In mental health treatment, what is the difference between inpatient versus residential?

Hosp vs treatmt ctr: Usually "inpatient" treatment is in a hospital, and "residential" treatment is in a non-hospital treatment center. However, these days some hospitals do offer residential treatment as well, so it can get a little confusing. Usually the difference is that inpatient is medically staffed 24/7, while residential may have nurses or other medical staff but they may not be on the premises 24/7.

RTC: Inpatient is acute short term hospital stay. Residential is long term.

Crisis vs Rx: The goal of inpt treatment in psychiatry is usually to stabilize acute crisis (e.g., suicidality, violent ideation, intoxication on or withdrawal from certain chemicals). Think of it as psychiatric icu. Goal of residential treatment usually is rehab after crisis - stabilization. Inpt units in the us are locked units; residential ones are usually not. U can be involuntarily adm to inpt, not resid.