A drug or alcohol rehab program known as an intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) allows patients to remain at home, go to work, and visit their families. This program is at a higher level of care as compared to a slightly ill-structured outpatient program. It can also be the afterward step down plan after completing a full inpatient treatment program.
After completing a program like this in West Palm Beach inpatient treatment, IOPs are the best way for a continuum of care by resettling the patients into their families and communities. They are designed to build support mechanisms like coping skills, assist in managing relapses, and form support systems.
What are the Major Goals of a IOPs?
Depending on the problem, each IOP will have a different set of objectives. For instance, those who struggle with substance addiction problems will pick up skills that assist them to stay clean and recognizing relapse factors. The following elements are present in all intensive outpatient programs:
- Identifying unhealthy behavioral patterns.
- Assists in developing self-awareness.
- Improvement in problem-solving skills.
- Teaching them coping mechanisms.
- The practice of asking and receiving support from others.
- Refrain from drinking and using substances.
In contrast to an inpatient program, an intensive outpatient program allows patients to get care while continuing to live at home and lead normal lives. People can attend an IOP without any interference in their relationships, routine, or employment.
What to Expect from IOPs?
An IOP therapy offers around ten to twelve hours of group and individual therapy sessions. It also reassures the patient to partake in a 12-step program. Three to four times a week, and frequently for three hours at a time, patients in intensive outpatient programs (IOP) attend a facility. The number of attendance in needed hours may change depending on your individual needs. Here are a few approaches that you can expect in an IOP therapy:-
- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): In CBT, patients can learn to recognize the triggers of their negative behaviors and develop new and better reposcoping skills.
- 12-Step Program: Many IOPs help patients get started on the 12-step programs’ core tenets by teaching them about recovery.
- Complementary Therapies: Many IOPs provide alternative therapies in addition to their standard services. A wide range of treatments is available, including music therapy, adventure therapy, and equine-assisted therapy.
- Motivational Interviewing: A therapist can assist a patient in overcoming whatever reluctance they may have had in the past to start therapy. Patients must be willing to accept responsibility for their behavior and make a list of all the ways that drug or alcohol abuse has negatively impacted their lives.
- Therapeutic Community: The general public is seen as a therapeutic agent in this therapy. The fundamental premise is that healing is a growth process. Absolute honesty is promoted at all times, along with mindfulness.
- Matrix Model: When the patient is dependent on stimulants like cocaine, this method works well. To help ensure long-term sobriety, the emphasis of this model is based on time management, relapse prevention, and community support group participation.
Various Components of IOPs
As mentioned above, the Intensive Outpatient Program is a step down from a residential treatment center and a step up from a loosely organized outpatient treatment program. There is a varied range of core services offered in IOP according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Here are a few of them:
- Group and individual therapy sessions
- Wide exposure to educational opportunities
- 24-hours crisis management
- Diverse kinds of behavioral therapies
- Mental health and medical treatment
- Pharmacological tools
- Case management
Advantages of Enrolling into IOPs
This program is designed for those who want to stay on the sobriety path during the recovery process. Here are a few benefits that IOP offers.
- Helps in Maintaining Responsibility: Patients can complete their recovery phase while still managing and maintaining their domestic obligations with this therapy choice. People who have kids to take care of and need ongoing supervised care are notably helped by it.
Additionally, this option enables those with formidable professions who cannot afford full-time caretakers to manage everything. IOP treatment, in essence, provides adaptability and freedom when required.
- Strengthen your Relationship with Others: The IOP brings a perfect opportunity to support their relationship with others. You can meet or spend some time with them while taking IOP treatment.
- Easy to Keep Things Private: Privacy in IOP may not have occurred to you in this context, but it is unquestionably one of the crucial factors to take into account. Many people experience embarrassment when they reveal that they are going through addiction recovery.
- Inexpensive Procedure: The fact that IOP treatment is more affordable is another fantastic advantage. Due to its significant affordability and viability, more patients incline to select it.
Concluding Thoughts
Depending upon your insurance and healthcare plan, the length of the program may vary. So, before entering an IOP program, ask the treatment centers about what insurance carrier they accept. The medical professionals can aid you by verifying the insurance coverage and cost. I hope the above information about the intensive outpatient program can support you to help in your recovery journey.
Helpful Resources:
Intensive Outpatient Program Illinois
Sana Lake Residential Treatment Center
Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program