What Is Continuum of Care?
Addictions affect people in different ways. Some people have a co-occurring disorder like depression that fuels the addiction. Other people have a past trauma or stressors that trigger drug use. For the patient to become sober, they must be treated for all of the co-occurring disorders and problems that fuel the addiction.
With a continuum …show more content…
Depending on the patient's needs, they may want to use a partial hospitalization program, inpatient treatment or intensive outpatient treatment.
With an inpatient program, patients stay at the treatment center 24 hours a day. They are continuously monitored to prevent a relapse. This intensive treatment option allows the individual plenty of time to address the mental conditions, traumas, emotional conditions and other factors that contribute to the addiction.
A partial hospitalization program is designed to help patients detox and start rehab. This type of treatment is generally offered for a part of each day at the treatment center. Unlike an inpatient program, the patient returns home for part of the day. Partial hospitalization programs can be used to help patients gradually reintegrate into normal life as treatment draws to an end.
In an outpatient program, patients remain at home most of the time. They come to the treatment center for therapy sessions once or more a week. This option is generally a better choice for patients who have a stable sobriety. It is also chosen by individuals who have other responsibilities to take care of outside of