We often hear the question: "Doesn't outpatient work just as well as inpatient drug rehab?" It's a valid question because of the generally higher cost of inpatient treatment, and the fact that it can be inconvenient or impractical to leave your home and job for a 30, 60 or 90-day-or-longer stay at a drug rehab center.

The goal of alcohol or drug rehab is: A life free from alcohol or drugs, with the former addict now rehabilitated and able to live a normal life. Both inpatient and outpatient drug rehab models have shown excellent results in the attainment of this goal, but most research so far has found that inpatient has the edge on outpatient treatment.

The advantage of the inpatient rehab setting is that it provides a distraction-free environment and 24/7 care and attention, something you do not have in the out-patient setting. Inpatients have their emotional problems addressed, their nutritional needs cared for, their life skills improved through special training, even their recreational activities supervised. All these services are aimed at preventing relapse, and at encouraging the self-realization and knowledge needed for a new, drug-free life.

Outpatients, on the other hand, are exposed on a daily basis to the same dangerous environment where their addiction began, with all its temptations and reminders. To be successful, the outpatient drug rehab program would not only have to offer all the services of inpatient care, it would also have to effectively deal with the environmental dangers the recovering addict faces every day. It's much more difficult to maintain your resolve under those circumstances. In fact, one study of inpatient versus outpatient alcohol rehab found that, with everything else being equal, outpatient clients were four times more likely to be early treatment failures than inpatient clients. In other words, four times as many addicts walk before their addiction is handled.

If you're trying to decide whether inpatient or outpatient drug rehab is best for your situation, bear in mind that severe or long-term addiction, the presence of problems in your life other than substance abuse, the absence of strong support from family, friends and work, or any lack of commitment on your part are indicators that inpatient drug rehab is needed. all indicate that inpatient treatment may be the best choice. Finally, inpatient treatment requires you to be away from home and work for however long it takes, and statistics show that longer is better. Most addictions are better served with at least 90 days, and longer has proven even more successful.

With this information, you should now have your answer to the question, "Doesn't outpatient work just as well as inpatient?" If you can manage the time and are looking for the maximum advantage in your campaign to end your addiction, inpatient should be your first choice for a successful drug rehab program and a drug-free life.