When people decide to get help for their mental health issues it can feel like a weight has been lifted from their shoulders. They admit there is a problem and are ready to get on the road to recovery. But it can also be a scary time. There is confusion over the next steps and what is the appropriate course of action to help treat the issue. Country Road Recovery Center is here to provide more details about inpatient vs. outpatient therapy options.
Mental Health Issues In The U.S.
Those suffering from mental health issues come from numerous walks of life. Diseases and psychological conditions can impact people no matter their background. In fact, nearly 20% of all Americans are experiencing a mental illness, according to Mental Health America. That amounts to about 50 million people.
Roughly 5% of the population suffers from severe mental illness.
Utah had the highest prevalence of adult mental illness, while New Jersey had the lowest.
For many, mental health conditions go hand-in-hand with substance abuse issues. Their mental health condition can be an underlying cause of drug and alcohol abuse. According to Mental Health America, about 7.7% of Americans reported a substance use disorder in the past year. Alcohol use disorder was twice as common as drug use disorder.
Getting Treatment
There are many treatment options for people suffering from mental health conditions. The two most common categories are in-patient and outpatient programs. There are advantages and some drawbacks to both, so it is best to talk to a doctor or our staff at Country Road to determine the best course of action for yourself.
Intensive Outpatient Programs
For some, intensive outpatient programs are the best option. These are therapies where people visit a facility for a certain number of hours a week, usually between 9 and 20 hours. When clients arrive, they get therapy and counseling sessions in both individual and group settings. Some programs even offer classes. The goal is to give people the support they need for their road to recovery but allow them to live a traditional life.
The biggest benefit of intensive outpatient programs is that the person returns home at the end of the day. This treatment option is best for people who have work or life commitments that they can’t leave. It is also best for people with strong support systems and not those who live in situations that will make their condition worse.
Inpatient Therapy
The other option is inpatient therapy programs. Like outpatient programs, people will attend counseling and therapy sessions at a facility. The biggest difference is that people live where they are receiving treatment. Inpatient therapy provides people with round-the-clock care. As clients continue their road to recovery, they gain more autonomy and will transition back to traditional life.
These programs are best for people with severe mental health illness or substance abuse disorder. Inpatient therapy programs are also a good fit for people without a strong support system, that way staff at the facility can help people stay on the road to recovery.