At Safe Harbor Recovery Center in Portsmouth, Virginia, we recognize that different patients have different needs. While some of the people we serve require inpatient treatment for substance use disorders, others benefit more from outpatient care, which we are proud to offer. We work with each person who is referred to us to complete a thorough assessment and develop a tailored treatment plan that will meet their unique needs.
Outpatient Options
All of our services, whether inpatient or outpatient, are evidence-based, trauma-informed, and in line with best practices for substance abuse treatment. Our outpatient treatment options include:
Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) – this option is sometimes called “Day Treatment” because it involves participants spending daytime hours (8:30am – 3:30pm) receiving intensive, structured treatment and then returning home at night. Participants receive at least five hours of treatment a day for five days per week. During this time, they work on their treatment goals through group therapy, individual therapy, family therapy, medication management, and/or creative therapies. This treatment option can be a step up from IOP or a step down from inpatient treatment. PHP is generally only considered if the home environment is stable, clean, and supportive.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) – people who don’t need every day support, who are highly motivated to recover from addiction, and who have stable, supportive home lives may find IOP to be the best fit. This program meets Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 5-8pm and covers topics like:
- Relapse prevention
- Mindfulness
- Wellness and recovery
- Case management
- Psychoeducation
- Discharge planning
Virtual Outpatient Programming – Some patients find it most helpful to participate in treatment remotely. We offer this flexible option, which is accessible and allows patients to get treatment from anywhere. Our telehealth option offers many of the same modalities as the other outpatient levels, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), motivational interviewing (MI), and moral reconation therapy (MRT). To participate virtually, participants must be free from suicidal or homicidal thoughts, need more than weekly treatment but less than residential or PHP treatment, and have a computer with a camera and microphone.
Benefits of Outpatient Treatment
While outpatient treatment is not the right fit for everyone, some people do like that it:
- Allows them to continue with work, school, and other obligations
- Can save them the cost of room and board
- Gives them more freedom to use their free time as they see fit
- Keeps them close to supportive friends and family
- Provides them with the ability to continue or start mental health treatment in their local area while completing addiction treatment
- Gives them greater ability to evaluate if a program is a good fit before they enter treatment
After You Complete Outpatient Treatment
Before our patients leave any of our programs, we develop a plan with them for how they can maintain long-term recovery. This may include things like:
- A step down to a lower level of care
- Sober living
- 12-step programs like AA, NA, SMART Recovery, or Celebrate Recovery
- Mental health supports
- Resources for chronic pain management
- Family counseling recommendations
- Relapse prevention strategies
In addition, we may provide lifestyle suggestions to help the participant maintain overall well-being, such as:
- Exercise
- Healthy eating
- Prioritizing sleep
- Spiritual development
- Career and educational resources
Finding the Right Treatment Program for You
The decision to enter treatment for substance use disorder is a big one. If you have questions, it is okay to ask them, in order to ensure you find a program that is the right fit for you. You might want to ask:
- What training and credentials the counselors have and whether there are medical doctors associated with the program
- What therapy options and levels of care are offered
- How much time is spent in the program each day and how long treatment lasts
- What the success rate has been for patients completing the program
- How well the program can address any special concerns you might have, such as co-occurring mental health disorders, chronic pain, or Veteran-specific programming
- How friends and family are involved in treatment
- What insurance and forms of payment the program accepts
At Safe Harbor Recovery Center, we welcome questions from prospective patients. We want to ensure that if you choose to enter one of our programs, it is the right fit for your mental, physical, and spiritual needs.