Outpatient treatment for an addiction is treatment without admission: the person goes on living at home, and often working, while attending a specialist centre regularly for therapy, medical follow-up and check-ups. Done properly, it is an intensive treatment, not just a handful of occasional appointments.
What outpatient addiction treatment is
It combines several interventions with one shared goal: to stop using and stay abstinent in your own surroundings. That is its great advantage and also its challenge, because the changes are put to the test every day in real life: at home, at work, with friends.
It is usually part of a wider process. It may begin after detoxification, if that was needed, or provide continuity after a stay in a residential centre.
Who it is suitable for
The decision is made after a professional assessment. In general, outpatient treatment is a good fit when:
- The person’s physical health allows treatment without admission.
- There is motivation to stop using.
- There is a support network, usually the family, that can offer support and structure.
Where there is serious deterioration, situations of high risk, little motivation or previous outpatient treatments that did not work, admission to a treatment centre is usually considered.
What a week of outpatient treatment looks like
Intensity is what makes the difference. As an example, on the FSC outpatient programme a person may have, in a single week:
- One individual session with their psychologist.
- One therapy group.
- One medical appointment.
- Two urine tests.
This pace allows very close follow-up, early detection of difficulties and adjustments to the plan whenever needed.
Individual, group and family therapy
A psychologist specialising in addiction
In individual therapy, a psychologist trained in addiction helps the person understand what role substance use was playing, identify high-risk situations and build alternatives. It is the space for working in depth on their personal history and goals for change.
Group therapy for addiction
The therapy group brings together people going through similar processes, led by a professional. Listening to others who have been through the same thing reduces isolation, helps people recognise their own self-deceptions and offers strategies that have been tested in practice. For many people it is one of the most useful parts of treatment.
Family and couples therapy
Addiction affects the whole family, and the family can be a great support for change. That is why, whenever possible, the family is involved in treatment. Find out more about the family support programme.
Medical and psychiatric follow-up and check-ups
The psychiatrist assesses general health, medication where needed and possible associated disorders such as anxiety or depression (known as dual diagnosis). Urine tests are a therapeutic tool: they provide objective information and help to consolidate progress.
How long outpatient treatment lasts
It depends on the person, but it is not a short process. On the FSC outpatient programme, when the treatment plan is followed, with regular attendance at individual and group psychotherapy, periodic urine tests and, whenever possible, family involvement, it lasts approximately two years.
SAP: FSC’s outpatient centre
The SAP (Servicio de Atención Psicosocial, the psychosocial care service) of the Fundación Salud y Comunidad (FSC) is a private, confidential outpatient therapy centre in central Barcelona. It specialises in addiction, although it also deals with any other psychological concern. It has been running since 1997 and has seen thousands of people in that time.
It is authorised by the Government of Catalonia (Generalitat de Catalunya, Department of Health) as a Mental Health Care Centre, with registration number E08579349. Its multidisciplinary team includes psychotherapists, neuropsychologists and psychiatrists, as well as administrative staff. It offers individual, group, couples and family therapy, together with medical and psychiatric follow-up and urine tests, in comfortable facilities.
When to ask for help
If your substance use worries you, or worries someone close to you, a professional assessment will help you find out whether outpatient treatment is right for you. Ask for a free first appointment by calling +34 93 424 04 00; guidance is free of charge. In a medical emergency, call 112, the European emergency number.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep working during outpatient treatment?
In general, yes: that is one of its advantages. It does, however, require a commitment to attend sessions, groups and check-ups regularly.
How long does outpatient addiction treatment last?
It depends on each case. On the outpatient programme at FSC’s SAP, when the treatment plan is followed, it lasts approximately two years.
What is group therapy for addiction for?
It helps to break isolation, to share experiences with people in a similar situation and to learn strategies for staying abstinent. It is always led by a professional.
Is it confidential?
Yes. Confidentiality is one of the hallmarks of the SAP, which is a private centre, and a basic principle of any healthcare.
Which is better, outpatient treatment or admission?
Neither is better in the abstract. It depends on physical health, motivation, support from those around the person and previous treatments, and it is decided after a professional assessment.