Before we delve into the topic and explain what an intensive outpatient program is, it’s important to note that it’s just one component of treatment offered at Enterhealth.
Our continuum of care for addiction treatment includes:
- Inpatient rehab at Enterhealth Ranch offers highly attentive and personalized treatment in a peaceful ranch setting that offers privacy, exclusivity, and comfort. Every patient has their own private room, access to top-notch amenities, and science-based treatments provided by board-certified, addiction-trained specialists. LEARN MORE ABOUT INPATIENT TREATMENT>
- Outpatient rehab is usually the next step after a patient leaves the Ranch. Outpatient treatment allows patient to practice life and social skills that they learned at the Ranch while also having someone to keep them accountable. Specific programs offered at Enterhealth Outpatient include:
- Personalized Intensive Treatment (PIT) program (also referred to as a Partial Hospitalization Program or PHP) is perfect for those who require a higher level of care but don’t need the intensity or 24-hour medical supervision that comes with a residential (inpatient) rehab stay.
- Supportive Outpatient Program (SOP). The primary goal of SOP is to help individuals re-engage in recovery and use the knowledge gained in inpatient care to prevent relapse. It is considered less demanding than PIT or IOP.
- Maintenance Outpatient Program (MOP). Enterhealth’s maintenance outpatient program provides medication-assisted substance addiction treatment to clients who need to continue to work and/or look after their families.
- Virtual outpatient program. Our virtual program offers exceptional care and keeps you continuously connected to your recovery through our secure, HIPAA-compliant online platform. This program is open to Texas residents who have completed inpatient treatment at Enterhealth or elsewhere, are maintaining sobriety, and cannot easily attend in-person appointments and sessions.
So, what is an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)?
An intensive outpatient program is a specialized offering to treat people with substance use disorders and addiction – as well as mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and eating disorders.
As its name suggests, IOP is a more intensive version of the standard outpatient program, with meetings that last approximately 3 hours per day, 3 days a week, and run for 8 consecutive weeks.
Participants get more support and guidance than they would with a traditional once-a-week outpatient rehab program, complemented by individual, family, and group therapy, as well as educational sessions. This is ideal for working professionals who need treatment in a structured setting with the convenience of daytime or evening sessions.
Components of an Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)
Enterhealth’s medical & psychological experts combine tailor each patient’s treatment program to their specific needs, so the components and goals of vary from person to person. But in general, IOP is great at helping people quickly build the kind of foundational skills they need to cope with real-world stressors and triggers in healthy, sustainable ways.
General components of Enterhealth’s intensive outpatient programs include:
- Individual, group, and family counseling
- Proven behavioral therapies
- Advanced therapies such as EMDR, ART, & Smoking Cessation
- Pharmacological treatment with anti-addiction medications
- Case management
- Monitoring of sobriety with drug & alcohol testing
- Education on stress management & healthy coping mechanisms
- Development of critical thinking & problem-solving skills
- Self-awareness, mindfulness training to recognize unhealthy thoughts & behaviors
Benefits of intensive outpatient programs
The main benefit of an intensive outpatient program is that it allows participants to learn and practice new life skills in a controlled, structured environment – while still being able to return home and manage their personal lives. This means they get the help they need without disrupting their work or home routine.
Another benefit of IOP is that it puts an emphasis on strengthening patients’ support networks – whether that’s just immediate family members, extended family members, or even close friends. Having a healthy support network is one of the biggest factors in maintaining recovery in the long term.
In addition, outpatient treatment (and IOP in particular) generally costs less than inpatient treatment. This is primarily because outpatient participants don’t require room and board, food, and other expenses that increase the cost of treatment.
Is IOP a viable alternative to inpatient rehab?
In general, inpatient rehab is usually the preferred first step when treating substance use disorders and addiction. For some people, however, inpatient care might not be the best option based on their situation. Those with family or work commitments, a stable home environment, and whose substance use disorder or addiction doesn’t require extensive medical supervision may find that IOP is a better fit.
IOP is not recommended for patients with a severe addiction or those with a co-occurring mental disorder – a condition known as a dual-diagnosis. These kinds of cases often require highly immersive treatment and 24-hour medical supervision.
Is IOP with Enterhealth the best treatment option for you?
An intensive outpatient program, whether as a follow-up to inpatient care or as a starting point of treatment, is a crucial offering for those in recovery for substance use disorder, addiction, and mental health issues.
Ideal candidates for IOP are those with a safe, stable home environment with a strong support system of family members and friends, who also need the convenience of an accelerated program that offers daytime and evening sessions. Our experts will carefully evaluate your situation and help you determine the best option to help you achieve a sustained recovery.
If you’re interested in learning more about Enterhealth’s intensive outpatient program, you can reach out to us using our contact page or by calling 1.800.388.4601 today.
