What to Expect in Intensive Outpatient Treatment
While every program is different, there are some elements that can be expected from nearly every intensive outpatient treatment program. Some of these basic features include:
- Group therapy at least three days per week
- Encouragement to participate in 12-step meetings
- Individual therapy
- Family therapy
- Access to crisis services
- Urine drug testing
Just as these are all services are commonly included in IOP, many of the same general topics are covered in most IOPs including:
- Relapse prevention
- Coping skills for managing cravings and triggers
- Understanding the underlying causes of substance use disorders
- The role of spirituality in recovery
- Stages of change
- Co-occurring mental health concerns
- Health and wellness
- Goal setting
How Long Is an IOP Program?
People considering seeking treatment often want to know exactly how long IOP programs are. While some other programs, such as residential treatment, may have a more clearly defined length, there is more variability in how long IOP treatment lasts. While some people may participate in an intensive outpatient program for months, others may only partake in a few weeks of treatment. Consulting with a treatment provider directly can give individuals a better estimate of their length of treatment based on the severity of their addiction and their unique treatment goals.
Can Family Members Participate?
Most intensive outpatient program guidelines not only allow family participation but encourage it. While family members are not able to attend groups with their loved one in most cases, substance abuse intensive outpatient program guidelines usually include family therapy. Providing education to family members can help strengthen the support network of individuals early in the recovery process, address familial dynamics that might be playing a role in addiction and set the stage for long-term recovery.
What Does It Cost?
On average, IOP can cost between $250 to $350 per day. However, it’s important to keep in mind that IOP program costs fluctuate based on insurance, credentials of the staff, group size and many other factors. One of the biggest determinants of the cost of intensive outpatient treatment is insurance. Some policies will cover IOP in full, while others may only cover it partially. In other cases, the number of sessions is limited by insurance. In many places, it is possible to get funding to cover intensive outpatient program costs through grants and scholarships.
The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health Intensive Outpatient Program
At The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health, a behavioral health intensive outpatient program is usually undergone as part of a continuum of care, starting with medical detox and progressing to inpatient or partial hospitalization treatment. Many of the groups and therapeutic activities included in residential treatment are continued once a person steps down to lower levels of care, including IOP. This step-down approach allows patients to practice and refine the skills they need to recover while still having support in place. While some clients continue to live on-site at The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health during IOP treatment, others transition to sober living homes or other supportive, off-site living environments.
Related Topic: Halfway Houses vs. Sober Homes