Outpatient Treatment vs. Inpatient Treatment, Therapy Options, Types, Benefits, Purpose

We Level Up FL is a primary mental health center offering co-occurring treatments. We treat the entirety of behavioral health disorders including their secondary corresponding illnesses to improve long-term recovery outcomes. Get a free mental health assessment and find out what treatment options are most suitable for you.


We Level Up Florida can help with inpatient primary mental health therapy. Depending on the extent of secondary behavioral disorders such as addiction we can first help assess your condition and thereafter guide you to suitable treatment options. We do not offer PHP, IOP or outpatient level of care at this time. Programs, services, and treatments vary.

What is Outpatient Treatment?

Outpatient treatment is a form of mental health and or alcohol or drug rehabilitation that allows patients to live at home.  It will enable the individual to continue with their regular responsibilities. Treatment sessions take place at various times throughout the week. However, they may be required to check into treatment at their allotted time for counseling and medication. Individuals with a strong will to succeed in recovery and who have a committed and disciplined approach may benefit from an outpatient treatment program.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)[1], outpatient treatment may differ in the types and intensity of services offered. It is less expensive than residential, or inpatient treatment and often is more suitable for people with jobs or extensive social supports or commitments. Some outpatient programs are also designed to treat patients with medical or other mental health problems in addition to their drug or alcohol addiction.

Outpatient treatment may consist of several therapeutic interventions and support services such as:

we level up treatment facility
We Level Up FL Inpatient Treatment Facility
  • Group and individual counseling
  • Family therapy and education sessions
  • Occupational or recreational therapy
  • Psychotherapy
  • Family therapy
  • Medication-assisted treatment (if needed)

Outpatient Treatment Settings May Occur in:

  • Mental health clinics
  • Substance abuse treatment centers
  • Community health clinics
  • Hospital-affiliated clinics
  • Office settings
  • Residential facilities that provide outpatient clinics

Levels of Intensity of Outpatient Treatment

  • Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP):  It is sometimes called “day treatment” which allows clients to go home at night and spend the day receiving treatment safely inside the treatment facility.  These programs has medical and clinical support staff qualified to treat complex or unstable medical and psychiatric conditions.  It typically provide approximately 20 hours of highly intensive treatment each week. This is to support patients who need daily monitoring in a structured setting.
  • Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs):  These programs also has  medical and clinical support staff qualified to treat complex or unstable medical and psychiatric conditions but it is less intense than PHP. Patients typically attend from 9 and 20 hours of treatment weekly.
  • Standard Outpatient Programs (OPs):  There are minimal, if any, medical services offered in this level of care.  Treatment consists of fewer than 9 hours of treatment each week.

Inpatient vs Outpatient

It will require professional treatment to overcome addiction. In general, there are two types of addiction treatment: inpatient and outpatient. Inpatient treatment is where a person stays 24 hours a day in a supportive therapeutic facility for a minimum of 28 days. Whereas outpatient treatment is where clients attend treatment daily or weekly, but return to their home each day.

While inpatient and outpatient treatments have many similarities, such as:

  • Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
  • Motivational interviewing
  • Family therapy
  • Mndfulness-based CBT
  • 12 Steps programs

Benefits of Inpatient Treatment

There are some circumstances in which inpatient rehab is more fitting than outpatient rehab. When drug or alcohol use has been running rampant for many years, treating withdrawal symptoms can be critical. The first step of alcohol or drug rehab is detox. In many cases, this process requires medical supervision at an inpatient facility.

Here are some of the benefits of inpatient rehab:

Residential Facilities

Clients reside within the treatment center 24 hours a day while participating in treatment at an inpatient rehab facility.  This supportive and safe setting removes possibly triggers, familiar using environments, and general life stressors.

24-hour Medical Care

Inpatient rehabs have medical professionals who monitor withdrawal symptoms and provide medication management when necessary.  Withdrawal symptoms happen when people suddenly stop using drugs.  Withdrawal from long-term use of some drugs such as opiates and alcohol can be life-threatening and require medical attention.  In such cases, inpatient treatment is absolutely necessary.

Intensive Therapeutic Programs

In residential treatment, all daily activities are focused on recovery from addiction.  This includes daily group therapy sessions where clients learn from one another about how their personalities and lifestyles have led to addictive behaviors.  One-on-one sessions allow clients to do more work processing inner emotions and external factors contributing to addiction.

Benefits of Outpatient Treatment

For mild to moderate mental health disorders and or co-occurring addictions, outpatient treatment is a possible treatment choice. Usually, a medical professional assesses if a client is suited for an outpatient program. Also, on how long someone needs to be in treatment based on different factors, such as the severity of addiction and other mental health issues (co-occurring disorders).

Some of the main reasons to consider outpatient rehab may include:

  • Affordability: This is because clients can live at home during outpatient treatment.
  • Flexibility: Outpatient programs can usually work around your schedule. This is crucial for those who feel like they can’t leave their job or family for an extended period.
  • Family access: Throughout the outpatient rehab program, family involvement and support are emphasized, as loved ones can help encourage you to stay on the path to sobriety.

Here is some information that can help family or friends should you choose to recover and rehabilitate in your home in an outpatient treatment setting:

  • Medication management
  • Personal care (bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, etc.)
  • Management and scheduling of therapy and medical appointments
  • Transportation going to your appointments
  • Medication pickups, food shopping, and other necessary errands
  • Preparation of meals and clean-up
  • Daily household tasks, like cleaning, laundry, or pet care, for instance

Take Control of your life today. Our friendly mental health specialists won’t give up on you.  Outpatient treatment is generally the proper treatment program to suit most clients when completing the inpatient level of care with us.  Call us now at We Level Up FL to talk about it.  We a have 24/7 hotline that is ready to assist alumni with outpatient planning.

We Level Up Florida can help with inpatient primary mental health therapy. Depending on the extent of secondary behavioral disorders such as addiction we can first help assess your condition and thereafter guide you to suitable treatment options.

Inpatient medical detox and residential primary addiction treatment may be available at our affiliated facility at Level Up West Palm Beach Addiction Clinic.

Sources

[1] NIDA – https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/drug-addiction-treatment-in-united-states/types-treatment-programs