What Is IOP in Drug Rehab?
An IOP drug rehab program is an intensive outpatient program for people who have already completed detox and a stay in inpatient rehab. Some people with less severe addiction symptoms may begin their recovery journey at this level of care. IOP care is a type of substance abuse rehabilitation plan in which the patients live at home, in a sober living home, or elsewhere outside of the rehab treatment center, visiting the center several days per week, for a few hours at a time.
Intensive outpatient programs usually meet on weekdays, either in the mornings, evenings, or weekends, and are designed to allow patients to live normal lives, attending treatment around their work, school, and home schedules. Most IOP programs last for around 90 days and provide services such as:
- Individual counseling
- Group therapy and support groups
- Employment assistance
- Relapse prevention
- Mental health treatment
- Medical care
Outpatient vs. IOP Drug Rehab
The difference between an outpatient rehab program and an IOP is the amount of time spent in treatment and the level of intensity. An IOP is a transitional program between inpatient or partial hospitalization programs and a full outpatient plan. It does not require patients to live at the facility but still provides vital support and care.
During both outpatient and IOP programs, patients should:
- Not be experiencing active withdrawal symptoms
- Not require 24-hour medical or psychological care or monitoring
- Be motivated in their recovery
- Have a less-severe addiction
- Have a solid base of support at home and a sober-friendly place to live
Both of these programs are beneficial to a person with a mild addiction who cannot leave responsibilities like work or family obligations for a full 30 to 90 days of inpatient rehab because they offer:
- Customizable and flexible schedules for treatments, therapy, and groups
- Support and structure as you return to your life
- The ability to apply new recovery skills to real-life situations
- Never feeling alone in your recovery
- Access to a sober community when you need it
- The ability to live at home with support from friends and family
- The ability to get addiction help without a negative effect on their life like losing a job or custody of a child
The differences between these programs include:
- The frequency and intensity of treatment per week, as an IOP is usually around nine hours of treatment per week and happens three to five days a week, and a regular outpatient program is much more flexible
- The cost of an IOP may be higher due to the increased level of care
What to Expect During IOP Drug Rehab
During IOP rehab treatment programs, you will spend a lot of time in group therapy. Most intensive outpatient programs involve:
- 3 hours a day
- 3 to 5 days a week of group therapy
- Requiring anywhere from 9 to 20 hours per week of participation from their clients
Therapy that is most often employed in IOPs includes:
Cognitive behavioral therapy
This type of therapy is based on the idea that thoughts and behaviors influence feelings. Patients can “unlearn” destructive behaviors (like drug abuse) by figuring out the triggers and how to deal with them in a healthy and productive way.
Motivational interviewing
This type of treatment examines why the patient feels reluctant to work through their issues and helps the patient look at how drugs are causing negative consequences in their life, encouraging them to take responsibility for their actions and teaching them how to reach their goals.
12-step programs
This is a traditional, spiritual type of addiction treatment approach that includes a 12-step group and giving in to a higher power as the patient completes the 12 steps.
The matrix model
This model combines these other therapies, teaches clients how to manage their time and prevent relapse, and introduces community support groups.
Evidence-based treatments and individual therapies
Medical treatment with continued long-term connections to doctors and medical care, including prescription renewals and physical health care
Intensive outpatient programs are individualized to each patient, based on their unique needs and where they are in their recovery process. Therapy, groups, and other treatment like medical visits or meetings with a psychiatrist are scheduled so that the patient will get all the help they need, with minimal impact on their work, school, and family life.
IOPs are beneficial to many people because they are ongoing, with no end date, and easily accessible with no long wait times.
Do I Detox During IOP Drug Rehab?
Detoxing is an essential step to a recovery plan and must be done before rehab may begin. As this is a process that, for many people, may be tricky or even dangerous to do on their own, depending on what they are detoxing from, a person should go through an inpatient medication-assisted treatment (MAT) detox program before IOP.
These medical detox services are safe and effective, and they will prevent unnecessary suffering during detox. They often offer therapy, counseling, medical care, and dual diagnosis services to begin treating underlying mental health issues and PTSD. An institution that provides a medical detox program will likely be able to refer a person directly to an appropriate rehabilitation program such as inpatient rehab, outpatient rehab, or an IOP for continuity of care.
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How Long Does IOP Drug Rehab Last?
IOP drug rehab treatment programs do not follow the same timeline for every patient. The standard length of an IOP program is 90 days, but the duration and treatment schedule can be adjusted according to a person’s needs. There is no end date when it comes to IOP. Visits to the outpatient center can become less frequent as time goes on and your needs change, or if you relapse or have other difficulties, you can increase your treatment intensity. An IOP aims to ensure you feel safe and comfortable at whatever level of care you are in, keeping you connected to a safe, sober community of peers and professional help that will be there for you when you need it.
Behavioral Therapy in IOP Drug Rehab
The most common types of behavioral therapy in IOP rehab are:
Cognitive behavioral therapy
This treatment focuses on modifying behaviors and thought patterns, deconstructing destructive behavior, helping the patient find the underlying reasons behind substance abuse, and retraining the brain to avoid negative behaviors.
Dialectical behavioral therapy
This emphasizes the psychosocial aspects of substance abuse, helping the patient understand the social and psychological reasons behind their substance abuse and teaching them to replace negative behaviors with positive ones.
Rational emotive behavioral therapy
This treatment challenges patients about their thoughts, responses, and emotions, helping them change their perspective on issues and replace harmful behaviors with healthy coping techniques.
What Happens After IOP Drug Rehab?
After your IOP drug rehab program is complete, it is essential to remember that addiction is not “cured.” It is a lifelong disease that can be managed with continued vigilance, with ongoing care and support when times get tough.
You will meet with your therapist to figure out how you want to proceed. If you feel confident and have completed all of your goals, it may be recommended to move on to a less intensive outpatient rehab program with fewer therapy sessions and one weekly meeting with a therapist. You may also wish to meet with alumni and peer groups and continue with 12-step or other groups. There are also community resource groups you may be referred to like family therapy, medical care, or vocational training for further support.
IOP Drug Rehab at Muse Treatment Center
At Muse Treatment Center, our IOP program involves a three-pronged approach to patient care, using therapy, 12-step integration, and case management for a well-rounded, whole-person approach to substance use disorder treatment.
The customizable Muse IOP addiction recovery program for drug and/or alcohol rehab will give you the skills, tools, support, and confidence you need to quit using drugs and alcohol so you can take back control over your life and foster healthy, happy friendships. You will meet your recovery goals, learn financial independence and relapse prevention skills, and gain other life skills that will allow you to become the sober person you want to be. Contact Muse Treatment Center today to learn how we can help you through a medical drug detox and into an intensive outpatient program, a partial hospitalization program, a West Hollywood inpatient rehab program, or an outpatient rehab program. We will work with you to choose the best program for your unique needs. Call us at (800) 426-1818 today to find out more about our addiction recovery options for West Hollywood residents.
