Substance misuse and addiction is an increasingly prevalent issue in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than one in four people in America will engage in high-risk drinking at some point during their life.
Substance abuse, whether drugs or alcohol, can adversely affect an individual’s physical, mental, and emotional state. It also casts a shadow over the professional ambitions, relationships, and overall quality of life of an individual.
When it comes to substance abuse treatment, thankfully there are several options, one of which is outpatient rehabilitation. Outpatient substance abuse treatment is an effective and flexible option for people looking to recover from their substance abuse disorder while living at home and working or still going to school.
Let’s discuss what happens in outpatient substance abuse treatment and where you can go to seek treatment for your mental and behavioral disorders, including substance abuse, in Atlanta, GA.
Outpatient Substance Abuse Treatment
Outpatient substance abuse treatment is a valuable choice for many people with mild to moderate addiction, a strong support system from friends and family, transportation to attend counseling sessions regularly, motivation to stick to the treatment, and a low risk of withdrawal with medical complications.
Outpatient substance abuse treatment centers offer evidence-based interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy, medication management, group therapy sessions, and other treatments if necessary.
What Happens During Outpatient Rehab
People who sign up for outpatient substance abuse treatment live at their homes and come to an outpatient facility to receive the treatment. Depending on an individual’s unique condition and need, they may require attending sessions a few hours a week or several hours a day.
Typically, the treatment begins with an assessment, which helps determine what type of alcohol and addiction services are needed to begin recovery. A therapist also understands the individual’s “cycle of change” or “stages of change” to help recognize where an individual is in their journey.
In the context of substance abuse, the cycle of change can be understood as follows:
- Precontemplation – The individual is not yet aware or is in denial about their substance misuse problem.
- Contemplation – The individual has recognized that they have an issue and begin to think about their issue to make a change; however, their uncertainty is making them hesitant to act.
- Preparation – The individual has decided to change and is seeking out resources or setting up a quit date.
- Action – The individual is taking steps to reduce or stop substance abuse. This could involve using medication, joining a support group, or attending therapy sessions.
- Maintenance – After successfully making changes, the individual shifts their focus to the new behavior and is making efforts to prevent relapse.
- Relapse – Some individuals may revert to their old behavior; however, this is not a failure but an opportunity to refine one’s approach.
Understanding the stage of change helps the therapist provide you with appropriate interventions and guidance.
Although the type of outpatient services an individual receives varies from one to another, patients typically engage in both personal and collective therapy sessions, receive training in essential life skills, and learn methods to prevent relapse.
They can also receive various therapeutic techniques and supportive services such as:
- Counseling sessions that are centered on behavioral patterns.
- Assessment for concurrent conditions like depression and anxiety and interventions to address them.
- Management of individual cases and clinical situations
- Monitoring of substance abuse habits
- Sustained care focused on preventing relapses.
Similar to inpatient therapy, outpatient therapy for substance abuse can last 3 to 6 months, but for more serious cases, it can last for well over a year.
Outpatient Therapy in Atlanta, GA
Are you looking for a reputable psychiatrist who offers outpatient rehab therapy? Look no further than Chastain Psychiatry. Our psychiatrists have years of experience in treating and managing substance misuse and addictive disorders using up-to-date and evidence-based treatments.
If you would like to arrange a consultation with one of our providers, please contact us today at (404) 963-2647 or fill out our online appointment request form.
