Outpatient Rehab Programs for Addiction

Outpatient addiction treatment can be an effective and flexible rehab option for people able to attend regular, sometimes daily appointments, without the need for overnight care—allowing them to continue living at home or other stable living environment outside of treatment hours.^{1, 2} Understanding what outpatient treatment is, what benefits it can provide, and how to find a suitable outpatient rehab program can be an important step in your journey to recovery.

What is Outpatient Treatment?

Outpatient treatment is a type of rehab that allows a person to continue to live at home, and, in many cases, maintain daily responsibilities such as work, school, or childcare, when treatment sessions are not being held.²  Many outpatient rehab centers offer flexible schedules and can provide treatment programming in the evenings or on weekends for people who need it.²

For those struggling with addiction, outpatient treatment can help people continue or, in some cases, initiate their substance use disorder (SUD) rehabilitation. Placement in outpatient care may be dependent on a person’s mental and physical health status, recovery goals, and other addiction-related needs. Various levels of outpatient care may have distinct program requirements as well as offer differential access to a range of treatment services.²  

In general, outpatient drug rehab can be an appropriate treatment placement for those who have stable living situations, supportive family and friends, and reliable transportation to regular treatment sessions.² People should also be motivated and willing to attend regular sessions if they opt for any type of outpatient rehab setting.³

Types of Outpatient Treatment Programs

Different types of outpatient drug and alcohol treatment are available to suit different needs.² Various levels of outpatient treatment include intensive outpatient programs, partial hospitalization programs, as well as traditional outpatient care.² The frequency of care and duration of treatment depends on the program as well as a person’s individual needs.¹

Standard outpatient treatment can take place in a variety of clinical or office settings, with regularly scheduled sessions taking place as infrequently as once a week, dependent on treatment needs.²  As discussed more below, more intensive levels of outpatient care will involve more frequent participation throughout the week, for more hours per week, depending on program type.²

Generally speaking, people should be placed in the least restrictive environment that will be safe and effective for their needs, and will enable them to move throughout the appropriate continuum of care.³ Ideally, prior to entering outpatient treatment for addiction, everyone will undergo a comprehensive evaluation by a treatment professional to better formulate an individualized treatment plan and determine the proper rehab placement.²

Intensive Outpatient Programs

As the name implies, an intensive outpatient program (IOP) is one of the more intensive forms of outpatient drug treatment that offers between 9-20 hours of programming per week.² It can be a beneficial form of treatment for people who do not require 24-hour supervision, but who would still benefit from a more structured and intensive level of care.⁴ IOPs may be helpful as a step-down form of treatment for those who have recently completed an inpatient or residential SUD treatment program, or as a step-up for those currently participating in standard individual or group outpatient care whose recovery efforts would benefit from a more intensive level of care.⁴

During an intensive outpatient addiction treatment program, people participate in different forms of therapies in individual and group settings, receive medication if necessary, and benefit from a wide range of additional services, such as peer support, wellness programs, vocational services, and treatment for co-occurring disorders, such as depression or anxiety.⁴

Partial Hospitalization Programs

A partial hospitalization program (PHP), also known as day treatment or high-intensity outpatient program (HIOP), represents the most intensive level of outpatient rehab care.^2,3 Though treatment hours may vary, people might expect to participate in treatment between 4-8 hours per day, most days of the week, and receive a variety of types of outpatient therapy and treatments.^{2, 3}

Like other forms of intensive outpatient programming, a PHP may be used as a step-down from inpatient rehab or a step-up from more standard forms of outpatient care, or as a standalone form of treatment for people who need a very high level of support but cannot attend inpatient rehab.⁴

What Are the Benefits of Outpatient Programs for Addiction?

Outpatient programs can offer different benefits that inpatient treatment may not. This can include:

• A lower cost.⁵ Outpatient programs typically offer a lower price than residential or inpatient programs.⁵
• Flexible treatment schedules.² As mentioned above, people can often participate in treatment in the evenings or weekends.²
• The ability to continue to live at home.² People can remain in their home environments and stay with loved ones without the worry that some might have about being separated.²
• The option to take care of daily responsibilities, such as work or childcare.⁵ For example, as many programs take place in the evenings, people won’t necessarily have to take time off from work or make extensive arrangements for childcare.
• Reintegration into daily life while still taking part in treatment. People have the opportunity to practice the skills they’re learning in treatment in real-time, while interacting with others and living their day-to-day lives.⁶
• Staying close to home.² People won’t have to worry about traveling to and staying in an unfamiliar environment.

Finding Outpatient Rehab Near Me

Outpatient rehab allows you to receive treatment while continuing to live at home, making it a flexible option for many people in recovery. To get started, use our search tool to find rehabs near you and filter by “outpatient rehab” or other treatment types. Many addiction treatment programs offer outpatient care as part of a continuum of services, allowing you to step down from inpatient treatment or begin recovery with structured support. Narrowing your search by location, insurance, and services can help you find the right fit for your needs.