How Does IOP Rehab Work?
IOP rehab is a lower level of care in the addiction treatment process. It provides much-needed care and support that individuals seeking recovery need while providing the flexibility and freedom they need for independence. The structure provided through these programs can provide a routine and still allow someone to maintain their day-to-day lifestyle. Understanding how IOP works, and what can be expected can benefit the decision-making process for getting help.
What is an Intensive Outpatient Program for Addiction?
Intensive outpatient, or IOP, is a level of care in addiction treatment. It is a lower level of care in which the individual can go to group and individual therapy during designated hours, and live their life outside of this treatment. They can work, go to school, and engage in social activities all while still getting the much-needed help for addiction. It provides flexibility while still providing structured care and support for recovery.
The Structure of IOP
Intensive outpatient programs still have structure to them, even though they have a lower level of care. IOP rehab provides a flexible schedule for individuals who are in these programs so they can maintain work and school schedules. However, IOP is set up to be 3-5 days per week, for a few hours during designated times. As part of the program, the individual is expected to maintain their routine of attending the group and individual therapy sessions, as well as see the medical staff to discuss their progress and medication management. Often, individuals take part in medication-assisted treatment or MAT.
MAT is a relatively new form of addiction treatment where medications are used in conjunction with therapeutic approaches to help individuals seeking recovery grow their foundation. These medications typically help to curb cravings, and if they drink or use drugs, there is a blocker that helps prevent them from feeling the effects of the substances. It is crucial to use these medications under the supervision of medical professionals, hence the importance of sticking to the IOP structure and attending therapy as well as speaking with medical staff.
The Flexibility of IOP
Because this level of care is less restrictive, IOP rehab provides more flexibility than its inpatient counterparts. During these programs, the individual is expected to attend their group and individual therapy sessions during designated time frames and days of the week. Outside of that set-up schedule, they have the freedom and flexibility to get back to work or school and maintain household responsibilities as they normally would. This allows them to live their daily, normal life without using drugs and alcohol, while still having the much-needed care and support of an addiction treatment program.
IOP Eligibility Criteria
Inpatient rehab like detox and residential treatment provides round-the-clock care from medical staff. IOP is a lower level of care. This means that the individual has generally already undergone the inpatient setting, and has been deemed stable for the less monitored levels of care. Eligibility requirements for IOP will vary from program to program, however, most will want to ensure that the individual has removed the substances from their system, and they are no longer dependent on them. This is vital because if the individual is still using drugs like heroin and fentanyl while undergoing addiction treatment, it can hinder them further from successful, long-term recovery.
What to Expect in IOP Rehab
In IOP rehab, one can expect to receive quality care and support to help them navigate everyday stressors and triggers. This care aims to help teach the individual positive and healthy coping skills through therapeutic approaches like CBT and DBT in which the person can identify how their thought and behavior patterns influence their substance use. This is a crucial part of the recovery process because, with this identification of problem behaviors and thoughts, they can implement positive and healthy coping skills to change those thoughts around to prevent relapse.
Benefits of IOP
IOP has several benefits. One of the main benefits is the flexibility it provides. Many people are hindered when it comes to getting help for addiction due to work and school commitments. They have families and homes to take care of, and despite their struggles, they have financial responsibilities. Often, these individuals do not feel that they can take the time off of work to get this much-needed care. IOP allows these individuals to maintain their work schedule while still getting help. Other benefits like professional and peer support help the individual to maintain their recovery long-term through connection and support with others.
What’s Next After IOP
Once IOP is coming to an end, having an aftercare plan in place can help the individual maintain their recovery once the traditional treatment methods end. Ongoing therapy can make a difference, and having a plan in place for when IOP ends to continue speaking with a mental health professional can provide much-needed, long-term support for the person to stay clean and sober. Researching support groups for recovery, and finding ones that can fit in a schedule can provide added support from like-minded individuals, to help promote continued recovery. Aftercare planning and relapse prevention are crucial. Speaking with a care manager during IOP rehab can help set this plan in place.
Prepare For a Life of Positive Change
Addiction treatment has different levels, IOP is just one. However, it can be a crucial one. Due to the nature of addiction, having long-term care and support can be vital to a successful recovery journey. If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, IOP may be a beneficial step. At Virginia Recovery Centers we strive to provide a safe and healing environment where someone can begin to build a foundation for their recovery. Call us today and begin your journey.
