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Intensive Outpatient Treatment
Intensive outpatient treatment programs, also known as intensive outpatient programs (or IOPs), are effective at addressing substance use disorders as well as mental health disorders. It might be useful if you do not require round the clock medical supervision or detoxification services.
Introducing Intensive Outpatient Treatment
One of the benefits with intensive outpatient treatment programs is that they will enable you to continue with your normal daily routine in ways that you would not be able to do if you were enrolled in a residential or inpatient treatment program. While residential treatment centers will require that you live on site for a period of time, this is not usually the case with IOPs.
However, the IOP might also be used alongside an inpatient program to help you make a smooth transition from the more intensive inpatient program to a lifestyle of freedom living at home and within your community. the goal of intensive outpatient treatment, to this end, would be to ensure that you are able to establish a reliable support system around you, ease your relapse management, as well as teach you new coping skills and strategies.
Benefits of Intensive Outpatient Treatment
Inpatient care can be a challenging prospect to consider. Since you will be required to live at the treatment center, it means that you will be separated from your family, friends, and other loved ones. Further, you might not be able to continue meeting your daily obligations and responsibilities while enrolled in an inpatient or residential treatment program.
In an intensive outpatient treatment program, on the other hand, you would only have to check into the recovery center for a few hours a couple of times every week. During this time, you will get help with your substance abuse and addiction.
The rest of the time will be left for you to plan and use as you see fit. In this way, IOPs will provide you with greater flexibility and freedom to go about your day to day lifestyle without too much disruption. At the same time, you will still be getting treatment services to manage your substance abuse and ensure that you do not relapse.
Further, intensive outpatient programs will ensure that you receive the addiction treatment services that you need while also living at home. This effectively means that you will be able to count on your support system - comprised of family, loved ones, and friends - to encourage you on your recovery journey from substance abuse and addiction.
Who Needs Intensive Outpatient Treatment?
However, you should only choose intensive outpatient treatment if you have a stable, safe, and support environment back at home. This is because if your home environment might cause you stress or lead to your relapse, an IOP might not be the right choice for you. For instance, if there are people who drink alcohol and abuse drugs at home, you might not be able to benefit from an outpatient treatment program, however intensive it is.
Similarly, you should not choose this form of care if you have a severe substance use disorder or if you have been diagnosed with other co-occurring mental health disorders. In these situations, an inpatient or residential - and not an intensive outpatient treatment - program might be the right solution for you.
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