While it’s true that chaos is a side effect of drug and alcohol addiction, you can find relief in a nearby outpatient addiction treatment program. Outpatient care will help you get your life back in order without the need to quit your job or leave school. As a client in outpatient treatment, you’re free to meet your responsibilities at home while receiving treatment for your substance use disorder. This type of treatment has many benefits for those who can’t commit to a residential program. For more information about the advantages of an outpatient addiction treatment program, reach out to The Willows at Red Oak today by calling 855.773.0614.
Making Time for Outpatient Addiction Treatment
As a client in outpatient care, you must meet specific minimum requirements for participation. As a result, you’ll schedule treatment times that work for you, and you’ll be required to keep them. This practice is the first step in re-ordering your priorities to bring the structure of sobriety back into your days. Having a specific place to go and a time to be there is essential for recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. You’ll attend counseling sessions and take part in therapy, just as you would in residential care. The difference is that you’ll be able to schedule your treatment around other obligations, such as work or school.
Tips for Balancing an Outpatient Treatment Program
Learning how to balance outpatient addiction treatment with work and family obligations can be challenging. It’s important to note, however, that recovery must be your top priority. If you find yourself unable to balance your life as a client in an outpatient treatment program, consider residential treatment instead. Tips for bringing balance to outpatient care include:
- Making sure you have backup child care at all times
- Ensuring you have several modes of transportation to and from treatment, in case one should fail
- Calling on your supportive network of family and friends when needed
- Talking to your boss regarding your situation
- Verifying treatment coverage with your insurance company beforehand
- Talking with a counselor at your school
You may consider making other minor concessions during the duration of your treatment, as well. For instance, this could include cutting back hours at work or changing shifts to make it more convenient to meet treatment obligations. You may want to purchase a season bus pass as a backup if your car doesn’t start on the coldest day of the year. Similarly, you could ask a friend or relative to live-in with you during treatment, so there’s always someone to sit with small children.
Balancing Outpatient Addiction Treatment with Personal Needs
Aside from transportation, work, and family responsibilities, you also have personal needs that must be met for recovery to work. These include:
- Getting enough sleep each night
- Shopping for healthy food and eating nutritionally balanced meals
- Making time for fun and relaxation
- Getting enough exercise and outdoor time
- Staying connected with your recovery network
These needs are just as important as getting to and from work and treatment appointments on time. As a result, you must manage time well as you progress through your outpatient addiction treatment program. Rely on others to help you, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Use a daily planner and set more than one alarm clock each morning. Set reminders on your phone or smartwatch to help you remember critical times and dates.
Contact The Willows at Red Oak Recovery
If you need an outpatient treatment program in North Carolina, The Willows at Red Oak Recovery may be the solution. We help young women between the ages of 18 and 30 recover from addiction and mental health concerns. Contact us today at 855.773.0614 to learn more, or visit us online for a virtual tour of our facility.
