What is inpatient substance use treatment?

Inpatient treatment may be part of a hospital program or found in special clinics. You'll sleep at the facility and get therapy in the day or evening.

Inpatient treatment may be a good option if:

• You've tried outpatient treatment, but it didn't work.
• You have other physical or mental health conditions.
• Your home situation makes it hard to stay away from drugs or alcohol.
• You don't live near an outpatient treatment clinic.

You may stay for several weeks, depending on how your recovery is going. After inpatient treatment, you should go to outpatient treatment for more counseling and group therapy. Inpatient treatment also may be residential, which means you stay at the facility for months.

If you have substance use disorder, your doctor may suggest treatment at an inpatient or outpatient facility. At inpatient facilities, you stay overnight. At outpatient facilities, you come only during the day. How long you stay varies among programs.

There are many options for inpatient and outpatient treatment programs. Treatment may include group therapy, one-on-one counseling, drug and alcohol education, medical care, and family therapy. A combination of these treatments may be used in both inpatient and outpatient programs. You may be able to do outpatient treatment online. Talk to your doctor or counselor to find out about online options.

Your doctor or counselor will help you decide whether you should have inpatient or outpatient treatment. The choice may depend on:

• How severe the substance use disorder is.
• Your mental health.
• What kind of support you have.
• Your work and living situation.
• How the treatment will be paid for.

The national Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) can help you find treatment programs. Search online at findtreatment.gov or call 1-800-662-HELP (4357).