Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) are part of the continuum of care for drug and/or alcohol use disorders. Every person’s needs are different, and according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, all forms of drug and alcohol treatment should help people to stop using drugs. They should also help people to stay drug-free, and continue with a productive, healthy and sober lifestyle. Some people can benefit from an intensive outpatient rehab center following residential treatment. If you don’t need to be in a supervised, drug-free environment 24-hours a day, you may also be qualified for an intensive outpatient treatment program (IOP). Combined with residential drug and alcohol rehab, intensive outpatient rehab, and drug rehab aftercare NH residents can rely on, Granite Recovery Centers offers a range of holistic substance use disorder services.
Meeting at an Intensive Outpatient Rehab Center
An intensive outpatient rehab program provides treatment for drug and/or alcohol use disorders. It uses a combination of group therapy, individual therapy, education, and other core services depending on individual needs. Most intensive outpatient programs meet for a set number of hours and days per week at our drug and alcohol rehab center in NH. They will combine therapy with sober living activities and other core services. Typically, IOP will schedule three meetings a week that last approximately three hours a week.
Intensive outpatient rehab center programs usually last 12 to 16 weeks. After completing this level of treatment, some people in recovery will “step down” in intensity to regular outpatient treatment. Regular outpatient programs (OP) meet less than three times a week, for fewer than three hours.
Intensive Outpatient Rehab Center Treatments Offered
Each program providing intensive outpatient treatment will differ depending on individual and group needs. Granite Recovery Centers offers a structured intensive outpatient treatment program (IOP) that also includes individualized elements. It can follow up on residential drug rehab in NH provided through Granite Recovery Centers. It can also be offered to local residents in need of structured substance use disorder treatment.
Some types of treatment and education that can be offered through Granite Recovery Centers’ intensive outpatient treatment program include:
- Psychoeducational groups
- Group and individual psychotherapy
- Skill development groups
- Relapse prevention techniques
- Assertiveness training
- Stress management and coping skills
- Peer support groups (12 step program in NH along with other groups)
IOP and Drug and Alcohol Recovery
A 2014 comprehensive survey published in the Journal of Psychiatric Services assessed the effectiveness of 12 different intensive outpatient programs (IOP). The survey concluded that “IOPs are an important part of the continuum of care for alcohol and drug use disorders.”
IOP enable people to live in their own homes or move out of residential treatment into a sober living home in NH while they continue treatment. As of 2014 when the survey was conducted, over 140,000 people were in an intensive outpatient treatment program.
An IOP will provide follow-up services after residential rehab. It can help people to strengthen their sober living skills in real-life situations. It also helps people to develop social connections and friendships that don’t revolve around substance use. IOP are also effective in helping people to cope with co-occurring disorders, including anxiety and depression.
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an IOP can help people in recovery to:
- Develop early-stage relapse management skills
- Gain coping strategies
- Establish or re-establish support networks at home and in the community
- Work through problems related to their emotional, social, and psychological health
Next Steps After an Intensive Outpatient Rehab Center
Many people who successfully complete an intensive outpatient rehab program can “step down” to a regular outpatient program. Regular outpatient programs meet fewer than three days a week. IOP graduates can transition to individual and group counseling. They can also continue to participate in peer-group support, including 12-step groups. Equally important, recovery is a lifelong process and intensive outpatient programs (IOP) are an important part of recovery and treatment. If you need help to stop using drugs and/or alcohol or someone you care about needs help, contact Granite Recovery Services at 855.712.7784 and we will be glad to talk with you.