Individuals with a substance use disorder need different treatment options because each individual has a different set of personal circumstances. Residential inpatient programs are very effective for some, but other considerations include intensive outpatient programs (IOP).
IOP addiction treatment is just one of several treatment options available to those who need an alternative to fit into their lifestyle. Long-term recovery is attainable with an IOP treatment plan despite any preconceived thoughts. Before making the essential decision to enter treatment, learn what the various options are to form a workable treatment plan.
IOP Addiction Treatment: An Overview
The intensive outpatient program (IOP) is a form of addiction treatment that allows an individual to receive intensive treatment while living outside of a residential treatment facility. Living at home will enable individuals to keep up with daily responsibilities such as school or work and receive therapy simultaneously.
IOP for addiction treatment is a structured program requiring attendance for several hours each day or extended hours over fewer days. This form of addiction treatment can be the answer for those who are not candidates for residential treatment or as a step down from residential treatment in combination with a sober living facility.
Benefits of IOP Addiction Treatment
The benefits of IOP addiction treatment begin with affordability, flexibility, and personal need. Addiction IOP allows individuals to work full-time jobs because the hours are less than those of the partial hospitalization program (PHP). Therapy still includes individual and group programs and supervision of each individual to ensure goals are being met.
Insurance companies often accept intensive outpatient treatment for payment. Lifestyle skills education is usually a component of this program to integrate new skills in recovery.
Approaches and Goals for IOP for Substance Abuse
The IOP for substance abuse has the same goals and approaches as any treatment center: maintaining sobriety and personal growth. The IOP strives to develop a solid support system and evidence-based therapies to achieve behavioral changes.
Family therapy addresses broken family relationships and teaches positive and healthy relationship skills. Support services often help clients with housing or other lifestyle challenges and medication management during treatment.
IOP Vs.OP for Addiction Treatment
IOP for addiction treatment requires roughly 20 hours per week, whereas outpatient programs typically require 8 hours per week. With the difference in weekly hour requirements, outpatient programs take longer to complete than IOP.
Outpatient programs are effective for individuals who have a less severe addiction to overcome or have completed more intensive programs and need a step-down. Both types of addiction treatment options work well with sober living programs.
What Therapies Are Available?
Addiction IOP and PHP typically have similar access to the same therapies. Evidence-based therapies are essential to continual sobriety and those building a new sober lifestyle.
New holistic therapies are valuable tools for preventing relapse and increasing personal sense of self. Lifestyle skills education teaches how to stay sober while living independently and a positive and healthy lifestyle.
The following therapies are available with IOP for addiction treatment:
- Individual, group, and family therapy
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical-Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
- Relapse Prevention Planning
- Aftercare Planning
Who is IOP Addiction Treatment Best For?
An article in Forbes Health exploring treatment options highlights IOP for addiction treatment as a very viable option for those who complete a professional detox or those stepping down from a residential treatment program. The need for treatment may still exist, but the need for employment, school requirements, or family responsibilities must be a consideration. Individuals who act upon the treatment team’s or therapist’s recommendations need to consider IOP for supportive measures.
People who may need the supportive measures of IOP addiction treatment include:
- Those with little risk of withdrawal or intoxication
- Those with a dual diagnosis needing additional treatment for a mental health condition and substance use disorder
- Those participating in a sober living arrangement
- Those who need consistent, structured treatment but need to work or go to school
Professional Medical Detox
The first step of addiction treatment is the assessment, evaluation, and professional medical detox program. A center that adheres to a whole-person treatment approach understands the complexities of the detox process. Withdrawal from alcohol or other substances can be challenging to manage, uncomfortable for the client, and cause relapse for some. Choosing a treatment center that utilizes the most innovative and successful detoxification tools is imperative for detox completion.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) provides an opportunity for a comfortable and safe treatment of withdrawal symptoms during the detox process. IOP addiction treatment is a transition option for treatment that also uses MAT to continue treatment. Medication helps with uncomfortable symptoms of withdrawal and provides support for those with a dual diagnosis and need treatment for a mental health condition.
It is vital to recovery for individuals to receive the tools for their new positive and healthy lifestyle as soon as possible. Learning new coping skills and receiving helpful medications empowers individuals to continue with whatever treatment option they choose after detox. Choosing a treatment center that provides these essential options is essential for successful recovery and longevity in sobriety. Eliminating all possible causes of relapse is vital for a sober future.
Access Intensive Outpatient Programs Provide for Independent Living in Texas
It is possible to regain independence and get back to work or school while receiving IOP addiction treatment for continual support. The Lovett Center in Texas offers options for those who complete a successful detox program to continue treatment with the freedom to live at home or in a sober living arrangement. Don’t let the thoughts of losing your independence in treatment keep you from a sober and healthy lifestyle.
Contact The Lovett Center to hear more about the positive aspects of their IOP and other options for a whole-person treatment plan.
Robert is deeply committed to serving others and is passionate about hope and despair in clinical treatment. With over 20 years in addiction and mental health, he has experience in private practice, clinical supervision, and program management, co-founding The Lovett Center and Ethos. He earned a Master’s degree from the University of Houston’s Graduate College of Social Work, which honored him as a 50 for 50 Alumni in 2019. His education includes fellowships at the Center for Psychoanalytic Studies and The Menninger Clinic, where he held leadership roles and received the Menninger Clinic Pillar Award for Integrity. The Houston Business Journal recognized him as a 40 Under 40 Class of 2018 Honoree.
