What is an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)?
An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is a type of substance abuse treatment during which patients attend scheduled therapy sessions at a treatment center 3-5 days each week for several hours at a time. When therapy sessions are not in-session, clients can spend time at home with their families, go back to work, continue their education, or take care of any responsibilities they may have in their daily lives.
IOP is more time-intensive than regular outpatient programs (OPs) but it is much more flexible than PHP. This feature makes it a great middle-of-the-road option for people who want support while transitioning from PHP to outpatient rehab. Sheer does offer the option to live in one of its monitored sober living homes if a client prefers our more structured housing.
Our California IOP offers comprehensive, individually-tailored care. Services may include:
- Group therapy
- Individual therapy
- Family therapy
- Case management
- Relapse prevention
- Life skills therapy
- 12-Step facilitation
- Randomized drug testing
- Aftercare planning and support
IOPs help patients stay sober while adjusting back to daily life. As a result, therapy sessions may address a broad range of topics, including identifying triggers, preventing relapse, finding employment, dealing with legal challenges, and adapting to independent living. While patients are able to live at home, they may be encouraged to stay in a sober living home during IOP so they have an extra layer of added support.
How is IOP Different From PHP and Regular Outpatient?
In terms of levels of care, IOP is between PHP and regular outpatient (OP). In other words, patients in an IOP will benefit from the same services as they would in PHP, but they are able to live at home, go back to work, spend time with friends, or care for their families at the same time.
IOP is the most structured level of care that allows patients to live at home rather than at the rehabilitation facility as they do during detox, inpatient, and PHP. This mix of structure and flexibility can help you adjust back to living outside the bounds of a rehabilitation facility while still having support and accountability. Because you can work, care for your family, or go to school while attending an IOP in California, this has become an extremely popular treatment option for people struggling with addiction.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in Orange County California
The IOP at Sheer Recovery bridges the gap between inpatient care and a loosely structured outpatient program. Generally, you will start IOP after you have detoxed and completed inpatient rehab or partial hospitalization.
The goal of Sheer Recovery’s IOP is to provide you with the necessary support you need to embrace sobriety using scheduled therapy sessions on an outpatient basis. The entire program lasts between 30 and 60 days.
During treatment, you will participate in both one-on-one and small group therapy sessions which will help guide you through life in early recovery. Therapy will focus on coping with mental health, identifying and dealing with triggers, processing difficult situations, and preventing drug or alcohol relapse.
Another important goal of IOP is to help you find the necessary support you need for long-term recovery. Therapy will encourage 12-Step participation in groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). You may also be required to find a sponsor, attend regular meetings, and work the 12-Steps (or another recovery-focused program).
As you progress during treatment, the intensity and frequency of your therapy sessions may decrease. By slowly decreasing the intensity of treatment in an incremental manner, IOP gently guides you away from supervised treatment and towards independent, sober living.
The Benefits of IOP
Intensive outpatient programs can help you learn many valuable skills that support long-term recovery. Key benefits of IOP include:
- Identify people, places, and things that trigger cravings or the temptation to use drugs or alcohol
- Learn new coping skills and reinforce previously learned coping skills that increase your ability to deal with drug and alcohol cravings
- Develop new and effective communication skills that help you foster healthy, functional relationships
- Access to a safe, therapeutic setting to practice effective communication with your peers
- Work on improving your choices–big and small-in daily life
- Explore new and healthy ways to cope with stress, anger, loneliness, and anxiety
- Receive feedback from your peers and have the opportunity to learn from their experiences
- Begin developing healthy, functional relationships with other people in recovery
- Get familiar with local resources in your community, such as 12-Step meetings
IOP also provides you with the perfect opportunity to practice the tools you learned during rehab in a “real world” setting while you still have professional guidance and support. This opportunity will help you figure out more quickly what works for you and what doesn’t. You’ll also have the chance to address any potential obstacles you face in recovery during your therapy sessions.
Is IOP in Orange County Right For You?
IOPs are best for people who don’t require around-the-clock supervision in a residential facility but aren’t yet ready for the freedom and flexibility that comes with a standard outpatient program. They are not recommended as the sole treatment option for people with severe substance use disorders or co-occurring mental health conditions unless these individuals have already completed a higher level of care.
Our California IOP may be right for you if:
- You have already detoxed and don’t require 24/7 supervision
- You have a supportive, stable home environment or plan to stay in a sober living
- You have already completed residential inpatient rehab or PHP and are looking to benefit from a full continuum of care
To find out if the IOP at Sheer Recovery is right for you, speak with one of our admissions specialists for a confidential, risk-free consultation.
Start an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in California Today
At Sheer Recovery, we honor the fact that everyone is unique and deserving of individually-tailored care. That’s why each of our therapies is individualized to address your personal needs–even during IOP! If you choose this level of care, you can rest assured you will still get the strong base of support from our experienced staff as you would during a stay at our residential facility.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at Sheer Recovery to learn more about our IOP in Orange County or to find treatment for yourself or a loved one. Call now to get started.