Is Intensive Outpatient Therapy for You?
Many people are confused about inpatient treatment and intensive outpatient programs (IOP). If you struggle with serious chemical dependency type of disorders, intensive outpatient therapy programs now offer a flexible alternative to inpatient treatment.
IOPs consist of a much more structured support than what you may have found in the traditional outpatient facilities. However, we should also mention the fact that these may be much less restrictive than the residential treatment programs.
With intensive outpatient therapy, you may be allowed to live at home and continue to work while receiving treatment from the support facility. These programs are custom designed to not tamper with your personal life and priorities even when carrying on with intensive therapies to keep you sober and clean.
What to expect from intensive outpatient therapy
Each week, you may have to spend a few hours in such outpatient programs as a part of the treatment. However, for some people, the traditional treatment modalities for addiction may not be enough, and they may have to change into more intense treatment.
Duration
In general cases, people need to spend a minimum of 9 hours a week for intensive outpatient therapy. They have to report at the facility and take part in individual and group therapy sessions. To be part of the intensive therapy program, a minimum of 9 hours of weekly attendance is mandatory with increments of about 3 to 8 hours a day at a stretch, and the total duration may extend anywhere from 5 to 7 days a week.
The frequency of intensive outpatient therapy sessions may be determined based on:
- Overall progress in the treatment plan
- Decreasing risk of relapse
- A strong support network of a drug-free community
For whom is it ideal?
Intensive outpatient rehab programs held by facilities like Reawakenings Wellness Centers are ideal for people who are in their early stages of therapy. It is also recommended for those who are transitioning from the hospital or rehab settings back to normal home life. Therapists nowadays suggest intensive outpatient therapy to those who don’t need full-time supervision and strict monitoring, but have available support in their personal life itself.
Treatment modalities of intensive outpatient therapy
There are various treatment modalities including day, evening and weekend programs that offer a complete range of therapy services as below:
- Intake assessment
Proper screening with a sequence of personal interviews as well as some psychometric tests to determine the severity and effects of addiction and allied problems. A comprehensive treatment plan is made on the basis of this assessment.
- Behavioral treatment
Behavioral treatment or psychotherapy aims at eradicating the destructive feelings, behaviors and attitudes to rebuild a healthy mental state.
- Rehab education
Be it inpatient or outpatient, education session are vital in addiction therapies. There are various techniques and tricks being taught in order to overcome the cravings, block relapse and regain social connections.
- Connecting with self-help groups
Intensive outpatient therapy will also encourage the participants to get engaged with self-help groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), SMART REcovery and Narcotics Anonymous (NA), etc. to get mutual support from similar-minded members and get encouragement to remain abstinent during and after the treatment.
Whether to go for intensive outpatient therapy or to stick to conventional inpatient rehab therapies is strictly a personal decision to make. If you want to get some help over it, talk to your primary care doctor or rehab professional to get a personalized advice.
Article by Charlie Brown
This article was written by the guest author listed at the end of the article.