Outpatient treatment can be incorporated into a treatment plan with or without inpatient treatment.  Outpatient treatment is used after someone has successfully completed an inpatient treatment program or can be used when someone is a chronic relapser and needs the extra support in every day life.  The type of outpatient program can vary greatly depending on the needs of each individual client.  Some programs are an hour or two, three times a week while others may meet daily for multiple hours at a time.  Outpatient treatment works best when it is customized to fit the needs of the client and can be designed to address specific issues that that individual needs to deal with.

This less intense type of treatment is also very effective for people that have jobs they are unable to leave or a family to attend to that cannot go weeks or months without their presence.  While outpatient treatment is still therapeutic in nature, it teaches more life skills and usable strategies to deal with the temptation or problem of addiction in everyday life.


Almost all outpatient treatment programs aim for complete abstinence and sometimes suggest that individuals attend outside 12-step meetings as a way to stay committed to a sober life.  The therapeutic team at an outpatient facility will include medical doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists and addiction medicine specialists as well as drug counselors.  Programs work best when each individual is has a personal drug counselor with which he or she can discuss problems or issues as they arise.  Specialized programs for specific drugs of choice, age groups and exclusive programs are also available and great information can be found through a referral service or online.