The time commitment is often the biggest restriction for many seeking drug recovery. There are many who need professional help but cannot join a program due to their family and work obligations. They are not able to check into inpatient rehab programs that can last for long periods because of their responsibilities. For such people, the intensive outpatient program (IOP) offered by many drug rehab centers is the best option. This is a kind of outpatient rehab treatment provides the much-needed flexibility for fulfilling their personal obligations. In simple words, they can attain the required help without putting their everyday life on hold.
What is an Intensive Outpatient Program?
An intensive outpatient program combines several aspects of various drug recovery programs in a flexible manner. It is although less structured than residential drug rehab program, but lasts for a longer time span than other outpatient programs.
Services including detox, group and family counseling, drug screening, aftercare sessions and others like these are offered in an intensive outpatient program. The participants of an intensive outpatient program will schedule their meet-ups with the doctors, mental health specialists, and addiction specialists, for at least 9 hours per week. To be more flexible, two sessions are held during the day, one in the morning and other in the evening.
What kind of people is intensive outpatient therapy fit for?
Intensive outpatient program is a perfect option for all those who cannot take a break from their commitment to attend inpatient rehab. These can include:
Single Parents: An intensive outpatient program is the best option for a person who wants to get rid of his or her addiction and is a parent of a young kid. They don’t require staying away from their child for several weeks or months when attending drug rehab. They will thus no longer require a long term child care.
People with Families: Intensive outpatient program is also great for those who do not want to compromise with their everyday family life. By participating in such a program, they can live at their home, spend time with their kids and take part in the family activities. Family support also contributes positively to the drug recovery process.
People with Work Commitments: Alcoholics who are engaged in some job do not want to get into residential rehabs as they are worried that they will be replaced, they won’t get the promotion because of their absence, or any important project in their hand will suffer. However, participating in an IOP offers time flexibility and helps resolve such issues.
Is IOP effective?
According to a survey, it was found that the results of an outpatient rehab program were equivalent to those of a residential rehab program. Here, we shall be discussing a few reasons why intensive outpatient program is so effective.
- An IOP offers the required structure and wants the participants to be accountable.
- The length, as well as the intensity of the IOP can be adjusted according to the addiction of the participant and also his progress during the recovery process.
- The participant of an IOP goes back to his routine life every day after attending the recovery sessions. He is therefore liable to get feedback from the counselor on the triggers or temptations faced during that time.
