How Often Should I Have Appointments at Outpatient Treatment Centers After Rehab?

Overcoming addiction and completing a rehabilitation program is extremely commendable, especially if you have defeated an addiction that had become extremely physical and severe. Even once you have completed an inpatient, outpatient, or intensive rehabilitation program, it is still imperative to focus on aftercare. Aftercare services are typically resources provides by outpatient and inpatient rehab facilities or hospitals. With aftercare, individuals are capable of seeking continued counseling, therapy, or medical checkups as they maintain their sobriety. If you are considering scheduling an appointment at an outpatient treatment center and you are unsure of how frequently you should schedule an appointment, it is important to understand how outpatient treatment centers, facilities, and programs operate.

Types of Outpatient Treatment Programs

There are various types of outpatient treatment programs available to choose from depending on your needs and the severity of the addiction you are working towards overcoming. Some of the most common types of outpatient programs often include:

  • Group Therapy: Group therapy sessions are extremely common outpatient rehabilitation programs. With group therapy, meet with others who have struggled in similar situations in a safe and welcoming environment. Learn how to better discuss your addiction and the challenges you face each day in group therapy.
  • Sponsor Meetings: The most known form of outpatient rehabilitation programs includes sponsor meetings. Sponsor meetings are ideal for individuals who are seeking a sponsor to prevent relapse and giving into temptation. It is also possible to become a sponsor once you have been sober for a set period of time.
  • Individual Addiction Counseling: Attending frequent meetings individually with an addiction counselor or therapist is also highly advisable in most outpatient rehabilitation programs.
  • Intensive Outpatient Programs: An intensive outpatient program may include a variety of solutions in addition to medically monitored detox programs as well. However, unlike an inpatient rehab facility or treatment program, an intensive outpatient program does not require an individual to move or place their current job on hold while seeking treatment.

Choosing the Right Outpatient Program for Your Needs

Choosing the right outpatient program for you greatly depends on your needs, whether or not you have experienced a relapse in the past, and the overall severity of your current addiction. Outpatient programs that involve communicating with others is optimal if you are looking to connect with others while you overcome your addiction. If you are looking to dive deeper into the root cause of your addiction, consider individual counseling or therapy with a professional who specializes in addiction and overcoming it to live a life of sobriety. Outpatient sponsor meetings are also extremely beneficial to those who are in need of guidance as they work through various obstacles and challenges that most frequently occur while giving up an addiction for a sober lifestyle. Sponsor meetings are helpful and can keep you on track whenever temptation arises.

How Frequently Should I Schedule Appointments at Outpatient Treatment Centers?

Scheduling appointments at an outpatient treatment center will vary depending on the type of treatment center or program that works best for you. If you have a strong and healthy support system in everyday life but you want to maintain control over your actions, scheduling an outpatient appointment bi-weekly or weekly is highly recommended. For those who struggle with their support systems or sticking to sobriety, scheduling weekly or even multiple days in one week is advisable. Sponsor meetings typically gather weekly, if not more depending on the type of sponsor group you join. Before joining any support group for the drug or substance you have used, inquire about the frequency of meetings and ensure that it is possible to continue to attend even if you have missed meetings in the past.

If you are unsure of how frequently you should schedule your appointment at the outpatient treatment center of your choice, it is also possible to ask the counselor, therapist, or representative who is working for you. Inquire about appointment frequency and what is recommended based on your history with substances as well as your thoughts of living a life of sobriety without the assistance of outpatient or inpatient programs. Are you looking for an outpatient treatment center that will work with your schedule? Call us today at 800-411-8019 to speak with one of our counselors. Our counselors are available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week and are ready to help you find an outpatient treatment center or program that is right for you.