Is Recovery Time Shorter with Intensive Outpatient Program?

There are over 31 million illegal drug users in the USA. However, only 11% of those who get addicted to drugs receive the help they need and deserve.

While there are many factors that prevent drug users from seeking treatment, lack of access to help is one of the primary reasons. Even when many try to quit drugs through rehabilitation, a lack of support or a support system can lead to addiction relapse. Every two or three out of five patients experience relapse, which can extend the duration of their healing journey.

Intensive Outpatient Programs are being recommended more and more to help those who have completed inpatient programs. They are designed to fit into patients’ lives to bring them closer to a normal life while also helping them through each step of the way.

How Long Do Intensive Outpatient Programs Last?

Intensive Outpatient Programs or IOP in Pompano Beach can last anywhere from one month to a year. However, most intensive outpatient programs last between two or four months, i.e., eight to sixteen weeks. Patients must come in three times a week, with each visit lasting up to three hours.

Do Intensive Outpatient Programs Last Shorter than Inpatient Programs?

Inpatient programs last 90 days and require the patient to stay at the hospital for the entire duration. On the other hand, intensive outpatient programs last for a much shorter duration. Since they only require up to nine hours of the patient’s time during a week, the overall duration of even a long intensive outpatient program can be shorter than an inpatient program lasting three months.

The Convenience of Intensive Outpatient Program

Dropping everything and staying at the hospital may not be convenient for many patients with drug abuse.

Patients cannot go to work or attend in-person classes during the inpatient program. They can also miss out on fulfilling their domestic responsibilities. Since these requirements also come with financial strains, the patients may be unwilling to enroll in an inpatient program.

However, intensive outpatient programs can fit different schedules. The patient only needs to schedule a few hours in the whole week to receive the help that increases their quality of life for the rest of the week and even the rest of their life.

While many patients are recommended intensive outpatient programs after completing an inpatient program, those who deal with drug addiction but cannot make time for an inpatient program can also opt for it. Patients having experienced relapse can also join intensive outpatient programs.

The Benefits of Intensive Outpatient Program

Intensive outpatient programs help patients in the following ways:

Attend Work or School
The primary benefit of intensive outpatient programs is that they don’t take up much of a patient’s time, and hence the patient can easily go to work or attend school. This benefit allows the patient to stay independent, bring a sense of normalcy to their life, and help them progress in their career.

Fulfill Domestic Responsibilities
Besides allowing patients to keep a sense of normalcy in their life outside the home, intensive outpatient programs also allow the patients to be present at home and fulfill their domestic responsibilities. Patients with children or partners can especially find this advantageous.

Get Support from Families
Inpatient programs can make many patients feel isolated from their families. However, intensive outpatient programs allow the patients to spend time at home with their family and friends. It allows the patients and their family members to build communication and talk about the patient’s progress.

Many intensive outpatient programs may include some sessions on family counseling and building communication between family members. These sessions can prove to be significantly helpful for the patient in finding their family’s support.

Maintain Privacy
Patients may feel hesitant in enrolling in an inpatient program for the fear that people close to them will notice their absence and find out about their addiction issues. The hesitation can also make patients feel guilty or ashamed of their addiction. These feelings can sometimes worsen the addiction and keep the patient from seeking help.

As intensive outpatient programs allow the patients to attend work or school and maintain a normal routine, it saves them from answering difficult questions from their acquaintances. Patients can feel safe from judgment while also finding support from their loved ones.

Feel Belonged with Their Recovery Group
Patients are grouped in intensive outpatient programs with individuals with similar needs. Intensive outpatient programs also include many group therapy sessions. These factors allow patients to feel understood and belonged. They can build a community with individuals who understand their issues and support them in overcoming them.

Last but not least, Intensive outpatient programs are also affordable compared to inpatient programs. When looking for an intensive outpatient program or IOP Pompano Beach, patients are advised to opt for one that personalizes the care according to the patients’ needs. The Sands Treatment Center is one such place that helps patients with tailored therapy to help them make the best of their lives.

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What to Expect During Intensive Outpatient Programs

An Intensive Outpatient Program or IOP is a step up from individual therapy. Many of these programs have benefitted people with all sorts of addictions and dependencies and are now an essential therapeutic service.  

People from all walks of life can benefit from an IOP. Pompano Beach has some exceptional programs intended to help people recover from substance abuse, mental illnesses, and anything else that requires supervision.   

What is an Intensive Outpatient Program? 

Intensive Outpatient Programs help in the recovery of people who do not need constant supervision from authorities and peers. These people could be recovering from substance abuse such as drugs or alcohol, mental illnesses such as Bipolar Disorder, and even eating disorders like anorexia or bulimia.  

IOPs have an advantage over residential programs because they allow their patients to resume their daily life normally while making time for the IOP. This helps them integrate their improved habits with their regular routine. Therefore, people with routine commitments like work find it easier to accommodate an IOP in their lifestyle than a residential facility.  

What Should We Expect From An IOP?  

IOPs offer various forms of therapy along with courses that help patients recover from their situation. These include the following: 

Group Therapy 

Group therapy is the backbone of IOPs. Group therapies help patients socialize with like-minded people who are trying to recover. Often, people suffering from addictions and mental health issues have a previous background of socializing with either those who enable them or trigger them. With group therapy, they can come across people who are actively working on themselves, making them realize that they are not alone. 

Group therapy is also a safe space for people to discuss their trauma and concerns without judgment. They can also receive comfort and honesty from those around them, which is beneficial. 

When individuals in group therapy see others like them achieve something or do better, they become inspired to adapt to those changes for themselves.  

Individual Therapy 

Individual therapy is also a vital part of IOPs. Individual therapy is ranked secondary to group therapy, but it offers many benefits. For example, introverted patients who cannot discuss their lives in a group might find it easier to talk to an individual they can trust.  

Individual therapy also focuses on the problems that the client’s addictions or illnesses have caused. The therapist will often try to get to the root of the problem and make the patient address it, which will prevent relapses.  

Alternative Therapy 

Many IOPs also offer alternative forms of therapy for the patients. These include sound therapy, aromatherapy, and art therapy. These alternative forms of therapy can help the patients express their emotions and concerns without talking about them. These forms of therapy are ideal for giving people an outlet for their concerns and issues.  

12-Step Program 

Many IOPs provide a 12-step program for their clients where they get a proper plan and structure on how they should go about their recovery process. Most patients celebrate each achievement before moving on to the next, which helps them stay rooted in their goal.  

Other Courses 

IOPs often offer courses that help the patients address underlying issues and recover from negative thinking patterns. These courses may include trauma education, relapse prevention, self-discovery and self-awareness, and emotional regulation. 

The courses are often tailored to each individual’s needs and help them become functioning members of society again. 

How Are IOPs Beneficial? 

IOPs are ideal for people who do not need medical intervention or detoxification to recover from their addiction or illness. They help people continue with their routine while also helping them recover from their condition.  

IOPs help teach patients coping mechanisms for their condition. These mechanisms help them prevent relapses and figure out how to overcome negative thinking patterns. They also develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that improve their daily lives.  

Patients also learn self-awareness which helps them recognize unhealthy behavior. These help them actively do better and prevent relapses. 

Patients in IOPs also learn to interact better with people around them and improve their relationships. This helps them recognize when they need help and support, so they do not shy away from receiving help from loved ones anymore.  

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Recovering After Intensive Outpatient Program – The Real Struggle Begins

Life after IOP radically changes as your enter society as a sober person. However, the world around you is still involved in addiction. The real struggle begins after your IOP is over because now you are on your own, so you need to develop your own care plan. In this blog post, we discuss how you can continue your addiction recovery after successfully completing your Intensive Outpatient Program. 

Life After IOP 

Intensive Outpatient programs are a crucial part of your recovery process. Patients are educated about life after IOP and how they can stay sober. If you have recently completed your IOP, here are things you can do that’ll keep you sober for longer and altogether remove the need to go back to your addiction. 

Enroll in An Aftercare Program 

You think you can manage independently, but most addicts who relapsed also thought this way. Life after IOP is very different. You are no longer a dysfunctional part of society. Therefore, you should seek help from an aftercare program. These programs are designed to help ex-IOP patients stay sober. Groups like AA, NA, or SMART offer the resources and support you need to fight the urges of your substance abuse. As a result, these groups help you stay sober. 

Make a Plan of Action 

The National Institution on Drug Abuse reports that 40-60% of people relapse after completing their IOP. This goes to show that it’s common for your urges to strike back. What makes a difference is how you go about yourself when these urges kick in. 

The best way to stay sober and prevent yourself from falling into addiction is to make a plan of action. List down the name of people you can call when you feel a lapse is likely.

Don’t be ashamed of calling these people because they are ready to help. Keep yourself busy and mitigate negative thoughts. This way, you’ll adjust to your new life and completely rid yourself of your addiction. 

Remove Toxic People From Your Life 

This is the most essential part of staying sober, and it might seem irrelevant at first. However, toxic people always try to bring you down to make themselves feel better. Removing such people from your new life will make you more confident. As a result, you’ll break free from depression and keep away from drugs. If these people try to make their way into your life, don’t give them an opening. Because if you do, you’ll risk yourself going back to your old self. 

Create a Healthy Lifestyle 

Adopting a healthy lifestyle is the key to staying sober. This is because excise and eating healthy keep your mind alert and active. Addiction is an illness that embeds negative and destructive behavior in an individual. 

Keeping yourself mentally and physically healthy will increase your chances of staying sober. During IOP, patients are taught about emotional and physical triggers that might leave you craving for a hit. 

Mitigating these triggers will keep you on the safe side. One of the most common triggers of addiction is “stress.” Although stress is not avoidable, it can be managed. Through meditation or an early jog, you can relieve stress and focus on solving the issue causing this emotion. As a result, you become self-reliant and independent, removing the need to resort to substance abuse. 

Start Socializing 

Now that you have recovered from your addiction, it’s time to re-enter society with a new face. Think of it as a second chance at life, so choose your friends wisely this time. Socializing re-builds your confidence and makes you seem normal. 

However, the pitfall of socializing is hanging at the bar. This can be a red flag if you are a recovering alcohol addict. Therefore, be honest with your new social circle and tell them about your recovery. That way, your new friends will avoid places that might trigger a relapse. But if they don’t, it’s time to make new friends. 

The Bottom Line 

Life after IOP is not easy. Now that you are sober, you have to fight your urges, rejoin society and make new friends. All of this can be overwhelming for some people; that’s why they join support groups. Moreover, you need to immediately create a plan to keep yourself busy and away from your addiction. At Sands Treatment Center, we provide specialized care and help our patients make a plan of action before they re-enter society. You can contact us for more information. 

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Difference Between Behavioral and Mental Health

If you have been searching for mental health issues, you might have come across behavioral health. While both problems are considered the same, they have some key differences, including their treatment. 

Understanding the difference between behavioral health and mental health can help you find the proper care. In this article, we will share all the key points that make behavioral health different from mental health. 

Difference Between Behavioral Health and Mental Health

 

The term “behavioral health” was coined recently. Its definition has changed several times, but the treatments remained the same. There are several critical differences between behavioral health and mental health. 

Mental Health

Mental health is the state of well-being of an individual. A person with good mental health can be a productive member of society. Your biological and physical condition have a substantial impact on your mental health. 

Anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and depression are all examples of mental health disorders. They aren’t related to your behavior. These problems are directly connected with your brain. Hence, they are a part of your mental health. 

Behavioral Health

Behavioral health is entirely different from mental health. The problems associated with behavioral health aren’t related to your cognitive disabilities. Instead, they are a result of our unhealthy behavior. 

Problems like gambling, sex addiction, substance abuse, and eating disorders are prime examples of behavioral health. Although these problems manifest because of your unhealthy behavior, they have a particular impact on the brain. 

However, the impact isn’t significant enough to damage the function of your brain. Hence, they aren’t entirely attributed to mental health disorders. 

In some circumstances, behavioral health has a much significant impact on the brain. For instance, substance abuse might not trigger psychosis, but it does affect your cognitive abilities. Similarly, behavior health is also a subset of physical health. Problems such as sex addiction and eating disorders are part of physical health. 

However, mental health and behavioral health are broad terms inter-related to other health aspects. 

Similarities Between Behavioral Health and Mental Health

 

One can develop mental and behavioral health disorders simultaneously, and this often results from substance or alcohol abuse. Although these addictions aren’t related to your mental health, they become mental problems over time. 

Your brain stops functioning correctly without substance abuse or alcohol hit. Therefore, your behavioral and mental health are simultaneously disturbed. Collaborative care with a team of different health care professionals is adequate to combat cognitive and behavioral disorders. 

In some cases, mental health disorder triggers behavioral health problems. For example, a patient with an anxiety disorder has significant chances of adapting eating disorder or substance abuse. 

Similarly, maladaptive behaviors might harm your mental health. Most of the time, these problems are indirectly related to each other. For example, a person with alcohol or drug addiction might have a troubled marriage leading to depression and anxiety. 

Positive behaviors are a good defense against behavioral health disorders. This is because these behaviors change your habits and help you relax. Meditating in the morning or going to the gym is effective in fixing unhealthy behavior. However, if the patient has gone beyond the point of no return, only professional care can help. 

Get The Right Treatment 

To find a cure for your problems, you need to diagnose the issue. A proper diagnosis can lead to finding the root cause of the problem. This will help determine which areas of the patient should be addressed first. 

For instance, understanding the reasons behind substance abuse can highlight underlying mental problems such as anxiety. The best option is to work with a well-rounded team of professional health care providers. 

Once the problem is diagnosed, developing a care plan becomes easy and effective. Unless the problem is removed from the roots, the patient might relapse back to unhealthy habits. Therefore, an accurate diagnosis is crucial to getting the proper treatment. 

Treatment might include cognitive behavioral therapy, group sessions, intervention, and medical treatments. Mental health patients with a history of substance abuse are rarely prescribed medicinal treatment. Therefore, you shouldn’t expect your visit to a recovery center similar to seeing a general physician.

The Sands Treatment Center Can Provide Healthcare Services

The Sands Treatment Center is a world-class addiction recovery center with top-of-the-line medical staff and facilities. Nested in the heart of South Florida, The Sands recovery specialists are equipped with the knowledge and professional experience. Our IOP in Pompano Beach is highly effective for patients looking to live a sober life.

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5 Tips for Staying Sober

If you are recovering from substance abuse, you already know how hard it was to get here. Having a relapse is the last thing on your mind, but it’s more common than you think. 40% to 60% of addicts relapse during the first year of their recovery. 

The new “you” is raw, sensitive, and vulnerable. You are constantly worried about what people think. After all, your old destructive personality left a significant impact on you and your loved ones. Without mood-altering substances, life got real, and you are having a hard time coping with stress and emotions. Therefore, we have written this guide to staying sober so that you can maintain a healthy lifestyle free from mood and mind-altering substances for good. 

How to Stay Sober After Addiction Treatment

You are trying to let go of the past and look at the future. However, your chances of a successful recovery depend on honesty, willingness, and acceptance. Through the best Intensive Outpatient Program, South Florida residents affected by addiction can begin their journey towards healing. They can talk about their struggles, how they have overcome challenges, and share their feelings instead of going through it all alone. 

• Join a Support Group

The first step of changing your habits is accepting you have a problem. It’s okay to talk about your urges. Addiction is a disease, and recovery takes time. Even after spending several months at a rehabilitation center in South Florida, you might not feel confident enough to let go of your past. You need inspiration, and, therefore, joining a support group is your best chance of staying sober. 

A support group is a fellowship of men and women who share your experience. Listening to their stories will motivate you to stay sober. If you hide your feelings and distance yourself from society, your chances of relapse increase by 40%. 

• Live in the Present 

The best practice for staying sober is to live life one day at a time. But when you are struggling, 24 hours seem like forever. This happens when you are fighting your demons alone. It would be best to let go of your past to focus on the present and prepare for the future. Staying sober isn’t easy, but planning for a better future is. Ask for guidance, take deep breaths, and recall your reasons for staying sober. This exercise will give you the strength you need to counter the negative thoughts in your mind. 

• Acknowledge Your Weak Points

You just went through a radical change. Everything seems different since you are sober. However, if you indulge yourself in the same stressful activities as before, your chances of relapse will increase. Revamp your schedule, friends circle, and sleep cycle. 

In your first few years, you need to stay away from places that break your spirit. Try to keep a safe distance from drugs and alcohol. Become aware of your triggers and try to control them. Focus on yourself and forget about the world. Soon, you will develop a strong personality that will fight toxic people and negative thoughts. 

• Control Your Urges 

During the first few years post-recovery, you will encounter urges. These temptations will try to lure you into the world you stepped out of. While most urges last for 15 to 30 minutes, some can be overwhelming. You might try substitutes like chewing gum or meditation, but they won’t keep you sober for long. 

Remember, staying sober is a constant battle between you and your urges. So, the best way to stay sober is to keep yourself busy. Find a job that consumes your entire day, leaving you tired and sleepy. 

• Follow Your Passion 

If you had a passion before you submitted to substance abuse, it’s time to pursue it. When you occupy yourself with a routine that keeps you happy, your brain releases a chemical called endorphin. This chemical strengthens your resolve and keeps you motivated to stay sober. Follow your passion and forget about your past because you have been gifted with a new life. 

Ending Note 

Staying sober is more challenging than quitting your addiction. Most addicts relapse within the first year of their recovery because they forget why they chose sobriety. Keeping yourself away from your danger zones and staying stress-free is key to sobriety. 

If you know someone struggling with substance abuse, recommend them a good rehabilitation center in Florida. The Sands Treatment Center is an excellent rehabilitation facility with expertise and knowledge in the treatment of professionals. They offer both outpatient and in-patient treatment plans. You can schedule a call by dialing (844) 200-2509. Visit the Sands Treatment Center website for more details.

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How Substance Abuse Can Affect Your Brain

People use drugs and alcohol for different reasons. Some rely on drugs to escape from reality and live in a state of euphoria, while others take drugs due to peer pressure. Regardless of why or when you consume drugs, there is no changing that these mind-altering substances are harmful. 

Drugs can rewire your brain into hallucination and other psychotic behavior. You might see or hear things others don’t. This chronic mental condition can affect how you socialize with others. In this blog post, we will explain how drugs affect your mental health. 

How Drugs Affect Your Mental Health 

All drugs harm your mental health. They affect the way you see things and your mood. However, it’s difficult to predict how a certain drug will affect your mind because they stimulate different experiences under different circumstances. 

Drugs can alter your brain’s chemistry once ingested. They slow down or speed up your nervous system causing high blood pressure and respiratory depression. Here is how drugs can affect your mind. 

Effects of Illicit Drugs on Your Brain 

Illicit drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and prescription amphetamines like Adderall can have a different effect on your brain chemicals. Some drugs accelerate hormonal secretion like dopamine to put you in a state of euphoria. 

An increase in dopamine secretion can cause a rush of pleasure. A high dosage of drugs like cocaine and heroin can lead to heart attack, stroke, or slowed cognitive abilities. You start forgetting things and soon become substance dependent. 

Accelerated secretion of hormones makes you feel stronger and more confident. You start achieving more than what you could without drugs. However, once the euphoria is over, your mind is exhausted. Soon, your mental activity slows down because your brain is rewired to work on drugs. 

This leads to substance abuse disorder, where the patient is unable to function normally without drugs. Increased consumption of drugs to maintain regular activities leads to further damage. The patient is trapped in a spiral where consuming drugs leads to mental issues. Not consuming triggers panic attacks and urges. 

Such patients often don’t seek help because they are ashamed of admitting their failure. However, if they are admitted into a drug rehabilitation center, they might have a chance to recover fully. Here is a breakdown of how drugs affect different parts of your brain. 

• The Limbic System

The limbic system is responsible for the brain’s reward system. It is responsible for making us feel pleasure when we indulge in positive activities. Our brain keeps track of things that make us happy. For instance, going to the gym, socializing, and having sex trigger the brain’s limbic system. 

However, substance abuse forces the brain’s limbic system to release pleasure hormones. Regular or continuous consumption of illicit drugs can rewire the brain into thinking that drugs are the only source of happiness. Soon, you won’t find pleasure in anything but consuming drugs. 

• The Cerebral Cortex 

The cerebral cortex interprets information from touch, smell, taste, sound, and sight. Drugs influence the cerebral cortex into releasing positive hormones that reinforce your habit of drug abuse. The cerebral cortex gets rewired through continuous consumption, and after some time, you can’t keep yourself away from substance abuse. 

Patients recovering from substance abuse in an Intensive Outpatient Program often jitter because their cerebral cortex demands drugs. It can become challenging to quit drugs if you don’t seek medical assistance soon. 

• The Brain Stem

The brain stem is responsible for keeping up most of our autonomous functions like breathing and keeping our heart beating. Drugs like cocaine influence the brain stem to accelerate your heartbeat. It can lead to cardiac arrest, heart attack, or heart failure. 

Drug abuse and addiction is a choice that makes it a learned behavior. Some parts of our brain can be rewired to remember what makes us feel pleasure. Drugs influence all the mentioned parts of the brain simultaneously to put you in a state of euphoria. While it might seem fun to forget about worries, the long-term effects of drugs are like slow poison. You are killing yourself by damaging your brain and different parts of your body. 

Seek Help From Sands Treatment Center Before It’s Too Late 

Slowly but surely, drugs damage your brain and other parts of the body. The sooner you seek help, the easier will be your recovery process. Most addicts don’t seek help because they are ashamed to admit their failure. You need to help them register in IOP South Florida. Sands Treatment Center specializes in the addiction treatment and rehabilitation of medical professionals and first responders. You can call us by dialing (844) 200 2509 or visit our website for more information.

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Here’s What To Expect From An Intensive Outpatient Program

If you made the decision to seek addiction recovery in South Florida, good for you. Not everyone reaches this step and admits they have a problem. If you are considering an intensive outpatient program (IOP), you may be wondering what this treatment entails.

As you most likely know, individuals who do not require detoxification or round-the-clock care can opt for an intensive outpatient program instead of a residential inpatient program. As a result, you live at home and have the flexibility to continue your day-to-day operations. It is important that you have a safe home environment and friends and family that encourage your sobriety and ensure you stay away from triggers.

How does an IOP begin? What should you expect throughout the program? In this article, we answer these questions and more.

Intake Assessment

Before you begin treatment, the team at The Sands Treatment Center will perform an assessment to determine the severity of your substance abuse. You will work with a medical professional who will gather basic information, such as your current physical, mental, and emotional health, as well as information on the type of substance you take, how frequently it’s used, and how it impacts your life.

The assessment may be challenging and invasive, but it will help us determine the right treatment option. IOPs are only recommended for individuals who do not have a severe addiction or co-occurring disorders (i.e., substance abuse and mental disorder). If we determine that your problem is severe, we strongly encourage residential inpatient treatment with 24-hour supervision.

Multiple Meetings

Not every intensive outpatient program is the same. They usually vary depending on the facility, but in general, you will have sessions at least three times per week that result in roughly 10-12 hours each week. The meetings will occur on-site, and sometimes you will be given exercises to complete while you’re at home. In addition to these sessions, you may also be encouraged to participate in a 12-step program. An IOP is more intensive than standard outpatient rehab in South Florida, so you will have to devote more time to treatment.

 group And Individual Therapy

Most IOPs involve group therapy, as it’s considered equally as effective as individual therapy and comes with several benefits, such as:

• Gives individuals a chance to communicate and socialize
• Provides a supportive environment with people who are in similar circumstances
• Provides an opportunity to hear honest feedback
• Creates a safe space
• Opportunities to learn new skills from therapists, group leaders, and members who are further along in their recovery

In addition to group therapy, you will also undergo individual therapy. This is not the primary form of treatment, but it can help individuals who feel more comfortable with one-on-one care. You will work with and develop a close relationship with a therapist who will try to learn the cause of your substance abuse and how you plan to remain sober. Individual therapy involves a lot of challenging work and delves deeper into personal matters than group sessions.

In therapy, you will learn healthy coping mechanisms when faced with difficult emotions and situations. You will learn to replace bad habits, which may push you towards drugs and alcohol, with positive ones. The strategies you learn will vary but each works to accomplish the same goal.

Plan A Future Of Sobriety

During your program, you will begin to plan out a future free of drugs and alcohol. At The Sands Treatment Center, we will help you come up with a plan to ensure sobriety is a success. We will strategize the best ways to avoid triggers, identify unsafe environments, what to do when you can’t avoid a trigger, and who to contact when you need support. You are not alone – together, we will find the answers.

Once you have completed the program, congratulate yourself on getting this far. Now, the real work begins. You must use the coping strategies you learned during treatment to navigate real-world situations and avoid triggers for a healthy, sober life.

Contact The Sands Treatment Center

Are you ready to get started with your addiction recovery in South Florida? Contact The Sands Treatment Center today. Call (844)200-2509 to get help.

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What Is an Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program?

If you’ve been researching different rehab and treatment programs that target drug addictions, eating disorders, depression, or other dependencies, you must have come across the intensive outpatient program (IOP). In this particular type of rehab, the clients can work on their recovery and participate in therapies while carrying on with their everyday lives as they work or attend school.

 

A Brief Overview of Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

Outpatient treatment can be thought of as a transitional program that helps people get over their dependencies while they continue to participate in normal life activities. The primary advantage of this treatment is that it bridges the gap for people who can’t afford to enter a full-time rehab program because of their routine responsibilities. Ultimately, it offers similar advantages as an inpatient program, while the only noticeable difference is the amount of time you spend in the rehab center.

Who Should Partake in an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

An intensive outpatient program is best for people who need support after completing their full-time rehab. Plus, this could be an effective treatment program for those who have to work around family or work commitments with only enough time to participate in part-time rehab. However, the patients must be serious about their recovery process when joining this program since they will constantly get exposed to real-world triggers when they aren’t supervised.

Simply put, people who are likely to stray toward harmful temptations repeatedly are recommended to attend a partial hospitalization or an inpatient treatment program instead. However, suppose that’s not the case with you, and you have enough control over your desires not to run into the deep end again. In that case, The Sands Treatment Center offers an Intensive Outpatient Program that can help! 

South Florida residents or their loved ones with addiction issues can benefit a lot from such a comprehensive program at will be your best bet.

In general, there are three factors to consider when you’re making a conscious choice to attend an IOP. These are:

1- Strong Support System

When you have a robust support system, including your family and social circle, it is less likely to get on the wrong side of the track again. However, when that’s not the case, it’s best to evaluate other rehab choices first.

2- No Strong Temptations

The intensive outpatient program is primarily developed for those who have been through a full-time rehab experience and only want additional support afterward to ensure they don’t go back to the old ways. When your temptations are more severe than that, IOP might not be the best choice for you. 

3- Important Commitments

Finally, an intensive outpatient program is the best program you can opt for when you have essential work or family commitments to tend to and can’t take time off. Since you can take on your therapy and rehab sessions alongside your routine chores when attending an IOP, no part of your life gets affected.

Benefits of Attending Intensive Outpatient Program

Individuals opting for intensive outpatient treatment programs can benefit from this in multiple ways. Here are a few examples exhibiting what it brings to the table for the active patients:

1- Flexible Schedules

An intensive outpatient program usually offers a flexible schedule for clients since the management understands everyone has different obligations. Clients must attend three to four sessions every week, which are mostly planned to customize their needs. These sessions include one-on-one counseling, educational programs, and group therapies.

 

2- Several Forms of Treatment

In IOP therapy, clients get to work on different attributes of recovery. They can strengthen their coping mechanism while learning how to effectively handle their cravings as they carry on with their lives. Moreover, there are multiple sessions included within the therapy groupings that target stress-reduction techniques. 

Lastly, an intensive outpatient treatment program also proves effective in helping clients explore the underlying issues that trigger or contribute to their substance abuse habits.

 

3- Better and Busy Routine

Another great benefit of attending IOP is that it keeps the clients’ schedules positively packed. They work, study, join therapy sessions and participate in one-on-one counseling almost every other day. This keeps them distracted from their temptations even when they resume living like before, experiencing the same events that once used to trigger their unhealthy habits.

Considering everything, it doesn’t come as a surprise that this Intensive Outpatient Program in South Florida has from The Sands Treatment Center has been successful in maintaining several people’s recovery process for a long time now. For more information regarding this program, you can contact our experts through our website!

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Life After an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

An intensive outpatient program can be overwhelming and life after one can be frightening for many. Not knowing what the future holds is terrifying on its own and even more so for recovering addicts because their recovery does not end with the program.

Relapse is a big concern for many and walking out of treatment. While most programs teach coping skills for recovery and offer extended support, we will discuss a few things that will make the patient life easier after an intensive outpatient program (IOP).

Before we begin, always remember to consult The Sands Treatment Center in Pompano Beach, for the best intensive outpatient program in Florida.

Life After an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

Many things help maintain sobriety after an IOP, including a support system, work, regular exercise, meditation, journaling, hobbies, and much more. Here we will discuss a few things that can make the patient’s life after an intensive outpatient program much easier.

• Join a Support Group

Many recovering addicts take advantage of support groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA), or Alcohol Anonymous (AA). They get to share their feelings, experiences, and daily obstacles in a safe space with a group of supportive peers, who are going through similar situations.

These 12-step programs provide a sponsor, who helps the patient’s healing process through each step. Sponsors can be a great help because they may identify things that the patient’s friends or family can’t do. Moreover, they are often more committed to the patient’s recovery than they may be after an IOP.

• Move to a Sober Home

Often going back home can be harmful to recovering addicts. They find many triggers in their old environment that can easily spark cravings and make them slip back into old habits. Moreover, meeting up with old addict friends can be upsetting as well.

Many addictions begin with peer pressure, and relapsing is common for people who hang out with their addict friends after treatment; this is where sober homes can be an excellent option for patients with addiction issues. Sober homes provide a clean living environment with other recovering addicts.

It can be a great place for patients to make new friends, get and give support, and live in a home with rules for safety and sobriety.

• Identify the Signs of Relapse

The number of people who relapse after an IOP is overwhelmingly high; this is not because the IOP was unsuccessful but because recovering addicts find it hard to adjust to normal life after an IOP. This situation can easily be avoided if the patient identifies the signs of relapse and address them promptly.

During the patient’s treatment, they identify the triggers that can get them using again. This process should not stop after the treatment. The patient should actively identify their triggers and avoid them at all costs. If the patient lets triggers take over their life, they can fester in their mind and lead to a relapse.

• Alternative Therapies

Alternative therapy like yoga, music, art, and acupuncture therapy is an excellent way to remove triggers from their mind and improve their mental health. Often group therapies like art and yoga can help the patient make sober friends and give them an outlet to relieve their triggers and focus on their mental health.

• Vocational Training

Work is an important part of life and it can help recovering addicts stay busy and satisfied. It provides a sense of purpose, which is an incredible motivator to remain sober. Unfortunately, years of substance abuse can diminish a person’s skills sets, making it difficult to find a job.

In such situations, vocational training can help a recovered patient get back on their feet. Many outpatient intensive programs offer vocational training or can introduce patients to one in their community. The patient learns the things they need to know to maintain a job, and there are often job offers right after the training.

Conclusion

Life after an intensive outpatient program does not have to be filled with relapse triggers or diminishing support. A person with addiction issues can always find ways to help maintain their sobriety, and hopefully, the mentioned things will help the patient do exactly that.

Near the end of the IOP, the patient will have a counselor working with them to develop a post-treatment plan that helps them return to normal life. The patient can always consult these things with them and create a plan that suits them well.

For those living in or around Pompano Beach, The Sands Treatment Center offers the best IOP and post-treatment counseling available in Florida.

If you want to learn more about life after an intensive outpatient program or about the best treatment and recovery in Florida, please visit our website today.

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What Is an Intensive Outpatient Program?

If you are searching for rehab options in or around South Florida, you may have seen many different options, including Intensive Outpatient Programs in South Florida.

Intensive outpatient programs are a unique approach to treat drug and alcohol addiction in people. They provide immediate support and allow the client or patient to get the help they need without disrupting their daily lives.

Let’s discuss what an intensive outpatient program is and who it is for to give you a better understanding of this addiction recovery option.

But before we start, always remember to consult The Sands Treatment Center in South Florida for addiction recovery solutions.

What Is an Intensive Outpatient Program?

An intensive outpatient program or an IOP is a treatment program used to address drug and alcohol addictions, eating disorders, depression, and other addictions or dependencies that do not require detoxification or full-time supervision.

Unlike full residential treatments and programs, an IOP allows the patient to participate in therapy sessions and work on their addiction recovery while continuing normal, everyday life. They can go to work or attend school and live at home while getting the help they need.

Often IOPs are seen as a middle ground between residential programs and the return to independent living. The program’s benefits are similar to those of a full-time treatment program; however, there is a big difference in the time spent in rehabilitation.

Intensive outpatient programs in South Florida provide a more convenient approach and offer patients a flexible schedule. Clients typically meet few times a week for either daytime or evening therapy sessions and private sessions are scheduled according to their needs.

IOPs like the one at The Sands Treatment Center in South Florida provide each person with a schedule that suits their unique requirements and treatment plan. Every unique IOP plan typically includes client group therapies, private counseling sessions, educational classes, and seminars.

The program helps clients get back to normal by working on different aspects of their recovery process. They learn many things, including coping techniques and skills, stress-reducing strategies, and how to effectively control and overcome cravings.

Most importantly, clients benefit by exploring the root causes that may have lead to their initial substance abuse, helping them curb and cope with the causes better.

Who Is an Intensive Outpatient Program For?

Intensive outpatient programs are good for people with professional obligations or those living with their families. It gives them the freedom of working and living at home while attending the program for therapy and treatment.

An IOP is for people committed to recovery because the part-time nature of the program means that clients go back to regular life, where there are many triggers and little to no supervision. Re-affirming your commitment to recovery is a good idea when opting for an IOP.

Moreover, the program is best suited for people who have just come out of a much higher level program, like an inpatient program. IOPs help them continue effective recovery while learning to adjust to regular life.

An IOP May Be the Solution For You!

Intensive outpatient programs are an excellent recovery option for substance abuse treatment.

The biggest highlight is that it is a flexible option to create a unique plan for your recovery. You can benefit from all the advantages of an effective recovery treatment without the full-time residential commitment of inpatient treatment.

You can continue work or study, live at home, and fit therapy sessions while maintaining professional and personal obligations. An IOP also allows your loved ones to attend your counseling sessions with you to become a part of your recovery process.

However, perhaps the IOPs’ biggest benefit is that you learn craving control and coping strategies that are tested out in the real world quickly. 

This makes it easy for you to learn new skills and incorporate them immediately into your life.

Contact The Sands Treatment Center Today

If you live in or around South Florida and are looking for an excellent intensive outpatient program, we highly recommend The Sands Treatment Center in Pompano Beach, FL.

You can learn a lot more about IOPs, their benefits, and the excellent recovery programs at The Sands Treatment Center by visiting our website today.

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