Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Rehab Treatment Centers in Tampa, Florida

Outpatient drug and alcohol rehab is a form of treatment in which patients visit a facility several times a week for treatment sessions.¹ Outpatient drug rehab may be a good fit for those who have a supportive living environment and require more flexibility than an inpatient or residential treatment program allows. Many treatment types fall under the outpatient treatment umbrella, including: 

• Partial hospitalization programs (PHPs). 
• Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs).
• Standard outpatient care.
• Telehealth therapy.

Outpatient treatment sessions are offered in a variety of settings, including rehab facilities, mental health clinics, and doctor’s offices.¹ Some facilities offer weekend and evening sessions, which can be ideal for those who need a flexible schedule due to family, work, or other responsibilities while working on their sobriety. 

Outpatient alcohol rehab typically costs less than inpatient care, while still employing many of the same recovery strategies to help patients get well.

How Does Outpatient Rehab Work?

When patients enter outpatient rehab, they’ll typically meet with a treatment team for an evaluation and to outline a plan based on their unique needs.

While outpatient programs vary, many offer a similar evidence-based treatment modalities, including:

• Psychoeducation. Designed to provide patients and their families with knowledge on substance use disorder (SUD) and recovery, psychoeducation typically combines elements of group therapy, cognitive-behavior therapy, and education to help patients better understand addiction and how it is managed.²
• Group, family, and individual counseling. Many outpatient rehab programs employ a variety of counseling techniques, providing patients with the support, strategies, and insight that they need to stay sober. Family therapy can be especially helpful for young patients.³
• Medications for substance use disorder. For some patients with specific substance addictions, taking prescribed medication can aid in recovery.³
• Evaluation and treatment for co-occurring disorders. Co-occurring disorders (also known as dual diagnosis) refers to a mental health issue (e.g., major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder) in addition to SUD. In most instances, simultaneous treatment for addiction with these conditions has better outcomes than treating them separately.^1,4
• Case and clinical management. Depending on the treatment facility, patients may work closely with a case manager who provides continuity and support throughout each step of the rehab process.¹
• Life skills and employment training. When someone is in active addiction, it can be easy to lose focus on other areas of life. Outpatient alcohol rehab program may support patients by teaching them valuable life and employment skills.¹

Behavioral therapies are the most common form of treatment used in addiction rehab. Some common forms of behavioral therapies used in outpatient treatment may include:¹

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT teaches patients how to recognize and avoid triggers and other factors that can lead to relapse.³
• Motivational interviewing or motivational enhancement therapy (MET). Motivational interviewing is used to help patients shake ambivalence toward recovery by having them outline their goals and see how their substance use is preventing them from achieving them.
• Contingency management (CM). CM involves earning rewards (e.g., movie tickets, vouchers) for hitting certain recovery goals like a negative drug screen or passing sobriety milestones.

Our Outpatient Treatment Programs Near Tampa

There are several outpatient rehab Tampa options. At present, 61 drug and alcohol rehab centers are located within 25 miles of Tampa, FL.⁵

American Addiction Centers (AAC) operates the River Oaks Treatment Center in Riverview, Fla. At River Oaks, we offer detox, inpatient, and outpatient rehab Tampa treatment options. We’re also proud to offer evidence-based, compassionate, accredited care as well as a variety of specialized treatment tracks in addition to our standard rehab programs. This includes: 

• Salute to Recovery (a substance use disorder treatment program designed for the unique needs of military Veterans).
• LGBTQ+ addiction treatment program.
• Impaired professionals addiction treatment track (a program specifically designed for licensed professionals like lawyers, doctors, social workers, nurses, pilots, etc.).
• First responders treatment track.
• Compassionate Alternative Recovery for Empowerment (CARE) Program. This program is specially designed to treat people with co-occurring mental health issues.

Let’s explore the outpatient treatment program levels at River Oaks Treatment Center.

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs)

Also known as day treatment or high-intensity outpatient programs (HIOPs), partial hospitalization programs offer a higher level of care and treatment than other types of outpatient programs. Patients live at home while attending a PHP but spend 4 to 8 hours each day in a hospital or free-standing clinic working on their recovery. This can be a good fit for those who have a stable home environment conducive to sobriety and want an intense treatment program.^6,7

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs)

Intensive outpatient programs provide therapeutic care at a lower intensity than a PHP, but a higher intensity than a standard outpatient program. IOPs meet for a minimum of 9 hours per week, usually throughout 3 or more sessions per week. IOPs may be a good fit for those who need to attend to work or family responsibilities but still want or need a higher level of care than a standard outpatient program.^6,8

Standard Outpatient Programs

Standard outpatient care can be a good fit for those who require a high level of scheduling flexibility or who have completed other levels of treatment. Standard outpatient care can provide group support, individual support, medication-assisted treatment, and more to help patinets develop the skills and mindset necessary to stay sober long-term.⁶

Telehealth

Some outpatient facilities, such as River Oaks, offer outpatient care telehealth services. This can allow patients to get the care, support, and treatment that they need even when they can’t be physically present at the treatment facility.

Benefits of Outpatient Addiction Treatment

Outpatient care offers a higher level of scheduling and location flexibility, lower treatment costs, and can allow some patients to maintain work and family responsibilities while receiving care.⁸ Some facilities, including River Oaks, offer a full continuum of care, allowing patients to move seamlessly between inpatient, PHP, IOP, and standard outpatient programs as their needs evolve.

What’s the Difference Between Inpatient and Outpatient Rehab?

Inpatient/residential treatment share many of the same treatment strategies (e.g., behavioral therapy, psychoeducation, peer support). 

The main difference between inpatient and outpatient rehab is the intensity of the level of care. Inpatient rehab offers 24/7 access to care, while outpatient rehab typically does not. Some people may benefit from the structured routine, constant support, and monitoring provided by residential treatment, whereas others may fare better with the flexibility afforded in an outpatient program.

Additionally, outpatient rehab programs tend to be less expensive than residential programs because of the costs involved in housing and monitoring patients.

If you’re unsure which type of treatment is the right fit for your needs, we’re here to help. Reach out to us at to discuss your options.

How To Pay for Outpatient Treatment in Tampa

If you have health insurance, it’s likely that your plan will cover some or all of your treatment costs.

If you do not have health insurance and are unable to pay for care out of pocket, there are plenty of options to help you begin recovery. Some outpatient rehab Tampa facilities offer financing, sliding fee scales (through which your treatment cost is based on your income and other factors), and grants or scholarships. You can also use the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Treatment Locator to explore free and low-cost outpatient rehab Tampa.

Does Insurance Cover Outpatient Rehab?

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), almost all insurers are required to provide some form of addiction treatment.⁹ 

ACA Marketplace plans, group insurance plans (i.e., from an employer), Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE all offer at least some coverage for substance use disorder treatment. However, the extent of coverage varies, so it’s important to reach out to your treatment facility directly to discuss your insurance coverage.

At AAC, we’re here to help you get the most out of your health insurance benefits. Reach out to us today to verify your insurance and learn more.

Outpatient Treatment at River Oaks

River Oaks Treatment Center is just 18 miles southwest of Tampa and provides evidence-based treatment in our PHP, IOP, or standard outpatient programs. River Oaks also offers medical detox and residential treatment for patients that require a more intensive level of care.

Frequently Asked Questions