A substance use disorder (addiction to drugs or alcohol) can be very challenging to heal from and most recoveries are achieved through support via a specific addiction treatment program. If you are severely affected by addiction, you may need 24/7 care to support your recovery. This level of care is available in a residential treatment program. It’s also available in an inpatient treatment program. Many people use these two terms as synonyms. However, they have different meanings and provide differing levels of recovery support. Which option is best for you? That depends on your situation.
Inpatient vs. Residential Treatment – What Is an Inpatient Rehab Program?
Inpatient rehab programs provide the highest possible care for substance use disorders. All participants live onsite in a secure, tightly structured environment that may reside in a specialized treatment facility. You can also find this environment in a hospital. Care in an inpatient program is provided on a 24/7 basis. This care includes readily available access to onsite medical staff. Along with performing other duties, this staff will monitor your health at all times.
All people in inpatient programs are affected by mental or physical health conditions. The main goals of these programs include:
- Stabilizing the symptoms of your particular condition
- Creating a continuing care plan that guides your ongoing treatment
- Helping you transition into a less intensive form of rehab
- For many people, residential treatment serves as a follow-up to inpatient treatment.
Length of Stay
As a rule, you will not spend much time in inpatient treatment. The average stay ranges from several days up to an entire week. This, of course, depends on many factors and each person’s situation. You will move on to the next appropriate setting for your recovery as soon as possible.
You will almost certainly spend more time in a residential program than in an inpatient program. In most cases, a residential program’s length of stay falls within 30 to 90 days. There are also residential options that last for a much longer amount of time.
What Is a Residential Rehab Program?
Residential treatment programs are less intensive than inpatient programs. Like inpatient programs, they feature 24/7 oversight. They also feature a well-structured treatment environment. However, residential programs differ from inpatient programs in several ways.
First, residential programs typically take place in a homier environment, meaning that the general atmosphere tends to be more relaxed. In addition, while medical care is available, it tends to play more of a supportive role than an intensive role.
Which Treatment Option Is the Best for You?
Which is a better fit for you, inpatient or residential treatment? Inpatient care may be the right option if you:
- Are severely affected by addiction, with or without other mental health conditions
- Have unstable symptoms
- Need constant monitoring to prevent harm to yourself or other people
Residential treatment may make more sense if you don’t meet these criteria. A thorough assessment process will allow you and your treatment team to make an appropriate choice for your situation.
Get More Information on Inpatient vs. Residential Treatment at Northpoint Colorado
Not sure if you need inpatient or residential rehab support? Talk to the recovery professionals at Northpoint Colorado. We’ll help you or your loved one make the right choice between these two options. We can also help you determine if you’d do better in an outpatient program.
At Northpoint, we specialize in residential treatment for addiction and co-occurring disorders. No matter the severity of your condition, our customized services make it possible to achieve your recovery goals. We also feature multiple options for outpatient treatment. Call us today at 888.231.1281 to learn more, or fill out our online contact form.
