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Outpatient vs. Inpatient Addiction Treatment in Idaho: How to Choose

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But… This is not a conscious decision I make. It’s a physical reaction and my body craves drugs and I respond to it. I realize I don’t want to be doing it – and it’s too late. I’m already doing it… Even with a supportive family, it’s hard to overcome the mental health and addiction challenges – and even to recognize that there are people who love and are there for you.” ~ Boise native Chris Johnson, as quoted in the Idaho Statesman If you have been struggling with any type of substance abuse disorder – illicit drug addiction, alcoholism, or the misuse of prescription medications – and you have made the positive, life-changing decision to admit your problem, ask for help, and begin recovery – congratulations! Going to rehab to learn how to best manage your disease of addiction is the best decision you could ever make for yourself, your future, and your family. But if you live in Boise, Idaho, or anywhere else across the state – Nampa, Meridian, Coeur d’Alene – there are so many options for substance abuse rehab that it can be overwhelming trying to figure out what happens next. One of the questions that you are probably wrestling with right now is whether you should go to inpatient/residential rehab or participate in an outpatient rehab program. Let’s be frank here – if you’re new to recovery, the very last thing you need in your life is more confusion. Here are some tips on how to decide which option might be best for YOU:

Start by Focusing on YOUR Needs

You should be seeking a level of drug/alcohol rehab that reflects the severity of your illness:

  • How long have you been abusing drugs and/or alcohol?
  • How heavy of a drinker/user are you?
  • How often do you drink alcohol or consume drugs?
  • What is your specific substance of choice?
  • Have you been diagnosed with any other mental or personality disorders – anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or PTSD?

If you have a moderate-to-severe substance abuse disorder, you would probably be best served in an inpatient setting. The specific manifestation of your illness means that you require a greater level of care in order to maximize your chances for successful, long-lasting recovery. The best inpatient drug rehab programs in Boise, Idaho, and elsewhere in the state will provide medically-supervised care and monitoring in a safe, therapeutic environment far removed from the stresses and temptations of everyday life. Inpatient drug/alcohol rehab is also recommended for those clients who have had unsuccessful attempts at rehab the past. An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is designed to help those individuals with a less-severe (but equally dangerous) manifestation of the disease of addiction. It can also be a viable option for people who have recently graduated from an inpatient program and who now require ongoing supportive aftercare in order to complete their treatment program.

Inpatient/Outpatient Addiction Recovery in Idaho – Two Opposing Viewpoints

Some newly-abstinent addicts and alcoholics believe that their road to recovery always has to begin with outpatient rehab—the least intensive, least expensive level of addiction treatment. An IOP is a work on a part-time basis, typically somewhere around 15-18 hours per week in a combination of educational classes, one-on-one counseling, peer group therapy, and family/couples sessions. This small time commitment has a number of advantages:

  • You can keep your job, with very little accommodation
  • You can continue to attend school
  • You live at home
  • You don’t have to miss any family activities or obligations
  • Every day, you can practice the recovery skills you have learned.
  • Much less expensive than an inpatient program.

For many people, that last benefit is the top – and sometimes ONLY – a priority when they are considering what type of drug and alcohol treatment they need. Affordability is always a concern, true, but the efficacy of the treatment needs to be the REAL consideration. Luckily, since the Patient Protection Affordable Care Act passed, inpatient drug rehab in Idaho is now within the reach of more state residents than ever before. Inpatient addiction treatment is now becoming the first option for many newly-abstaining addicts and alcoholics. Benefits include:

  • Keeps the focus on the addiction – the problem cannot be minimized
  • Provides around-the-clock supervision and monitoring in a safe, therapeutic environment
  • Many facilities offer medically-supervised alcohol and drug detoxification
  • Gives the addict/alcoholic structure
  • Teaches healthy lifestyle skills
  • Removes everyday temptations, triggers, and any opportunity to drink or use
  • Facilities offering holistic therapies focus on “total wellness”, rather than just upon the symptoms of the disease of addiction

Experts agree that individuals who are able to check into inpatient alcohol or drug rehab maximize the chances of a successful, long-lasting recovery when they say some sort of treatment plan for a minimum of 90 days. The only downside for some people about inpatient treatment is the fact that while they are in residence, they are unable to work or spend significant time with their families and loved ones. If you have questions about which option is best for you, you should call the intake and assessment line of a reputable alcohol and drug rehab program in Idaho. After the assessment, you will have all the information you need to make an intelligent decision about what you should do next.