What Is An IOP Program? 3 Facts You Need to Know

Many individuals battling a substance use disorder (SUD) find it challenging to choose a treatment program that works best for them. With various options available that differ in approach, this selection often burdens individuals and prevents them from moving forward in recovery. Among the many questions individuals may have when choosing an appropriate treatment plan, one that GateHouse Treatment commonly sees is “what is an IOP program?”

To facilitate this delicate and often overwhelming process, GateHouse Treatment is here to fill you in with all the pertinent details regarding intensive outpatient programs (IOPs). Since these programs offer plenty of beneficial amenities for individuals and allow them to receive treatment reliably and conveniently, here’s what you need to know before taking those necessary steps toward a healthy and long-lasting recovery.

Why is Finding a Treatment Program Often Difficult?

Finding a suitable treatment program for substance use disorders can be daunting for many individuals. The wide range of treatment options and approaches available can make the selection process challenging, and without the right information and guidance, it can deter people from moving forward. Facing addiction is already challenging, and many individuals in this position are in a vulnerable and confused state. When seeking help seems like the right choice, and that process becomes frustrating, it makes sense why many get discouraged or give up on seeking help altogether.

Additionally, details like insurance coverage, location, and personal preferences can further complicate the process. Does this person want an inpatient or outpatient program? Do they have a job they must continue? Can they leave their home and enter a rehab center for weeks to months at a time? There are so many questions a person must answer before taking any step, and many are extremely personal; this makes searching for these answers even harder when taking elements from someone else’s experiences and trying to compare them to your own.

Breaking it Down: What is an IOP Program?

An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is a treatment option for substance use disorders that provides more flexibility than a traditional inpatient program. Individuals in an IOP program attend therapy and counseling sessions, group sessions, and other treatments during the day while still maintaining their daily lives outside of the program. IOP programs are better suited for individuals who have completed detoxification and may not require the intensity or residential aspect of a 24/7 inpatient program.

IOP programs can benefit individuals with responsibilities they cannot neglect, such as jobs or family obligations. The program can provide individuals with access to the support they need to maintain their recovery while still being able to attend to other important areas of their life. Check out these three key facts that make IOP programs desirable for so many.

Three Key Facts About IOP Programs

1. Don’t Live-in Treatment Options Offer the Best Care? – While inpatient options such as a partial hospitalization program (PHP) often provide very high levels of care, they’re not for everyone. The truth is, receiving treatment while maintaining other obligations is complicated, and many individuals cannot leave their normal lives for extended periods.

That’s why IOP programs offer the best of both worlds. Patients receive intensive treatment and can live in the comfort of their homes, attend work normally, take care of family obligations, and utilize the same therapy options as other programs. However, this reality means IOPs are not as ideal as inpatient programs for those with severe addiction or co-occurring disorders. Even if someone needs to maintain their home life but struggles mightily with an SUD, they should strongly consider an inpatient program. But if they’ve completed an inpatient or rehab program and require further treatment that’s less “hands-on,” they may very well be better off with an IOP.

2. Do IOPs Address the Causes of Addiction? – IOPs do very well to address the causes and other issues that may have brought on an individual’s substance use disorder. By utilizing group therapy sessions, individual counseling, support groups, life skill classes, and other key amenities offered by an IOP, individuals can focus on the root causes of their addiction and ways to correct certain thought processes that may contribute to using substances.

Some IOPs may also offer certain courses that are more direct in their approach to addressing these causes of addiction. They may include self-help topics such as:

• Self-discovery
• Coping strategies
• Psychoeducational support
• Relapse prevention
• Emotional regulation
• Trauma education
• Family and community counseling
• Vocational skills
• Socialization skills

Along with addressing these root causes of addiction, IOPs also focus on other areas of a patient’s life that an SUD may impact. These include social wellness, mental health, job or career fulfillment, and family health. Co-occurring mental disorders are common in those with SUDs, so addressing these areas gives an extra level of care that can remedy many concerns that coincide with addiction.

3. What’s the Difference Between an IOP and a Standard Outpatient Program? – A concern that often arises when someone questions, “What is an IOP program?” is how an intensive outpatient program differs from a standard outpatient program or OP. What’s important to remember when differentiating between the two is the word “intensive.” With an IOP, individuals can expect to participate in therapy several hours a day for several days a week. It requires more commitment than OPs, which makes sense due to the program’s nature of easing patients into a more flexible and accommodating schedule. Some addiction treatment centers may also offer virtual IOPs, which work great when individuals cannot attend in person due to location, disability, or other issues.

Outpatient programs work best for those close to integrating back into society. With an OP, patients should have steady employment, attend meetings, and work with a 12-step program with a sponsor. However, they only attend therapy and group sessions twice weekly, if not less. These sessions are also much shorter than those in an IOP.

GateHouse Treatment Offers Individualized IOP Programs

If you require assistance with a substance use disorder and believe an IOP is suitable, don’t hesitate to learn more about what GateHouse Treatment can offer for a healthy and long-lasting recovery. Our IOP programs use evidence-based behavioral therapy to reduce the chances of relapse by identifying behaviors and environmental issues that can interrupt recovery. We customize your experience to fit your exact needs with comprehensive care that addresses all facets of what may bring forth addiction in the first place.

No one needs to face addiction alone. We understand the difficulty of taking the first step toward recovery, so we’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you believe an IOP is the right choice, don’t wait. Contact us today at (855) 448-3588 to receive the comprehensive care you need for a sustainable recovery.