Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) for substance abuse are ambulatory services for individuals with substance use disorders who do not meet criteria for residential or inpatient substance abuse treatment or for those who are discharged from 24-hour care in an inpatient treatment facility and continue to need more support than the weekly or bi-weekly sessions provided in traditional outpatient care.
An intensive outpatient program offers at least nine hours per week in three, three-hour program sessions; however, some IOP programs provide more sessions per week and/or longer sessions per day, and many programs become less intensive over time. Due to the services being offered in an outpatient setting, the length of participation may be longer than that expected for inpatient treatment. IOPs allow clients to live at home and maintain their work and family commitments while building a lifestyle around recovery.
Intensive Outpatient Program Services
Intensive outpatient programs are designed for individuals with substance use disorders or co-occurring mental and substance use disorders who do not require 24-hour supervision or medical detoxification. They offer a specific number of hours each week of one-on-one, group, and family therapy in addition to psychoeducation about addiction and co-occurring disorders.
The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) defines five broad levels of care to guide clinicians in selecting the appropriate level of care for the treatment of drug and alcohol use disorders:
- Level 0.5 (early intervention services)
- Level I (outpatient services)
- Level II (intensive outpatient services)
- Level III (residential and inpatient services)
- Level IV (medically managed intensive inpatient services)
Therefore, intensive outpatient programs represent a higher level of care than typical outpatient services and a lower level than inpatient and residential services.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines a set of core services for inclusion in intensive outpatient programs, including a specific number of hours each week of one-on-one, group, and family therapy in addition to psychoeducation about addiction and co-occurring disorders. The goals of intensive outpatient programming generally include:
- Develop relapse management skills
- Develop coping strategies
- Establish (or re-establish) psychosocial support
- Address the issues related to psychological, social, and emotional well-being
Intensive Outpatient Program Goals
The goals of an intensive outpatient program include helping an individual develop relapse management skills and coping strategies, ensure that they have psychosocial support, and addressing specific symptoms and needs. It’s important to note that the length of treatment will vary based on the severity of the individual’s illness and their response to treatment. Therefore, progress in an intensive outpatient program, rather than length of stay, should determine his or her transition through the treatment continuum.
Learn about IOP at Clearpoint Recovery Center
IOP at Clearpoint offers programming during the day and evening to accommodate individual’s lifestyle. It is facilitated by an experienced team of addiction professionals and includes treatment approaches that are effective and evidence-based. The intensive outpatient program can family and friends to further support sobriety.
IOP is offered in our relaxed, non-institutionalized environment in Westport, Connecticut. For more information, contact us at 1-203-293-1723.
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Intensive Outpatient Program for Substance Abuse was first posted on June 18, 2018 at 5:24 pm.
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