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.

It’s not uncommon for those who struggle with addiction to also have related mental health disorders. For example, someone who’s dealing with alcoholism might also struggle with depression, anxiety, or PTSD.

The relationship between addiction and other mental health conditions—called co-occurring disorders—is complicated. What’s more, it can make effective treatment rather difficult. That’s where dual diagnosis comes in.

Dual diagnosis care is focused on treating addiction and any co-occurring disorders, simultaneously. In this post, we’ll look a little closer at what dual diagnosis is, and how it might help those who are struggling.

The Relationship Between Addiction and Co-Occurring Disorders

The first thing to understand is the knotty relationship between addiction and related mental health disorders.

Sometimes, addiction and co-occurring disorders have the same root cause—for example, an imbalance in brain chemistry can lead to both depression and addiction.

In other circumstances, a condition like anxiety or PTSD leads an individual to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol, resulting in a full-fledged problem with addiction.

It’s not always easy to untangle this relationship, but dual diagnosis provides a good starting point.

The Difficulties in Dual Diagnosis

Because the relationship between addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders is so twisted, effective treatment can be difficult.

For example, the effects of drug addiction may be so pronounced that they obscure the symptoms of depression or anxiety. A clinician might treat for addiction but never do anything about the underlying mental health issues—meaning they don’t really get to the root of the problem.

Dual diagnosis is something different: It’s a way for clinicians to get to the heart of the matter, not just treating external symptoms but treating the root issues. As such, it’s the best way to receive total freedom from addiction and from other mental health concerns.

The Dual Diagnosis Process

What does dual diagnosis actually entail, however? A big part of it is right there in the name—diagnosis. In dual diagnosis care, the individual will meet with a mental health specialist who can offer a specific take on what’s really going on—diagnosing both the addiction and any co-occurring disorders.

From there, a custom treatment plan is developed. The goal here is to provide freedom from addiction while also offering the necessary mental health services—empowering the individual to live a life of health, happiness, and wholeness.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

In other words, dual diagnosis care includes therapeutic intervention both for the addiction and for any other underlying health disorders— an intervention that might include:

• One-one-one sessions with a counselor or therapist
• Group therapy sessions
• Medication (particularly for things like depression, insomnia, etc.)
• Life skills development
• The development of a relapse prevention plan

Again, the goal here is to equip the individual for a happy and healthy life—free from addiction, and with any other mental health disorders properly taken care of.

Learn More About Dual Diagnosis from Experience Recovery

If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, and you believe there are underlying mental health concerns, it’s important to seek the appropriate care—and that means dual diagnosis treatment.

Experience Recovery is proud to offer a full spectrum of addiction recovery services to individuals throughout the Orange County, California area. We offer dual diagnosis care and are here for those whose addiction dovetails with additional mental health concerns.

To learn more about dual diagnosis, or to speak with an admissions representative about all the available options, we invite you to contact Experience Recovery at your next convenience.

There is not a blanket solution for treating addiction as every person is affected differently. Genetics, environment, mental health, type of substance, duration and amount of use, and many other factors all play a role. This means that, in order to support effective recovery, treatment should be tailored to each client’s needs. What works well for one person, may not be as effective for the next.

That is where addiction medicine specialists come into play. They are specially trained in the prevention, screening, intervention, and treatment of addiction. They can also address the psychiatric and physical complications that can emerge with substance misuse. In addition, an addiction medicine specialist often works with clients as well as their families to recognize the impact of addiction and promote comprehensive recovery.

What Sets Addiction Medicine Specialists Apart?

While all physicians receive basic training in recognizing and treating addiction, addiction medicine specialists have undergone more extensive training to gain in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in the field. They have not only completed board certification in an initial medical specialty such family medicine, internal medicine, or primary care, they are also board certified in addiction medicine as a subspecialty. Addiction Medicine was recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) as an official subspecialty in October 2015, with the first ABMS-recognized board exam occurring in October 2017.

Addiction medicine specialists can provide the full scope of medical care and understand how substance use impacts all aspects of a person’s health. They are familiar with the intricacies of treating addiction while also managing other medical needs including mental health. Many clients have co-occurring disorders, and an addiction medicine specialist can ensure all their needs are effectively met and managed to promote more effective recovery.

Benefits of Working with an Addiction Medicine Specialist

Not every hospital or addiction treatment facility utilizes addiction medicine specialists, but as the subspecialty grows and more physicians become board certified, they are playing a more integral role in the growing need for specialized care. At Experience Recovery, Dr. Mario San Bartolome is board certified in family medicine and addiction medicine and works with clients across all stages of treatment and recovery.

For clients going through the detox process, an addiction medicine specialist can support withdrawal management and provide treatment to ease withdrawal symptoms keeping clients safer and more comfortable. If medication-assisted treatment is necessary, they can monitor use and help clients safely transition off of these medications when the time is right.

As clients progress through the various stages of treatment, addiction medicine specialists can provide targeted treatment and relapse-prevention strategies to support clients in building healthier routines, avoiding temptation, curbing cravings, and reducing risk of relapse. They know the signs to look for and what evidence-based practices may be effective in enacting lasting changes. It is important that clients trust and understand the care they are receiving, and addiction medicine specialists can explain information in an easily understood manner.

Choosing an Addiction Treatment Facility

When choosing an addiction treatment facility, look for one that has board certified addiction medicine specialists like Dr. Mario San Bartolome to provide targeted and comprehensive care for substance misuse. Find out what approaches to treatment are used, how clients are supported along each step of the way, and what is done to personalize the care received. Remember that not all rehab facilities are the same, so do your research to find out what sets each one apart and which facility can best meet your needs. Men looking for high-quality, comprehensive care that includes addiction medicine specialists as part of the care team can find the treatment they need at Experience Recovery.

One of the biggest challenges in diagnosing and treating addiction is that it is so often accompanied by other disorders—including a wide range of mental health issues. It can be tough to identify which symptoms stem from addiction and which emanate from the co-occurring mental health condition. What’s more, it’s important for clinicians to ensure they know the underlying, root cause—that they’re not just treating surface-level issues.

But what are some of the mental health disorders that are most common among those in addiction recovery? In this post, we’ll highlight eight of them.

Mental Health Disorders and Addiction Recovery

1. Depression. It’s not uncommon for those who struggle with depression to seek ways to self-medicate—and all too often, that means abusing drugs or alcohol. This, in turn, can become a problem with addiction.
2. Bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is identified by alternating mood cycles—including seasons of depression followed by abnormal “highs,” or mania. Those who have bipolar disorder often seek ways to “smooth out” their mood swings, and in doing so, they may turn either to drug or alcohol abuse.
3. Anxiety. It’s perfectly normal to feel nervous or to deal with anxiety from time to time. That’s just a part of life. An extreme or persistent sense of nervousness may in fact point to an anxiety disorder, though—and once again, those who struggle with an anxiety order may turn to drugs or alcohol for relief.
4. Schizophrenia. This mental health disorder is marked by psychotic symptoms, which may include delusions or hallucinations. These symptoms can cause real distress, and in an effort to allay that distress, individuals sometimes turn to drugs or alcohol. What starts as self-medication can turn into an ongoing struggle with addiction.
5. PTSD. Those who have experienced some kind of trauma—military service, domestic abuse, or even an extreme car accident—may sometimes see symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. The impact may include nightmares and recurring anxieties. Again, drugs and alcohol may be used to self-medicate, and to mask these awful symptoms.
6. ADHD. Those who struggle with ADHD may find it extremely difficult to focus on a particular task—leading to problems either at work or at school. Drugs or alcohol can seem like they help the mind to calm down or to focus—but of course, these substances are dangerous when they are overused.
7. OCD. Those who struggle with obsessive compulsive disorder may have inescapable thoughts or “compulsions,” and the effect can be maddening. Alcohol and marijuana are both employed for their calming, soothing effects. Once again, these attempts at self-medication can sometimes open the door to addiction.
8. Insomnia. This one is sort of a two-way street. Those who struggle to sleep at night may sometimes use alcohol or other depressives to calm themselves and get some much-needed rest—yet drugs and alcohol can also impair sound sleep, which only worsens the problem.

Get Dual Diagnosis Care

The precise relationship between addiction and these co-occurring mental health disorders can be hard to untangle—which is why a trained, clinical specialist is needed to identify the underlying problem and recommend treatment. The practice of dual diagnosis is relevant here. Basically, dual diagnosis is all about identifying and treating addiction and any related mental health disorders simultaneously.

If you struggle with addiction and wonder if there is also a component of depression, anxiety, or some other mental health disorder, it’s important to find a rehab center that offers dual diagnosis care. That’s something we can provide at Experience Recovery, located in Orange County, California. Reach out to us today to discuss our dual diagnosis care standards.

Watching a loved one struggle with addiction is never easy. It’s especially challenging when it’s the person you’re closest to—like your spouse. Witnessing a husband’s fight against drug or alcohol addiction may leave you feeling powerless, but actually, there are a number of practical ways in which you can offer your support.

The most important thing you can do? Don’t give up on him. Remind yourself that treatment works and recovery is possible, no matter how deep the addiction seems to be.

In addition to that, here are a few additional tips for helping a husband who’s battling addiction.

How to Help a Husband Who’s Battling Addiction

1. Don’t deny it. It can be hard to admit that your husband is dealing with something so serious, so dangerous—but turning a blind eye to it just means it will get worse. Acknowledge the fact that your husband has a disease, and that it can be addressed through the proper clinical care.
2. Do your homework. You may not know much about addiction—but a little understanding can go a long way. Read up on how addiction works; on its impact on the mind; and on how effective treatment can bring about long-term recovery.
3. Avoid enabling him. This one’s tough. You want to help your husband, but you don’t want to encourage him to remain addicted. Make sure you help him in ways that point toward recovery—not in ways that shield him from the consequences of his actions.
4. Find a support group. It’s really hard to be married to someone with addiction—and if you’re going to take care of your husband, you’ll need to take care of yourself, too. Find a local support group of other spouses, and attend meetings where you can vent, share, and seek advice from people who are in similar circumstances.
5. Invest in other forms of self-care. In addition to going to a support group, make sure you find an outlet for yourself—either through exercise/physical activity or some sort of creative endeavor. Also make sure you eat right and get some sleep.
6. Draw a line in the sand. By all means, be patient with your husband—but also make sure you set some boundaries in place. Any form of abuse—financial, sexual, verbal, physical—should be unacceptable. Make it clear that you won’t compromise on any of these things.
7. Let him know you love him. This may sound like a no-brainer, but as you watch your husband fight addiction, it’s easy to feel angry or resentful. Make sure you tell him regularly that you care about him, are there for him, and just want to see him get better.
8. Encourage him to seek treatment. Finally, make it clear to your husband that you want him to seek treatment, so that he can have a happy and healthy life with you once more. Let him know that you will support him through the treatment process however you can. Connect with the admissions team at your chosen rehab center for more help with this.

There is Hope for Your Husband

Addiction can seem insurmountable—but with the right clinical approach, your husband can find lasting recovery. That’s something you should encourage in any way you can.

Experience Recovery can help. We provide customized men’s rehab services to those in the Orange County, California area and beyond. To learn more about how you can help your husband—or to ask about specific treatment procedures—reach out to the team at Experience Recovery right away.

Addiction impacts both men and women—but it doesn’t necessarily impact them in the same ways. There are some gendered differences in substance abuse and in drug and alcohol addiction, with some forms of addiction impacting men at a disproportionate rate.

But what does the science say about addiction among men? And how does that impact our understanding of addiction recovery? Those are the questions we’ll focus on in this post.

Men and Addiction: What Does the Data Show?

Let’s start with some data. According to government research, men are more likely than women to use almost all types of illicit drugs. What’s more, men are more likely to have emergency room visits or even fatalities as a result of overdosing.

With that said, women and men are equally likely to develop substance use disorders. And, studies find women to be more susceptible both to cravings and to relapse, both important phases of the addiction cycle.

But what about specific forms of addiction? Are they more prevalent among women, or among men? Here are a few of the main categories of substance abuse.

Marijuana

Marijuana addiction is much more common among men than among women. Additionally, marijuana impacts men and women in different ways; women tend to experience greater impairment to their spatial memory, while men will often experience a greater marijuana-induced high.

Opioids

This may come as a surprise to some, but men actually abuse opioids—including prescription painkillers—to a much smaller degree than women do. There are many possible explanations here—including the fact that women tend to have more struggles with chronic pain, and women are more likely to misuse prescriptions than men are.

Alcohol

If women are more likely than men to self-medicate with opioids, the inverse is true of alcohol. Here, men are much more prone to substance abuse, and both alcoholism and binge drinking are quite a bit more common in males. Due to the fact that men and women metabolize alcohol differently, however, men actually face fewer health risks when they drink.

Nicotine/Tobacco

Finally, smoking habits tend to vary quite a bit between women and men, with men smoking more frequently and choosing cigarettes with higher nicotine content. It’s unsurprising, then, that men tend to have more smoking-related health problems than women do.

What Does This Mean for Treatment?

It’s clear that, although addiction is an equal opportunity offender, it can impact men and women in very different ways—so it stands to reason that men and women might require very different treatment methods, as well.

To that end, it’s generally preferable to seek gender-specific addiction treatment. In other words, it’s best for men to enroll in a men’s program, where the clinical approach is tailored and where all the other participants will have similar stories and experiences.

There are also implications for how you interact with loved ones. Be aware of the types of addictions that are most common among men versus women, and remain on alert for any signs of substance abuse amongst your loved ones. If someone you know is struggling with addiction of any kind, encourage them to seek the treatment they need.

Addiction Recovery for Men in Los Angeles

Experience Recovery believes in the power of treatment and the possibility of recovery—and we’re pleased to extend that possibility to men throughout Los Angeles and the surrounding area.

We tailor our programs to meet the needs of each individual, and provide a full spectrum of services—from detox to after-care.

Learn more about men’s addiction recovery by reaching out to the Experience Recovery team today

The road to recovery is never the same from one person to the next. The treatment that works well for you may not work as well for your neighbor, and vice versa; it all hinges on the type and severity of your addiction, any co-occurring mental health disorders you have, and the amount of time you have to devote to treatment.

As such, while residential treatment is a common choice for those seeking addiction recovery, there are some other options to explore, including intensive outpatient (IOP) and partial hospitalization (PHP). These two types of treatment are sometimes lumped together, but actually differ in key regards—something we’ll illustrate here.

What is IOP?

First, let’s define the terms, starting with intensive outpatient treatment. Unlike with a traditional, residential approach, IOP does not require you to live in a rehab facility. Instead, you continue to live in your own home, or with family, and may even be able to continue going to school or work as normal.

Those who are in IOP will have both individual and group therapies throughout the week—often totaling 10 or 12 hours a week. In many cases, these sessions are scheduled in evenings, so those who need to go to work can do so.

What is PHP?

A partial hospitalization program is similar in some regards: It’s a treatment program that works on an outpatient basis, meaning you live at home or with family as opposed to in a rehab facility.

However, PHP tends to be a little bit more of a time commitment than IOP. In a partial hospitalization program, you will have therapy sessions and other clinical interventions structured throughout your day, meaning you’ll really just go home to sleep each night. In other words, it’s more involved than IOP, though less so than residential treatment.

Weighing the Benefits

It’s important to note that these two types of programs share the same basic goal—to set you up for lifelong sobriety. They have many other benefits in common, too. They are generally more cost-effective than residential care, and they can both function as transitional care models for those who have been through rehab and just need a bit more time to hone their life skills. In fact, some individuals use IOP programs as step-downs from PHP; these two programs often work best when they are used in tandem.

Choosing the Best Program for You

Ultimately, the decision largely boils down to the kind of commitment you need. Those who need a more robust and intensive program will do better with PHP. Meanwhile, those looking for something more transitional—or something that offers great flexibility for their school and work obligations—may find IOP to make the most sense.

To make the best decision based on your addiction recovery needs, it’s important to speak with an addiction recovery specialist. We can’t stress enough that there is no one-size-fits-all solution here. It’s important to talk to a healthcare professional who specializes in addiction rehab, and to determine the solution that’s the best fit for your needs.

Get Treatment from Experience Recovery

For those who are pursuing addiction rehab in Los Angeles, we encourage you to contact Experience Recovery today. We believe in the tailored, individualized care approach, and want to help you find the program that’s right for you. Contact us today to schedule an assessment, or to ask any lingering questions about partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient care.

Recovery is a journey, not a destination—and eventually, that journey will lead you out of inpatient treatment and back into “regular” life. This means returning to work, even as you continue to work on your sobriety. That’s a daunting proposition, which is why after care and transitional living can be such important parts of the recovery journey. It’s vital to continue working on your coping and stress management skills before you head back to the office.

And when you do head back to work, there are some strategies that can help you keep your recovery intact. Here are a few guidelines and recommendations for working professionals.

Going Back to Work—While Pursing Recovery

Continue going to therapy

Hopefully, you’re still making appointments with your therapist or support group. The frequency of those appointments is something you can discuss with your therapist, but make sure to keep those appointments, even during weeks when you don’t feel like you “need” them. This is an important way for you to stay focused on those coping skills and recovery mechanisms.

Know your triggers

Certain scenarios might “trigger” your cravings and make it difficult for you to maintain sobriety. It’s helpful to know what those triggers are; you can talk through them with our therapist or counselor, and work on strategies to avoid them (when possible) or else just cope with them.

Take advantage of HR

In some companies, the HR department may have policies or resources available to help those who are in recovery. If you feel comfortable talking about your addiction recovery with the HR professional, by all means do so, and ask about any services or solutions that are available to you.

Have a plan for attacking stress

One of the key pieces of addiction recovery is dealing with stress. When you return to work, you’ll definitely be in situations that lead to anxiety, so how will you respond? Make sure you have healthy outlets for channeling your stress—journaling, exercising, or whatever else works for you. Here again, make sure you work on a plan with the input of your therapist.

Take care of yourself

Make sure you are in a strong, healthy, and energetic place as you pursue your recovery. Get eight hours of sleep each night. Stay hydrated, and eat nutritious meals. Exercise each day, even if it’s something as simple as a light walk.

Remember your relapse prevention plan

Working with your therapist, you should have a relapse prevention plan designed to keep you on the right path even during stressful seasons. Talk through that relapse prevention plan regularly. Make sure you’re familiar with all the things you should be doing to remain healthy and sober. Talk to your therapist about revising the plan as needed.

Seek treatment if you need to

There’s no shame in needing some further treatment, even after you complete your initial inpatient recovery. Partial hospitalization and executive rehab programs can provide some options that accommodate your busy schedule. Reach out to Experience Recovery if you need to take advantage of these services.

Maintaining Recovery in the Workplace

It’s not easy, maintaining your recovery as you head back to work—but there are plenty of resources available to help you. Make sure you know what they are and use them whenever you need them. To learn more, reach out to Experience Recovery.

Experience Recovery provides addiction recovery treatment that’s tailored to the needs of each individual; we are proud to serve the Orange County area, and to help our clients maintain sobriety even as they return to the daily grind. Reach out to Experience Recovery to learn more.