Exploring Home-Based Alternatives To In-Patient Rehab, Residential Treatment, And Addiction Treatment Centres
Seeking out treatment for alcohol use, addiction and dependency is an essential step on the road to recovery—but with so many options available, it can be challenging to determine which solution will work best for you. Mental health supports and addiction recovery services are typically offered as in-patient, outpatient, or hybrid treatments. If you are looking for addiction treatment options for yourself or a loved one, these key details will help guide your decision and support your goal of recovery. [updated March 2023]
Recognizing You Have A Problem
It can be difficult for people to see addictive patterns and behaviours in themselves, especially if they have been engaging in those habits and routines for a long time. The first step in any addiction recovery journey is acknowledging that you are having issues controlling your consumption of alcohol. If you have low-to-moderate alcohol concerns, your day-to-day life may seem perfectly normal—you go to work, spend time with family, and engage in social activities. However, periods of excessive and frequent drinking throughout the week, and engaging in behaviours such as driving while impaired, gambling, using other substances and unprotected sex are all signs that your alcohol use may be out of control. Go to Here To Help and try the Alcohol Reality Check Screening App developed by the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research at the University of Victoria.
Consider the role of alcohol in your life and how you would be impacted if you didn’t drink. Feelings of anxiousness and depression when you can’t access alcohol (or even thinking about not having access to it) are indications that you may have dependency issues with alcohol. You may also notice physical changes and health risks like weight loss, cancer, broken blood vessels on your nose and cheeks, an alcohol aroma on your breath, offensive body odour, and brittle hair and nails, among other changes.
Seeking Help and Treatment
There are typically 4 stages of behaviour change during the process of addiction recovery—thinking about it, getting ready to make a change, taking action, and maintaining sobriety. For many people with alcohol concerns, particularly those with severe addictions, there may also be a relapse stage. The important step that follows a relapse, however, is contemplating your addiction and considering another attempt at sobriety. For some people, the only way for them to get treatment is by organizing an Invitational Intervention. Keep in mind that this option is most often reserved for severe cases of drug or alcohol dependency with an unwillingness or inability for the individual to seek help on their own. When an Intervention is not needed to hire a professional that has experience using the CRAFT Model of Addiction for example.
In-patient Rehab Vs. Outpatient Treatment
Everyone’s needs are different, and addiction recovery is a highly personal journey. Some people with moderate-to-severe Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) find success with an in-patient rehab, which often lasts 28 to 90 days, depending on the severity of their addiction. Typically, in-patient treatment consists of 24/7 onsite residency in a treatment facility, and recovery activities that include group discovery and sharing sessions, onsite counselling and therapy, and restricted access to drugs and alcohol. Outpatient treatment takes a variety of different forms, but it includes similar recovery activities as in-patient care—but they are done remotely or through physical drop-in sessions. Another significant difference is the availability of drugs and alcohol. For this reason, outpatient treatment is best-suited to individuals who have low-to-moderate alcohol concerns.
When Is In-Patient Treatment Recommended?
In-patient treatment takes place within a monitored medical facility, rehab centre, or addiction treatment facility. Most programs last from 1 to 6 weeks, with some programs extending longer-term to cater to individuals with severe AUD. In-patient treatment requires residents to stay at the facility overnight and receive treatment, therapy, and group support during the day. In-patient treatment for alcohol addiction is best suited for people who have unsuccessfully tried outpatient treatment in the past, who suffer from other mental and physical ailments, or those whose constraints at home and access to drugs or alcohol make it impossible to achieve sobriety.
Private in-patient treatment in BC can be very expensive, with 30-day programs ranging from $6000 to more than $60,000 for luxury facilities. Government funded in-patient rehab is also an option, but there are often long wait lists and access to mental health supports can be lacking.
When Is Outpatient Treatment Recommended?
Outpatient treatment, such as Home Based Recovery, is an accessible option that allows people with low-to-moderate alcohol concerns to recover while staying in their own homes overnight. Outpatient treatment allows individuals to continue with most of their regular day-to-day activities and responsibilities. Therapy, counselling, and group support sessions can be done within hospitals, rehab clinics, or addiction treatment centres on a drop-in basis, while new technologies make the option of online chat and video treatment sessions popular alternatives for busy lifestyles.
Outpatient treatment is often much less expensive than in-patient rehab, with supports and treatment being offered on an appointment basis. In Canada, private outpatient treatment programs for alcohol concerns typically cost between $2000 to $5,500 per month.
Is Change Possible Without Rehab?
A research study of AUD recovery published in 2020 found that treatment for alcohol concerns could be achieved without formal in-patient rehab. However, the study also notes that individuals with minimal alcohol dependency will find the most success with non-rehab treatment options. As noted earlier, rehab is most often recommended for individuals with moderate-to-severe AUD and limited access to external supports.
Benefits of Home Based Recovery
Home Based Recovery is quickly emerging as an accessible and effective treatment option for people with low-to-moderate alcohol concerns. As a result of the pandemic, many healthcare industries embraced remote treatment options to enable them to continue offering care to patients who were unable to travel to a physical clinic.
Here are just a few of the advantages of Home Based Recovery:
- Affordable treatment that does not require residency in an addiction rehab centre
- Accessible care without long wait times or the complex application processes of public healthcare
- Customized treatment and support options
- Convenient at-home or virtual drop-in support sessions, therapy, and treatment
- Ability to attend treatment for longer periods of time
- Ability to use concepts and methods learned in treatment to cope with stressful situations in regular daily life
- More frequent and sustained periods of abstinence
- Direct access to support from family and friends
- Support and comfort of familiar surroundings, loved ones, and routine
- Agile supports and treatments based on the specific level of care you require throughout your recovery
Tailor-Made Treatment
A 2015 study into the importance of precision in addiction care found that patients achieved the most long-term success when the treatment was precisely customized to their individual biology, history, and condition. Home Based Recovery tailors your care to meet your individual needs, and makes adjustments to your treatment as mental and physical challenges emerge during recovery.
Choosing Your Addiction Treatment Method
At Home Based Recovery, we understand the importance of making an informed decision when choosing the best option for alcohol addiction treatment. Our Home Based Recovery program is ideal for people with low-to-moderate alcohol use concerns. If you have difficulty controlling your use or consumption of alcohol, and its use is impacting aspects of your life and relationships, it may be time for you to seek help. Outpatient support and recovery coaching in Victoria is available through Home Based Recovery today. If you need help to stop drinking alcohol, contact us to learn more about the support options available through outpatient addiction coaching services.
Reach Out To Us For A No-Charge Consultation
We would be happy to speak with you confidentially to see if HBR is the right fit for you. Please feel free to connect with us by calling 1-778-700-2830 or by emailing admin@homebasedrecovery.ca.
