Day treatment programs are considered another form of outpatient alcohol treatment or other substance abuse treatment. However, there are some differences between regular outpatient treatment and day treatment.
In order to qualify for a day treatment program, it must be determined that people who suffer from alcohol addiction or other types of addiction must have a serious addiction, but do not exhibit either serious medical problems or show signs of mental health issues.
Further, those who are providing alcohol treatment must agree that the patient is a candidate for day treatment, and will be better served if they are allowed to participate in day treatment rather than regular outpatient treatment. Such things as difficulty in leaving home, work, or school for the extended sessions that outpatient therapy requires are considered when making this determination.
Also, the fact that a person may possess better coping skills if allowed to remain in his specific living environment, as long as that does not play a part in supporting or worsening the alcohol addiction, are considered. If all these factors convince the treatment providers that day treatment is an option, the patient is then allowed to enter a day treatment program.
Day treatment sessions last longer than regular outpatient treatment sessions. A person attending a day treatment program is required to attend a four-hour counseling session, group or individual, each weekday. However, once the four-hour session is over, the patient’s treatment for that twenty-four hour period is concluded.
Day treatment sessions may also be held on the weekends, depending on the facility. If this is the case, these sessions may last longer than four hours. Even with these caveats, however, day treatment may be the best option for someone who wants to seek alcohol treatment but cannot participate in a regular outpatient program. For more information on day treatment, please visit http://www.alcoholaddiction.org/ or call 1-800-559-9503.
