People with a drug addiction who require some form of treatment do not always need to be admitted into rehab.
There are also many outpatient facilities that can help these individuals overcome their addiction without needing as full time programme. Of course, this does not apply to every case and since every is different and suffers from addiction on different levels, this must be examined on a case-by-case basis.
To determine whether someone needs to be admitted to rehab or can make use of outpatient facilities, the severity of their addiction will need to be assessed. They will be asked questions such as whether they use drugs every day, what kinds of drugs they use and whether they feel they have control over their lives. The answers to these can lead to a decision that is best for everyone.
So what happens in an outpatient facility?
Well, many of the things that occur in rehab will also take place in outpatient facilities. A patient will be instructed in how to live a better and healthier life, and will learn certain life skills. They will also go through individual and group therapy so that they can share their experience and learn from others how to change their behaviour.
This kind of behavior change is no small task, which is why it is so important for addicts to realize that they cannot go to one outpatient session and expect to be cured. It simply does not work that way. They need to understand that even as an outpatient, healing takes time and commitment and unless they are willing to put in both, no amount of group sessions or therapy will help them.
Not everyone can be an outpatient, and not everyone needs to go to rehab. People seem to lump addicts into one big pile and they do not understand that though addiction is something that all of these individuals suffer from, they are still individuals and deserve to be treated as such. This means that for some, outpatient services can be a good option and will allow them a measure of control over their own lives while they heal.