How to choose an outpatient or

inpatient drug rehab program

In most cases an addict or substance abuser would like to handle their problem with as little disruption to his life as is possible. Choosing an outpatient clinic allows them to continue working, seeing their children and coming home each day. But is this always wise? Unfortunately, the long-term abstinence rate for an individual entering outpatient treatment only is somewhere around 0.1 % or 1 addict remaining sober for every 1000. The harsh reality is that the primary reason outpatient clinics exist is for the client who isn't willing to do what is necessary to get and/or remain sober.

Why does one have to do so much "work" to get sober? To understand exactly why this is you must first understand what is necessary to become sober and enter into the recovery process.

If one has a true addiction, it is in most cases due a combination of un handled underlying causes as well as a diminished ability to handle or cope with life sober. In the beginning of the the recovery process, most alcoholics or addicts aren't fully aware of or even capable of facing these underlying issues. In addition to this, years of relying upon mind/mood altering substances to face uncomfortable feelings and life situations has left the recovering person with a very low capability of dealing with things without relying upon liquor or drugs. The proper guidance of a qualified professional can help someone to uncover, discover and discard those things within that are contributing to the addiction. Additionally, gaining the tools to improve or increase one's ability to deal with or confront uncomfortable feelings, things and situations is critical in gaining long-term sobriety. Learning how to do this on own's own, without guidance usually ends up in failure.

Is it entirely necessarily to enter into inpatient rehab to get sober? Not necessarily so, but understand that if you enter into an outpatient treatment program then there is additional work required to remain sober. For example, in a typical 12-step based intensive outpatient program of 8 hours per week, there is an additional suggested 20 hours of therapeutic work on the outside for the participant to do if he wished to remain sober. The reason that most people don't remain sober in an outpatient environment is that they aren't willing to do the extra work. They show up for a few group therapy sessions, sit passively in their chair and count the minutes until it is over. And since the average therapist to client ratio is about 1 to 20, the non-participating clients usually get overlooked. After the sessions, they leave, go home and don't attend additional support group meetings or meet with sponsors. They don't inform their families that there is additional work necessary. And when they drink or use drugs again the family feels that the "program didn't work". Inpatient rehabs create a safe environment less inclined to allow the addict to relapse into their drug of choice. In such a setting the client is more able to focus on themselves and their problems.

The harsh reality is that if the client was willing to do what was necessary to get and remain sober, they would've probably considered an inpatient rehab in the first place.