People who are in recovery typically spend a lot of time doing similar things to their peers. Recovery groups and therapy take up most of the time early on to try and help the person adjust to the new normal. Intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) focuses on letting a person attend most of the therapy groups and meetings outside of a residential environment with a large time commitment involved. Learn more about IOP and whether it may be right for yours or someone you love’s recovery program.
How it Works
A person who enters into IOP is likely to spend many hours in and out of different therapeutic settings and environments to aid in their treatment. This includes day programs, evening, and weekend programs that offer a range of services. Some of the treatments may include:
- Screenings to identify the personal needs and assess the treatment plan and goals
- Determine therapeutic goals which include individual, group, and family therapy
- Exploring and understanding addiction
- Understanding where to find support services that help them reclaim their life including housing, finances, education, and other components to assist in their success
What Comes Next
Leaving IOP can be a challenging time for many people in recovery. There is still a lot of work to be done but it will not be in the safety and security of a structured environment. Aftercare plans are important so the person does not fall back into old habits or relapse. Aftercare plans are drafted by counselors who understand the needs of the person and develop a stable environment for them. It may be helpful to work with a team of people who organized the IOP to decide which path will feel most successful to you or your loved one’s needs including any transitional housing to further support meeting of those goals.
Visiting with Family
When loved ones come alongside someone in recovery, it can boost their confidence and self-esteem throughout the process. A loved one needs support to feel they can continue the journey. Openness and honesty will help the person feel safe and heard. Family therapy is part of the process, so they are welcome to attend sessions which support their loved one. Most of this time is spent focusing on dynamics within the family that can support recovery, releasing old habits of enabling, and working to rebuild trust. Every person is different in their decisions about treatment. Some will desire and need inpatient treatment, while others thrive on the flexibility and different structure provided by intensive outpatient programs. It depends on the person’s needs in recovery and feelings about their journey. The key to recovery is finding hope and healing in the journey, whatever that looks like for the loved one and their family.
Oceanfront provides an IOP for people who cannot be in a full residential program for various reasons or have completed one and need a transitional step forward. We provide this space in a serene context, located in Laguna Beach, California. Our goal is to focus on helping you heal old wounds and patterns so you can be free of addiction. If you are ready to give it a try, call us: 888-981-4295
