There are two types of alcohol treatment programs in Florida: inpatient and outpatient. During inpatient, patients are expected to live at the treatment facility, and they are not allowed to leave until they have completed the program. Outpatient rehab, on the other hand, is a more flexible option where patients only attend treatment during their scheduled therapy sessions.
Inpatient is designed for people with severe alcohol use disorders, co-occurring conditions, or high risk for relapse. However, not everyone who struggles with alcoholism needs to uproot their lives and put aside their responsibilities to spend 30, 60, or 90 days at a treatment facility. There are several types of people who can benefit from an outpatient alcohol rehab program in Florida rather than an inpatient one.
Treating Mild Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) With Outpatient Rehab
The first type of person who can benefit from an outpatient alcohol treatment program is someone who has been diagnosed with a mild alcohol use disorder (AUD). AUD is diagnosed on a scale of mild, moderate, and severe. The more severe a person’s diagnosis, the higher level of care they require for adequate care.
People who are determined to have a mild AUD may be able to successfully stop drinking with the help of an outpatient program. These individuals should be highly motivated toward their recovery, not physically dependent on alcohol, and live in a supportive, sober, and structured home. Outpatient rehab can teach these patients how to stop drinking while still managing their daily responsibilities.
Seeking Continuing Care After Detox and Inpatient Rehab
Patients who have moderate to severe AUD are usually advised to attend inpatient rehab. This is because they can benefit from a more structured treatment program as well as medical detox services. However, making the transition from inpatient rehab back to real life can be challenging. Life can be full of unexpected triggers and events that make a person want to drink. Without adequate support, it can be easy to fall back into old behaviors.
Another type of person who can benefit from outpatient alcohol rehab in Florida is someone who has already completed detox and inpatient rehab but is seeking continuing care. In these individuals, outpatient serves as a bridge that helps ease the transition from residential care to independent living. An outpatient treatment program can help reinforce the coping skills that patients learn while in residential treatment while providing them with ongoing support and accountability.
Balancing Outpatient Alcohol Rehab With Work or School
Not everyone has the luxury of taking time off of work or school to attend a residential alcohol treatment program. Even though there are legal protections for some jobs, like FMLA, and some schools offer exemptions for students requiring behavioral or mental health treatment, FMLA does not guarantee pay, and missing school can set a person back for weeks or months in their education and career. As a result, people who cannot take time off of work or school can benefit from an outpatient alcohol rehab program in Florida.
Outpatient programs are flexible and on an appointment-only basis. Sessions are held several times a week and only last an hour or two at a time. This flexible schedule makes it easy for people to balance treatment with work, school, or other obligations in their day-to-day life. With that said, if a person goes to outpatient rehab and is unable to stop drinking, he or she should consider putting work or school aside for a more intensive treatment program.
Taking Care of Family During Outpatient Alcohol Rehab
Parents, particularly single parents, have the hardest, most important job of all. They are full-time caregivers to children who depend on them for their livelihood. Since very few addiction treatment centers allow single parents to bring their children to rehab, many parents find themselves turning to outpatient rehab for care.
It is much easier to hire a babysitter or leave a child with a family member for a couple of hours each week than it is to find a full-time caregiver who is trustworthy and responsible enough to take on the role of mom or dad. As a result, outpatient alcohol rehab is a great option for single parents. It allows them to continue their vital role as a parent while getting the help they need.
Find an Outpatient Alcohol Rehab in Florida Today
If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, you may feel as though you are unable to put your life and responsibilities aside to get the help you need. The truth is you don’t have to. An outpatient alcohol treatment program in Florida will allow you to get healthy and stop drinking without asking you to sacrifice work, school, family, time, or finances. All you have to do is pick up the phone, call one of our addiction specialists, and be willing to get help.
Don’t wait any longer. Call now to speak with an addiction counselor about finding the right alcohol rehab program for you.
