Why is it common for rehab facilities to offer gender-specific treatment, such as intensive outpatient therapy for women or residential addiction treatment for men? Gender-specific treatment programs are designed to specifically treat men and women separately. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), fundamental differences exist between men and women in terms of addiction experience. Not only that, but some clients require a recovery environment that doesn’t include the other gender, perhaps due to trauma or even just because they find it difficult to be understood by or even relax around members of the opposite sex.
If you’re searching for an IOP for women in New Harmony, Utah, reach out to Painted Desert Recovery today. Call 844.540.0357 or contact our team online.
What Is an Intensive Outpatient Program?
Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) for treatment can address eating disorders, depression disorders, and substance use disorders (SUDs), especially cases of addiction that aren’t long-term, severe, or need round-the-clock medical supervision.
As it’s not an inpatient program that requires residence at a rehab facility, clients can maintain their relationships, responsibilities, and routines while participating in an IOP. During the length of the program, clients live in their houses or at sober living homes (SLHs). In fact, IOPs are sometimes a way to transition clients from inpatient care to living their lives after rehab in their own residences. An effective IOP can help to establish support mechanisms, relapse prevention tools, and ways to practice healthy coping mechanisms.
What Should You Expect in an IOP?
First of all, if someone doesn’t have a safe, secure and supportive home environment, they’re not an ideal candidate for intensive outpatient treatment. And while IOPs are typically recommended because it offers flexibility in scheduling, each IOP is different. Before you commit to an IOP, make sure that you can fit the treatment sessions into your schedule and still maintain your typical routines.
Some IOPs may need clients to attend several three- to four-hour treatment sessions every week. These sessions typically consist of addiction education, as well as talk therapy that’s one-on-one, with a group, or with family members. However, it’s group therapy that’s a cornerstone of IOPs. Group therapy sessions can be much more helpful for recovery than typical individual ones. A group setting provides transparency and freedom from judgment. An environment like this also helps clients:
- Evaluate themselves honestly
- Improve communication skills
- Practice empathy
Family therapy is also important, even if a client already has a supportive home environment. Every family can benefit from family therapy, especially those with a loved one struggling with addiction. While family therapy is not meant to handle the individual mental health issues of family members, professional treatment of them can be recommended.
When Should You Consider Intensive Outpatient Therapy for Women?
Now that you know what to expect in IOP options for rehab, it may be easier to consider intensive outpatient therapy for you or a woman you care about.
Remember that IOP takes place on an outpatient basis. If the choice of gender-specific treatment is due to social phobia or extreme discomfort, it’s worth considering inpatient care instead, as clients may still find themselves in areas where members of the opposite sex are when they travel from their homes to their rehab facility. If a client needs 24-hour care, whether it’s a medical need or because they’re experiencing suicidal thoughts, they may even require inpatient programs instead of an effective IOP.
However, an IOP may be the ideal option for clients with a safe home environment who need to continue going to school or work while working on overcoming addiction.
Ready To Learn More About Painted Desert Recovery’s Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program for Women?
If you’re looking for an IOP for women in New Harmony, Utah, contact Painted Desert Recovery today. Reach out to our team online or call 844.540.0357.
