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Outpatient Addiction Treatment Explained

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One of the most significant barriers for struggling alcoholics and addicts in Idaho getting help for their problem is a simple lack of time. People wanting—but not receiving—treatment services often state that they can’t find the time to attend a residential rehab program that may last for weeks or even months because of family or work obligations. An intensive outpatient treatment program (IOP) may be the right option for people with that concern. An IOP gives patients a much greater degree of flexibility, allowing them to meet their family and work needs. To top it off, IOPs have the advantage of being much more affordable than the typical residential program, literally costing a fraction of the cost. This removes another problematic hurdle: the financial burden. All in all, an outpatient program is the right choice for many individuals battling substance use disorder.

If you or someone close to you is struggling with addiction, a drug rehab program like the one at Ashwood Recovery might be right for you. To learn more about how we can help, reach out to our team at 208.274.8609 today.

What Is Intensive Outpatient Addiction Treatment?

Intensive outpatient alcohol/drug treatment combines other treatment models in one flexible-yet-intense program. Although an IOP may be less immersive than a residential program, it can be tailored to the individual to be of longer duration – it is not unheard of for a top outpatient addiction rehab in Idaho to last six months or longer. The best IOPs in Idaho will include virtually everything that is found in residential rehab offerings:

  • Alcohol/drug detoxification (although some facilities will require prior detox)
  • Education
  • Medication assistance
  • Individual therapy sessions
  • Treatment for co-occurring disorders
  • Peer group counseling
  • Couples & Family therapy
  • 12-Step fellowship
  • Random drug panels
  • Coping strategies
  • Stress reduction
  • Trauma counseling
  • Trigger recognition
  • Relapse prevention
  • Vocational assistance
  • Aftercare
  • Court requirements

Industry standards mandate that clients have regular access to licensed/certified addiction specialists, mental health professionals, and medical doctors.

What Kind of Time Commitment Is Necessary for an IOP?

Typically, an IOP will meet a minimum of nine hours per week, but individual treatment strategies may require up to 15 hours per week. A person can attend based on their schedule since both day and evening sessions are offered. The top IOPs in Idaho require services for a minimum of 90 days. One advantage of outpatient treatment is the fact that there is no “set” length – a person can receive treatment for as long as they need. An IOP is attractive to many individuals battling substance use disorder because of its inherent flexibility. But it is the comprehensive level of services that makes it so beneficial to those same patients.

What Type of People Benefit the Most from Outpatient Rehab Programs?

An IOP can be a godsend for someone unable to be away from their family/job for the length of time needed to attend a residential rehab program.

  • Single parents – There is no need to interfere with the parent-child relationship by requiring a weeks-four-months-long absence. On the more practical side, an IOP reduces the need to make long-term childcare decisions.
  • Any individual with a family – Getting help through an IOP instead of a residential program means that patients will still live at home and enjoy positive family activities –
    • eat dinner with their families every night
    • read bedtime stories
    • tuck their children in
    • attend family events—recitals, practices, sports, etc.

A patient in an IOP also benefits because they can receive daily support from their families, and that support is bolstered when the patient can receive treatment and then go home to their spouses/loved ones and put what they have learned into practice.

  • People with demanding jobs—Many “high-functioning” addicts and alcoholics refuse residential treatment because of career considerations. They think that an extended absence—or even the fact that they are receiving drug or alcohol treatment—could damage their careers. They fear that they may be denied a promotion or even lose their job.

A flexible IOP enables them to go to substance abuse treatment around their regular work schedule.

  • College students – For many students, checking into a residential rehab program can mean dropping out of or postponing college. An IOP allows a student struggling with substance abuse to stay in school.

Learn More About Outpatient Addiction Treatment at Ashwood Recovery

If you or someone close to you is struggling with addiction, it may feel like you have nowhere to turn. Learning more about the outpatient addiction treatment options at an addiction treatment center line Ashwood Recovery is a great place to start. Reach out to our specialists at 208.274.8609 today to learn more.