What’s The Difference Between Inpatient and Outpatient Rehab?

Rehab can take many forms and many names: inpatient, residential, outpatient, day treatment programs, and so on. However, for many people, the distinction between all of these is not actually clear and can be tricky to understand. Knowing the difference is really important in the long term.

But what are inpatient and outpatient rehab, and why are they considered to be so different compared to one another?

What is Inpatient Rehab?

Inpatient rehab refers to any rehab program that puts you in the professional care of a well-equipped medical facility, whether that is a regular hospital or a specialized rehab center. 

These programs involve the patient moving into the medical facility for an indeterminate amount of time and are usually considered to be the most effective kind of rehab for serious conditions.

The benefit of inpatient rehab is that it provides the recovering patient with the best care and medical attention and is especially useful for those with co-occurring mental health problems. 

They are also often a good choice for those with physical disabilities and other such issues since these rehab facilities will have the specialist medical equipment required to keep the patient comfortable.

However, there is one big drawback to this form of treatment: it can be expensive. Because the patient is living in the facility for the duration of their stay, the bills can add up quite quickly, especially if you are going for a long stint. 

On the other hand, this might be worth the cost if the addiction is severe enough since you will be getting the best possible treatment for a fixed price.

What is Outpatient Rehab?

Outpatient rehab is just as its name suggests: a rehab program with fewer restrictions, where you are either partially hospitalized or living completely outside of the rehab center. In either case, the focus is more on comfort, with visits from medical professionals rather than round-the-clock care.

This is better for an addiction with less severe effects or one that is already part of being dealt with. Outpatients can live as normal alongside family and friends and are not confined to the hospital. This can either mean regular visits or required attendance to rehab sessions, depending on the situation and kind of care they are being given.

Because outpatient treatment is not as intrusive, it is also generally cheaper than an inpatient course. It is often a good starting point for a new recovering addict as long as their addiction is not too extreme, but it also relies on the patient being more cooperative and willing to accept the treatment.

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Rehab: Which is Right for You?

As with everything, there is a time and a place for both kinds of rehab. Neither is more effective than the other, but they do work differently and are meant for different needs.

The general rule is that the inpatient option is more useful for a severe, unmanageable addiction, while outpatient treatment is more helpful for the less extreme cases. You should also consider your budget since inpatient treatment can be more expensive but also more effective at getting the addiction dealt with sooner.

Whether it is at a dedicated alcohol rehab centre or a typical local hospital, both options can be worthwhile. It just depends on what the patient needs and how serious their addiction is in their overall day-to-day life.