Massachusetts Outpatient Treatment For Addiction

Thousands of individuals in Massachusetts and surrounding states seek treatment for substance abuse and addiction each year. Overcoming drug or alcohol addiction may require treatment at multiple levels of care, including detox, inpatient, and outpatient treatment programs.

Outpatient treatment programs are non-residential, step-down treatment programs that can help individuals who are newly sober or medically stable strengthen their recovery-oriented skill-set.

Learning new skills in recovery—such as supportive coping strategies, effective communication, and relapse prevention—can help pave the way for a healthier and fulfilling future in addiction recovery.

Massachusetts outpatient treatment programs may be suitable for people who:

• are concerned about their drug or alcohol use
• have mild or moderate substance use issues
• have recently completed an inpatient rehab program
• have recently relapsed but do not require a more intensive level of care
• require ongoing mental health and behavioral support
• wish to strengthen their commitment to recovery

These programs may feature various treatment approaches and methods, depending on the type of outpatient treatment a person seeks and the outpatient provider.

Types Of Outpatient Programs In Massachusetts

There are several different types of addiction treatment programs that are provided on an outpatient basis.

Types of outpatient treatment programs include:

• Partial Hospitalization (Day Treatment)
• Intensive Outpatient Treatment
• Sober Living
• Standard Outpatient Treatment

These drug of alcohol treatment programs vary in their intensity and length. Not all Massachusetts drug rehab centers offer all types of outpatient rehab programs for individuals overcoming addiction.

If you’re looking for a specific type of outpatient services for yourself or a loved one, you may need to contact a specific treatment facility to learn whether they offer the level of care you are seeking.

Partial Hospitalization

Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) for alcohol and drug addiction are the most intensive form of non-residential treatment. This is also known as day treatment. Partial hospitalization is a highly structured outpatient treatment program that may be comparable to a residential rehab program.

A treatment schedule for PHP patients may involve attending counseling sessions, group therapy, or medication-assisted treatment services (as applicable) for up to eight hours a day, four to five days a week. Patients may also meet with a medical doctor and psychiatrist for additional medical and medication management services.

Intensive Outpatient Treatment

Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are similar to PHP in that they are a more intensive treatment option for people seeking help for substance abuse on an outpatient basis. Intensive outpatient treatment is less intensive than PHP, however.

This type of recovery program involves attending treatment at a rehab facility for a few hours a day, two to four days a week. During this time, IOP patients may see a counselor, attend group and family therapy sessions, and receive medication-assisted treatment (MAT) as needed.

Sober Living Homes

Transitional facilities, such as sober living homes and recovery housing, provide a safe, sober, and structured living environment for people who are in early recovery from drug or alcohol abuse.

Seeking temporary housing in a sober living home may be beneficial for people who:

• lack a supportive home environment
• have an unstable housing situation
• have traveled to an addiction treatment center from out of state

The level of structure and support offered in a sober living home may vary according to the residence. Many sober living homes have supportive staff onsite and may have certain requirements for residents in order for them to retain their place in the home.

These may include requirements to attend treatment and addiction education classes, complete household and community chores, and hold a job.

Standard Outpatient Treatment

Standard outpatient treatment can refer to a number of common outpatient addiction treatment services: individual counseling, outpatient medication-assisted treatment, mental health counseling, and more.

People who receive standard outpatient treatment services may or may not attend a formal treatment program. Instead, a person may simply attend weekly counseling, attend support groups, or check in with a medical doctor or psychiatrist on a regular basis.

This is the most flexible option for people who are seeking help for substance abuse struggles who don’t require a more intensive level of care. Working professionals, students, and caregivers, for instance, may benefit from a flexible outpatient treatment plan that does not interfere with their work or personal schedules.

Standard outpatient treatment may not be suitable for people who are actively addicted to substances or are experiencing serious health effects as a result of their substance use. This may require a higher level of care in IOP, PHP, or an inpatient rehab program.

Outpatient treatment is also an important step in the addiction treatment continuum of care as a form of aftercare. Continuing care programs help recovering individuals stay on track with recovery after completing other, more intensive forms of treatment, such as detoxification or inpatient drug and alcohol rehab programs.

Outpatient Treatment Services

There are a number of treatment services commonly used to treat substance abuse and addiction on an outpatient basis as part of an outpatient addiction treatment plan.

The primary components of an outpatient drug rehab program include behavioral therapy, support groups, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for those who can benefit from it.

Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral therapy is an evidence-based treatment that is commonly used to help individuals overcome addiction and rebuild a life that is conducive to addiction recovery.

This form of therapy can help people identify their triggers, address underlying causes of their addiction, and develop supportive coping strategies to curb drug cravings and prevent relapse.

Types of behavioral therapies include:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
• Motivational Interviewing (MI)
• Family Counseling
• 12-Step Groups

No single type of behavioral therapy may be effective for every person who struggles with alcohol or drug use. The type of behavioral therapy a person finds helpful may depend on factors related to their substance use (e.g. type of drug abused), other components of their treatment plan, and their lifestyle.

Outpatient programs may also offer additional forms of therapy such as trauma counseling and dual diagnosis treatment for people who have co-occurring mental health disorders.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a ‘whole-person’ treatment approach that is primarily used to treat heroin and opioid addiction.

This type of treatment combines the use of certain medications—such as Suboxone, naltrexone, and methadone—and behavioral therapy to reduce drug cravings and prevent relapse. Medication-assisted treatment may be offered in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

Support Groups

Group therapy can be a beneficial supplement to individual counseling, MAT, and other outpatient treatment services.

Support groups can help to connect people to other individuals in recovery who may be able to offer support or unique insight into how to deal with the everyday stressors experienced by former addicted individuals.

Types of support groups and group therapy include:

• 12-Step Groups
• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
• Anger Management Groups
• Relapse Prevention Groups
• Open Process Groups

Depending on the type of group, and where it’s offered, support groups may be peer-led by people in recovery from addiction or facilitated by a substance abuse treatment professional.

Group therapy can be a helpful way to strengthen social skills, form meaningful relationships with others in recovery, and promote accountability in maintaining one’s sobriety.

Length Of Outpatient Programs For Drug And Alcohol Abuse

The length of outpatient programs for alcohol and drug abuse is generally customizable to best suit the individual needs of patients. Individuals in long-term recovery from substance use disorders may continue to attend outpatient treatment services on a short-term or long-term basis, depending on a range of factors.

Factors that can affect the length of outpatient treatment programs include:

• Type of outpatient program
• Co-occurring disorders
• Clinical health measures
• Stage of recovery
• Demonstrated progress in treatment
• Level of motivation to recover
• Insurance coverage

It’s not uncommon for people to attend individual counseling or take medication for months or years after becoming sober. Recovery from addiction is a lifelong process that may require ongoing support for quite some time.

Benefits Of Outpatient Treatment For Addiction

Outpatient services for addiction recovery can offer several crucial benefits for people seeking to conquer addiction and avoid chronic struggles with relapse.

Benefits of outpatient treatment for substance abuse include:

• flexibility
• varying levels of intensity
• cost-effectiveness
• educational component
• helping to prevent relapse in recovery
• receiving ongoing behavioral support

While an inpatient treatment program may help to medically stabilize a person, continuing treatment on an outpatient level can help individuals continue to develop their recovery skills, address underlying causes of their addiction, and transition back into a normal routine in sobriety.

Outpatient treatment may not be the most suitable treatment option for people with chronic or severe drug addiction. Inpatient rehabilitation and detox programs are the most commonly recommended treatment option for people who are struggling with severe substance use disorders and are newly or not yet sober.

Find Substance Abuse Treatment At Spring Hill Recovery Center

Outpatient treatment can be an essential component of a person’s journey towards lifelong addiction recovery as part of a continuum of care.

If you or a loved one are searching for outpatient addiction treatment in the greater New England area, look no further than Spring Hill Recovery Center in Ashby, Massachusetts.

Our Ashby rehab center offers residential treatment and intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) for people overcoming substance abuse and addiction in a comfortable, family-like setting. Through an initial evaluation, our treatment professionals can determine which type of treatment program may be most suitable to meet the needs of yourself or a loved one.

If you’re seeking partial hospitalization or another type of treatment program that is not offered at Spring Hill, our staff may be able to refer you to another rehab center in our Massachusetts network of substance abuse treatment centers.

For more information about Spring Hill’s addiction treatment programs, or the types of treatment services we offer, call us today to learn more.