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.