Differences Between Inpatient & Outpatient Rehab Facilities

Rehabilitation facilities are designed to treat a particular problem such as drug abuse, addiction or eating disorders. Many rehab facilities offer inpatient and/or outpatient care, which offer different services.

Inpatient Care

• The patient receives 24-hour care while residing at the facility. In drug rehab instances, inpatient care generally lasts for 30 to 90 days. Many inpatient rehab centers offer medically assisted detoxification and therapy in their treatment program.

Outpatient Care

• Outpatient care is normally structured around the patient's work or school schedule. Typically, the patient checks in to the facility three days a week for up to four hours a day. Outpatient care does not address nutritional needs or medical conditions. Outpatient care cost less than inpatient care.

Inpatient Environment

• The environment is highly structured and defined. A patient's health is constantly monitored. It allows the patient to experience life without drugs.

Outpatient Environment

• The environment provides flexibility. However, because the patient lives at home while undergoing outpatient care, the patient may have to work harder to avoid temptations associated with his illness.

Choosing care

• When deciding on inpatient or outpatient care, an individual should consider the severity of their problem and whether they are willing to put in the extra work at an outpatient facility. Cost is also a factor.