Rehab cocaine addiction: When to choose inpatient vs. outpatient

Looking for cocaine rehab treatment? Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of inpatient vs. outpatient treatment settings. Then, make the best choice for yourself. More on treatment options here.

6
minute read

Is cocaine becoming a problem in your life?

Cocaine is a powerful central nervous system (CNS) stimulant that triggers the release of large amounts of dopamine in the brain. With repetitive cocaine use, a person starts craving cocaine when effects wear off. But craving is just the beginning of a problem. If you feel that you need cocaine just to be able to function normally, or have tired to quit many times but fail to succeed, you may have developed addiction to cocaine.

So, how can you quit cocaine? Should cocaine addicts check into an inpatient rehab, or will outpatient treatment do? In this article we summarize the main differences between residential and outpatient rehabs. Continue reading to help chose the best rehab setting for you, and then feel free to post your questions at the end. We try to answer all real-life questions with a personal and prompt reply.

Why do you need cocaine addiction rehab?

Repetitive and prolonged cocaine use can lead to:

  • auditory hallucinations
  • convulsions and seizures
  • headaches
  • heart disease and heart attack
  • paranoia attacks
  • stroke
  • sudden death

People need rehab for cocaine to address these serious effects of using. Medical detox can help address (and medicate) severe depression that comes during withdrawal. 24-7 medical supervision can help keep you safe and encourage you to continue the treatment. Rehab is also useful because once you get off cocaine, the trick is to STAY OFF cocaine. Rehab will teach you how.

Making a decision to manage your cocaine addiction and entering a cocaine rehab treatment can help you manage these dangerous and life threatening conditions.

NOTE: Even a single use can cause cocaine overdose or death!

Inpatient vs. outpatient cocaine rehabilitation

Before you make your decision and choose to attend inpatient or outpatient rehab program for cocaine addiction, you need to know what each type of treatment can offer. You must also be aware of the differences between inpatient and outpatient rehab.

Here are some of the key differences between inpatient and outpatient cocaine rehab programs:

1. Length of inpatient and outpatient cocaine rehab

On average, inpatient cocaine rehab programs last up to 30 days. This is considered as a sufficient period of time to safely remove cocaine from your body and start working on the psychological aspects of your addiction. Inpatient cocaine rehabs also include aftercare programs, provided through counseling and psychotherapy. People who are diagnosed with more serious and complicated cocaine addiction problems and conditions are usually recommended a longer treatment stay. Long term treatment can last anywhere from 60 up to 90 days, and in some severe cases for 120 days or more.

On the other hand, outpatient cocaine rehab treatments consist of counseling and daily or weekly therapy sessions, without the need to stay in a facility. Medical experts can not determine a precise duration of outpatient cocaine programs because they are adjusted to the patient individual needs. Most outpatient treatment stays average 12-16 weeks. When outpatient care FOLLOWS inpatient care, it can last for 9-12 months, or more.

2. Inpatient and outpatient cocaine rehab cost

Inpatient cocaine is more expensive, due to the extra fees for room and intensive round the clock care, daily treatment, regular meals, and other additional services. The average cost of inpatient cocaine rehabs is somewhere between $10-19K per treatment episode. Residential rehabs with high quality staff and services can cost from $18K up to $35K a month.

Outpatient cocaine rehab costs less because it doesn’t include any residential services. On average, you can expect outpatient cocaine rehab to cost you around $2K per treatment episode, while Intensive Outpatient or IOP rehab costs about $4K per episode.

3. Residence in inpatient and outpatient cocaine rehab

Inpatient cocaine rehab allows you to be completely focused on your recovery during the residential stay. This means that while you are a resident in an inpatient cocaine rehab facility, your full engagement is required during the activities and sessions. Your daily routine will be supervised and highly structured. This helps get you back into regular eating and sleeping patterns, which are often very irregular during cocaine use. Living at the facility also helps ensure your sobriety and keeps you safe.

Contrary to inpatient, outpatient cocaine rehab programs require you to live at home. This means during treatment will be able to continue your regular work, school, and family activities, and still attend treatment sessions. The advantage of outpatient cocaine treatment is the time flexibility and the opportunity to continue with your every day life routine. However, there are threats of everyday distractions that can affect or interfere with your dedication and the success your recovery.

4. Detox in inpatient and outpatient cocaine rehab

Detox is the first phase of every drug addiction treatment, regardless of whether you choose an inpatient or outpatient detox program. Inpatient treatment facilities provide addicts with detoxification care and services as part of their treatment program.

Outpatient rehabs will often refer you to a detox clinic outside of the treatment place. They do not offer medical detox themselves. After the cocaine detox process is over, then you will return to the outpatient facility for scheduled treatment meetings.

How can I decide between inpatient and outpatient cocaine rehab?

When making a decision to stop using cocaine, it is recommended that your first point of contact should be a medical professional. Choosing an inpatient or an outpatient cocaine rehab program should be based on consultation with professionals. Doctors are specialized at managing different health conditions and can recommend an inpatient or outpatient treatment clinic based on your addiction state and your needs.

Do not try to quit cocaine cold turkey and on your own because you can put your body through severe shock and discomfort. Here we suggest a list of recommended professionals you can reach out to when facing a cocaine addiction:

  • Doctor that is specialized in addiction
  • Licensed Addiction Counselor
  • Psychiatrist
  • Psychologist

What should cocaine rehab programs offer?

Despite differences, there are also similarities and established conditions that a good rehab facility should provide. All inpatient and outpatient rehabs should offer:

Intake and evaluation services

The length of these session is from 1 to 3 hours. During this time, the treatment provider will determine your mental and emotional health state along with the severity of your cocaine addiction. This is done to get to know your individual state best, and decide on the treatment process based on your needs.

Progress reports

These reports are a chronological data set of the improvements, setbacks, challenges, and changes you make during your cocaine rehab. It is important to keep a log of your condition as it progresses, in case a need for treatment change or adjustment occurs.

Psychotherapy and behavioral therapy

Every addiction has psychological roots that can be discussed and addressed through support group meetings and individual or group counseling. Psychotherapy enables you to dig deep into the problems or past traumas that may have lead to the development of cocaine addiction in the first place. Behavioral therapy teaches you how to act and think in more positive patterns in order to avoid relapse and manage triggers.

Inpatient and outpatient cocaine rehab questions

Still have doubts about whether you should choose inpatient or outpatient rehab for cocaine addiction? Feel free to post your questions in the comments section below. We try to respond to all legitimate inquiries personally and promptly. In case we do not know the answer, we will gladly refer you to an expert who can help.

Reference Sources: UDEL: Cocaine
CESAR: Cocaine (Powder)
National Institute of Drug Abuse: Prescription Drug Facts: Depressants
DrugAbuse: Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment
NCBI: Inpatient vs outpatient treatment for substance dependence revisited
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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