Making the choice to seek treatment for drug or alcohol addiction can feel monumental. If you or a loved one is wondering about intensive outpatient programs and you want to learn more, contact the caring team at Painted Desert. Our women-specific offerings can help restore health, personal agency, and purpose for those combating addiction.
Learn more about the intensive outpatient program at Painted Desert in New Harmony, Utah, by calling 844.540.0357 or reaching out online.
Is an IOP the Best Option for Me?
While weekly support groups or one-on-one therapy can be great if addiction isn’t seriously disrupting your life, for many people, a more intensive intervention is needed. On the other extreme are inpatient programs, where clients live in a treatment facility for a period usually between one and three months. There, they receive a combination of talk therapy, enrichment activities, and sometimes medication-assisted detoxification.
The middle ground is an intensive outpatient program (IOP). IOPs typically run for between 8-12 weeks, and clients may be expected to attend sessions on-site three to five days out of each week. Onsite sessions, in turn, tend to last 2-4 hours.
These are a few signs that an IOP may be right for you:
- You have a supportive place to live that isn’t likely to trigger a relapse.
- You’ve already completed an inpatient addiction treatment program and are looking for a next step that will continue to provide a high level of accountability.
- Your life circumstances make it necessary that you continue to work, spend regular time with family, go to school, or engage in other activities outside treatment.
- You’re looking for a more cost-effective treatment than inpatient services that can still deliver intensive care for addiction recovery.
Intensive Outpatient Therapy Preparation
Even though outpatient programs offer more flexibility than their residential counterparts, preparing for an IOP is still essential. IOPs require a lot of time and energy and affect other aspects of your life.
Here are a few core tips for getting the most out of your IOP experience:
Create a Well-Organized Calendar
Listing your commitments in writing can help to keep you accountable. A calendar, ideally one that’s shared with any family or loved ones, can be a great tool. Most IOP sessions take place at a specific time, and it can be very supportive to have a visual reminder of what parts of your day are set aside for recovery.
Think About Your Other Commitments in Advance
Balancing recovery with all the other aspects of your life can be challenging. Be sure to check in with your employer or academic institution in advance about the time frames you’ll need to set aside for your IOP. Similarly, plan in advance for any childcare you may need to obtain for these periods. Finally, consider family therapy as an add-on service to your IOP. This is a great way to bring your loved ones into the healing journey and get everyone on the same page.
Take an Honest Look at Your Living Situation
Because you’re only onsite at a treatment facility for about half the business day a few days a week, having a stable environment the rest of the time is crucial. Ask yourself the tough questions in advance. Is my home life supportive and non-triggering? If I live with others, will they actively support my healing journey? Would an outside living facility better serve me in this sensitive and transformative time? If so, what are my insurance coverage or other payment options?
Remember that as you embark on the journey toward recovery from addiction to drugs or alcohol, you’re not alone. Many others have taken on this challenge, done the work to address root causes, and ultimately regained agency and freedom in their lives.
Reach out to Painted Desert in Beautiful New Harmony, UT, to Discuss Our Effective IOP
Whether you have more questions about IOPs and how to prepare for them or feel ready to enroll, call Painted Desert today. Our compassionate and qualified team is standing by to dialogue with you about your best course of action. Just call 844.540.0357 or reach out via our online form, and we’ll happily tell you more about our trauma-informed offerings and acclaimed IOP for drug and alcohol addiction.