IOP at a Glance

Addiction rehab comes in many forms—and as you pursue recovery, it’s important to choose the treatment method that best fits your needs.

For many individuals, that might mean residential treatment. It is also worth considering intensive outpatient therapy, which is a little less rigorous but can nevertheless be effective, either as a replacement or an addition to inpatient care.

But what is intensive outpatient, or IOP treatment? And how can it help people overcome addiction? In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at this treatment model and its potential benefits.

The main difference between IOP and residential care is that, in IOP, you don’t actually have to live in a residential treatment facility. You can continue to live in your regular home, with a family member, or in an aftercare facility. All that’s required of you is that you participate in some intensive therapy or counseling sessions each day, typically for a few hours—but you always get to go home and sleep in your own bed at the end of the day.

The specifics of your IOP treatment depend on your needs, but may include one-on-one counseling, group therapy, life skills development, and more.

The Benefits of IOP

While residential treatment is typically the go-to method, the reality is that not everyone can accommodate it. For some, they may not be able to completely break free from their work or school responsibilities. For these individuals, IOP can be a more flexible option.

Additionally, IOP is often recommended for those who do not necessarily need a medically-supervised detox.

IOP Following Residential Care

Another important thing to note about IOP vs. residential treatment is that it doesn’t have to be either/or. Often, those who seek IOP have already been through a residential treatment program. IOP represents a way to continue their recovery and help them readjust to “normal” life.

What often happens is, an individual makes sufficient progress in inpatient care and they feel they can scale back on their treatment. And yet, they still crave some structure and accountability, especially as they head back to their normal work and school functions. IOP can provide them this, and help maintain their recovery even through this period of transition.

How Does IOP Help Individuals Seek Recovery?

The bottom line is that IOP represents a different but highly effective clinical protocol for those who are struggling with addiction recovery.

The process starts with a consultation. An admissions counselor will talk to you about your addiction and help assess your needs. He or she can recommend IOP or point you toward a more appropriate treatment method.

IOP itself will come with some structured, scheduled work with a therapist or counselor, which might involve working on a relapse prevention plan and mastering some basic life skills. The ultimate goal is getting you to a place where you are ready to return to normal life, and to be able to cope with stress without falling back into harmful patterns.

Learn More About IOP from Experience Recovery

For those who are seeking freedom from addiction, IOP can be a smart option. It’s something we are proud to offer here at Experience Recovery.

Experience Recovery provides a full spectrum of drug and alcohol rehab services to residents of Orange County and beyond. IOP is one treatment model we value and are pleased to offer it to clients for whom it’s a reasonable solution. To learn more about us or our IOP treatment model, reach out to the admissions team at Experience Recovery today.