Outpatient rehab allows teens to receive treatment while living at home by attending treatment sessions multiple times a week. Inpatient requires teens to live at the facility, with 24/7 supervision and a structured environment. Inpatient programs are more intensive and suitable for severe behavioral health issues, while outpatient programs offer flexibility for those with strong support systems at home.
Does your teen need an inpatient rehab program, or are they best served with an intensive outpatient treatment plan? Choosing between an inpatient and an outpatient plan can be difficult. When it comes to healthcare, it’s always a good idea to heed a professional’s opinion.
Psychiatrists and doctors tend to refer teens to inpatient programs if they require the structure and supervision that inpatient rehab offers, especially in cases of long-term drug use or comorbidity.
Outpatient programs are excellent for teens transitioning out of an inpatient residential treatment plan into day-to-day life afterward. They can also help teens who might have been in treatment before but experienced a relapse or feel that they need more support outside of their friends and family. This article provides an overview of outpatient vs inpatient rehab so you know what to expect.
Understanding Rehabilitation Options
In the context of substance use disorders, rehab usually refers to a long-term treatment program that primarily focuses on isolating someone from an environment where they can acquire drugs and then addressing the mental and physical health problems surrounding substance abuse, such as withdrawal symptoms, malnutrition, anxiety, depression, and other comorbid mental, behavioral, and physical health problems.
When people think of rehab, most think of inpatient treatment. Inpatient programs refer individuals to a live-in clinic or facility, usually a hospital or a residential setting. During their stay in an inpatient facility, teens receive individualized care, including different forms of talk therapy, medication management, alternative treatments such as yoga classes or acupuncture, skill-building classes, and post-treatment support.
Partial hospitalization is a step down from an inpatient program. During a partial hospitalization program, teens are required to attend hours-long intensive treatment most days of the week while going back home at the end of each day. Partial hospitalization programs are short but intense and are often designed to help teens transition out of or stay out of inpatient treatment.
Intensive outpatient programs are one step below partial hospitalization, involving shorter treatments and fewer days. IOPs can still take the better part of half a teen’s time every week – up to 30 hours, most of the time – but teens generally aren’t required to attend treatment nearly every day of the week. Intensive outpatient programs help teens with substance use disorders and comorbidities, as well as teens struggling with severe symptoms of depression or anxiety.
Non-intensive outpatient programs range anywhere from a single treatment session a week to up to six hours of treatment every seven days.
Outpatient vs Inpatient Rehab for Teens
Choosing between outpatient and inpatient rehab for teens depends on the severity of their condition and the level of support they need.
Inpatient rehab offers intensive, around-the-clock care, while outpatient rehab provides flexibility and allows teens to continue their daily routines. Here’s what parents need to know when comparing outpatient vs inpatient rehab for teens.
Differences Between Outpatient and Inpatient Rehab
Teens with a history of recent suicidality or extreme drug use are more likely to benefit from an inpatient treatment plan, where their physical and mental health can be monitored by professionals around the clock and addressed comprehensively through a holistic, interdisciplinary approach.
Outpatient programs are better suited to teens with milder symptoms and a strong support system at home but who may still need regularly scheduled treatment for a period.
Benefits of Outpatient Rehab
Outpatient rehab offers numerous benefits for teens seeking treatment for mental health or substance use issues. Outpatient rehab programs allow teens to receive professional support and therapy while maintaining their daily routines and staying connected with family and friends.
For teens with an established routine and a strong support system, maintaining this continuity can enhance the therapeutic process by providing real-world opportunities to apply new skills and coping strategies.
Furthermore, outpatient programs are often more affordable than inpatient options, making them accessible for more families. They also offer flexibility, with various levels of care, while giving teens the chance to continue to attend school, participate in extracurricular activities, and fulfill other responsibilities at home.
Benefits of Inpatient Rehab
The structured, immersive environment of an inpatient program removes teens from potentially harmful situations, by providing a safe space for focused recovery.
With 24/7 supervision, teens receive continuous care and support from professionals, ensuring immediate response to any medical or personal emergency. Inpatient programs allow for a more comprehensive treatment plan, including individual and group therapy, medication management, and holistic approaches like art therapy, animal-assisted therapy, experiential therapies, and more.
Interacting with other teens during the rehab process can help build a sense of community and understanding. Lastly, separation from everyday stressors enables teens to concentrate fully on their recovery without distractions.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Rehab
Which treatment plan is best for your teen? That ultimately depends on the severity of their condition, their attachment to their peers and environment, the risk of continuing to seek treatment and affect change while living in the same environment, the strength of their peer support, and a doctor’s professional recommendation.
If you’re considering rehab for your teen, it’s best to consult directly with a mental health professional.
Teen Treatment in California
Are you worried about your teen’s mental health? Visions Treatment Centers offers a safe and supportive environment where teens receive expert care and therapy tailored to their unique needs. We offer residential treatment, as well as intensive outpatient care, extended care, and teletherapy services.
It’s important to us that teens feel comfortable and safe at each of our facilities and continue to carry the lessons learned during therapy into the rest of their lives. We advocate for a thorough, extended care program to help teens transition back into day-to-day living with a personalized schedule and a robust support system at home.
Conclusion
Outpatient and inpatient rehab programs help teens regain control over their lives and make progress toward long-term recovery.
But which program is best for your teen? That depends on factors such as the severity of their symptoms, their peer relationships, and how much their environment – whether it’s friends, school, or home – contributes to their current condition.
Find out more about how inpatient and outpatient programs work at Visions.
