Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides treatment which will empower patients to function more independently and responsibly, while preparing them for the community with the skills and abilities to lead successful lives. It can be designed to work in conjunction with your daily career to prevent a period of absence from your occupation and can allow you to live at home instead of at one of the treatment facilities locations. Outpatient services are for those who are assessed as being able to participate successfully in regularly scheduled outpatient visits and who are not at medical risk. The program has a weekly commitment to attend three group therapy sessions. Some also have a family program and you will be introduced to local 12-step groups. IOP patients have learned the fundamentals of addiction management and will learn how to strengthen those skills and build the start for their new sober lives. Through this program the staff will help patients start putting the fundamentals of their sober life in place and help them with any problems that may arise during this time. Patients will continue therapy and have other services offered to them including life skills to help with the continued healing of the mind, body, and soul. A licensed therapist will perform a full assessment and help you design an individual program to fit your particular addiction needs. While you may think that a outpatient program is where you want to start the best way to know is through this assessment. Patients who have a history of relapse, a destructive home environment, small to no support group, or are dangerous to themselves or others should not consider this program as a primary treatment plan. Those addicted to substances such as heroin or other opioids tend to do better when they start with an inpatient residential program. Treatment Centers will always work with patients but ultimately their commitment is to you and your sobriety and if this is not the right program they will let you know. They will help establish a plan with defined milestones to help patients measure their success and stay motivated. Intensive outpatient programs are great for recovery addicts who have gone through inpatient residential programs first or for those assessed as being ready for it. Those who are determined and serious about their sobriety but still have daily responsibilities are also a good fit. Even through intensive outpatient programs they promote support, education, and counseling for all patients. The amount of time people stay in this program depends on where they are at in their recovery, what kind of drug(s) they were abusing, how severe their addiction was, and some other factors but it usually isn’t more than six months.
Meeting Goals
While patients participate in Intensive Outpatient Program there are a few goals that treatment centers want to be sure they meet as well as some of the personal goals they may set up with their therapists when entering into this program. Achieving these and their personal goals allow for a sense of accomplishment and added motivation to continue on this path of sobriety. These include; interrupt the self-destructive pattern of alcohol and drug dependency, assess, address and begin to correct the harm to health and emotional well-being, help you understand chemical dependency and relapse prevention skills, assist you to improve your relationships and communication skills, and introducing you and your family to community 12- step programs. For those who have a mild to a moderate addiction or for those who completed their inpatient residential treatment and still want or need some support this is the ideal option. It offers a more affordable option than inpatient treatment. There is more flexibility with outpatient treatment that will allow you to continue your daily responsibilities like families or jobs. With the intensive outpatient program, family is essential and their involvement and support is essential. Family will help keep patients on the path of sobriety and be able to hold them accountable for their decisions and even make sure the they attend their meetings at the treatment center as well as with the 12 step groups. This family involvement can help rebuild any trust that had been lost due to the addiction and being apart of each other’s lives again can help both sides understand the patient’s addiction and treatment better.
Outpatient Programs that Differ
Outpatient programs that are not listed as intensive differ in a few ways. The biggest distinction is the amount of time the patient commits to the therapy of recovery treatment. Most outpatient programs only require one or two hours of therapy only once or twice a week. Whereas, intensive outpatient programs typically require two to three hours, two to three days a week. Those in outpatient programs do not need detox or have a medical or mental health concern. They have motivation to remain in treatment and to stay clean. They also have a good support system and an atmosphere that supports their sobriety. Typically this kind of program is not suitable for people who suffer from multiple addictions. Intensive Outpatient Programs are better for people who still need a higher level of care but not quite as much as an inpatient program or have just finished an inpatient program. It is important to talk to a therapist to help assess what level of treatment you should receive.
