Do You Need Inpatient or Outpatient Treatment for Heroin Addiction?

If you’ve decided to seek help for heroin addiction, you’re on the right path. When you start researching treatment options, it might seem a little overwhelming. With information on detoxification and withdrawals, 12-step programs, inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment and a variety of other topics, how are you supposed to determine what kind of program is right for you? We’ll take a look at all of these topics and more in outlining the key differences between inpatient and outpatient treatment for heroin addiction.

What’s Involved with Inpatient Treatment for Heroin?

At Design for Change Recovery Services, we offer residential rehab programs (or inpatient treatment) at our facilities in Lancaster, California. Our program includes 12-step elements because we believe it’s important to begin incorporating these techniques into your daily life early in the recovery process. This builds a solid foundation for when you’re ready to leave the residential program and return to the outside world.

We also use Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a way of helping patients explore their feelings and thoughts. This allows you to gain insight into beliefs and behaviors that must change in order for you to make a complete break from the cycles that feed and encourage heroin addiction.

Holistic Treatment for Heroin Addiction

Your body wasn’t the only victim of heroin addiction. Your mind and spirit suffered as well. All these elements need healing as you work towards recovery. When we develop a customized treatment plan for you, you may benefit from a variety of therapies including:

  • Fitness
  • Nutrition
  • Psychodrama
  • Bio Sound
  • Music
  • Art Therapy

Our residential rehab program offers you a clean, quiet space with areas for relaxation and therapy. Visits from family members are encouraged, and you can take advantage of our private areas for reconnecting and rebuilding your familial relationships during the appointed times.

Private and semi-private rooms are available depending on your needs and preferences, and the premises includes a gym, sauna and pool available to you during free time. The surrounding natural landscape is a great incentive to take up hiking and beginning new activities like physical fitness can help the recovery process.

What Makes Someone a Candidate for Outpatient Heroin Treatment?

People who live in or around the Lancaster area might prefer to enroll in our outpatient treatment programs. In many cases, those who graduate from our inpatient programs also continue to participate in our outpatient services as a kind of safety net once they begin transitioning back to the outside world.

Treatment is available 6 hours a day from 5-7 days a week depending on your needs and the individualized treatment program created for you. You will learn about your addiction, engage in therapy and create bonds with other outpatient clients. These tools and relationships can help you realize you’re not alone. You don’t have to feel guilt or shame because addiction is a disease—not a moral failing.

The program focuses on:

  • Family Issues. No family is perfect, but we can teach you healthier coping tools and strategies for managing these relationships.
  • Addiction Triggers. People, places and things all have the ability to pull someone back towards heroin abuse. It’s important to identify your own triggers.
  • Marital Issues and Parenting Groups. Relationships with spouses and children can become terribly damaged when someone is struggling with heroin addiction. We can help you rebuild the lines of communication and begin working towards regaining the trust of your loved ones. Understand that this process will take time and commitment from all parties.
  • Job Issues and Other Stressors. Heroin may have served as a panic button for any number of sources of stress in your life. Managing those feelings in healthier ways is one of the tools you’ll develop in our program.

How Long Do Heroin Treatment Programs Last?

At Design for Change, our programs range from 30-90+ days. That might sound like a long time, but the first few days will consist of detoxification which is your body adjusting to the absence of heroin. Withdrawal symptoms may vary in length and severity but typically last a few days. You might receive medication to help with any symptoms that are more severe. During this process, it’s difficult—maybe impossible—to focus on learning and developing the tools you’ll need for recovery.

90 days is generally considered the golden standard for treatment. However, no two individuals or addictions are alike. Your recovery team will discuss your treatment plan in detail with you so you know exactly what to expect. If you have concerns about cost or insurance, our admissions experts are standing by ready to help. You’re already on the right path by seeking help. Take the next step towards recovery from your heroin addiction, and contact us now.

Design for Change Recovery