Does Outpatient Rehab Work?

Table of Contents

Outpatient rehab is a great addition to any recovery journey, offering an excellent source of support and ongoing therapy.

It is more affordable than inpatient rehab, lets people keep their jobs, and offers flexibility so you can maintain your daily life during treatment.

If you’re considering attending outpatient rehab and are wondering, “does rehab work?”, read on to learn more about the most affordable type of addiction treatment.

Get started with insurance-covered outpatient rehab today by calling our friendly team at 877-679-2132.

What Is Outpatient Rehab For?

Outpatient rehab is for people who need treatment for drug or alcohol addiction, with therapy sessions occurring during the day and the freedom to return home each night. For those who need extra accountability and support, sober living homes are also a great option during outpatient rehab.

Outpatient rehab is different from inpatient rehab, where people stay at the center for 30 to 90 days, offering a more flexible alternative to full-time inpatient rehab programs. However, outpatient rehab is best fit for those who have already gone through an inpatient program, as success rates tend to be much higher with a comprehensive care plan.

There are three main types of outpatient rehab:

  • OP: Regular outpatient programs involve 2 to 3 hours of weekly therapy.
  • IOP: Intensive outpatient programs involve at least 9 hours of weekly therapy.
  • PHP: Partial hospitalization programs involve at least 20 hours of weekly therapy.

During outpatient sessions, people attend group therapy or counseling. They focus on understanding triggers and learning coping skills. A benefit of group therapy is that connecting with others helps people see they are not alone in their struggles. People often make decisions based on the groups they belong to. while this may sometimes lead to risky behavior, being in a supportive group can help people move toward a sober and happier life.

group fist bump representing how effective is outpatient rehab

Is Outpatient Rehab Effective?

How effective is outpatient rehab, then? Outpatient rehab is most effective for those with mild addictions, strong support systems, and no mental health conditions. It also helps if the person is motivated to get sober and stay sober.

In most cases, this form of treatment works best when combined with detox or as a step down from inpatient care. This helps people get the support they need in a safe space. After detox or inpatient rehab, outpatient therapy provides ongoing support to help people stay sober long-term.

Advantages of Outpatient Rehab

There are many advantages to outpatient rehab, especially when used as a step down from inpatient care. Benefits include:

  • Affordability: Outpatient rehab usually costs less than inpatient programs. Costs are also covered by all major health insurance plans.
  • Flexibility: Outpatient rehab offers flexible scheduling. This enables people to attend therapy while meeting their daily commitments at work and home.
  • Family support: Staying at home during treatment allows people to get support and encouragement from their loved ones. This can provide a useful sober network and boost motivation.
  • Ongoing care: For those who have completed detox or inpatient programs, outpatient rehab provides ongoing support, helping them practice the skills they have learned and stay on the path to long-term recovery.
  • Connections: By staying in their community, people can stay more connected to local resources and build a network that helps in their recovery journey.

Is Outpatient Rehab Covered by Insurance?

Most health insurance plans cover outpatient rehab, but the level of coverage can vary. It’s best to check with your insurance provider to see what’s covered. There may be deductibles, co-pays, or limits on the number of sessions. Medicare and Medicaid may also cover outpatient rehab. Check your insurance benefits and understand the costs before starting treatment. If you need help checking if your health insurance covers the cost of rehab, we can help you at Ohio Recovery Centers. Check by clicking here.

ohio community center building representing how effective is outpatient rehab

Get Effective Outpatient Rehab at Ohio Recovery Centers

At Ohio Recovery Centers, we focus on outpatient treatment for all types of addictions. This means you can get science-backed care while staying at home. If you need more support, we also offer intensive outpatient treatment.

All our treatment programs in Cincinnati are designed to fit the needs of each person. We use treatments backed by research, including MAT (medication-assisted treatment), therapy, and counseling. At Ohio Recovery Centers, you can also try holistic treatments like yoga and exercise.

Call 877-679-2132 to begin your recovery journey right away.

Table of Contents

an image of author Joe Gilmore

Joseph Gilmore

Joseph Gilmore has been working in the addiction industry for half a decade and has been writing about addiction and substance abuse treatment during that time. He has experience working for facilities all across the country. Connect with Joe on LinkedIn.
An image of Ohio Community Health staff

Christopher Glover CDCA

My name is Christopher Glover, and I am from Cincinnati, Ohio. I am currently in school and working to grow in competence to better support our community. As a recovering individual I know the struggles that you or a loved one can go through and that there is help for anything you may be struggling with.

The hardest part is asking for help and we are here as a team to best support you and your decision to start your journey towards a better future. Connect with Chris on LinkedIn

An image of Ohio Community Health staff

Amanda Kuchenberg PRS CDCA

I recently joined Ohio Community Health Recovery Centers as a Clinical Case Manager. I am originally from Wisconsin but settled in the Cincinnati area in my early 20s.  My career started in the fashion industry but quickly changed as I searched to find my drive and passion through helping others who struggle with addiction. 

As someone who is also in recovery, I wanted to provide hope, share lived experience, and support others on their journey.  I currently have my Peer Recovery Support Supervision Certification along with my CDCA and plan to continue my education with University of Cincinnati so I can continue to aid in the battle against substance addiction. Connect with Amanda on LinkedIn.

An image of Ohio Community Health staff

Patrick McCamley LCDC III

 Patrick McCamley (Clinical Therapist) is a Cincinnati native who has worked in substance use disorder/co-occurring mental health disorder treatment since 2019. Patrick received his bachelors degree in psychology from University of Cincinnati in 2021 and received his LCDC III (Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor) license from the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board in 2022. Patrick has worked in Clinical Operations, Clinical Case Management, and Clinical Therapy throughout his career.

Patrick has tremendous empathy and compassion for the recovery community, being in recovery himself since 2018. Patrick is uniquely qualified to be helpful because of the specific combination of his academic background and his own experience in recovery.

An image of Ohio Community Health staff

Bill Zimmerman CDCA

Bill Zimmerman is a Greater Cincinnati Area native who has worked in substance use disorder/co-occurring mental health disorder treatment since 2018. Bill received his (Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant) license from the Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board in 2020.

Bill has worked in Clinical Operations in both support and supervision, and Program facilitating and 12 step recovery support during his career. Bill has a passion for the recovery community, having been in recovery himself since 1982. Connect with Bill on LinkedIn

An image of Ohio Community Health staff

Taylor Lilley CDCA, PRS

Growing up in Louisiana with addiction running rampant on both sides of my family. A life away from drugs and alcohol seemed impossible for someone like me. I remember what it was like sitting across from someone thinking there is no way they could ever understand what I was going through.

Sharing my experience offers a credibility and a certain type of trust with clients that only someone who has walked down this road can illustrate. To immerse myself further into the field of addiction, I am currently studying at Cincinnati State for Human and Social Services.  I hope I never forget where I came from, if I can do it, so can you!

An image of Ohio Community Health staff

Thomas Hunter LSW

Hello my name is Thomas Hunter. I was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. I am a licensed social worker.In my scope of practice I have worked in the areas of mental health and recovery for thirty years. The clients I have worked with in my career have ranged in age from seven to seventy.

I strive each day to serve my purpose of helping those in need and I believe I do so by utilizing all of my experiences to accomplish my goal of supporting those who desire to establish their sobriety and maintain it in their recovery. Connect with Thomas on LinkedIn.

An image of Ohio Community Health staff

Mary D.Porter,LICDC

 My name is Mary D. Porter. I received my Masters of Social Work in 2008 from The University of Cincinnati. I received My Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor Licensure in 2001. I retired from The Department of Veteran Affairs Medical Center on April 14, 2014. Currently, I am the Associate Clinical Director for The Ohio Community Health Recovery Centers in Cincinnati.. Due to the fourth wave of the Opioid Epidemic in 2019,  I decided to enter back into the workforce to assist the addicted population.

The overdoses were astounding and I wanted to help.  I consider myself  to be an advocate for the addicted population. My compassion, resilience, empathy, wisdom, knowledge, experience and  love I have for this forgotten population goes beyond words. I consider what I do for the addicted population as a calling versus a “career,” because I too was once an “addict and alcoholic.” Today I am 45.5 years alcohol and substance free.

An image of Ohio Community Health staff

Ben Lemmon LCDC III

Hello, my name is Ben Lemmon, and I’m the Vice President and Clinical Director at Ohio Community Health Recovery Centers. I’ve been working in the addiction and mental health field since 2013 and decided to enter the field after overcoming my own challenges with addiction.

When I first meet a client, I always explain to them that the reason we are meeting is because they are not capable of obtaining or maintaining sobriety, and my goal is to create a person that can maintain sobriety. I believe a person’s personality is made up of their thoughts, feelings and actions and my job is to help clients identify the thoughts, feelings and actions that have them disconnected from recovery and provide them with the tools to live a healthy and happy life. Connect with Ben on LinkedIn