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.