How Are Outpatient Substance Abuse Programs Structured?


Created On: Monday, 21, October 2019
Modified On: Tuesday, 10, December 2019

Any time you start an outpatient treatment program, you will meet with staff to develop a treatment plan. This will be the goals you have and what you want to accomplish out of your treatment. The people working at the facility will gather information about your drug use, medical history, family problems, employment, and previous treatment experience. It is important to provide them with as much information as you can. This will ensure the proper treatment and therapy methods are used to help you. Along with this, it will help create the right schedule for treatment if you are still working.

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You are then introduced to the program rules that you are expected to follow. Most outpatient centers will do drug testing to ensure you are not using while going to treatment. You are expected to attend treatment regularly, and not miss any sessions. If there are assignments outside of sessions, you are expected to finish these as well. The schedule and structure will not be the same for every outpatient drug rehab center. You could be going to sessions for several hours per day, three to five times per week, or much less. Some outpatient centers may only require you to attend a couple of days per week. Much of this will depend on how severe your addiction is, and what other problems are involved.