Inpatient vs Outpatient Rehab for Alcoholism

Deciding to enter alcohol addiction treatment can be a crucial step toward recovery. This page will help you understand the differences between inpatient vs outpatient alcohol rehab, provide inpatient vs outpatient rehab success rates, and help you choose the right alcohol rehab program for your needs.

What’s the Difference Between Inpatient and Outpatient Alcohol Rehab?

Understanding the key differences between inpatient vs outpatient alcohol treatment is important, as they both involve different intensities, time commitments, environments, and living situations. Both options serve as their own distinct levels of care that take into consideration a person’s biomedical, psychological, and social needs.¹ 

Before starting alcohol treatment, you’ll receive a comprehensive evaluation to help determine the right level of care for your needs.² You can enter or transition between settings depending on your unique needs and preferences and the recommendations of the treatment center.¹ Knowing the difference between inpatient and outpatient rehab can prepare you for what to expect before you commit to treatment.

Inpatient Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Inpatient addiction treatment involves living and sleeping onsite at a rehab for the entire duration of treatment.² You will have the opportunity to focus solely on your recovery, away from the distractions of daily life and triggers to drink. As you will reside onsite, you may need to take time off from work (although some inpatient rehabs offer programs for executives and professionals so they can continue to work) and make arrangements for other daily responsibilities, such as childcare, while you are in treatment.

Inpatient alcohol addiction treatment provides round-the-clock care and supervision, so any needs you may have, including co-occurring physical or mental health concerns, can be addressed.² You may be prescribed medication if needed, participate in individual and group counseling, and receive various behavioral therapies that examine the root causes of addiction and teach coping and life skills that are necessary for sobriety.² Rehabs also often offer the opportunity to participate in self-help groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), which can be a valuable source of recovery support.²

Outpatient Alcohol Addiction Treatment

Outpatient addiction treatment programs differ from inpatient treatment in that you can continue to live at home, but you will need reliable transportation to be able to attend treatment at a rehab.² You’ll still receive many of the same services offered at inpatient facilities, but they typically involve a less supportive level of intensity.

Depending on your needs, you might participate in different levels of outpatient care, which includes:^1,2

• Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), also known as high-intensity outpatient programs (HIOPs), which provide 4-8 hours of treatment most days of the week.
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), which are a step-up from standard care and involve 9-20 hours of treatment per week.
• Standard outpatient rehab, which is a lower level of intensity that can involve attending treatment 1-3 times per week.

Benefits of Inpatient vs Outpatient Alcohol Rehab

The benefits of inpatient vs outpatient drug rehab can vary depending on a person’s unique circumstances and needs, as no singular form of treatment is right for everyone.³ Getting some form of treatment is better than none, and research shows that treatment can help people stop drinking and using drugs, help them maintain abstinence, and support them as they live more productive lives at home, at work, and in society.³

Benefits of Inpatient Rehab for Alcohol Addiction

All inpatient programs are not exactly the same, therefore there may be some variances in what staff may or may not be able to offer you. However, some common benefits of inpatient alcohol rehab can include:^2,4,5

• The opportunity to focus solely on your recovery in a distraction-free environment.
• Being away from triggers and stressors that can make you want to drink.
• Care for serious mental health conditions. 
• A safe, highly structured, and supportive living environment where you will receive 24/7 care and attention.
• Professional staff who can address any needs or emergencies, such as seizures, should they arise.
• A potentially increased likelihood of greater initial abstinence, as you will not have access to alcohol. 
• An increased chance of completing treatment and participating in self-help groups. 

Benefits of Outpatient Rehab for Alcohol Addiction

As there are different levels of outpatient rehab available, the benefits that you may experience can vary based on which level of care you are enrolled in. But, there are many common benefits that you may reap from outpatient programs across the board, including:^2,3

• The opportunity to continue to work and attend to daily responsibilities, as outpatient rehabs often offer flexible scheduling on weekends or evenings.
• Less upheaval in your life, as you won’t have to change your living environment for a certain period.
• Increased autonomy, although this also comes with more responsibility, as you’ll still have access to alcohol in the outside world.
• A comparable level of intensity and support that is offered in inpatient programs, if you opt for treatment at an IOP or PHP.
• Often has a lower cost than inpatient treatment.

Success Rates of Inpatient vs. Outpatient Rehab for Alcohol

Limited data in the U.S. exists regarding success rates of inpatient vs outpatient rehab for alcohol addiction specifically. Studies have also sometimes shown different results, but research indicates that both inpatient and outpatient rehab can be effective forms of treatment. Consider the following:

• Two studies showed that a longer duration of inpatient treatment is associated with a lower risk of relapse, however, these studies did not compare inpatient vs outpatient care.^6,7
• One randomized controlled trial (RCT) showed that outpatient care led to better abstinence rates when compared to inpatient treatment.⁵
• The same RCT mentioned above showed that high-severity drinkers who participated in inpatient treatment showed a high reduction in alcohol use and drinks per day, but this was not shown in those who received outpatient care.^5,8
• Other studies have shown the rates of treatment drop-out to be much higher in outpatient treatment, with rates of 23–50% of those in outpatient treatment compared to 17–57% in inpatient treatment, which suggests that people may be more likely to complete inpatient treatment.⁹

How to Choose the Right Alcohol Rehab Program

Finding the right program can be a matter of personal preference and what’s right for your unique situation and needs. When considering rehabs, it’s wise to consider factors such as:¹⁰

• Whether they accept your insurance.
• The accreditation and licensure held by the rehab.
• Whether they offer evidence-based treatments and medications.
• Whether they offer aftercare plans.
• If you may need medical detox, and if they offer it.
• Inpatient vs outpatient rehab cost.

Many facilities offer various levels of care, so you can often transition to a different setting within the same rehab to maintain a strong continuum of care. People’s needs change throughout treatment, and your progress and needs will be continually assessed to determine whether adjustments in your treatment plan are necessary.³ 

Thankfully, you don’t have to decide which level of care is right for you on your own. Our team of treatment professionals at American Addiction Centers (AAC) can evaluate your needs to help you find the right rehab for you.

Start Your Recovery Journey

Deciding to enter treatment can be one of the most important choices you can make for your health and overall wellbeing. Please call us at to speak to a caring admissions navigator about the treatment options that are right for you, learn about using health insurance to pay for rehab, and start your recovery journey today. All calls are free and confidential, and there is no obligation to enter treatment with us.