Intensive outpatient programs provide intensive care to individuals with substance use disorders at a higher level than typical outpatient programs but at a lower level than inpatient facilities. They can be an appropriate option for many people requiring treatment and can provide many benefits.
- Intensive outpatient programs are treatments provided to people with substance use issues who wish to continue living at home during treatment rather than staying at a residential facility but who require more extensive care than a typical outpatient program provides.
- Treatments offered during an IOP include individual, group, and family therapies, medications if needed, and psychoeducation.
- People will receive a comprehensive assessment before commencing treatment, to determine the level of care that they require and if they are suitable for an IOP.
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What is an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)?
Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are a type of treatment offered to people with substance use disorders (SUDs) or co-occurring SUDs and mental health conditions. IOPs can help people who require intensive care but do not need support with detoxification or round-the-clock monitoring. [1]
These programs allow people to continue living at home and managing their usual responsibilities while engaging in an intensive care program to treat their SUD. IOPs provide a higher level of care than typical outpatient programs and a lower level of care than inpatient or residential programs.
IOPs can provide structured treatments, typically involving psychoeducation around substance use and mental health issues, therapeutic interventions for individuals, groups, and family members, and medications. These treatments can take place in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, and community centers. [2]
IOPs will take place over a specified number of weekly hours, which can vary depending on the individual’s needs. The number of weekly hours can increase or decrease as required throughout treatment, with many people gradually decreasing their treatment time as they progress toward the end of treatment. Typically, IOPs involve a minimum of three three-hour sessions per week. [2]
Related: Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
How IOP differs from other treatment options
An IOP will typically involve attending around three hours of group or individual therapy a day, three to five days of the week, for at least 9 hours per week. This can occur at various times of the day, such as outside of normal work hours to allow people to continue with their work schedule.
This differs from other programs such as: [1][3]
- Inpatient care: Involves staying at a residential facility for several days, weeks, or months, during which time the individual will likely attend several individual and group therapy sessions per week and will be monitored 24/7.
- Outpatient care: This can vary but may involve attending only one or two therapy sessions per week.
- Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHPs): These are more intensive than an IOP but less restrictive than inpatient care, often involving several hours of treatment per day, five days a week.
Related: Inpatient vs. Outpatient Care
Benefits of intensive outpatient programs
IOPs can provide many benefits compared to other treatment program types and can be more suitable for certain individuals. Benefits of IOPs can include: [2][3]
- Flexibility: IOPs allow individuals to continue with their normal responsibilities, such as employment or childcare while utilizing necessary care. For those seeking greater flexibility, some centers may also provide virtual IOPs.
- Transition: IOPs can be helpful either for people who need more intensive care than typical outpatient programs or those who are leaving inpatient care and need additional services to help them step down.
- Utilize community skills: People engaging in an IOP can learn coping strategies during treatment that can then be practiced and utilized in the community instantly.
- Reduce costs: IOPs are often much less costly than inpatient treatment programs while offering the same quality and effectiveness of care.
- Comfort: IOPs allow people to remain living at home while attending necessary treatment, which may be more suitable or comfortable for many individuals and help retain autonomy.
- Effectiveness: Research suggests that IOPs are as effective at treating SUDs as inpatient or residential programs.
What to expect from an IOP
Before commencing an IOP, the individual will be assessed and their treatment will then be tailored and planned around their specific treatment needs. Their treatment will then be reviewed and managed by a team who will work with the individual throughout treatment. [4]
Treatments involved in an IOP can include: [2][3]
- Behavioral therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which can help to recognize and adapt harmful thought and behavior patterns, learn coping strategies, and improve resilience and recovery.
- Motivational interviewing, which can help encourage individuals to engage in treatment, maintain abstinence, and feel motivated to change their behaviors.
- Family therapy to help manage communication and relationships within the home and provide advice to family members who are supporting the individual through their recovery process.
- Group therapy or counseling, which may involve 12-step facilitation to help with abstinence and addiction recovery.
- Psychoeducation to better understand the impact of addiction and mental health issues, the importance of treatment engagement, and relapse prevention planning.
- Psychosocial support with issues relating to housing, finances, and employment.
- Medications if required to treat symptoms of SUDs or mental health conditions.
The individual and their care team will likely set goals and objectives that can be reviewed during and following treatment to assess progress. Their program will be tailored to their time and treatment needs.
For example, The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration provides this sample IOP schedule: [2]
Who is a good candidate for IOP?
Before commencing treatment, people will be thoroughly assessed to ensure that the level of care they receive meets their specific needs. An IOP might be suitable for someone who meets the following criteria: [2][4]
- Someone who has recently completed an inpatient or residential rehab program and requires step-down care before entering an outpatient program
- A person entering treatment for the first time who does not require inpatient care but requires more intensive treatment than a typical outpatient program
- Someone who does not require detox or withdrawal services
- Someone with a moderate substance use disorder, who may also have a co-occurring mental health issue that does not require 24-hour support
- Willingness to engage in treatment but requires structure and a supportive environment to maintain engagement
- Someone whose home environment is mildly safe and supportive but requires intensive support to manage
How to find IOP services near you
When looking for available treatment providers, factors that are helpful to consider or ask about include:
- The location of the facility or center
- The types of substance use disorders they commonly treat
- The types of treatments they use
- Accreditations and qualifications of their staff
- Reviews of their services
- If they offer aftercare services such as counseling and therapy, alumni programs, etc.
- Payment options for treatment
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