Addiction Treatment Pros and Cons

Addiction Treatment Pros and Cons
addiction treatment pros and cons

Acknowledging having an addiction (either for yourself or a loved one) is one hurdle, but figuring out the next steps is another challenge in itself. Questioning where to go, how much to pay, and how to get help can feel overwhelming.

It’s important to know that each treatment program has its own benefits and pitfalls. When deciding on an addiction treatment center for yourself or your loved one, remember that education and preparation are powerful tools that can make the experience much easier.

What Are the Treatment Types?

For starters, the two main types of treatment are inpatient and outpatient.

  • Inpatient: Commonly known as “residential,” this is the type where people live, eat, and sleep in the facility with others, usually engaging in group or individual therapy programs.
  • Outpatient: The person undergoes addiction treatment while still in the real world, engaging in the same or similar programs in an outside setting (these can also be via telehealth).

Within these categories, there are different types of programs available:

  • Partial Hospitalization (PHPs): An intensive outpatient program with 6-8 hours of therapy per day and can be part of an inpatient or outpatient treatment program.
  • Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): A combination of medication and behavioral therapy to treat addiction. Can be done in inpatient or outpatient settings.
  • Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs): An intensive, multi-week treatment program that offers 3 to 4 hours of therapy several times per week in an outpatient setting.

The types listed above are only the tip of the addiction treatment iceberg, and we go over all your options in our rehab options article on the topic. For now, let’s list these treatment options’ pros and cons individually.

Inpatient/Residential Treatment Pros & Cons

Inpatient is what we see in movies and TV shows, where a person is “sent off” to live at an addiction treatment center with other people. However, this type of facility is more complicated than just living with the people you go to therapy with.

A typical inpatient program can last 1-3 months, and centers can include amenities like gyms, cafeterias, recreational facilities, and more. There are many pros to inpatient treatment:

  • The person is isolated from outside distractions to focus on recovery.
  • Inpatient treatment allows the person to take a break from daily life.
  • The person can be fully immersed in their treatment program.
  • If undergoing detox, the person is in a controlled, medically supervised environment with round-the-clock care.
  • Inpatient centers usually operate 24/7.

However, there are many cons, and it usually centers around pricing, availability, and relapse probability:

  • Inpatient is usually very costly at $10k-$30k for only a couple of months maximum and does not always take insurance. You can learn more about the cost of inpatient rehab in our article on the topic.
  • Inpatient programs isolate the person from triggers and daily life, which can cause more harm in the future for relapsing.
  • Programs range on the short-term side with only 30-, 60-, and 90-day durations, oftentimes with lengthy waitlists.
  • Inpatient centers may evict you if you relapse at any point in the program.

You can learn more about the pros and cons in our alternatives to inpatient rehab blog.

Outpatient Treatment Pros & Cons

Outpatient treatment has a variety of additional programs, such as IOP, MAT, and PHP. The pros of this treatment type are numerous:

  • Outpatient is usually a more flexible option for patients who can’t take time away from their daily lives to undergo inpatient treatment.
  • The person remains in their normal environment where they can apply their recovery strategies daily.
  • Programs have cheaper costs, and most insurance plans cover treatment.
  • Outpatient programs include many sub-groups including psychiatry, group, individual, and holistic therapies, and ambulatory detox.
  • Virtual options are also available for accessibility.

The cons of outpatient typically center around case-by-case factors:

  • There is not as much supervision as inpatient programming and relies heavily on the integrity of the person to find success.
  • Facilities usually operate at standard business hours (Monday-Friday, 8 am-5 pm).
  • Due to the lack of medical supervision, more at-risk patients can find themselves in need of higher care.

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs) Pros & Cons

These programs are a subset of outpatient treatment that involves heavy, almost inpatient-level treatment without actually living in the facility. There are pros to this program:

  • PHPs offer a higher, more intensive level of treatment than most outpatient programs.
  • PHP requires medical supervision, so the patient is always in a controlled environment.
  • PHP allows the person to connect with others in group therapy settings.

The cons of PHPs center around time commitment and cost:

  • This program is extremely intensive and time-consuming at just barely a step down from inpatient programs.
  • PHP can also be a costly option given the amount of therapy and time required.
  • PHP needs a strong commitment at several hours per day, multiple days per week, which can be disruptive for many people.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) Pros & Cons

The use of MAT in treatment is growing, and several FDA-approved medications can be lifesaving to those with substance use disorders (SUDs). In fact, research shows that patients in MAT programs are 76% less likely to overdose within 3 months and 57% less likely in 12 months.

With this data, the pros to MAT are substantial:

  • MAT helps with severe cravings and drug withdrawal symptoms, which are crucial in the initial stages of recovery.
  • The program helps those with underlying mental health disorders in their recovery journey.
  • Using medication helps the person to become ready to accept and receive therapy.

Like any other medication, there are some cons:

  • Effectiveness can vary from person to person.
  • Medication is an additional cost to treatment programming (which may include therapy or other programs).
  • Though rare, side effects and interactions with other medications can occur, just like with any other medication taken.

Master Center offers MAT and it’s an ideal option for many patients, but it’s not required nor forced at any point in treatment. You can learn more about MAT in our pros and cons of MAT blog.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) Pros & Cons

IOP is a step down from inpatient treatment and a step up from general outpatient treatment. Here, patients undergo 3 hours of therapy 4 times a week for 6 weeks, where they learn relapse prevention techniques and trigger management.

The pros of IOP are based on accessibility, flexibility, and affordability:

  • IOP is more cost-effective than inpatient programs with flexible payment plans and insurance coverage.
  • Individuals receive access to a community of people in the same situation and build connections.
  • People maintain their responsibilities without disrupting their lives.
  • Patients receive a high level of care at their own pace.
  • Virtual options are available for more accessibility.
  • IOP allows for an integrated treatment plan that can include MAT, detox, and more.

The cons of IOP are like those of general outpatient cons:

  • IOP is not as strongly medically supervised, which can be a problem for patients with more severe addictions.
  • IOP also relies on the integrity and accountability of the person to find success.
  • Many programs are via telehealth, which may not be ideal for some people who prefer a consistent in-person approach.
  • Not all commercial insurance companies cover IOP, and it can be an additional out-of-pocket cost if undergoing another treatment program (MAT, detox, etc.).

You can also learn more about the program in our benefits of IOP blog.

Conclusion

Learning about the strengths and challenges of each treatment program is integral to beginning one’s recovery journey. Just as you would research cancer treatment options or different diabetes management programs, finding the right treatment center relies on weighing the pros and cons to make the right decision.

Always remember that choosing a treatment facility should be made at the discretion of your comfort level, personal situation, financial standing, recovery goals, and level of commitment.

About Master Center for Addiction Medicine

Master Center for Addiction Medicine is a groundbreaking addiction treatment program headquartered in Glen Allen, Va. Based on a vision of comprehensive outpatient care, Master Center was launched in 2016 and now includes locations throughout the Commonwealth.

The Master Center offers a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach rarely seen in the outpatient setting, staffed by experienced addiction medicine providers, counselors, therapists, and peer recovery coaches.

Give us a call today at 804.332.5950 to schedule an appointment or learn more about us.