Unfortunately, we live in a time of great stress and turmoil in the world. Sadly, in many cases, that means that more and more people are turning towards drugs and alcohol to cope. At the same time, rates of mental illness – and particularly depression and anxiety – are increasing. This has led to devastating consequences, including increases in joblessness, disability, and suicide.
These mental health issues are real, but the good news is that outpatient treatment is available to help. Outpatient treatment is a form of treatment that occurs in a clinical setting, such as a Doctor’s office or hospital. However, at the conclusion of a treatment session, a patient will return to their home and resume their normal activities of life. Thankfully, in the state of Delaware, many such outpatient treatment options exist.
Mental Health Treatment Options
When it comes to mental health outpatient treatment, there’s good news: A wide array of outpatient treatments can be used by people in order to recover from a variety of mental health issues. These include, but are not limited to:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
There are many different styles of mental health treatment, and a good therapist will find the style that works best for you and what you are suffering from. Sessions will typically involve 45-60 minutes of conversation, reviewing past incidents and discussing how to cope with ongoing issues. A good therapist will not attempt to solve your problems. Instead, they will help you change the way your mind works to assist you in addressing future challenges.
Drug & Alcohol Treatment Options
Drug and alcohol problems are often among the most tragic that someone can suffer from, particularly from the perspective of a family member. People on the outside of an addiction problem often struggle to understand how someone can engage in so many self-destructive behaviors that it seems as if they are willingly throwing their life away in order to continue abusing substances. Of course, it’s not that simple, and most people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol would love to stop, but simply cannot find a way to do so. Outpatient treatment options for drug or alcohol addiction are available, and thankfully, the right kind of treatment can help someone recover. A slew of treatment options exist in order to treat drug and alcohol addiction in an outpatient setting. These include:
- Individual therapy: Patients will discuss their addiction with a certified, licensed counselor, reviewing potential reasons that they abuse substances and discussing the circumstances that led them there. During this time, patients will also learn tools to help them cope with future pressures that may drive them back towards substance abuse.
- Group therapy: In a structured, moderated setting, a trained therapist or facilitator will lead group discussions. During this time, patients are encouraged to engage and help each other, identifying common themes and shared ways of recovering.
- Continuing care: Many patients who are not actively abusing substances find a benefit in periodically having sessions with a therapist or group setting in order to discuss ongoing challenges. This type of therapy is often “preventative” in that it keeps patients from relapsing.
Outpatient vs. Inpatient
Thankfully, outpatient treatment options have high rates of success. However, there may be times where outpatient treatment simply cannot do the job necessary in order to give a patient the recovery they deserve. In those cases, the patient may see more of a benefit from inpatient treatment, which provides treatment in a residential setting. Inpatient treatment comes with a few positives: It is more intensive, creates a more structured environment for patients and can allow for enhanced monitoring over a patient’s behavior.
This may be particularly necessary for individuals whose addictions or mental health have deteriorated to the point that they are a danger to themselves or others. However, inpatient treatment is far more disruptive to a patient’s life. It is also significantly more expensive. As such, outpatient treatment is often a good first step towards helping someone get their life back on track.
Remember, if you are suffering from a mental illness or addiction to drugs or alcohol, help is available. You don’t have to live a life of pain and suffering, and with proper treatment, you can begin your path towards recovery. Call us today at 302-842-2390, or check out our website at www.website.com.
