Inpatient Alcohol Detox vs. Outpatient Alcohol Detox – Which Is Best?

Inpatient alcohol detox is ideal for people who have been drinking for a long time and are likely to experience dangerous withdrawal symptoms. It’s also helpful for those who have too many temptations at home to complete detox on their own. Other benefits of inpatient detox include:

• It lets you relax in the comfort of a rehab center.
• You’ll have doctors on hand to take care of you and ease your withdrawal symptoms.
• You may also have access to facility amenities like pools and spas, or holistic classes like yoga and art therapy.
• The inpatient experience can help you find relief from day-to-day pressures and focus on getting better in a peaceful environment.
• Inpatient detox programs are qualified to treat severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms, which can be life-threatening.

Some people may find that they are able to stay sober while in a detox facility,  but they struggle the moment they return home. It’s best if supportive family and friends can be involved, especially if you choose to continue inpatient treatment after detox. Family programs can be a great way to help you rebuild relationships and communication with your loved ones throughout treatment.

For many, another major deterrent can be the cost. Inpatient detox can be significantly more expensive than outpatient detox; however, your insurance may help to cover some of the cost. Many treatment centers also offer payment plans so you can get the help needed immediately and pay in monthly increments over time.

Inpatient detox also takes you away from your home environment, so you will be unable to work or tend to your family during this time. You may need to request time off from work or make childcare arrangements.

See Also: How to detox from alcohol

The biggest benefit of outpatient detox is that you can live at home and continue fulfilling work or family responsibilities you may have. You have more freedom than you would in an inpatient program, and it’s generally less expensive. You also have easy access to family and friends, who can offer their support throughout the detox process.

While outpatient detox is generally less expensive and more convenient than an inpatient alcohol detox program, it is not appropriate for patients who have severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms. These individuals will need to be monitored in a controlled inpatient setting to ensure they avoid life-threatening symptoms.

Outpatient alcohol treatment can make relapse more likely because patients are in a non-controlled setting and may have easier access to alcohol. It can be particularly challenging for those who have a rough or disruptive home life, especially if a family member also struggles with alcohol.

You must also be able to keep your appointments and travel to the rehab center for treatment; this may require the support of a friend or family member.

Outpatient alcohol detox is not a suitable option for someone who has been a heavy drinker for an extended period of time. Extreme withdrawal symptoms like seizures and delirium tremens can cause death if not handled in a medical facility.

On the day you arrive for detox, medical professionals will conduct a physical exam and question process. They will also test for the amount of alcohol in your bloodstream. These evaluations help determine what kind of withdrawal symptoms you can expect and what your treatment options are.

Over the next few days or weeks, doctors will assist you as your body clears out the alcohol and reaches a medically stable state. Your doctors may prescribe medications to ease withdrawal symptoms, which you’ll be safely weaned off later with a doctor’s guidance.

Detox is just the first step in the recovery process and is rarely enough to help you stay sober. The next step in your journey toward lasting sobriety is a treatment program. Like detox, treatment programs can take place in an inpatient or outpatient setting, or even through teletherapy.