Treatment programs called intensive outpatient therapies (IOPs) are used to treat addictions, eating disorders, depressive disorders, and other forms of dependency that do not need detoxification or 24-hour monitoring.
They provide patients with the opportunity to carry on with their regular, everyday lives, whereas inpatient treatment facilities do not. Clients in intensive outpatient programs dwell at home, in contrast to residential therapy, which requires clients to live on-site.
IOPs are occasionally used in combination with inpatient programs to assist clients with returning to their family and communities more easily and seamlessly. They are made to create relapse prevention techniques, support systems, and coping processes.
Why Opt for an IOP Rather Than Residential Treatment?
For rehabilitation to occur, an entourage of supporters is necessary.
IOPs have become a true crux of therapy for people looking for help in treating and beating addiction. Inpatient substance abuse treatment, be it in a healthcare facility, center for drug rehabilitation, or other setting, may be difficult for many people.
Most people frequently are unable to enter full-time care due to obligations related to their families or jobs. Simply put, they are unable to depart from their life for a lengthy period.
IOP: What to Expect
How group treatment will go: An intensive outpatient program offers care that varies from facility and facility and provider or provider, but it often entails 10 to 12 hours per week of individual and group therapy as well as the 12-step program’s encouragement.
The majority of the time, these sessions take place on-site at a hospital or therapy center, although there are now some opportunities for people to take part in online courses. Individuals who live in rural areas or small towns without access to proper therapeutic services may find this to be extremely helpful.
How Much Time Does an Intensive Outpatient Program Last?
IOP clients frequently spend three to four hours in a facility each time they come.
The Substance Abuse & Mental Health Support Administration (SAMHSA) reports that although specifics differ from therapy to program, most programs call for 9 to 20 hours of involvement each week. A longer amount of time is spent getting treatment each week since an IOP offers a greater degree of care than typical outpatient programs.
Group Counseling
In most IOPs, group therapy acts as the program’s focal point. According to several studies, group therapy is just as successful as individual psychotherapy in the treatment of addiction.
Clients can receive help through group participation in a number of ways.
- It gives customers the chance to improve their communication abilities and offers a fresh outlet for socializing.
- This is crucial in addiction since people who use substances like alcohol or drugs frequently socialize with them in the past.
- Participants have access to a setting where those going through a similar experience may offer support, comfort, and open feedback.
- It can support constructive social behaviors and offer a secure environment that is essential to rehabilitation efforts.
- People in the group who are more advanced in their recovery frequently provide insightful advice and compassion to others who are just starting out.
- It gives therapists and group facilitators a platform to impart crucial knowledge, impart new skills, and mentor clients.
- Groups may be an opportunity to learn about new ways to deal with addiction and to observe more good behaviors linked to recovery.
- Clients participate in a variety of group sessions that include a wide range of therapies and skills needed for an effective recovery from addiction.
Individual Counseling
Going to a counseling session. Individual therapy is typically available to those receiving care from IOPs as well. According to SAMHSA, while this is significant, it is not typically the main type of therapy.
The urgent issues brought on by clients’ substance misuse and their attempts to abstain are the core topics of individual therapy. Clients frequently delve deeper into the piece done in a group setting during individual treatment sessions, giving them more opportunity to focus on personal difficulties.
Individual counseling allows those who do not feel comfortable discussing in a group the opportunity to do so.
Most IOPs include individual counseling (https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/modes/individual-therapy), which is often scheduled at least weekly if not more frequently, especially at the beginning of treatment. Each patient is paired with a therapist that will work to build a genuine connection based on trust and a shared commitment to healing.
Additional Treatments
Many IOPs provide alternative therapy in addition to their standard services. There may be a range of treatments available, including music therapy, musical adventure therapy, and equine-assisted therapy.
Clients are able to access nonverbal healing techniques through these therapies. These sessions are usually led by therapists who have received training in the specific treatment, and they frequently occur in a group environment.
