If you are struggling with addiction to opioids or alcohol, it can be very difficult to control your cravings or prevent a relapse because of the powerful grip that these substances have on brain chemistry. Thankfully, you can find relief in the form of medication-assisted treatment in outpatient rehab. This type of program gives you flexible scheduling and access to medication that can help you while your brain and body adjust to normal.
What is Outpatient Rehab?
Outpatient rehab doesn’t require you to reside at your treatment center full-time. This type of treatment can take several forms, including:
- Partial hospitalization programs (PHP), which meet for a couple of weeks with a more intensive, full-time schedule of therapy
- Intensive outpatient programs (IOP), which meet for several weeks and are done on a part-time basis
- Traditional outpatient, which is when you have weekly sessions, usually only group or support group therapy
These different outpatient programs offer a step-down approach through several levels of care, but they all offer greater flexibility to work with your schedule.
If you only have a few weeks off for a holiday or vacation time, you can use that to complete a more intense partial hospitalization program.
If, instead, you have the flexibility to work and go to drug and alcohol rehab on a part-time basis, intensive outpatient programs may be a better option.
Once you have completed either of those, you can transition down to a traditional outpatient program when you no longer need as much support.
What is Medication-Assisted Treatment?
Medication-assisted treatment refers to programs where you receive medication as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, and is usually used when treating opioid addiction or alcoholism. These addictions come with several significant risk factors, such as serious withdrawal symptoms and ongoing cravings.
To help with that, the FDA has approved prescription medications that can be used in different ways.
For alcohol addiction, some medications might block the favorable impacts that alcohol has. This can help disrupt the pleasure and reward cycle in your brain because you no longer get the pleasure or reward connection from alcohol.
Other medications might cause negative side effects if you imbibe, which means that if you drink alcohol, not only will you not have any pleasurable effects, but you’ll also have nausea and other sickness.
Common medications for treating alcoholism include:
- Disulfiram
- Naltrexone
- Acamprosate
For opioid addiction, medications can similarly block the euphoric impact of opioids and help you adjust. Some medications also relieve significant cravings, which makes it easier to remain sober long-term without the higher risk of relapse associated with opioids.
Common medications include:
- Buprenorphine
- Methadone
- Naltrexone
How is Medication-Assisted Treatment Different?
Medication assisted treatment means that medication may be prescribed during your detox or during the rest of your treatment. If you participate in a medication-assisted treatment program, you must receive treatment from a certified clinic, and you have to complete ongoing therapy as part of your access to the medication.
Getting Medication-Assisted Treatment in Outpatient Rehab With The Differents
At The Differents, clients have an opportunity to participate in several therapies overseen by a one-to-three staff-to-client ratio. Our trusted drug rehab in Reno takes medication-assisted treatment seriously as it provides an opportunity for clients to get the resources they need for long-term success. Unlike other treatment centers, we reimagine drug rehab, offering a whole-person approach toward medication-assisted treatment that includes withdrawal management as well as other programs, such as:
- Outdoor Therapy
- IV Infusions
- Recreational Therapy
- Motivational Interviewing
- Yoga/Pilates
- Massage
- Acupuncture/Chiropractic Practices
- Energy Work
- Meditation
- Sound Bath
Once you complete your medication-assisted treatment in outpatient rehab, you’ll be able to participate in our alumni program as well. After completion of your treatment, you are invited to participate in groups once a month, virtual ongoing peer groups, and individual sessions with your primary counselor if you continue to reside in Nevada. One of the more unique features we offer is a relapse prediction biometric wearable option, which can go a long way toward not only keeping you aware of when you might need ongoing help.
Overall, medication-assisted treatment in outpatient rehab is a simple way to access the prescription medications you need while continuing to get the therapy required as part of your treatment program.
Call our team today to see how our flexible outpatient programs can work with your schedule.
