When you develop a substance use disorder from alcohol or drugs, you have many treatment options to choose from. While treatment for substance use disorders can broadly be categorized as inpatient or outpatient rehab, there are several subcategories for both programs. One such program is intensive outpatient care. If you’re considering entering an outpatient program, read this article to learn more about IOP, the therapies used during treatment, and how to decide if this solution is right for you.
What Is an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)?
An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is a type of treatment that occurs on an outpatient basis, which means that you can live at home while you attend the program. An IOP program requires 10 hours per week of group and individual therapy for drug and alcohol addiction, which will take place over several days.
If you enter a traditional outpatient program, you may receive treatment once or twice each week. In comparison, intensive outpatient programs offer a higher level of care. An IOP falls just below partial hospitalization programs (PHPs) and inpatient residential rehab. If you’ve progressed enough in the recovery process where you don’t require around-the-clock care in a drug-free environment, an IOP program may be right for you.
Why Choose IOP Over Inpatient Treatment?
There are numerous reasons why one might prefer an IOP program over inpatient treatment, which include everything from ease of access to convenience. During inpatient care, you must stay in a residential facility 24/7 until you finish the program. IOP programs don’t have the same strict requirements. In fact, you can remain at home while you undergo treatment.
You could also choose IOP because you’re further along in your recovery. If you’ve already completed an inpatient or partial hospitalization program, IOP may be the next step in your recovery process. It can help you become acclimated to your normal life. After inpatient residential treatment, an IOP program has less structure but still gives you plenty of treatment. While IOP programs are often used for clients who are at risk of hospitalization, they can also serve as a higher level of care when standard outpatient rehab isn’t enough.
What Are the Stages of Addiction Treatment?
Once you decide to seek treatment for your substance use disorder, there’s a full continuum of care that you can gain access to, which includes programs like:
By receiving a full continuum of care, you’ll be able to gradually progress through the recovery process. The initial stage of care involves detox, which is designed to help you withstand the withdrawal symptoms that occur when you stop drinking alcohol or consuming a drug. By the end of a detox program, the drug should be out of your body completely, which makes it possible for you to continue to the next stages of recovery.
If you go through detox in a facility that offers medical supervision, the symptoms you experience shouldn’t be as severe. You may receive small doses of medications that can help you manage these symptoms. During withdrawal, you can experience everything from nausea and headaches to aches and pains. Since relapse is a common occurrence during withdrawal, it’s a good idea to be in a place where you can avoid reaching for the substance your body is dependent on.
Once you complete a detox program, you can start taking part in group and individual therapy via inpatient care. Inpatient drug rehab centers offer 24-hour monitored support that can help you become sober and learn the skills necessary to remain that way. These programs offer treatment for the psychological and physical effects associated with substance use disorders. The length of an inpatient program varies considerably based on many factors.
Keep in mind that some inpatient programs offer medical detox, which allows you to complete the initial two stages of care while attending the same program. In this scenario, medical detox might last for around three to 10 days. The average duration of a residential drug program is around 30-90 days. Because of the structured nature of inpatient care, you’ll be expected to adhere to some basic rules, which include the following:
- No electronic devices or cellphones
- No romantic relationships
- Participation in chores
- No alcohol or drug use
- Attendance for every meeting and therapy session
After progressing through an inpatient program, you may want to receive aftercare services. Even though inpatient programs help you develop the skills required to remain sober, there’s still a risk of relapsing. When you return to your everyday life, you’ll be tasked with managing the challenges and stressors that come with it. Continuing care once you’ve been through treatment might increase the possibility that you never consume drugs or alcohol again.
The purpose of an aftercare program is to assist you in transitioning to fully independent living. This level of treatment is usually provided in an extended care facility. During treatment, you may continue taking part in a 12-step program. You’ll also learn life skills for remaining accountable, building your resume, and managing money. Before you complete aftercare treatment, you’ll likely become exposed to the real world via resident mentorship, peer meeting management, and employment.
The final aspect of treatment for drug and alcohol addiction tends to be outpatient rehab. Recovery is a lengthy and ongoing process that often requires multiple forms of treatment. Outpatient drug rehab typically involves the same types of treatments you receive in an inpatient program, which extend to individual and group therapy. You’ll no longer be in a residential facility 24/7, which means that you can live at home and meet your school or work responsibilities.
Even though outpatient treatment is a step down from inpatient rehab, it’s important to maintain the same level of commitment. You can benefit from 12-step workshops and meetings, holistic therapies, skill-building sessions, and medication during an outpatient program. You’ll still have access to a rich support system while also having more independence.
What to Expect in an IOP Program
An IOP program involves a more intensive form of outpatient care. During this program, you’ll receive 10-12 hours of individual and group therapy every week. You’ll also participate in a 12-step program, which is integrated into intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment. Keep in mind that IOP sessions can occur online or in person.
During a 12-step program, you’ll take part in peer-to-peer meetings where you can share your experiences with others. This treatment can give you structure as you maintain sobriety. The spiritual principles that are taught in this program include acceptance, honesty, and humility. You may also learn new skills for coping with your cravings. The care you receive from an IOP program involves:
- Assertiveness training
- Relapse prevention techniques
- Skill development groups
- Psychoeducational groups
- Stress management and coping skills
- Group and individual psychotherapy
- 12-step program
Intensive Outpatient Therapy Types
When you enter an IOP program, you’ll gain access to different types of therapy, the primary of which include individual and group therapy. An individual therapy session is usually administered by a licensed therapist. Your therapist may offer different forms of therapy depending on your substance use disorder and the causes for it.
For example, you might receive cognitive behavioral therapy as part of your treatment, which explores the beliefs, emotions, and thoughts that might bring about destructive behaviors in yourself. Your therapist can then teach you how to replace these negative thoughts with positive responses. A couple of additional intensive outpatient behavioral health therapies include dialectical behavioral therapy and trauma therapy.
As for group therapy, it involves talking with others about your experiences with grief and loss, which may give you the kind of peace needed to remain sober. During group therapy, you’ll develop your communication skills and become increasingly comfortable with talking among groups of people.
How Long Does IOP Treatment Last?
The amount of time you spend in IOP treatment depends on your specific needs. However, the average duration is around 12-16 weeks, after which many clients step down to traditional outpatient treatment. During an IOP program, you’ll visit the treatment facility around three to four times per week for three hours each day.
Intensive Outpatient Treatments Offered at Granite Recovery Centers
IOP programs are a part of the continuum of care available to you for alcohol and drug use disorders. Granite Recovery Centers aims to help clients stop using drugs and stay drug-free. Before you enter a treatment program, you’ll receive assistance in identifying which level of treatment is right for you. While some people benefit from inpatient residential care, others might only require intensive outpatient rehab.
These programs use a combination of education, individual therapy, and group therapy to give you the tools required to maintain your sobriety. The IOP programs at Granite Recovery Centers meet for a specific number of hours on a set number of days each week. Once you complete this program, you can continue to the next stage of your continuum of care, which can involve standard outpatient treatment.
When comparing intensive outpatient vs partial hospitalization, both are outpatient services. When clients are stepping down from inpatient residential care, they may choose either program. While IOP programs involve attending treatment several days each week, partial hospitalization takes place five days every week and includes four to eight hours of care each day.
Entering an IOP program can help you:
- Develop initial relapse management skills
- Learn coping strategies
- Work through some of the problems that are impacting your psychological, emotional, and social health
- Create support networks in your community and at home
IOP and Drug and Alcohol Addiction Recovery
Intensive outpatient programs can help you or someone you know recover from drug or alcohol addiction. If you’ve completed detox, an IOP program can assist you in identifying why you started misusing drugs or alcohol in the first place. You can use what you learn to more effectively cope with your substance use disorder. It might also guide you through learning new relapse-prevention techniques and staying sober.
Intensive Outpatient Rehab with Granite Recovery
If you believe that an IOP program is right for you, consider seeking treatment from Granite Recovery Centers. Make sure you conduct some research into the specific program you’re thinking of entering. Before treatment begins, don’t hesitate to ask questions about the program and what it entails. For example, you might inquire about the different modalities therapists use or the average duration of the IOP program. Once you’re confident that you’ve found the right treatment program for your needs, you can take the first steps toward recovery. Call (855) 712-7784 today!