Inpatient vs. Outpatient Programs

In inpatient recovery programs, also known as residential treatment, patients stay at a facility with 24-hour support for their physical and mental health needs. Residential programs often have phases of treatment with different expectations and activities during each phase.

Your length of stay will depend on your specific needs and rate of progress. Your care team will continually reassess your treatment plan throughout your stay. In general, most people receive around 20-30 days of residential treatment, which is often followed by several months of intensive outpatient treatment.

With outpatient recovery programs, you can expect to spend 10 to 12 hours a week visiting a local treatment center. Treatment meetings are usually scheduled at night or early in the morning so you can maintain your normal schedule and possibly even continue working. Many individuals will transition to outpatient treatment after completing an inpatient program as they progress in their recovery.