly employ the following addiction treatment therapies:

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• Motivational interviewing (MI)
• Psychoeducation
• Equine-assisted therapy
• Family therapy
• Complementary therapies, such as art and music therapy

Outpatient Rehab Treatment Types

Addiction treatment is not one size fits all, which is why there are different types of outpatient drug and alcohol rehab. Oxford Treatment Center provides the following levels of outpatient rehab programming:

• Partial hospitalization program (PHP): The most intensive level of outpatient rehab is a partial hospitalization program. A PHP is similar in treatment services to an inpatient program.³ At Oxford, PHP programming takes place from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. every weekday. PHPs include individual and group therapy as well as recovery skills education and training.
• Intensive outpatient program (IOP): The intensive outpatient program is less intensive than a PHP, but more intensive than a standard outpatient program. To address underlying behavioral issues, IOPs also involve individual and group therapy.¹ This level of outpatient addiction treatment involves a minimum of 9 hours a week and is typically offered in 3-hour increments.

As individuals progress through outpatient rehab, it is common to “step down” through different levels of addiction treatment. This ensures treatment evolves alongside their recovery. In the beginning, a person may require more intensive care. However, as their recovery skills grow, treatment gradually shifts to disease management and aftercare.¹

Inpatient vs Outpatient Rehab

Inpatient addiction treatment and outpatient drug and alcohol rehab have some key differences. These differences include the level of intensity and that during inpatient care, individuals stay at the treatment center 24/7, whereas, outpatient addiction treatment allows individuals to live at home and visit the rehab facility for treatment.

The amount of time spent in treatment depends on the level of substance use treatment.  It ranges from a few hours each week for a standard outpatient program up to over 20 hours each week for a partial hospitalization program (PHP).

Inpatient rehab may be a good fit for a person with severe addiction or addiction to a substance that requires constant medical supervision during withdrawal. Outpatient rehab may be a more appropriate option for a person with less severe addiction, or withdrawal that is safe without continuous medical oversight.

Outpatient rehab programs at Oxford Treatment Center allow people to attend drug and alcohol treatment without having to pause their responsibilities at home or at work.

For individuals interested in attending outpatient addiction treatment, it is recommended to have the following:⁴

• Reliable transportation
• A stable living environment
• The support of family and friends

If a person lacks a safe and supportive home environment, an inpatient treatment program may be a better option. A person attending inpatient treatment will have a safe environment and be removed from common triggers that may exist outside of the treatment facility.^2,4

At Oxford Treatment Center, the highly skilled clinical team works with each individual to determine the most appropriate level of addiction treatment for their situation.

Benefits of Outpatient Addiction Treatment

There are several benefits of outpatient rehab programs, including the following:

• Both full-day and partial-day treatment options are available.
• A person can attend treatment while continuing to fulfill their day-to-day work and family responsibilities.
• Offers support and continued addiction treatment for someone transitioning out of inpatient care.
• In cases where a person starts in an outpatient rehab program but needs more support, stepping up to inpatient care is easily done.
• Within the scope of outpatient care, there are multiple levels. This allows for the adjustment of treatment plans as a person’s needs change.
• Because outpatient treatment options do not include room and board, they tend to be more affordable.

How Long Is Outpatient Treatment?

How long outpatient treatment is depends on each person’s individual needs. At Oxford, treatment plans are customized and not based on any required timeframe. Instead, each person works with their clinical team to determine the amount of time they need in treatment.

Many patients start in one level of outpatient treatment and transition to other levels. If more support is needed, they may move to a more intensive level of treatment. As their recovery skills develop, they may step down to a less intensive level. Many factors can impact how long outpatient treatment lasts.