Outpatient vs. Inpatient Addiction Treatment in Memphis: How to Know What You Need

If drugs or alcohol are taking more than they give, you have a real choice to make. Outpatient or inpatient? Here is how to tell.

Most people searching this are not looking for a lecture. They want to know what fits their life and what is safe.

You may have searched for this as rehab. The words differ, but the question is the same.

The short answer

Outpatient treatment means you get care at a clinic and sleep at home. You come in for counseling, groups, and sometimes medication.

Inpatient treatment (also called residential) means you live at a facility for a set time and get care around the clock.

Neither one is better in general. The right one depends on how safe your body is, how stable your home is, and what you need right now.

Here is the simple version:

• Outpatient fits when you can stay safe at home and keep showing up.

• Inpatient fits when home is not safe for recovery, or you need constant support.

• Medical detox comes first when stopping could make you physically sick or put you at risk.

Not sure which one you are? That is normal. A counselor can help you sort it out, and you do not have to decide alone.

When outpatient treatment works well

Outpatient care is built around real life. You can keep your job, stay with your kids, and get to your appointments.

A good outpatient program is more than one weekly visit. It can include:

• Individual counseling to build coping skills

• Group therapy with people facing the same struggle

• Family sessions so the people close to you can heal too

• Medication for some people, paired with counseling

• Aftercare once treatment ends

Outpatient tends to fit if you have a safe place to live, people who support your recovery, and no risk of dangerous withdrawal.

You do not have to be perfect or fully ready. Many people start while still unsure. Wanting things to change is enough to begin.

Here is what that looks like at Alliance.

What outpatient addiction treatment looks like at Alliance

Alliance Healthcare Services offers outpatient addiction recovery for adults 18 and older. You are assessed as a whole person, and your plan is built around you.

Care can include individual, group, and family therapy. If you also live with depression, anxiety, or trauma, our Enhanced Outpatient Program treats both together.

For some people with alcohol or opioid use disorder, medication-assisted treatment adds medicine to counseling. We use buprenorphine and Vivitrol. How long treatment lasts depends on what you need and what your goals are.

To get started, call (901) 369-1410. You do not need a referral to ask a question.

When inpatient or residential care makes sense

Some people need more structure than a clinic visit can give. Inpatient care may be the better fit if:

• Your home is not safe for recovery. Drugs or alcohol are in the house, or the people there are still using.

• You have tried outpatient and it was not enough. That is not failure. It tells you what level of care fits.

• You need medical or mental health care around the clock.

• You cannot stay away from the substance without constant support.

Residential programs are a different kind of service from what we run. Alliance does not operate a residential program.

If you need that level of care, we help you work out what to look for and where to go next. Our clinicians screen for it as part of your assessment.

Withdrawal: why detox may come first

For some people, the first question is not outpatient or inpatient. It is how to stop safely.

Stopping alcohol or certain medicines suddenly can be dangerous. Withdrawal from alcohol or benzodiazepines can cause seizures. Please do not try to stop these on your own.

Opioid withdrawal is rarely life-threatening, but it is very uncomfortable, and that discomfort is a big reason people go back to using.

That is what medically monitored withdrawal is for. At Alliance's Crisis Wellness Center at 3200 Broad Avenue, adults can get medically monitored detox with nurses on site around the clock. The goal is comfort and safety, so you can take the next step.

After detox, most people continue into ongoing treatment. Detox clears the body. It is not the whole treatment.

If you have a seizure, see or hear things that are not there, or cannot stop shaking, call 911.

How to choose your next step

You do not need to figure this out before you call. Try these three questions:

• Is it safe for me to stop? If you drink heavily or use sedatives daily, ask a medical professional first.

• Is my home a safe place to recover? If not, you may need more structure.

• What can I commit to right now? Even a small yes is a place to start.

Then let a professional look at the whole picture. An assessment is not a commitment. It is information.

If this is not your first try, you are not starting over. A return to use is part of many people's path, and it does not mean treatment failed.

Paying for treatment in Memphis

Cost stops a lot of people before they start. Alliance accepts TennCare, Medicare, and many private plans. See the full list on our insurance and payment page.

If you do not have insurance, ask about sliding-scale fees and the Mental Health Safety Net Program.

If a court, a probation officer, or a DWI order sent you here, ask about that too. Alliance accepts those referrals into addiction services.

Frequently asked questions about outpatient and inpatient treatment

What is the difference between outpatient and inpatient treatment?

Outpatient treatment means you go to a clinic for care and live at home. Inpatient treatment, also called residential treatment, means you stay at a facility with care around the clock.

The right choice depends on your safety, your home life, and how much support you need.

Is outpatient treatment as effective as inpatient?

Neither is better for everyone. Outpatient works well for people who can stay safe at home and keep attending. Inpatient works better for people who need constant support or a safer setting. A professional assessment helps match the level of care to the person.

Do I need detox before treatment?

Not always. If you use alcohol, benzodiazepines, or opioids regularly, stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal. Some withdrawal is dangerous. A clinician can tell you if you need medically monitored detox first.

Can I keep working during outpatient treatment?

Many people can. Outpatient care is built so you can keep your job and stay with your family. Ask about appointment times that fit your schedule.

Does Alliance offer residential treatment in Memphis?

Alliance offers outpatient addiction treatment for adults and medically monitored detox at the Crisis Wellness Center. Alliance does not run a residential program. If you need that level of care, our clinicians can help you find your next step.

How do I start addiction treatment in Memphis?

Call (901) 369-1410 to talk with someone about intake. Walk-in outpatient intakes are also available Monday through Thursday, 8 to 11 AM, at our outpatient clinics. You do not need a referral to ask a question.

If you need help right now

If you or someone you love is in crisis, help is available 24 hours a day.

• Alliance 24-Hour Crisis Line: (901) 577-9400

• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988

If someone is overdosing, call 911 now. Our guide to the signs of an overdose can help you know what to look for.

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Asking which kind of help you need is already a step. You do not have to have the whole plan. You only have to make one call.