Arizona Intensive Outpatient Program for Addiction Treatment

Why is Intensive Outpatient Program for Addiction Treatment Important

You’ve now made it through acute rehabilitation for drug or alcohol addiction now it is time for Intensive Outpatient Programs, often called IOPs for short.

You’ve handled detox and withdrawal, and you’ve committed to the rigors of a residential rehabilitation or partial hospitalization program.

Your rhythm is getting established. There is hope, and there is a way forward in recovery for you.

But you know enough to know that the coast is not clear. In early recovery, you’ll still have vulnerabilities.

You’ll need as much support as possible to ensure a healthy outcome. Intensive outpatient programs offer this support in an accessible, affordable environment.

In our IOP, you’ll know that you can find the balance you need between structured treatment and an independent life.

Successful management of drug and alcohol addiction requires the right treatment at the right time.

For many, the transition from acute rehabilitation to outpatient treatment leaves you vulnerable to relapse. Some patients express desire for increased support at this recovery stage.

As patients decrease their level of treatment intensity, our intensive outpatient programs are in unique positions to provide such support.

Within the spectrum of addiction treatment, IOPs offer the flexibility of outpatient treatment combined with rigorous programming and structure.

This allows patients to be able to transition from inpatient treatment or partial hospitalization to settings where they will have to manage more freedom.

Here, we’ll learn about the definition of intensive outpatient programs, and we’ll detail the benefits of an IOP program by comparing it to other recovery services.

What Is Intensive Outpatient Care

Intensive outpatient programs, often called IOPs for short, are treatment programs that are offered by recovery centers.

They are designed to create easier transitions between residential treatment and outpatient care.

These programs offer intensive treatment, but recognize that their patients require greater independence.

Unlike residential programs, which offer treatment around the clock, IOP has services that are scheduled in blocks of time, and usually only during the week.

The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) has specialized guidelines on the levels of care that a person in recovery should receive.

Those guidelines are used by recovery facilities to determine what level of treatment is best for a particular patient.

For intensive outpatient programs, ASAM has specified that they must offer between 9 and 20 hours a week for therapy and other recovery programs.

Because participants in IOP have shown ability to live independently, they no longer live in residential settings.

They can choose to reside in sober living environments, which may be linked to their recovery facility. They may choose to live with family or friends.

Those who have sufficient emotional readiness and support may choose to live alone.

Participants in intensive outpatient programs may choose to continue working, attending school or maintaining their roles within their families.

IOPs are structured to allow for these needs; they often offer their services in the evenings or on weekends to accommodate these needs.

Purpose of IOP Programs

Intensive outpatient programs are designed to serve as “step down” treatment, with less intensity than residential or partial hospitalization programs.

As patients move through the levels of care, they are still able to access high levels of support in IOP, but are expected to have more autonomy.

Addiction treatment often has the following course: patients complete drug or alcohol detox, and enter a round-the-clock residential care program.

Those with lower acuity may choose to enter a partial hospitalization program, or may enter such a program after a residential program has been completed.

As patients develop the skills they need to effectively manage the routine elements of life, the next “step down” program is an intensive outpatient program.

For those who are unable to commit to more acute treatment, intensive outpatient programs may be their treatment starting points.

Benefits of Intensive Outpatient Programs

Intensive outpatient programs tender offer a wide variety of services. These vary between treatment centers, based on individual client needs and the center’s expertise or treatment focus. But what do you do there?

What do you learn in IOP? Most of them offer the following:

Access to Medical Services

In an intensive outpatient program, participants see a medical professional at least once per week. These professionals include physicians or advanced practice professionals like nurse practitioners or physician assistants. Participants also receive regular nursing assessments.

Medication Assisted Treatment

Medication-assisted therapy, or MAT, has become a staple of treatment in many centers. Your medical professional will be able to work with you to determine if you are an appropriate candidate for this type of treatment.

Medication Management

Your medical professional will work with you to adjust your medications as necessary. If you have a co-occurring mental health disorder, such as depression or anxiety, your medical professional can help you secure appropriate treatment for it.

Individual Therapy

This therapy is conducted by a licensed psychotherapist, who can help a person recovering from drug or alcohol addiction to understand the root causes of addiction. In therapy, clients work to understand their internal emotional worlds.

They begin to understand the linkage between these emotions and their behaviors. In individual therapy, clients work to understand their motives for behaviors. In the process, they develop self-awareness, and they use that self-awareness to make sober decisions.

Group Therapy

In group therapy, three or more people in recovery are joined by a licensed psychotherapist to help each other. All of the participants agree to talk about their feelings and listen to the reactions of others. As they do so, they tend to recreate the same dynamics that have often been problematic for them in other aspects of their lives.

The therapist can use these observations to help participants recognize their patterns and create more adaptive solutions.

Family Therapy

In family therapy, the support network of a person in recovery can talk openly about their experiences, again under the direction of a licensed, experienced therapist. Family therapy can open up dialogue about the consequences of addiction, and in the process, make opportunities for grievances to be properly managed.

Family therapy is often a place where healing conversations can take place and where the process of forgiveness can be initiated.

Relapse Prevention Programs

Since people who have gone through acute recovery have learned fundamental skills about how to avoid return to drug or alcohol use, they will get many chances to refine these skills in intensive outpatient programs.

Restorative Activities

Many IOPs have available exercise classes, aerobics or yoga. Sometimes, these events are informally organized by program participants. Intensive outpatient programs have been studied for decades, and their benefits have been well established by multiple research studies.

They are among the most cost-effective of the levels of care. Several studies have shown that — when a society commits to it — substance use disorder treatment tends to pay for itself many times over, mainly by decreasing addiction related crimes and improving work retention.

Intensive outpatient programs have been studied for decades, and their benefits have been well established by multiple research studies.

They are among the most cost-effective of the levels of care. Several studies have shown that — when a society commits to it — substance use disorder treatment tends to pay for itself many times over, mainly by decreasing addiction related crimes and improving work retention.

How Much Does IOP Cost

Does insurance cover IOP treatment? Fortunately, it often does, and as the country begins to understand the widespread nature of addiction, its policies have been reflecting the need to support insurance coverage for intensive addiction treatment programs.

Most intensive outpatient programs now have insurance coverage available.

The Affordable Care Act has expanded coverage of intensive treatment for substance use disorders and we accept Medicare for addiction treatment.

The team Emerald Isle will be able to help you determine your coverage. You can call us or fill out your insurance information on our insurance verification form and we will work with your insurance company to get you the help you need.

Who Enrolls In IOP

Candidates for intensive outpatient programs may come from several different treatment settings. Some have come from more acute treatment, and for others, IOP is the starting point for their recovery.

To ensure success in the program, participants should have developed solid coping skills, and should show their ability to actively participate in their recovery plans. These programs function best when there is sustainable community or home support.

For those with less severe addictions, or ones that don’t require detox, IOP can be a viable introduction to addiction treatment.

For those who are unable to commit to inpatient residential care, IOP may also be an effective intervention.

Is IOP Right For Me

To know whether or not an intensive outpatient program is right for you, you’ll need to know where you are in the recovery process.

If you are seeking a balance between an independent life and solid structural support for your recovery from alcohol addiction, an IOP program for alcoholism may be for you.

If you need a solid start to your recovery from drug addiction, an IOP program for drugs can help put you on solid footing.

If you would like to talk with caring and dedicated staff about our intensive outpatient program offerings, please give us a call.

We can help you answer questions about this important recovery stage, and help you as you work to establish your sober and healthy life.