Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Finding the best treatment for addiction can be difficult when jobs, family and other commitments complicate living at a treatment center. For some, choosing a treatment program that doesn’t require residency is the best option even when a comprehensive, powerful treatment is necessary. Those with substance abuse concerns or family and friends of those who are struggling with addiction may choose to utilize an Intensive Outpatient Program or IOP instead of a residency-based treatment to help them through this difficult time.
What Is an Intensive Outpatient Program or IOP?
An addiction treatment program that does not require participants to live on-site but instead visit 2 or more times each week for intensive treatment sessions may be deemed an IOP. Those in the program will attend multiple sessions with professional counselors and medical professionals at a treatment center each week to help them with their substance abuse challenges. An IOP typically lasts for around 90 days and participants will attend sessions either during weekday mornings or evenings in most programs.
Who Is the Ideal Candidate for an IOP?
People from all walks of life and ages find value in an IOP treatment option because this type of treatment does not require participants to live in the facility. Anyone who would benefit from staying at home during treatment might be an ideal candidate for using the services of an IOP to help them combat their addiction concerns. Since an IOP depends on the participants living in their own homes for the duration of the program, anyone who wants to pursue an IOP should have a stable, safe home to reside in.
IOPs vs Residential Programs
Those who need addiction treatment may consider both IOPs and residential programs, but each type of treatment program has specific benefits for those seeking help.
IOPs
- allow participants to remain in their own homes
- are available at a lower cost
- provide flexibility to remain engaged in your career, family life and other commitments
Residential Programs
- require those in treatment to stay on site
- provide a drug-free situation that is separated from potential triggers
- offer 24-hour medical monitoring
The Stages of Addiction Treatment
While adults and adolescents differ slightly, the stages in which addiction is treated, according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine include four basic steps that may be necessary as well as one early step that can potentially aid in the prevention of addiction.
.5 – Early Intervention and Prevention Education
1 – Outpatient Services
2 – Intensive Outpatient/Partial Hospitalization (IOP)
3 – Residential/Inpatient Care
4 – Intensive Inpatient Care
What to Expect in an IOP
An intensive outpatient program will rely heavily on therapy treatment to help patients work toward recovery. Participants can expect to take part in 10-12 hours of group and individual therapies, however, each IOP facility may vary in the quantity and type of therapies offered within their programs. Most of the time, these therapies take place at a medical facility or a therapy site. Still, some programs are beginning to offer a few virtual options for online therapy sessions in certain situations.
Group Therapy
Participants seeking addiction treatment in an IOP will spend much of their time in group sessions with others in the program. Working with and through group therapy is clinically shown to help participants in a handful of ways:
- they provide socialization opportunities with those who are actively trying to remove themselves from addictive behaviors as well as modeling to improve communication skills
- groups provide a place for participants to experience support and honest feedback from others going through the same situation
- they give participants a place to see what positive recovery behaviors look like as well as a chance to learn from those further along in their recovery process groups to reinforce healthy interactive patterns
- they give therapists an opportunity to provide instruction and guidance to participants
Group therapies will take different forms to treat those with addiction concerns. Group sessions may have one or more of the following focuses:
1. Family Groups are essential for participants and family members to learn how to support each other while facing the challenges of addiction and recovery. Family groups also provide an opportunity to teach about how addiction affects relationships as well as learn strategies to deal with those challenges.
2. Psychoeducational Groups are designed to give patients emotional support during their treatment time. These sessions help those in IOP recovery learn about addiction, substance abuse consequences and dependence.
3. Refusal Training Groups are set up as a role-playing exercise intended to teach participants how to avoid falling back into old habits. In Refusal Training, mock situations are created to give realistic experience to participants in saying no to using their specific addictive substance(s).
4. Relapse Prevention Groups are used to help those in treatment identify their personal triggers or situations that would put them at higher risk for relapse behavior. This group therapy assists by providing techniques that will help an addict avoid a challenging situation or manage one if it does occur.
5. Skills-Development Groups are sessions that are created to help those in treatment practice specific behaviors while still in a safe setting.
Individual Therapy
Though not the primary form of treatment in an IOP, individual therapy sessions may be utilized during this type of program. These one-on-one sessions are designed to help participants dig deep into their own reasons and triggers for addiction while providing an opportunity for learning and self-reflection. Some of those in an IOP may not feel comfortable opening up to others, so individual therapy sessions may prove more useful for those participants. These sessions may be held at least weekly, rather than the more frequent group sessions, and a participant will typically work with a single therapist over the course of their program to encourage trust, honesty and a strong bond in order to lead to successful therapeutic outcomes.
Complementary Therapies
Other types of therapies like adventure therapy, art therapy, equine-assisted therapy or music therapy may be offered as part of an IOP program. These alternative therapies add a more holistic approach to helping the whole person heal from addiction challenges.
Support Groups
Peer support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous are typically encouraged by IOPs to help provide another layer of support for participants while they are going through treatment as well as to become a support system once they return to their regular lives.
Choosing the Best Treatment Option
If you or someone you love is seeking addiction treatment, choosing the right treatment option should be based on medical advice as well as how well the person is anticipated to do in a specific type of program. Those who have many life, family and work responsibilities that would keep them from being able to commit fully to an in-residence program may want to consider attending an IOP to help them with addiction recovery. Each situation is unique and communicating with the program’s intake professionals as well as a personal medical provider can help you make the best decision for you or your loved one’s situation.
Common Questions about IOP Programs
1. How long are most IOP programs?
Most IOP programs are designed to run for 90 days.
2. What does IOP mean in mental health?
An IOP for mental health reasons is a program that is set up as a step-down program from in-patient mental health treatment. An IOP for mental health assists those who have left residential treatment to provide them with support in returning to their regular lives with the guidance and oversight of professionals.
3. What is the success rate of IOP?
Since IOP is only one step on the continuum of care for those facing addictions, not everyone finds success in an IOP treatment. However, more than half of the cases in an IOP will find success.
4. What is considered IOP?
A medically supervised, therapy-based addiction or mental health outpatient program run by licensed therapists and recovery professionals that helps those facing addiction may be considered an IOP.
5. What is the difference between IOP and inpatient treatment?
An IOP program participant will live in their own home during treatment while an in-patient treatment program will require a participant to stay at a facility for the duration of the program. An IOP program will provide daily or almost daily therapy sessions and services to help those seeking treatment return to health. An inpatient program will also provide 24-hour medical supervision and may offer other services like a detox opportunity for those entering the program.
6. What is the success rate of IOP in the United States?
According to the NIH, generally, 50-70% of IOP cases are successful.
7. What are the requirements for IOP?
Someone who attends an IOP will be required to attend weekday sessions in short blocks of time, like 9 am-noon or 6 pm – 9 pm, for the duration of the program. In addition, an IOP attendee will need a secure, safe home environment to live in as an IOP is an outpatient treatment. Those utilizing an IOP will also have to commit to participating in the therapy sessions as well as other treatment support activities like 12-step programs that are encouraged in the IOP.
8. What does IOP cost?
Although the cost varies between programs based on the services offered, many programs run between $250 – $350 per day. Often, insurance may cover part or all of an IOP program.
9. What is the frequency of IOP?
Those seeking care in an IOP can expect to attend sessions between 3 and 20 hours per week. Most IOP programs take place during weekdays so that participants can remain with their families and take part in personal activities over the weekend.
10. What does IOP typically consist of?
An IOP will generally consist of group, individual, family and complementary therapy sessions as well as opportunities for attendees to meet with counselors to receive necessary social services to help them be successful when they return to their regular lives.
11. How does IOP compare to inpatient treatment?
IOPs provide a therapy-intensive treatment option for those who need or want to stay at home while they recover from mental health or substance or addiction disorders. Inpatient programs, by contrast, provide 24-hour medical supervision and may be necessary for those who are facing dual addiction disorders or who need medical treatment or detox.