In the face of a horrible addiction problem, deciding to get treatment is a giant step for which addiction sufferers are to be commended. We can only hope that the efforts of everyone are rewarded with a recovery that lasts a lifetime.

As you contemplate how to get through the treatment process, you will need to decide which route to take. If your addiction issues are significant, you should plan on going through an inpatient treatment program. It’s the best way for you to stay safe and avoid outside interference while you get the help you need. If for any reason you can’t or are not willing to go through inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment would be your next best alternative.

If you end up going with an outpatient treatment option, you and the rehab administrative staff will need to decide on the level of treatment you need. With three outpatient options from which to choose, the decision will likely be based on the following criteria:

• The amount of time you have been abusing your substance of choice
• The depth of your addiction
• The actual substance or substances you have been abusing
• The frequency of the substance abuse
• The amount of drugs/alcohol taken at a time

If your addiction is extreme, you would likely need to go with the partial hospitalization option. That would result in you needing to report for treatment almost every day for at least 8 hours a day. During your time in the rehab facility, you would devote all your time to individual therapy with a few group sessions thrown in for good measure.

If your addiction is moderate, it’s possible you could suffice with an intensive outpatient option. That would put you in the rehab facility for up to 5 days a week for approximately 6 hours a day of individual therapy.

If you have already been through a treatment program, you might be looking for a general outpatient counseling option. For a couple of days a week at a couple of hours a day, you could get the maintenance counseling you need. It’s a great way to avoid relapses.

The only possible issue you might encounter while going through outpatient treatment is exposure to temptation while living at home. To mitigate the possible effects of dealing with temptation and interference from others, you might want to consider living in a sober living home while going through outpatient treatment.

How Living in a Sober Living Home During Treatment Might help

A sober living home is the right place to be for someone who has concerns about being able to get and stay sober. It provides a wonderful living structure that is very similar to inpatient treatment. The only difference is there is some freedom to move about and deal with outside responsibilities.

The value sober living provides is time to build some structure and discipline in your life. That is accomplished by setting rules that you must adhere to if you want the security of living in the home. The most common rules of sober living include:

• Adsolutely zero tolerance for alcohol or drug use without a doctor’s prescription
• Must be willing to submit to random drug testing, especially after going outside the home
• Must be willing to do assigned chores around the house
• Must maintain a full schedule of outpatient treatment or participate in 12 Step meetings
• No inappropriate fraternization with other residents
• Agherence to strict behavioral standards

If you were able to meet these goals, the combination of outpatient treatment and sober living could be a great catalyst for helping you establish a lasting recovery.

As a word of caution, failure to meet the standards of sober living has consequences. You might find yourself needing to reconsider inpatient treatment. Regardless of anything else, your focus has to be on recovering from your addiction. It’s the only way you are going to be able to return to any level of normal living.

If you are ready to get treatment for your addiction, we are ready to step in and give you the help you need. To start the process, we need you to pick up the phone and contact us today. With that first call, we can start a discussion about your treatment options. That could include a sober living referral if we believe that’s an option that will work for you.