How Long Is IOP Treatment

What Is Intensive Outpatient Treatment?

If you are considering completing rehab for a substance abuse disorder, you will likely be faced with two major options: inpatient programs and outpatient programs. If you choose to begin your recovery process with an inpatient stay, you will have to live at your treatment facility full-time.

Inpatient facilities provide more support, so they are typically necessary for those who are dealing with severe drug addiction to ensure relapse prevention. They are also typically appropriate for people who are dealing with serious comorbid mental health issues and need residential treatment services to ensure they are not at risk for self-harm.

An inpatient program may also be necessary for those suffering from physical dependency on certain drugs, like alcohol and benzodiazepines. These patients usually require detox services because they are at risk of serious withdrawal symptoms if they go cold turkey.

However, if you are dealing with serious substance abuse issues but have a strong enough support system and mental health foundation to be confident that you can remain sober while living on your own, you can also consider an intensive outpatient program (IOP). An IOP program usually functions similarly to inpatient programs in terms of the treatment options offered, but does not require individuals to live at a treatment center full time.

This requires a significantly smaller time commitment than inpatient treatment, making it a better option for people who cannot leave their daily life behind to attend residential treatment due to work or family obligations. An outpatient program is also typically more affordable than inpatient care, making it more viable for those facing financial challenges.

How Long Should I Expect To Stay In An Intensive Outpatient Program And What Should I Expect From A Treatment Plan?

While the length of outpatient treatment can vary depending on where a patient is in their recovery journey, you can generally expect an IOP program to last between thirty and ninety days. At many treatment centers, patients in an IOP program start treatment at a high level of care, attending programming for as many as eight hours a day on as many as five days a week, and are gradually stepped down to a lighter treatment schedule until they are ready to pursue independent recovery.

In addiction treatment, therapy will focus on teaching you the life skills you need to be able to maintain sobriety long term. These will typically include the use of healthy coping mechanisms that you can learn to utilize instead of leaning on your addiction, and training in mindfulness that will help you learn to be more aware of and in control of your emotional reactions. Individual counseling may also focus on helping you to process any traumatic experiences that played into your desire to abuse substances.

Many patients suffering from addiction also struggle with mental illness. This is known as a dual diagnosis, and your treatment team will work to diagnose any co-occurring disorders and provide the appropriate behavioral or pharmaceutical therapy necessary to get your symptoms under control.

Addiction treatment may also involve family therapy, which will help you and your family members to reestablish healthy relationships after the trauma of dealing with your addiction may have damaged family dynamics.

Many rehab programs also incorporate holistic treatment options, which are non “medical” interventions aimed at helping to heal you as a whole person. These may include physical activities like yoga or horseback riding, arts-related therapies or activities, nutritional counseling, or adventure therapy, which involves excursions designed to push you out of your comfort zone and re-evaluate your frame of mind.

The Importance Of Group Therapy In Addiction Recovery

Along with individual therapy sessions, you can expect your substance abuse treatment schedule to incorporate group therapy sessions. These sessions will generally be facilitated by a therapist and will involve the sharing of experiences and challenges faced in addiction and recovery as well as education on sobriety-related topics.

Group therapy can be utilized for people struggling with various mental health conditions or challenging life events, but it is particularly beneficial for those struggling with addiction because of the isolation and self-hatred often associated with the disease. In discussing their experiences with others, people who are struggling with addiction learn that they are not alone, and are often able to develop a more evolved perspective on those experiences and on themselves.

Group therapy also gives those in early recovery the chance to get comfortable with others and to learn and practice using social skills without the “social lubrication” that may have been offered by their substance of choice. Connecting with others also helps create a sense of shared motivation for recovery and offers many rehab participants a chance to develop lasting friendships that can help solidify their recovery.

After completing rehab, many people in recovery continue to utilize support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, which serve a similar function to help them stay motivated to recover and connected to others in the recovery community.

Intensive Outpatient Programs At Reco Intensive

If you or someone you love is currently struggling with substance abuse and currently considering addiction treatment, we hope you’ll consider Reco Intensive. Our treatment center is located in scenic Delray Beach, Florida, and offers a variety of holistic activities like yoga, equine therapy, and expressive arts therapy as well as a variety of scientifically-backed therapies and innovative new treatment methods.

Our incredible support staff is dedicated to providing our patients with the best care possible and to guiding them toward fulfilling long-term sobriety. To learn more about how Reco Intensive can help you or your loved one can get back on the path to a brighter future, you can call us anytime at 844.955.3042 or to fill out our online contact form here.