5 Questions To Ask About Outpatient Care & Your Loved One

Everyone wants what is best for their loved ones.

If you are reading this article, it's probably because you are seeking help for a loved one who is struggling with substance use problems. Because of the difficult nature of this conversation that must occur between you and your loved one, it is extremely important to make sure you’re educated on treatment options before trying to have the conversation.

The more you educate yourself, the better you will know which type of treatment will be best for your loved one who needs help.

Outpatient treatment is a great option for people whose addictions are still at a manageable level or those who have already completed a more intensive program — like residential treatment — and have relapsed or feel the need for continued treatment or a bridge between inpatient treatment and living out their sobriety at home.

To ensure your loved one gets the best possible form of treatment for them to reach recovery and lasting sobriety, consider the following questions to see if outpatient care is the right option for them.

Will Your Loved One Be Able to Pause Responsibilities Outside of Recovery?

Because inpatient treatment requires overnight stays and 24/7 monitoring, if your loved one entered an inpatient program, they would have to put any responsibilities they may have in their lives on pause for weeks or months. One of the most driving benefits of outpatient care is that it is extremely flexible. Most outpatient programs run sessions in the mornings, evenings, and weekends so that your loved one can continue working, going to school, or taking care of their family.

If your loved one does not have the financial freedom to stop working for a time or has a family to care for, outpatient care may be the right option for them. In addition, outpatient care allows for a more balanced lifestyle and personalized path to recovery.

How Severe Is Your Loved One's Addiction?

When you’re in the process of deciding on addiction treatment for your loved one, it’s important to take an honest look at their addiction and how it may be negatively affecting their lives and the lives of those around them, including yourself. If you think your loved one might require round-the-clock monitoring, inpatient treatment is probably the best option for them.

However, if their addiction is still in the early stages or if they’ve already been through an inpatient treatment program and simply need some maintenance in their aftercare plans, outpatient treatment is probably best for them. If you need help assessing your loved one’s needs, talking to an addiction specialist or medical professional is a good step to include in your search process.

Does Your Loved One Need Detoxification Services?

Oftentimes, people avoid getting treatment because they fear the withdrawal process. If you think your loved one may have strong withdrawal symptoms once they stop using based on the type, duration, and intensity of use, inpatient treatment is highly recommended. The detoxification process requires round-the-clock care by medical professionals, an asset that outpatient care doesn’t offer.

If you are still leaning toward outpatient care because of its many benefits or because your loved one simply can’t afford inpatient treatment, look into a detox program before the outpatient program begins.

Does Your Loved One Suffer From a Co-Occurring Mental Illness?

If you believe your loved one may be suffering from both addiction and a mental illness conjunctively, this is considered a dual diagnosis. In this case, inpatient treatment may be best. Inpatient treatment offers a more individualized and comprehensive approach to treatment and is oftentimes more prepared to treat dual diagnoses than outpatient programs.

Because addiction and mental illness so often inform each other, treating both concurrently give your loved one the best chance at full, long-term recovery. Residential treatment is allotted more time to help and has more resources available when it comes to treating addiction and co-occurring mental illnesses. Outpatient treatment may still be viable, but this is an important point to consider. 

Does Your Loved One Need to Learn New Ways to Cope?

Throughout any addiction recovery process, people are adding tools to their belts to attain and maintain a sober lifestyle. Each tool they pick up along the way will aid in them developing healthy coping skills and avoiding relapse, keeping their recovery on track. Participating in group therapy and building a strong sober community offers different perspectives on certain challenges and will help your loved one feel less alone.

If this is something you think they may lack and be looking for, outpatient care will give them this opportunity just as well as inpatient care. The healthier coping mechanisms they adopt, the less likely they are to experience a relapse in the future.

Choosing the Right Outpatient Program

If you’ve decided that an outpatient addiction treatment program is best for your loved one who is struggling, the next step is to figure out which specific treatment center they should look into. The Edge Treatment Center offers flexible outpatient programs and can help answer any questions you may have about the process of choosing the right treatment center for your loved one.

At The Edge Treatment Center, we give all of our patients the individualized care they need to achieve sobriety and make it last. By facilitating group sessions, we create a strong and dedicated sober environment and support system for our clients to continue to be a part of even after treatment is completed.

If you think we may be the right fit for the one you love, don’t wait to get them help.