There are a variety of different addiction treatment options that range from extremely flexible options to inpatient therapy options. IOPs (intensive outpatient programs) are a middle ground between inpatient residential care and outpatient therapy. They can be a beneficial option for individuals seeking a balanced structure with accountability and real-life flexibility. Let’s look into what an IOP program can do for you or your loved one and determine if it’s the best option.
What Is an Intensive Outpatient Program and How Does it Work?
An intensive outpatient program, or IOP, is an addiction treatment plan that combines frequent therapy support with at-home flexibility. It’s designed for people who might need more therapy than a once-a-week session, but who don’t need 24/7 supervision in an inpatient treatment plan. It typically involves 9 to 12 hours of treatment per week, with the flexibility to live at home, care for their family, spend time with friends, and work or attend school. The goal of an IOP is to provide consistent therapy to the patient with accountability and support, without stripping away their independence and allowing the patient to rebuild stability in their everyday lives.
How Does it Compare to Other Treatment Options?
There are a few other treatment plan options that the IOP can compare with, which vary widely depending on the person’s needs. Here’s a look at three different treatment program options that are available and the details on what that would look like for the patient:
Inpatient Treatment
This is the most structured treatment plan with the highest time commitment to therapies. The patient would live at the treatment facility and be required to complete the highest amount of therapy, while being supervised 24/7.
Partial Hospitalization Programs
These programs resemble the structure of a full-time job, with the patient attending therapy 5 to 6 days a week for about 8 hours per day. They don’t live as inpatients at the facility, but they spend the majority of their time there.
Standard Outpatient Care
This treatment program is the lowest level of structure, with 1 to 2 sessions per week while the patient lives at home. It’s most similar to the IOP plan, and it can be an excellent option for those looking for consistency, without the need for the majority of their time to be taken up by therapy.
How Does an IOP Typically Work?
An intensive outpatient program comprises multiple aspects that bring the program to life and make it beneficial for the patient while incorporating different levels and types of therapy. Typically, various treatment modalities are incorporated into the program to provide the patient with variety while maintaining the program's effects.
Group Therapy Sessions
There will be multiple group therapy sessions per week, including CBT and DBT groups, process groups, skills groups, and psychoeducation groups. These groups are used for different purposes, depending on their type and focus. Group therapy is beneficial for patients as they foster a sense of community and help to break isolation, which can be a challenge and a trigger, especially in early recovery. It gives a sense of belonging and helps to bring the patient together with others who can relate to their situation.
Individual Therapy Sessions
Individual therapy sessions typically occur weekly or biweekly, depending on the patient's needs, and the patient meets one-on-one with a therapist. Normally, they will discuss and work on topics such as underlying trauma, triggers, personal stressors, mental health, and progress toward their recovery goals. It’s a great way to keep in touch with the deeper work that needs to be done to recover fully and get into the details that otherwise wouldn’t be done in a group therapy session.
Medication Assisted Treatment
Medication-assisted treatment, MAT, is an optional and powerful tool that can help with recovery and is clinically proven to improve outcomes of the treatment. Some options for medication include Suboxone, Vivitrol, Methadone, and drugs for specific conditions like anxiety, PTSD, depression, and ADHD.
Drug Screening
This is a typical protocol in all recovery treatment programs to track progress and identify relapses early. They will also help keep treatment plans aligned with any real-world challenges a patient may be experiencing, and they will foster honesty and accountability regarding what the patient is exposed to, how they feel, and their choices.
Life Skills
Oftentimes, those who have been faced with addiction have lost some of the life skills that they might need assistance in gaining back once they get back into the “real world.” During an IOP program, we provide life skills that they may have otherwise lost, such as understanding how to prevent relapse in real-life situations, how to manage cravings, stress, and conflict, and how to build a sober support system.
Benefits of Joining an IOP Program
There are many reasons why someone would benefit from joining an intensive outpatient program rather than other options, and we believe this option is best for a variety of people who want a balanced treatment plan. Flexibility, stability, and ongoing support are among the benefits of joining an IOP program. Here are some more benefits or advantages that come with joining an IOP program:
Structure for recovery with the balance of having freedom to continue your life as normally as possible
Lower cost due to it being an outpatient option
Ability to continue to work, go to school, or take care of your kids
There is a strong relapse prevention focus due to the flexibility of this program
You’re getting the support you need from therapists and peers, even though it’s an outpatient program. Real-life practice of coping skills, stress relief, and trigger prevention
Who is an Intensive Outpatient Program For?
We don’t like to generalize who these programs are for, because everyone who is dealing with addiction and going through recovery has their own needs, but there are a few traits that make someone best suited for this type of program. An intensive outpatient program is best for someone who:
Has already completed a detox or residential inpatient program
Needs structured support but doesn’t need 24/7 monitoring in a treatment facility
Is stable enough to live at home while getting treatment
Is working, going to school, or caregiving for someone, and can’t leave home due to those responsibilities
Is experiencing early relapse or a return of cravings and needs additional support while continuing real-life duties
Has mental health issues that need consistent therapy
Is an IOP Program Right for You?
If you or your loved one is going through addiction recovery and you think that they fall within the range of being a great candidate for an intensive outpatient program, we are here to help. At Symetria Recovery, we offer a variety of program options, including an IOP that addresses patient needs while also supporting them in their lives. We understand how important it is for people recovering from a substance use disorder to receive the support they need without being stripped of their independence. We’re here to help you or your loved one find a program that’s right for you and supports you across your recovery journey and in life. Contact us today to learn more.