People with Busy Schedules: IOP Rehabs Help Bridge the Gap
Getting help for addiction to drugs or alcohol is always a great choice because it’s the best way to get over a substance abuse problem and achieve recovery. It’s a vitally important step toward a better life, but many people still need to keep up with daily life and responsibilities at home, work, or school while getting the treatment they need. In many cases, outpatient alcohol rehab or drug rehab can be the bridge between getting help and still meeting other personal and career demands. There are various levels and types of outpatient treatment, and many people find that an intensive outpatient program, or IOP, provides the right level of regular therapy and treatment while still allowing them to live at home and keep up with their daily schedules and commitments. But what exactly is an IOP rehab, and who is the best fit for this level of addiction treatment? Let’s explore how an IOP rehab program at Resurgence Behavioral Health in Riverside, California, could be an excellent way for you or a loved one to get better.
What Are the Three Classifications of Outpatient Treatment?
Just like inpatient or residential drug or alcohol rehab, there are many different levels and types of outpatient addiction treatment. Let’s explore the three primary programs for outpatient rehab:
- Standard Outpatient Treatment: This is the least intensive and least restrictive form of outpatient help, usually consisting of one or two weekly therapy sessions. It’s a good fit for patients with mild to moderate symptoms who can manage daily life and be responsible with minimal supervision. Patients will get individual counseling and group therapy sessions in this form of outpatient assistance.
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): This is a more structured and intensive option than standard outpatient treatment. In an IOP, patients will typically come to a drug and alcohol rehab center for three to five sessions of two to four hours each week to receive individual, group, and holistic therapy. Patients will return home once they’ve finished their treatment for the day.
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): The most intensive version of outpatient treatment, PHPs are a good choice for patients who still have many challenges in their addiction recovery and require more monitoring and assistance and a stable living environment. During a PHP, patients will come to a drug or alcohol rehab facility for four to six hours at a time, five to seven days a week, to get therapy, medication management, and coping skills training. Often, PHP patients will reside in a sober living facility during this treatment.
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What Happens in IOP Rehabs?
According to a 2014 analysis of previous research that was published in Psychiatric Services, IOP rehab programs are an important part of how people can get care for drug or alcohol addiction. They’re meant for people who don’t require 24-7 supervision at an inpatient treatment center but are also a great option for people who have completed residential treatment and still want to get addiction treatment and support. IOPs, at minimum, offer nine hours of treatment per week, split into three sessions per week. Treatment includes individual, group, or family therapy, as well as educational sessions to help patients learn coping skills and learn more about substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders. At Resurgence Behavioral Health’s intensive outpatient program for drug rehab, our addiction specialists and therapists will help you or your loved one learn the coping skills and resilience you’ll need to maintain long-lasting recovery after drug or alcohol addiction.
What’s the Difference Between PHP and IOP?
The main difference between a PHP and IOP rehab plan is the level of intensity and how long the program will continue. During the less-intensive IOP, patients will receive three to five sessions of two to four hours of treatment each week. Meanwhile, a PHP will require patients to come to an addiction treatment center for four to six hours of treatment as often as seven days a week. Because PHPs are more intense, they’re frequently the next step in a treatment plan after someone has completed inpatient drug or alcohol rehab and still requires frequent treatment sessions but can begin to reintegrate into their daily lives. PHPs typically last for a matter of weeks or just a couple of months. IOPs, on the other hand, are less intensive and require less time spent in treatment each week, but these programs usually last for several months.
How Do IOP Rehabs Help People with Busy Schedules?
IOP rehabs for drug or alcohol addiction treatment can be a flexible option for people with busy schedules who need help but also need to continue meeting their other responsibilities at home, work, or school. Because addiction affects the family, not just the person, it’s important for family members and loved ones to watch for signs of drug or alcohol abuse in others and help encourage them to get help. Let’s explore the common symptoms of drug addiction, according to the Mayo Clinic:
- Feeling compelled to use the substance regularly.
- Intense urges for the drug.
- More of the substance is required to get the same effect.
- Spending money you don’t have on the drug.
- Failing to live up to obligations.
- Stealing or doing other things to get the drug.
- Taking more of the drug than intended.
- Withdrawal symptoms start when you try to quit.
- Trying and failing to quit.
Even if someone realizes they need help, they might feel unable to spend 30 to 90 days away from their busy schedules and daily responsibilities to get inpatient rehab. The 2014 article in Psychiatric Services says IOPs have the benefit of allowing patients to remain at home and in their own communities, and that can improve their adjustment to daily life as they complete addiction treatment. IOPs can be just as effective as inpatient treatment for the majority of people who seek treatment. A 2017 report from the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health found some examples of better abstinence rates among patients with alcohol addiction who received outpatient care as compared to inpatient care, especially in the early months after treatment. While inpatient care could help heavy drinkers consume less alcohol than outpatient treatment in another study, the benefit of inpatient over outpatient treatment decreased over time.
Access the Best IOP Rehabs in California at Resurgence Behavioral Health
Making the decision to get help for alcohol or drug addiction in California is a major first step toward a better life. Still, there are many options for how to receive this life-changing support and treatment. For many people, an IOP rehab program can offer the ongoing support, therapy, and education they need to overcome addiction while still allowing them to return home each day and meet their many responsibilities to their family members, friends, careers, and education. In Riverside, California, Resurgence Behavioral Health is a leading provider of convenient, flexible, and effective intensive outpatient programs. Our experts know that it’s important to tailor care to meet the needs of each patient, and that’s why we’ll spend the time getting to know your history and future goals and come up with a treatment plan that will help you the most. You can achieve recovery, and we can help. Get started today by calling us at 855-455-0050.
External Sources
- National Library of Medicine — Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Programs
- National Library of Medicine — Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment Programs for Substance Use Disorder
- Mayo Clinic — Drug Addiction (Substance Use Disorder)
