What is Intensive Outpatient Therapy?
Intensive Outpatient Treatment (which is often abbreviated as IOP for Intensive Outpatient Program) is a treatment option used to address addiction, depression, eating disorders, or other dependencies that do not require detoxification or round-the-clock supervision.
An Intensive Outpatient Treatment program can help you to establish a foundation for long-term recovery while remaining in your local community. These programs are designed to establish support mechanisms to help with relapse management, provide coping strategies, and help you to begin the process of mending and rebuilding your personal life.
IOPs are done on a part-time but intensive schedule, to accommodate school, work and family life.
Who would benefit from Intensive Outpatient Therapy?
Participants in IPOs are able to learn more about their disorders and to obtain new coping skills to help in their recovery. They are particularly suited to:
- Someone who is not progressing in traditional weekly outpatient treatment, but does not need a higher level of care, like hospitalization.
- Someone who is transitioning out of an inpatient treatment program and into an independent living situation.
- Someone leaving rehab who needs more time in an established and structured recovery environment.
What is the practical benefit of participating in Intensive Outpatient Therapy?
This type of therapy offers people a high level of care but leaves room for them to work or attend school. The goal is to maintain or reinstate their day to day lives and the supportive connections they already have in the community.
The goal of Intensive Outpatient Therapy
The primary goal is to support long-term recovery through the development of an ongoing plan for sober living and general well-being.
What happens on the first day of Intensive Outpatient Therapy?
You will typically attend some form of individual or group therapy along with a medication management appointment. You will also decide about the days of the week and the hours that you will attend.
The difference between inpatient and outpatient care
An inpatient facility is a live-in treatment center that offers more hands-on support, while an outpatient facility gives you the flexibility to get the help you need while living at home and going about your daily routine.
While services are offered with Intensive Outpatient Therapy?
- Group and Individual Therapy Behavioral Therapies
- Drug and Alcohol Monitoring
- Educational Opportunities
- Mental Health and Medical Treatment
- Crisis Management
What to expect from Intensive Outpatient Therapy
IOP programs include a higher level of care than general outpatient programs, and this means dedicating more time to treatment each week. IOP is typically made up of 10-12 hours of group and individual therapy each week, as well as participation in a 12-step program. Patients in IOP programs usually visit a facility three to four times per week, often for three hours at a time.
When is outpatient therapy the right choice?
An outpatient care facility is a good choice for someone who needs:
- A Sober Environment
- More Structure
- Help with Accountability
- Help with Social Skills
When is outpatient therapy the wrong choice?
An inpatient care facility is the better choice for someone dealing with:
- Suicidal Behaviors
- Withdrawal and Detox
- Medical Concerns
- An Unsupportive Home Environment
FAQs About Intensive Outpatient Therapy
IOP is attended by adolescents and adults. The deciding factor is not age but the need to live drug- and alcohol-free.
IOPs typically meet at least 3 days a week, for 2-4 hours each day.
Patients usually remain in IOP for 8-10 weeks or longer depending on their particular progress. There is sometimes an option for after-care that includes outpatient therapy and continuing medication management.
IOP treatment can cost significantly less than care from an inpatient facility.
Yes. There is time allotted to meet your obligations each week, and that time is often flexible so that you can reach your goals while continuing to live your life.
When you participate in an IOP you receive care and undergo treatment methods similar to those found in rehab, but there is no set session treatment length and you do not live at the facility.
The Matrix Model is a group of treatment options such as family education social and work skills, relapse prevention, drug testing, social support, drug education, self-help, relapse analysis, and 12-step programs that can all be used together as part of Intensive Outpatient Therapy.