An intensive outpatient program is considered one of the next levels of recovery. You’ll often see people transition into one after they have completed detox and a partial hospitalization program or been discharged from residential rehab. IOPs are also sometimes used by people with mild to moderate addictions who have detoxed and are attempting to navigate recovery while still balancing their other responsibilities. Whatever your story, intensive outpatient services prepare you for the future through various resources. Your recovery is unique, and the staff at your rehab will discuss which services are best for you. Some aspects of therapy are less enjoyable than others, but each one poses unique benefits you may be surprised to discover as you work through different stages of treatment.
Types of IOP Services
Every rehab offers its own selection of services, and the same types of therapy or amenities won’t be offered at every facility. However, all IOP programs are designed to combine several core features that help people continue their recovery and integrate sobriety into their new lifestyle.
Group Therapy
IOP group therapy typically takes place three to four times per week, making it an accessible form of part-time treatment that does not interfere with everyday life. Unlike support groups, group therapy introduces you to new skills that you can use to manage your mental health and substance abuse symptoms. You may participate in one or two types of group therapy depending on your diagnosis. Someone who has depression, for example, may partake in a cognitive behavior therapy group therapy program while someone else could attend a dialectical behavior therapy program. There are also group therapies designed to help trauma survivors heal and psychoeducative therapy sessions that give you information about the nature of addiction, stages of change and long-term recovery.
Individual Counseling
Although group therapy is at the center of outpatient treatment, individual counseling still plays an important role in your well-being. Many people who complete rehab still attend individual counseling with a therapist for years. One-on-one therapy helps you tackle things that may not be appropriate to discuss during a group session; weekly individual counseling also offers more personalized care and helps you establish your own goals and address specific issues.
Support Group Meetings
Support group meetings often follow a 12-step philosophy. They are informal settings to talk about your experience in recovery and hear others’ stories. Many support groups also encourage friends and family members to attend so they can learn more about addiction from people who are working through it. You may also be able to connect with a recovery sponsor at a support group, or make new friends who share your sober lifestyle.
Complementary Therapies
Many outpatient rehabs are expanding their intensive outpatient services to reflect the holistic model of recovery. Holism supports the treatment of the entire being in recovery, which connects the mind, body and spirit. Therapies and activities that help with this include art programs, fitness classes, yoga, music, neurofeedback and more. Wilderness therapy is also a popular form of complementary treatment that helps people build resilience and improve their emotional well-being through outdoor activities. If you like a particular type of complementary therapy, you may want to explore the various offerings at a rehab before you commit to their IOP. Choosing the right program involves more than just counseling; you deserve a program that uplifts you, inspires you to try harder every day and be the best version of yourself.
Aftercare Planning and Relapse Prevention
Aftercare includes sober living arrangements, resume building, job applications and even family therapy. It also incorporates elements of sober accountability, which connects to relapse prevention. Preparing for your life outside of rehab can be scary, but these services help you slowly progress to a more independent, confident place. Most IOPs scale down their level of care over time. This means you will participate in different services for varying periods of time as you develop new skills and become more adapted to sober living. There will still be challenges you’ll face, and aftercare helps you make plans you can rely on. From arranging to meet with an outside therapist to applying for jobs, it’s the ultimate goal for any rehab to help you thrive independently.
Find IOP Recovery Programs Near You
Contact us today to learn more about intensive outpatient rehabs near you. Help is ready when you are. We are on-call 24-hours a day, seven days a week at 833-820-2922 to help you find exactly what you need to begin or improve your recovery.