Treatment Services

Intensive Outpatient Programs

Learn more about Centric Behavioral Health’s intensive outpatient programs.

Intensive Outpatient Program

What is an Intensive Outpatient Program?

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration produced the National Survey of Substance Abuse Treatment Services in 2020, which illustrated that the number of addiction treatment facilities increased from 2011 to 2020. Additionally, the number of individuals who participated in outpatient treatment programs increased from 90 to 94% in the same time period. With outpatient treatment being the most widely used form of treatment, it is important to have an understanding of your treatment program options.   

Intensive outpatient programs fall under the outpatient treatment umbrella for addiction treatment. IOP, also known as intensive outpatient programming, is a treatment option that many individuals benefit from. 

Intensive outpatient programs earned the name “intensive” because of the length of their group sessions. Typical addiction group sessions, for both in and outpatient treatment programs, can range from 45 to 90 minutes. IOP groups, however, typically last 3 hours.

Your schedule in the best intensive outpatient programs will be dependent on the severity of your addiction. Characteristics that are taken into consideration include the length of time you were misusing and abusing substances, the presence of cross addiction, the presence of medical health concerns, the presence of mental health concerns, and the consequences that you have experienced resulting from your substance use. Together, these factors will help Counselors determine the frequency they should be in attendance for an IOP group. While receiving treatment in an IOP drug rehab, you can expect to be in group therapy three to five times each week, depending on your unique needs.

With the amount of time you would spend in group therapy, you should not be surprised to learn that this is where the bulk of IOP programming occurs. IOP group sessions may look different among different treatment providers, or even with different counselors. However, the foundation is consistent. IOP programs are designed to provide you with knowledge about how addiction impacts our bodies and how to cope with the challenges that can occur in recovery. While there is a large educational component to IOP group sessions, there will also be opportunities to explore how topics relate to your own life and experiences. 

 An additional feature of intensive outpatient programs is that you are often required to engage in one hour of individual therapy each week. This occurs with a professional counselor and focuses on individual needs that may not have been addressed in group sessions. 

Intensive outpatient programs are not long-term treatment options. Your time in an IOP program will be dependent on your personal needs; however, typically, individuals find themselves in an IOP for one to three months.

Treatment Options

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We work with most major insurance carriers.

Centric Behavioral Health facilities work with most major health insurance carriers in order to provide effective, accessible treatment options for substance abuse and mental health.

Is an Intensive Outpatient Program Right for Me?

It is not uncommon for individuals to feel confused or overwhelmed when they begin looking into their addiction treatment options. There are a variety of programs, different acronyms, and characteristics to be mindful of. 

Intensive outpatient programs can be a great way for individuals to transition from an inpatient residential rehab program to an outpatient treatment program. The transition from an inpatient treatment program to an outpatient program is significant. With outpatient treatment programs, you will live at home and have less time devoted to therapeutic activities. While some can return to their home environment and thrive, others benefit from a treatment schedule resembling their inpatient routine. 

By participating in an IOP program, you will spend more time in treatment than other outpatient treatment options. This decreases your exposure to relapse risk factors, such as boredom and a loss of structure.

IOPs near you can also be a good fit for individuals eligible for ambulatory or outpatient detox and those with a mild to moderate substance use disorder. Some individuals who receive treatment for addiction do not meet the needs for an inpatient treatment program. In these cases, participating in an inpatient rehab program can do more harm than good. 

An important piece of addiction treatment that can be added to an IOP is mental health treatment and medication-assisted treatment. Individuals who are living with mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, and trauma-related concerns can have their mental health needs addressed in their individual sessions. IOP group sessions will include some mental health-related topics.

Medication-assisted treatment can be used to support your substance use disorder as well as other mental health concerns you may have. The best intensive outpatient programs have physicians on staff who can discuss your treatment options with you. 

How Can the Intensive Outpatient Programs Near Me Can Support My Recovery?

Now that you have an understanding of what an intensive outpatient program can include, you may be wondering how this form of addiction treatment can help you. 

More often than not, when someone is struggling with an addiction, they find themselves withdrawing or distancing themselves from their family and friends. This can create friction within these relationships, which can negatively impact your support system in your recovery. While you may be able to repair these relationships, you will need to find another source of support until that occurs. 

IOP group sessions are composed of individuals who have struggled with a drug or alcohol addiction. Group therapy gives you an opportunity to connect with others and receive support that you may not be getting elsewhere in your life. Additionally, you will be able to provide support and encouragement to others which can have a positive impact on your own recovery.  

Begin Your Journey

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Get the Help You Need

The intensive outpatient programs near you can provide you with a place to come and discuss your concerns in real-life time. If you experience any challenges or triggers, you can bring them to your group to explore. Doing this can help you feel validated for your experience and allow you to learn from others. Additionally, you can talk about your triumphs and successes and be celebrated for your dedication to your recovery!

We spoke about how IOP group sessions will provide you with an understanding of addiction and recovery. Whether this is your first time in treatment or not, talking about this information is always beneficial. You are not the same person you were yesterday, so there’s a possibility that you may hear something that you missed before.

While the amount of time spent in an IOPs may initially sound overwhelming, keep in mind it is a temporary thing. Your time in IOP will likely progress quickly, and you will be able to then discuss further treatment options if appropriate. 

Let Us Help You Learn to Thrive

Centric Behavioral Health is dedicated to helping others. Our mission is to connect those who contact us with our trusted treatment programs around the country. Contact us today to learn more about our expert programs and how we can help you find long-term healing today.