Outpatient treatment refers to non-residential treatment where patients can receive medical or mental health care without being admitted to a hospital or residential facility. Patients can continue their daily activities, such as going to work or school, while receiving the care they need. Outpatient treatment can be a helpful option for someone with a mild substance use disorder or mental health issue, or it can be part of a long-term treatment program. There are different types of outpatient treatment, including partial hospitalization programs and intensive outpatient programs.

Partial hospitalization programs allow for closer monitoring of the patient and are for those who need ongoing medical monitoring. Intensive outpatient programs are structured non-residential psychological treatment programs that address mental health disorders and substance use disorders through a combination of group-based psychotherapy, individual psychotherapy, family counseling, educational groups, and strategies for encouraging motivation and engagement in treatment.

Outpatient treatment can involve case management, treatment planning, individual and group counseling, family therapy, patient education, crisis intervention, and recovery services. The treatment plans are customized to meet the specific needs of each individual. Outpatient treatment is generally described as mental health or medical care that does not require more than a 24-hour hospitalization period.

The main benefits of outpatient care involve convenience, as patients can receive assistance without dealing with the stigma and hassle that could come with inpatient care. Outpatient programs are often considered a less intense form of addiction treatment care, and they are often recommended for those who have been through inpatient care before and need a treatment touchup or new cases of addiction, with habits that are not firm and fixed.