Addiction Treatment Success Rates For Outpatient and Residential Patients

Getting the help needed to treat a drug or alcohol addiction is the first step to take in the quest to manage this chronic, relapsing disease.  The importance of enlisting the help of professionals in the field of addiction and recovery is key, as treating addiction successfully requires this high level of expertise.  An addict or alcoholic who attempts to go it alone will likely discover that his or her efforts were made in vain.

 

 

Next comes the difficult task of deciding which level of care is appropriate for yourself or your loved one, as each addiction has so many variables and personal components involved.  There are three types of addiction treatment programs:  outpatient, inpatient, and residential care.  Addiction treatment success rates for each level of care may help in the decision-making process, although many variables contribute to long-term success.

 

Outpatient Treatment

 

Outpatient programs are a practical choice for addiction treatment in particular situations.  Perhaps the addiction is not yet severe or deeply entrenched, in which case the addict or alcoholic is not in need of 24-hour care and monitoring.  Also, due to the flexibility of an outpatient program, the ability to continue with work, school, or other personal responsibilities makes it a practical choice for many who are sincerely motivated to get sober.

 

Outpatient care involves having a case worker who can assess the individual’s specific needs and design appropriate intervention and care for them.  This typically involves detox support, ongoing counseling (both individual and group), and medication if necessary.  Some intensive outpatient programs require attendance for several hours a day, and may also offer career counseling and family counseling.

 

Addiction treatment success rates for outpatient programs will vary depending on the treatment elements offered, as well as the length of the addict’s involvement in the program, and whether they also attended fellowship groups—12-step or non12-step—in addition to the outpatient therapy.  Success rates for completion of the outpatient program are 43%, with 18% remaining sober after five years.

 

Inpatient Treatment

 

Inpatient addiction treatment involves a higher level of care in a treatment facility, making it appropriate for more severe addictions.  Detox is medically monitored and rigorous counseling, 12-step involvement, and medication are common features of inpatient care.  The length of stay in an inpatient rehab is typically one month.

 

 

Because a large percentage of addicts also have a co-occurring mental health disorder, an inpatient program is able to also treat the dual diagnosis.  Common mental health conditions that accompany addiction are depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.

 

The addiction treatment success rate for inpatient programs is dependent on several factors, including the level of family involvement, the degree to which the co-occurring mental health disorder was treated, and the level of aftercare provided.  Generally, inpatient programs see 73% of patients completing the program, and 21% still sober at the five-year mark.

 

Residential Treatment

 

Residential addiction treatment is the highest level of care available, spanning 3-6 months or longer.  Because of the length of stay in the program, the addict or alcoholic has a better chance of making lasting changes in behaviors and acquiring strong coping skills to help manage stress and avoid relapse.  Also, the brain pathways affected by the addiction have more time to heal.

 

Basically, residential treatment includes all the same treatment elements of an inpatient program, but for a longer period of time.  Addiction treatment success rates for residential programs show that 51% complete the program and 21% are still sober after five years.

 

About Marissa Katrin Maldonado

Marissa Katrin Maldonado is the founder of The Treatment Specialist, which is a free treatment referral service for those seeking addiction or mental health treatment for themselves or their loved ones.  To continue to provide more specific treatment options for those in need, Heroin Detox Near Me was designed to help those struggling with heroin addiction.