Outpatient Rehab for Drugs & Alcohol: Find Outpatient Addiction Treatment

What Is Outpatient Rehab?

Outpatient rehab is a form of substance use treatment that doesn’t require overnight stays at a hospital or residential facility. It can serve as an effective and flexible option for those looking to recover from substance use disorders (SUDs) while still working or studying.

How Outpatient Rehab Works

Although they’re less intensive than inpatient or residential rehabilitation, outpatient rehab programs entail a wide variety of therapeutic interventions and services, and can take place in many different settings.1,2

Outpatient addiction treatment provides patients with the appropriate treatment intensity, as well as professional support and accountability that they’ll need—taking into account SUD severity, strengths, goals, and treatment objectives. Some outpatient rehab programs also offer evening and weekend sessions, making it easier for patients to balance treatment needs with personal, family and professional responsibilities or obligations.1

Where To Find Outpatient Rehab Near Me?

In outpatient rehab, patients typically visit a treatment location on a regular schedule—during specific hours and days of the week.¹ ³ 

Common outpatient treatment settings include:¹

• Substance use treatment centers
• Hospital-affiliated outpatient departments
• Community health clinics
• Mental health clinics
• Office-based practices
• Residential facilities that offer outpatient services

What Outpatient Rehab Involves

There are different levels of intensity of outpatient drug rehab programs, each designed to match the individual’s needs and stage of recovery.

Regardless of whether treatment is provided on an inpatient or outpatient basis, addiction rehab treatment takes into account an individual’s specific needs. Outpatient treatment may consist of several therapeutic interventions and support services, such as:

• Group and individual therapy 
• Family therapy
• Education sessions
• Occupational or recreational therapy
• Psychotherapy
• Medication for addiction treatment
• Other treatment services.

Therapies are selected and scheduled based on program availability and the patient’s needs.1,2

In general, outpatient drug or alcohol treatment can be preferable for recovery from a substance use disorder, due to its flexibility and reduced expense. 

It is also generally just as effective as the services provided on an inpatient basis. There are several situations where getting treatment as an outpatient may not be the preferred form of care initially, but most individuals in recovery from a substance use disorder will find that they eventually need to transition to outpatient treatment.

Benefits of Outpatient Treatment

For patients where outpatient treatment meets their needs, it also offers benefits over inpatient treatment:

• Greater flexibility of scheduling, generally allowing patients to attend treatment when it is more convenient for them, allowing for little or no disruption in their normal responsibilities at home, work, or school.1,2
• Outpatient treatment typically costs less, which sometimes also means a person might receive treatment over a longer duration of time, which may increase the chance of successful treatment outcomes.2,5,6

Patients have the opportunity to apply the skills they learn in treatment immediately in their home setting or other living environment while still having the support and feedback of their treatment staff team and recovering peers.5

Types of Outpatient Rehab

There are different levels of intensity of outpatient rehab, including:1,2,4,5,6

Patients who don’t require medically managed or monitored 24/7 care typically start at the level that meets their needs. Movement between levels of care is determined by progress in treatment, severity of SUD, and medical stability, and takes into consideration whether a patient is ready to live more independently.1,3,5

How Does Outpatient Rehab Work?

While the specifics of every outpatient program vary, individuals can expect to participate in a combination of group and individual counseling, substance use disorder education, life skills training, relapse prevention training, and more.1,2 Specifically, outpatient programs may utilize a combination of therapies and other services including:

• Behavioral counseling and therapy
• Evaluation and treatment for co-occurring disorders, such as anxiety and depression
• Substance use monitoring
• Case and clinical management
• Long-term continuing care focused on relapse prevention

Core Services Offered in Outpatient Addiction Treatment

According to Treating Addiction: A Guide for Professionals, outpatient drug and alcohol programs can provide nearly all the same services available in residential treatment—except in cases requiring 24/7 medical supervision or certain procedures. These services include:

• Most medically assisted treatments and pharmacotherapies: Most of the medically assisted treatments recommended for recovery from substance misuse can be provided on an outpatient basis. Individuals can also be prescribed medications during recovery to take on an outpatient basis.
• All types of psychosocial interventions: These services depend on the offerings of the rehab program. You don’t have to be in an inpatient program to access effective therapies. Most psychosocial interventions—like individual and group therapy, support groups, and even alternative treatment—can be offered in both inpatient and outpatient settings. It all depends on the rehab center’s specific offerings.
• Psychoeducation: Include skill building shops, lectures, etc. to help individuals acquire new skills or information. These are just as effective in outpatient care as inpatient care. Note they do not formally qualify as therapy or interventions. 
• Support services: Non-therapeutic services for individuals who need specific supports during recovery, such as transportation to rehab centers, mentoring services, educational and occupational supports, etc.
• Case management services: Specific services for individuals who have special needs. These services are often not provided directly by recovery teams. They may include helping an individual find a job or job training, find affordable accommodation, or find a psychiatrist who specializes in their needs, etc.

Aside from the benefits of direct intervention, such as receiving medications, undergoing therapy, and participating in support groups, individuals can accrue additional benefits in outpatient care, such as developing social connections, enjoying peer support, and finding personal motivation and feelings of purpose.

What’s the Difference Between Inpatient and Outpatient Rehab?

While both inpatient and outpatient rehab programs offer a wide variety of therapies to help patients overcome substance use disorders, there are two main factors that differentiate the two types of programs, such as:

Where Patients Live

• Inpatient rehab: Patients live at the treatment facility for the duration of care.
• Outpatient rehab: Patients live at home or in a sober living environment and travel to the facility for scheduled sessions.¹ ⁵
• Some outpatient programs may assist with or refer individuals to supportive housing if a stable living environment is not available.

Level of Medical and Clinical Monitoring

• Inpatient programs offer 24/7 monitoring, access to medical and clinical staff when needed, in addition to community- or group-based recovery services.4,
• These facilities are equipped to care for individuals with severe substance use disorders or who require medically managed withdrawal or have serious co-occurring medical or mental health conditions.1,5
• Outpatient care, while still structured and supportive, is typically more appropriate for individuals who are medically stable and do not require access to around-the-clock monitoring.

Behavioral Therapies Used in Outpatient Treatment

Both inpatient and outpatient rehab programs may use a variety of therapeutic techniques in treating substance use disorders.2 While specific therapies vary by treatment center, a patient’s individualized treatment plan will guide which approaches are used. Common behavioral therapies used in outpatient rehab include:1,2,3,6

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy: Teaching and applying coping skills, exploring cravings, avoiding triggers, and identifying and applying alternative coping strategies when faced with high-risk situations that could lead to relapse.
• Contingency management: Provides small rewards as positive reinforcement for desirable behaviors, such as consistently attending treatment and staying sober.
• Community reinforcement approach plus vouchers: Counseling to teach required skills to reduce or stop substance use, improve family and social relationships, and encourage positive, healthy hobbies. 
• Motivational enhancement therapy: Can help individuals overcome mixed feelings about sobriety and treatment, boosting motivation and confidence in their ability to make positive changes and develop better coping skills.
• The matrix model: Provides education about substance use disorders and recovery, encourages participation in mutual-help meetings, and promotes sobriety through teaching relapse prevention skills, offering social support in group settings, and offering family counseling sessions.
• Twelve-step facilitation therapy: Incorporates key strategies from AA-style self-help/mutual-help support groups into individual and group counseling, as well as encourages participation in 12-step groups and meetings. This helps individuals build a sober support network to help maintain abstinence.
• Family behavior therapy: Involves at least one family member or significant other in counseling to address substance use and other home-related issues, including family relationships, mental health disorders, vocational problems, and the care and treatment of children within the household. 

Listen to Greenhouse Treatment Center‘s Gary Malone, MD discuss the role of therapy in addiction treatment. 

Challenges of Outpatient Drug Rehab

While outpatient rehab offers flexibility, it may not be suitable for everyone. One key challenge is managing complex medical or psychiatric needs. Individuals with co-occurring mental health or medical conditions may require a higher level of coordinated care than some outpatient programs can provide. In such cases, an inpatient or specialised co-occurring disorder program may be more appropriate, like an inpatient program specializing in depression treatment, may be best.1,2

Attending scheduled sessions is essential in outpatient rehab, so a lack of reliable transportation can make consistent attendance challenging.1,3

How Long Does Outpatient Rehab Last?

The duration of outpatient treatment is dependent on each patient’s individual needs and a variety of individual factors, such as:2,5

• Severity of substance misuse
• Rate of progress in a treatment program
• Whether or not they suffer from co-occurring mental or physical health issues
• If they’ve relapsed during treatment
• Any other factors related to recovery from their substance use

A patient’s needs are likely to evolve and require adjustment as treatment progresses, and in some cases, a person might step down to a less intensive level of treatment or step up to a more intensive level of treatment.2

How Much Does Outpatient Treatment Cost?

A multitude of factors affect the cost of outpatient treatment, such as the location, the facility, insurance coverage, level of care, length of care, and other services.

That said, the following are general estimates for outpatient treatment:

• Partial hospitalization: $350-$450 per day (private pay rate without insurance)
• Intensive outpatient care: $250-$350 per day

The following are estimates for detox and inpatient care:

• Supervised medical detox: $500-650 per day (private pay rate)
• Inpatient care in a rehab center: $500-$650 per day (private pay rate)

Does Insurance Cover Outpatient Rehab?

If you have insurance, it may cover outpatient care. If you don’t have private insurance, you may qualify for public insurance programs, such as Medicaid or Medicare. In addition, plans offered through the Affordable Care Act (“Obamacare”) are required to cover substance use and mental health services to the same extent that they cover medical needs.

There are various payment options available to those looking to fund their outpatient rehab attendance. For example, American Addiction Centers (AAC) is in-network with various insurance companies and accepts many insurance policies from both private and publicly-funded healthcare coverage providers. You may also be able to attend a free rehab center that is either completely covered by your insurance or publicly funded. To find out more about whether your rehabilitation may be partially or fully covered with AAC, fill in your information in the form below.

Is Outpatient Rehab For Me?

Each person has unique needs that will be reflected in a treatment plan developed in conjunction with a physician or otherwise-qualified treatment provider. This will ensure they are matched with the right level of care to meet their needs. People who are typically good candidates for outpatient treatment:¹

• Have mild to moderate SUDs.
• Low risk of severe withdrawal symptoms.
• A strong social support system (friends and family).
• Are motivated to attend treatment.
• Have reliable transportation.
• Have a safe and stable living situation.

While in outpatient treatment, it is important to have strong, supportive relationships with friends or family. A person who has a moderate to severe SUD or has complex medical or mental health needs requiring significant supervision may not be the best fit for an outpatient program.^1,2

If you’re still wondering if outpatient rehab is right for you, we can help. American Addiction Centers is a leading provider of addiction treatment services nationwide. Our national network of treatment facilities including our outpatient treatment center in Southaven, MS offer an array of evidence-based addiction-focused healthcare, including outpatient options. Contact us at to learn more and to start your recovery journey today.

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