An outpatient program is ongoing addiction or mental health treatment you attend once or several times a week while living at home. At Lotus Recovery Treatment Center, outpatient rehab is our lowest level of care, with individual therapy, group support and psychiatric care that fit around work, school or family.
What Is an Outpatient Program?
An outpatient program suits people who are ready to get back to daily life but still need support, structure and accountability. You keep working, going to school or running your home while you attend therapy a few hours a week.
Most people join after stepping down from an intensive outpatient program or partial hospitalization program. By then they are stable and have learned healthy ways to cope, so the focus shifts to using those skills in the real world.
Group therapy is the core of our outpatient program, with individual counseling and specialized therapies added as needed. As an outpatient treatment center in Thousand Oaks, CA, Lotus Recovery schedules outpatient rehab around work and school.
For substance use, outpatient addiction recovery means ongoing therapy, relapse prevention and support while you live at home and keep your routine.
What to Expect From Outpatient Rehab
A standard outpatient program is a lower-intensity level of care that provides outpatient drug treatment, alcohol treatment and mental health care. You live at home, or in sober housing if you need a stable place to stay.
Most outpatient programs take a few hours a week, so you keep working, studying and caring for your family. If your needs change, you can move up to IOP or PHP without starting over.
Outpatient Mental Health Treatment
Our outpatient program also supports people with depression, anxiety or trauma who need steady support after PHP or IOP. It is the final step in our outpatient mental health treatment, so you keep meeting with your therapist or psychiatric provider once your hours drop.
How Long Is Outpatient Rehab?
There is no fixed end date. Many people stay in outpatient care for several months, because it keeps support in place while life gets busy again. Your team reviews your plan with you as you go.
Most outpatient programs are centered around group therapy. Since a lot of work has already been done by this point, individuals in OP are working on more specific goals, such as maintaining steady work and building trust in their relationships. Group therapy at our outpatient treatment center reinforces emotional support and connection with peers near you.
Here is what group therapy can provide at this stage in the recovery journey:
01
You are not alone.
Those with substance use disorders often experience shame, guilt, loneliness and depression. Many have a background of physical or sexual abuse that they have concealed for years, which contributed to their addiction. Being in a group with people who understand and support you can be a huge motivator for abstinence.
02
Sense of community.
Group therapy reminds people that they are not suffering alone. This sense of community helps you through the ups and downs of recovery. It can also help manage the symptoms of anxiety and depression.
03
Improve communication.
Communication is an important life skill, but one that often lacks in addiction. You can improve your communication skills, listening abilities and empathic qualities by practicing them in group therapy.
04
Receive feedback.
The perceptions we have of ourselves are rarely accurate, which is why outside feedback can be helpful. In individual therapy, you must rely on your therapist’s feedback, but in a group setting, you can rely on your peers.
05
Try new abilities.
The mental and behavioral abilities learned in treatment can be applied in a group setting. This gives you a safe and non-judgmental space where you can test new ways of thinking and behaving.
Aside from group therapy, outpatient programs also include individual therapy and specialized therapies like meditation and yoga. Our services also include TMS treatment and dual diagnosis treatment options for clients nearby Thousand Oaks & Westlake Village CA.
Who Should Join a Standard Outpatient Program?
As the lowest level of care, a standard OP comes after an intensive outpatient program or partial hospitalization program. This is why this program is recommended for those who have completed some treatment and have mental health and withdrawal symptoms under control.Individuals who need mental health outpatient therapy or evening therapy can benefit from our flexible outpatient program near you in Thousand Oaks, CA.
Typically, we recommend our OP to individuals who have:
- Mild to moderate substance use disorder
- Strong support system
- Transportation to and from treatment
- Sober, stable living environment
- Motivation to attend session regularly
- Low risk of withdrawal symptoms
Long-Term Outpatient Rehab Support
Many people stay in an outpatient program for an extended period of time. They value having a strong support system and access to therapies when they need them, as the real world is fraught with challenges. Our standard outpatient rehab in Thousand Oaks keeps that support in place as long as you need it.
Call (805) 856-6690 to start outpatient rehab. Admissions is open 24/7, and most insurance is accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of addictions are treated in your outpatient programs in Thousand Oaks, CA?
We treat alcohol, opioid, prescription drug, stimulant and cannabis use, along with co-occurring mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety.
How do you personalize outpatient treatment plans for each patient?
Your plan is based on your assessment of substance use, mental health and goals. It may combine group therapy, individual counseling, psychiatric care and, when it fits, TMS or holistic therapies.
Do you provide family counseling or support as part of outpatient care?
Yes. Family therapy sessions help rebuild trust, improve communication and teach loved ones how to support recovery without enabling.
Are virtual or telehealth outpatient treatment options available in Thousand Oaks, CA?
Ask our admissions team which sessions can be held by telehealth for your plan. Most outpatient care takes place at our center.
How soon can someone start outpatient treatment after an initial assessment?
Most people can start within days of their assessment, and same day appointments are available.
What does outpatient rehab mean?
Outpatient rehab is treatment you attend on a schedule while living at home. You do not stay overnight.
What are the three types of rehab?
The main outpatient levels are partial hospitalization (PHP), intensive outpatient (IOP) or standard outpatient (OP). Residential rehab is a separate, live-in option.