Residential vs. Inpatient Addiction Treatment: Is There A Difference?

When we look at residential and inpatient treatment from the surface there may not look like much a difference. Depending on the level of addiction or mental health, it’s important to get the correct care for recovery.

While there are several different types of addiction treatment, two seem to have the models that best promote recovery, residential, and inpatient substance abuse treatment.

There are many different reasons these options are effective, but some of the similarities are: 

• both options treat people with coexisting mental health and addiction issues
• both treatments are suggested for those with a high risk of relapse
• both options can support a medically supervised detox before rehab

We can now look at what makes each type of addiction treatment unique.

Residential Addiction Treatment Options

Residential treatment locations are usually more expensive due to the extra options and special amenities offered. Some offer private rooms, chefs, nutritional experts, yoga, meditation, among other extras.

Additionally, residential treatments tend to offer a more multimodal approach to addiction. They may offer CBT as a primary form of counseling while incorporating mindfulness, behavioral modification techniques, and even some longer-term treatment of withdrawal symptoms. 

Residential treatment also focuses on what will happen in a “real-life” situation when you return home, they try to model the rehabilitation environment similar to a home experience. Helping residents build appropriate support systems, find a sense of self, and develop needed skills. 

Inpatient Addiction Treatment Options

At an inpatient facility, the approach tends to be a bit more medical. Detoxification and stabilizing the person is the foremost important step at an inpatient treatment facility. The focus is on getting the person sober quickly, usually 30 days. 

More time is spent on achieving sobriety than the underlying causes of addiction and the problems that occur as a result. 

Inpatient units or independent inpatient facilities are typically locked, patients are not able to leave freely, and visitation is scheduled. Many times, all activities are contained in the unit, unless the facility has an area set aside for activities outside the unit. 

Which Do I Choose; Inpatient or Residential?

To decide which facility best meets your needs, you will need to evaluate the level of addiction of you or your loved one. If a person is dependent on painkillers due to a long-standing injury and never struggled with addiction before, an inpatient facility may suit them just fine. 

However, if this same individual has been known to abuse alcohol or other substances, a residential treatment option may be a good fit. 

Overall, the decision is best left to the addiction specialists and the person needing treatment. Reach out to us today and let us help you find what type of treatment is going to be the best option for you or your loved one.