Alcohol use disorder is a challenge for many Americans. Going to rehab is the start of a long journey the people with addiction travel. With medical needs and co-occurring mental health conditions, there are typically some things that have to be done after rehab to support a person’s recovery. Instead of returning home, they may opt, instead, for intensive outpatient treatment (IOP). Learn more about how to know if this is right for you or a loved one if alcoholism has been a challenge.

Inpatient Treatment

The level of care people needs for IOP varies, based on several things. A person with alcoholism is likely to have been drinking for some time before seeking help and will need support for mental and physical health issues. Some of the ways a person may seek help for addiction include:

Monitoring for 24-hours in a medical rehab that provides consistent care before going to IOP
Seeking IOP for post-treatment issues while they live outside of the place they receive treatment
May need to transition to a standard outpatient treatment program (SOP)

Appropriateness for IOP

Any person will benefit from involvement in an intensive outpatient program. Individuals who rely on insurance coverage or pay out of pocket may want to review the costs and benefits of treatment. For the following people, IOP may be a good idea, but it depends on the treatment plan and decisions of all treating physicians and staff at rehab:

Release from partial hospitalization, residential treatment, or inpatient treatment may request the person go into IOP with less supervision
History of relapses
Dual diagnosis issues
Environmental situations that put stress on recovery, including past drug use in the family, lack of support, or strong peer group

When deciding with a treatment team the best next steps, it is based on recommendations of the people who supervised treatment, but also the person’s willingness to get better. The treatment should be medically necessary before insurance will cover. Out-of-pocket costs can add up quickly. Some things to consider are whether the individual has an assessment that shows they need IOP and will most likely be successful. Treatment programs rely on professional treatment providers, so there should be consistency once they leave. The individual should be motivated to grow and learn in recovery, but also be willing to grow. Psychotherapy for substance use should be a mainstay of treatment. Most IOP programs last 90 days but may go longer, depending on the person’s needs. They are not about alternative treatments primarily, as they are focused on abstinence from alcohol. The focus should be on therapy, counseling, and support for the person to get well and stay in recovery without a huge risk of relapse. There is always a risk but mitigating this risk is always healthy and healing for the person involved in rehab.

Oceanfront provides an IOP where people live at home or in sober living so they can keep up with their daily lives in school, at work, and in life. We are here to encourage your recovery in whatever way you need. We are located in beautiful Laguna Beach. Call us to find out how we can help you navigate addiction recovery: 888-981-4295