It can be easy to feel overwhelmed when considering which type of treatment is right for you. Luckily, here at Sage Recovery, we have the resources to help you choose the best route for your healing journey. Read on to learn more about outpatient care and if it might be the right path for you.
What Is Outpatient Care?
Outpatient care is a type of treatment for people who are trying to heal from something, including addiction and mental health disorders. This type of care allows patients to live at home and commute to a treatment center, clinic, or hospital for their treatment during the day. Outpatient care is different than residential treatment, in which the patient is required to live on campus while attending intensive treatment sessions.
Who Benefits From Outpatient Care?
It is important to note that each individual’s needs are unique. Levels of addiction, diagnoses, and symptoms vary from person to person. As a result, the types and effectiveness of treatments will also vary. In a publication by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), it is acknowledged that the people who benefit most from outpatient care are those who have:
- A willingness to attend counseling sessions regularly
- Supportive friends or family members
- A place to live
- Some form of transportation to get to treatment sessions
Outpatient care is not for everyone, just like residential treatment may not work for everyone. The effectiveness of treatment depends on if the quality and type of care received are best suited for the person receiving it.
Finding the Root Cause of Addiction
The severity of a person’s substance use disorder (SUD) is an important factor that’s measured when evaluating what type of care would be most beneficial. The length of addiction, intensity, frequency of substance use, and types of substances used are extremely important elements that are considered in this process.
Another vital component of treating addiction is finding the root cause of the addiction. At Sage Recovery, we refer to this as “treating more than just the symptoms.” Substance addiction is typically a symptom of something deeper. Many factors play into SUD, including genetics, environment, mental health, and trauma.
If the whole person is not cared for and only the addiction is treated, the likelihood of a relapse is extremely high. The patient has a higher chance of securing lasting sobriety if their mind, body, and soul are effectively cared for in tandem. It is also vital to ensure that any co-occurring mental health disorders (such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder) are properly addressed.
The Importance of a Support System
Having a reliable support system is an extremely important element of healing from SUD. Much like how diagnoses and treatment vary from person to person, support systems can vary as well. Some people have supportive family, friends, and community that can provide transportation, childcare, and emotional safety as they heal. Others may lean heavily on their licensed clinician or peers they meet in group therapy or through the treatment program.
Two of the most important aspects of a support system need to be understanding and grace. People may not understand the reason behind the addiction or the difficulty of healing, but they need to understand that addiction is a disease. It’s not easily controlled or fixed and needs to be treated with care and expertise. As a result, many programs include family therapy as part of their treatment program. This provides everyone the opportunity to learn how to healthily deal with all aspects of their family member’s recovery.
The Freedom of Outpatient Care
As previously stated by SAMHSA, outpatient care can be beneficial for those who have career responsibilities, family obligations (such as taking care of children), and a strong support system. However, it is also important to consider the amount of freedom outpatient care provides. This freedom could help empower the patient to take charge of their recovery and learn how to actively recover in their everyday life. Alternatively, it could provide too much freedom and leave room for the patient to be triggered by unhealthy relationships or environments.
Sage Recovery’s Outpatient Care
At Sage Recovery, we pride ourselves on offering innovative treatments that help our patients heal healthily. We believe there are multiple pathways to healing and, as a result, we make sure our trauma-informed licensed clinicians are extensively trained in multiple therapeutic techniques. This ensures that the patient receives the individualized care they deserve while they heal in the way that is most effective for them.
Our outpatient program treats adolescents and adults, providing custom-treatment options to fit every situation. Some examples of treatment options we offer adults include:
- Individual & group yoga therapy sessions
- Nutrition consultations with blood work
- Pharmacogenetic testing
- Acupuncture detoxification
- Weekly group therapy
- Individual and family counseling
At Sage Recovery, our goal is to help you heal healthily. Each of our master’s level clinicians are trained to provide trauma-informed care, so you can be sure you will be treated with the dignity and care you deserve. Offering traditional services such as DBT, CBT, EMDR, and group therapy, our clinicians are experts in their fields and know how to help you heal in the healthiest ways. In addition, our clinicians also specialize in innovative approaches such as equine therapy, art therapy, yoga, acupuncture detoxification, and more. Whatever your path to recovery looks like, we’re here to walk alongside you every step of the way. Reach out to us at (512) 306-1394 whenever you’re ready. We’re here for you.