Can Intensive Outpatient Programs Be Structured Around My Responsibilities?

If you face addiction and know you need to get help for it, you’re not alone. There are others, like you, that have started the process of becoming addiction-free. With so many programs out there, it’s hard to find one that works with your situation. Those with jobs turn to an outpatient type treatment in order to continue functioning in their life and paying their bills. One type of rehab clinic is known as an IOP, but can this intensive outpatient program be structured around your responsibilities?

You’ll be happy to know that it can. An IOP, or intensive outpatient program, works differently than an inpatient clinic does. Instead of a predetermined stay at a center, you simply sign up for a set amount of days to receive your treatment each week. With this guide, you can learn how an intensive program, like this works, who benefits from it, and what kinds of services you can expect from one.

How does Intensive outpatient programs work around your responsibilities?

They design intensive outpatient programs to meet almost anyone’s timetables. Counseling sessions and other therapies will be scheduled before your day’s activities or after all your work are done, depending on what your needs are. If your job requires you to be there from 9 am to 5 pm, then nightly sessions, a couple of days a week, could work for you. If you have an overnight position, you can attend afternoon sessions after you’ve gotten a bit of sleep.

This kind of program isn’t like an inpatient clinic where you have to stay at the center for a month or two. You continue to live your normal life, but attend your treatments 3-5 days a week during the hours that work best for your schedule. Once you’re done with the program for the day, you go back to your regular life activities until the next scheduled session comes around.

Who benefits from Intensive outpatient programs?

They created intensive outpatient programs for those who deal with a more moderate level of addiction. Those that don’t need the detox part of a treatment plan could still get intensive counseling and therapy without the need for monitoring that you get with the inpatient clinics. Also, those who have a family and work responsibilities, that you can’t avoid, will find more success with this kind of treatment since they won’t have the added extra stress of not being home to do their duties.

This kind of rehab can work well with those who have already gone through detox or other inpatient programs. They’re ready to get back to their lives and jobs, but still, need a bit more counseling to deal with the transition to their life as an addiction-free person. With the 3-5 day a week sessions, the center can still hold you accountable for attending their therapy and staying free of their addiction. Their recovery is intensive, but they continue to handle all the responsibilities of their regular life outside the clinic setting.

Services to expect from Intensive outpatient programs

An intensive outpatient program offers many types of services to help an addict’s recovery to be successful. Each person’s treatment plan will vary, but some of the services you may need for your rehab program are:

  • Training for the prevention of relapses
  • Group therapies and one on one session
  • Learning life skills like budgeting and job seeking
  • Drug testing

The key focus of your program will be on therapy to help work through your life’s issues so you can avoid falling back into the addiction pattern. To support your counseling sessions, you’ll likely work on skills to help you avoid temptations to use drugs or alcohol and find better ways to cope. Plus, you can get educated on important life skills to help you budget your money or to land a better paying job. Also, if you have a drug addiction, you can expect to be tested at least once a week to make sure you’re abstaining from the addiction.

If your life has many responsibilities that just can’t be avoided, there’s still hope for a successful recovery. An intensive outpatient program could work in your favor. By getting the counseling and proper therapy you need while you still work and take care of your other duties, you will have a high chance of beating the addiction that took control of you. Do your research and check out this kind of treatment plan. For more information about how you can get help with your addiction, call us at 800-411-8019. We’ll be glad to talk to you.