What Are The Benefits of An Intensive Outpatient Program?

If you are ready to undergo drug treatment, finding the right type of program can be difficult. While residential drug treatment programs are ideal, they may not be your best option. You may not be able to attend inpatient treatment because of your busy work and family schedule. Also, the severity of your addiction may not warrant intensive inpatient treatment. In those cases, intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) is a more appealing treatment option.

What are Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)

Intensive outpatient programs are structured treatment programs that accommodate a patient’s busy home and work schedule. People attending IOP can attend programming during day or nighttime hours. Patients attend intensive outpatient treatment at least three times weekly and for a few hours each session. These sessions can be stepped down as a patient progresses in treatment.

IOPs are versatile programs. They can be used as a follow-up to successful medical detoxification. Additionally, intensive treatment programs can be utilized as a part of an aftercare plan after the completion of inpatient treatment. As with other forms of drug treatment, IOPs can be individually tailored to meet each person’s unique and specific needs.

Ways in Which Intensive Outpatient Programs Benefit You

If you are considering an intensive outpatient program, it provides several benefits that will help you gain long-term meaningful sobriety:

Lower Costs

Intensive outpatient programs can be a great option for people who need help but don’t have the money. Outpatient recovery is less expensive than inpatient, and often more manageable if you are financially struggling. If you can’t afford inpatient addiction treatment and staying at home isn’t possible, consider an intensive outpatient program.

Maintain Your Presence at Work Or School

Intensive outpatient services will give you the flexibility to maintain your work or school schedule. While some intensive phases of treatment may require a temporary suspension of responsibilities, most people are able to stay in school, keep their jobs and even return to them after treatment is complete.

You Can Support Your Family

As already stated, an important benefit of IOPs is that you can work and support your family. You may have children to help support, or you may not be able to take a leave of absence from work. Treatment staff at an intensive outpatient facility can work with you to find a treatment schedule that fits your busy life. Additionally, the treatment that you receive features the same therapy, 12-step support, and other services found in residential treatment.

The Ability to Create a Personal Recovery Network

Another benefit of intensive outpatient treatment is the ability to create a support recovery network. IOPs give you the great opportunity to attend support meetings with others in recovery. The quality social contact you make with your peers gives you a sense of empowerment in your own recovery. You can share your insight and wisdom with others, and others can provide knowledge and support anytime you need a boost.

You Can Discover Diverse Support Groups

An excellent benefit of intensive outpatient programs is you have access to a wide variety of support groups. In addition to 12-step support groups, you can attend alternative support groups such as SMART Recovery and LifeRing among others. Additionally, IOPs offer a wide variety of non-support recovery groups that cover a wide array of topics.

These topics can include relapse prevention, art therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and family groups. These resource groups provide you with the tools and knowledge you need to keep grounded in your recovery. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to attend presentations, speaker meetings, and other recovery-related events.

Greater Access to Resources

When you attend intensive outpatient treatment, you will have easier access to recovery resources. You can meet with psychologists, counselors, and other recovery staff at the facility itself. With easier access to support staff, you can meet with them at any time to discuss concerns and get advice when you may feel vulnerable to relapse. Additionally, IOP staff can provide you with community-based recovery resources that will give you support options once you complete treatment.

Privacy

Intensive outpatient programs also offer more privacy than inpatient programs. When you enroll in an intensive outpatient program, you can choose to keep your participation in the program confidential. Additionally, you are not required to share a room with other patients. As a result, intensive outpatient treatment programs can be an attractive option if you value privacy.

You Are Kept Accountable

One of the biggest keys to sustaining recovery is holding yourself accountable for your actions. At an IOP, both staff and recovering peers can help you stay on course. Having your sponsor, recovering peers, and treatment staff in your corner is immeasurable in your sobriety. Not only will these support people let you know when you are falling short, but they will also celebrate your daily victories.

Greater Opportunity To Practice Skills Learned In Treatment

An intensive outpatient program allows you to live at home and continue working or going to school while receiving treatment for addiction. This flexibility can be beneficial as it allows you to maintain some sense of normalcy during a time when everything else may feel very uncertain. IOPs typically meet several times per week for several hours at a time. During these sessions, you’ll work with a team of counselors and other addiction professionals to address the underlying causes of your addiction and develop healthy coping strategies. You’ll also have the opportunity to practice what you’re learning in a real-world setting, which can help to solidify your sobriety once treatment is complete.

You Can Reintegrate Slowly into Your Daily Life

A major way IOP benefits your recovery is the ability to slowly reintegrate back into your normal routine. For those who attend inpatient treatment, the transition back into daily life can be a shock to the system. Without the constant support and presence of treatment staff, newly recovering addicts can feel vulnerable to relapse.

In an intensive outpatient treatment program, you can get the quality care you need while taking care of your work and family obligations. You can put into practice the life skills you learn in an IOP in real time. While many inpatient treatment programs last up to 90 days on average, IOPs run on average 12 to 14 weeks. As a result, you can slowly work back into your normal routine at your own pace. Additionally, you have the safety net of counselors and recovering peers by your side.

An Intensive Outpatient Program Can Work for You

The biggest challenge in undergoing drug treatment is finding a suitable treatment. Each person has unique needs, and a one-size-fits-all approach can do more harm than good. If you are looking for treatment, you may feel overwhelmed with the options that lay before you. You may not be sure if any option would work best. Drug treatment is a considerable investment of your time and money, and you don’t want to fully commit if treatment doesn’t work.

An IOP program is extremely versatile and is an effective treatment program in many applications. If you are interested in intensive outpatient treatment, call B-Hope toll-free today. Bridges of Hope is a premier drug treatment facility that offers quality IOP programs that fit your needs. When you come to Bridges of Hope, our experienced and compassionate staff will create an IOP program that will give you the best chance of success.

Our number one goal is to give you the tools and support you need to become empowered in your recovery. Don’t put off your wellness and health; reclaim your life with the help of B-Hope. Make the call right now.