Help Guides How To Pick A Treatment Plan

With so many addiction treatment plans available, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. You might think you’ve found the right option but still be unsure if it truly fits your situation and that’s completely normal. That’s why, in this guide, we break down the different types of addiction rehab and explore the benefits of each, giving you the clarity and confidence to decide what’s best for you.

Outpatient rehab

First, we begin with outpatient rehab. This type of rehab is a structured form of addiction treatment that lets you continue living at home while attending scheduled therapy sessions at a clinic or treatment centre. It’s particularly helpful for those with mild to moderate addictions or anyone who needs to keep their daily commitments open and available. Instead of stepping away from life completely, you integrate recovery into it, building tools to stay sober while navigating real-world responsibilities.

Here are the key features of outpatient rehab:

• One-to-one therapy

Regular sessions with a trained therapist to explore root causes of addiction, develop coping skills, manage cravings and work through mental health issues like anxiety, trauma or depression.

• Group therapy

Peer-based support to share challenges and progress, strengthen accountability and build confidence in expressing emotions and managing relationships.

• Family involvement

Therapy sessions involving family members to rebuild trust, improve communication and create a home environment that supports recovery.

• Educational workshops

Classes that cover relapse prevention, stress management, healthy habits and a better understanding of how addiction affects the brain and behaviour.

• Medical management

Access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for those who need it, along with regular medical check-ins to monitor physical and mental wellbeing during recovery.

Why choose outpatient rehab?

• Flexibility to fit treatment around your existing commitments
• Lower cost compared to inpatient rehab
• Continued engagement with daily life for real-world application of coping strategies
• Stronger privacy and discretion
• Ideal for early-stage addiction or step-down care after inpatient rehab

Inpatient treatment

Inpatient rehab is often the most effective way to break free from drug or alcohol addiction, especially when a safe detox is needed. But even within residential rehab, there’s no one-size-fits-all timeline. Some people may only need a short stay to get back on track, while others require more time to address the deep-rooted causes of their addiction.

That’s why many private rehab clinics offer inpatient stays ranging from 7 days to a full 28-day programme.

Each option combines detox and therapy but the amount of time available for treatment and reflection can influence how much support someone receives during and after withdrawal. Here’s a quick look at how the different lengths of stay compare:

7-day inpatient programme

• Best for those who need a medically supported detox and short introduction to therapy
• Offers a foundation to build on with further outpatient therapy or aftercare
• Focuses on withdrawal safety, comfort and early psychological support
• Includes guidance on relapse prevention and reintegration planning
• Suitable for alcohol, drug and prescription medication addictions

14-day inpatient programme

• Combines detox with more intensive therapeutic work
• Ideal for early-stage addiction or those returning to rehab after a relapse
• Includes one-to-one counselling, group therapy and medication management (if needed)
• Allows time for deeper exploration of triggers and coping tools
• Often includes family support sessions as part of the process

28-day inpatient programme

• Recommended for long-term or complex addictions
• Allows for full detox, extended therapy and preparation for long-term recovery
• Offers individual therapy (such as CBT or DBT), group sessions and family therapy
• Holistic approach that includes mental, emotional and behavioural support
• Often followed by structured aftercare including ongoing counselling and helpline access

No matter which option you’re considering, the goal is the same: to give you a safe space to reset and begin recovery with a tailored support plan. But what if you’re still not sure which of the two rehab options fit your needs? In the next section, we go deeper into this.

Which is the right treatment plan for me?

The decision between inpatient and outpatient rehab ultimately lies with you and it’s a deeply personal one. Some people choose inpatient treatment because they feel they need a full break from their environment to reset, while others prefer outpatient care to stay connected to work or family. There’s no shame in choosing the setting that feels most manageable for you right now.

But when dealing with something as delicate and complex as addiction, it’s important to get professional input. Rehab admissions teams or your GP, for example, may recommend a certain type of plan based on what you’re currently experiencing.

For example, you may be recommended inpatient rehab if:

• You’ve tried outpatient treatment before but relapsed and now feel like you need a fresh start in a completely new environment.
• You’re in a living situation that exposes you to triggers, such as housemates who use substances or a lack of privacy.
• You want time away from work, family and daily pressures to focus entirely on your recovery with round-the-clock support.

You may be recommended outpatient rehab if:

• You have a supportive home life and feel confident you can stay on track between sessions.
• You’re in the early stages of addiction and want to catch the problem before it becomes more severe.
• You’ve just completed inpatient rehab and want to continue your progress while reintegrating into your everyday routine.

In some cases, professionals may even recommend a blend of both. For example, you might begin with a 14- or 28-day inpatient stay to complete detox and establish stability, then transition into outpatient sessions to maintain momentum while returning to everyday life. Others may start outpatient but move to inpatient if they find they need more structure. The important thing is that your treatment adapts to you, not the other way around.

What are the next steps?

We know there’s a lot to take in. When you’re already dealing with the emotional weight of addiction, either your own or someone else’s, the last thing you want is to feel buried under information and fine print. If you’re feeling overwhelmed right now, that’s completely understandable.

That’s where Addiction Helper comes in. We’re here to take the pressure off your shoulders.

Whether you need help understanding the right type of treatment, want someone to talk to about a loved one’s behaviour or don’t know where to start, we can guide you through it. We offer free advice, support and connections to rehab centres with tailored treatment options to match your needs.

Call Addiction Helper today and let’s find the next step together.

Frequently Asked Questions