Intensive Outpatient Programs

What Is An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)?

An intensive outpatient program (IOP) for substance use disorders (SUDs) is a comprehensive treatment program provided to clients in an outpatient setting.

These programs require patients to participate in a prearranged schedule of multiple services that last for a few hours a day for a set number of hours per week.

These services usually include:

• Individual counseling
• Group therapy
• Family education
• Case management
• Relapse prevention education
• Support groups

IOPs offer structured but individualized treatment plans for their clients to meet their treatment plan goals, which are established with defined and measurable milestones.

IOPs are most often recommended:

• For those with mild-to-moderate substance use disorders who have already been through withdrawal.
• As a step-down program for those who have already completed inpatient rehab and may require additional primary treatment.
• For those who feel they need a step up from outpatient individual or group treatment.
• For those who have daily responsibilities (such as jobs) and would like a more structured environment conducive to their recovery and treatment.

What Is The Difference Between An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) and Inpatient Treatment?

While both IOPs and inpatient treatment centers are supportive environments with the same end goal of recovery, it is important to understand some key differences between them.

Location

An intensive outpatient program is in an outpatient treatment setting where clients can live at home and come into the facility for treatment hours, whereas inpatient treatment programs require patients to live on-site.

Inpatient treatment facilities have medical teams available to monitor patients 24/7 while providing a structured, supportive, and substance-free environment. These facilities may also provide medically managed acute detox and withdrawal services.

Intensive outpatient programs, on the other hand, allow their clients to reside at home and ask them to visit the treatment facility for therapy/group/counseling sessions. This allows clients to balance daily responsibilities at home with their recovery treatment.

Cost

Since clients live at home, this significantly reduces the cost (by almost half) of outpatient treatment compared to attending an inpatient treatment center, which is likely to include the higher room and board costs.

Length Of Treatment

Due to the flexibility in schedule where treatment is more spread out, an IOP’s duration may be longer than that of an inpatient treatment center, where treatment is more concentrated in a shorter time frame.

Intensive Outpatient Program Vs. Standard Outpatient Program

Although IOPs and standard outpatient programs are similar, the key difference between the two is how often clients participate during the week.

Intensive outpatient programs require their clients to come more often, usually between three to five days per week, whereas standard outpatient programs require clients to attend one to three days per week. The greater time spent in an IOP makes it more intensive than a standard outpatient program.

What To Expect In An IOP

Intensive outpatient programs vary from one to the next, and treatment requirements may depend on the state in which you reside. However, most IOPs are generally structured in the same way, requiring participation for a minimum of nine hours per week. There are also IOPs that offer a hybrid telehealth option, in which clients can participate in the IOP online, which meets the needs of clients who may live in rural areas that may not have an IOP facility near them.

IOP programs provide a range of services as part of the treatment plan, including:

These services provide a comprehensive approach to improving client retention, engagement, and recovery outcomes through a supportive and shared-decision environment.

Individual Counseling

Clients participating in an IOP will most likely attend individual therapy and counseling. During these sessions, you can expect to meet one-on-one with a licensed professional to focus on addressing issues you may not feel comfortable bringing up during group settings. Here, you may be able to focus on finding the cause of your addiction, process your treatment experience, and ask sensitive questions.

These individual sessions provide added support and strengthen your readiness and motivation for concretized change in recovery. You can expect to have these sessions one to two times a week, as well as on an as-needed basis.

Group Counseling

Group therapy and activities are the main part of treatment in intensive outpatient programs. Group counseling sessions are led by professionals who facilitate discussions focused on education, skills, or processing. These sessions allow clients to actively participate in their care and receive valuable education and advice on topics of addiction while receiving support from peers in the program.

Some examples of group session topics include:

• Early recovery skills
• Living with chronic conditions
• Relapse prevention
• 12-Step-based recovery skills
• Consequences of addiction
• Problem-solving skills
• Cognitive and behavioral skills
• Family dynamics of addiction

Group counseling sessions like these create an environment of acceptance, honesty, support, and comfort for everyone participating.

Family Services

Some IOPs offer education and group therapy sessions for families, allowing family members to be an active part of recovery. In these sessions, you will address family issues that can help ensure a healthier recovery environment.

Primary goals of these family sessions include addressing family dynamics, assisting members of the family to address their own well-being, and educating family members about substance use disorders and treatment.

Crisis Services

Crisis services assist clients when emergencies happen outside of program hours, such as suicide ideations, risks of relapse, safety concerns, and psychological distress. These services help de-escalate stressful situations, which is especially helpful for clients as they navigate their recovery while reintegrating into their daily lives.

Case Management

Case management means a professional is specifically assigned to your case to help coordinate your care plan and assist in finding resources applicable to your situation. In an IOP setting, case managers collaborate with you to:

• Determine the best-suited supportive services in the program or within the community
• Develop an individualized care plan
• Check in to make sure you are following through with services
• Establish an aftercare plan for when it’s time to transition out of the IOP

In the IOP setting, these case managers and case management services significantly improve your follow-through with treatment, increasing the chances of positive treatment outcomes.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Some IOPs will offer medication-assisted treatment for clients who need to continue medications to help them with their addiction. For example, IOPs that assist clients with opioid addictions may offer methadone maintenance treatment or buprenorphine treatment, which are medications that can help curb opioid cravings and withdrawal symptoms. These medications can be used anywhere from a few weeks after the withdrawal period to months, or even years, later to assist the client with their recovery and support productive and happy living.

For clients recovering from an alcohol addiction, providers at an IOP may prescribe medications like disulfiram or naltrexone to help prevent them from drinking.

Clients who have co-occurring mental health diagnoses, such as depression, may benefit from an IOP program offering medication-assisted treatment, as providers can prescribe and closely monitor the effects of helpful medications, such as antidepressants, while the client is there.

If you need to continue a medication regimen specific to your addiction recovery needs, attending an IOP that offers medication-assisted treatment may be beneficial. You will be closely monitored throughout your time in the program to make sure the medications are contributing to a positive recovery.

How Long Does Intensive Outpatient Treatment Last?

The length of time clients participate in an intensive outpatient program depends on each individual’s needs. IOPs usually require a minimum of nine hours of treatment per week, typically delivered in three three-hour sessions. However, you can typically opt to participate for additional hours.

Since IOPs offer day, evening, and weekend programming, treatment length may be longer than inpatient programs. Although there is no specified duration time, on average, most clients of IOPs participate in the programs for 80 or more days.

IOP Treatment Schedule

The treatment schedules in intensive outpatient programs vary, but many follow a structured schedule offered during the day or evening. IOPs will usually spread out the required nine hours of treatment per week over three to four days/evenings a week through treatment sessions lasting about three hours per day. Some IOPs may offer treatment hours over five days of the week for clients with a tighter schedule.

Here is a sample IOP schedule:

Monday

8:30–9:00 a.m. — Check-in and Goal Setting Group

9:00–10:00 a.m. — Interpersonal Communication Skills

10:00–10:15 a.m. — Break

10:15–11:30 a.m. — Skills for Living

Tuesday

8:30–9:00 a.m. — Recovery Basics

9:00–9:15 a.m. — Break and Breather

9:15–9:45 a.m. — Attachment and Boundaries

9:45–10:30 a.m. — Coping Skills

Wednesday

8:30–9:00 a.m. — 12-step Group

9:00–10:00 a.m. — Individual Counseling session / Psychiatrist Session

10:00–10:30 a.m. — Case Management Session

10:30–11:30 a.m. — Breathwork Class

Thursday

8:30–9:00 a.m. — Accountability

9:00–9:15 a.m. — Break

9:15–9:45 a.m. — Mindfulness and Spirituality in Recovery

9:45–10:30 a.m. — End of Week Process Group

Is An Intensive Outpatient Program Right For Me?

To determine if an IOP is right for you, make sure to assess your treatment needs by consulting your primary care provider, addiction specialist, or mental healthcare provider. Together, you can see if your treatment would be most successful in an inpatient program or intensive outpatient program, depending on your responsibilities, level of addiction, and needed support.

To participate in an intensive outpatient program, you need to ensure you have a reliable method of transportation, a stable and supportive living environment, and have completed detox.

Generally, IOPs are best for people who have a mild addiction, who may need weekly support and monitoring, or who have already participated in a residential or inpatient treatment facility and are ready for the next step in their recovery treatment.

How To Find An IOP Near You

When searching for an intensive outpatient program, consider factors including:

• Location and distance of the facility from your residence
• Services the program may offer for your specific situation
• Aftercare planning the program offers
• Cost of the program

If you or a loved one is thinking about the next best step in addiction recovery and treatment, contact a treatment provider or explore our rehab directory today to find a treatment facility that offers intensive outpatient programs near you.