Author: Charles Frank
What Is an Intensive Outpatient Program IOP?
Successful outpatient alcohol treatment participation is contingent upon a person’s home environment being alcohol-free and further benefits from the presence of a safe support system. These types of programs are also sometimes utilized after completion of an inpatient program (i.e., step-down treatment after residential rehab) as a way of easing the transition back to an individual’s everyday life. However, this isn’t always the case, as all types of outpatient programs may serve as a person’s initial point of rehabilitation care, when appropriate. For serious alcohol use disorder, you may need a stay at a residential treatment facility.
These organizations provide information about the various levels of care, so you’ll be able to evaluate programs in your area and determine which works best for you. Additionally, some people just aren’t able to step away from their responsibilities and live onsite in a program for 30-days or more. Some patients also find these programs stifling and too structured. However, each of the programs offers a different arrangement to ensure that people with different needs have access to a recovery program that works for them.
- They may be able to help determine your medical needs or refer you to an IOP near you.
- Peer support groups, also known as mutual self-help groups or recovery support groups, are typically run by individuals who’ve experienced alcoholism, rather than an addiction specialist.
- You’re likely to start by seeing your primary health care provider.
- Make sure the treatment program is accredited by the state it’s in.
- Some insurers require referrals or may have additional requirements for certain medical care.
However, this option requires less of a time investment than a PHP. Intensive inpatient services and residential rehab programs involve overnight stays in specialized facilities. They allow you to focus on recovery without having to balance everyday life stressors, such as work or family commitments. No matter how severe your addiction, alcohol rehab can offer a path forward.
IOP for Alcohol
The challenge comes in identifying which level of treatment is best for you. Once you decide on the level of treatment, you’ll then need to find a local rehab center or treatment program that works for you. These are residential programs, which means participants remain at the treatment facility around the clock.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a type of therapy that may help reframe negative thought patterns that can lead to mental health and substance use conditions, is also a type of therapy practiced in IOPs. If you’re ready to take the next step and start treatment, we can help. American Addiction Centers (AAC) is a nationwide provider of addiction treatment facilities.
You might also find programs that offer out-of-network billing options for insurance. An outpatient service could involve meeting one-on-one with an addiction counselor, therapist, or psychologist in a clinic or office. You might be transferred “down” to outpatient service from an intensive inpatient service after showing signs of progress.
Types of Outpatient Alcohol Rehab
Depending on the severity of your addiction, residential treatment may last at least a month and up to several months. In many cases, your doctor will provide you with a referral to an IOP. People with depression, anxiety, PTSD, bipolar disorder, or other mental health problems, with or without co-occurring substance use issues, benefit from IOPs. People who have co-occurring conditions might participate in mental health IOPs and substance use IOPs simultaneously. Mayo Clinic works with hundreds of insurance companies and is an in-network provider for millions of people.
Inpatient treatment means 24/7 treatment in a rehab program, whereas, in outpatient treatment, you go home at night after participating in treatment sessions for several hours each week. There is not set cost for IOPs, just as there is no set cost for inpatient or outpatient alcohol addiction treatment. The cost of programs can vary depending on one’s insurance coverage, where one attends treatment, how intense the treatment is, and how long it lasts. In order to determine cost, one should reach out to their insurance provider and to any prospective rehab centers before committing to treatment to determine their coverage. Partial hospitalization programs (PHP), or “day treatments,” are for people who need increased structure, support, and counseling or therapy to reduce the likelihood of relapse.
Does My Insurance Cover Outpatient Alcohol Rehab?
You can also easily and quickly check if your insurance is in-network by filling out the form below. Take the assessment and get matched with a professional, licensed therapist. Most IOP programs incorporate a psychoeducational group therapy component; however, some also include individual therapy. In a way, PHP programs serve as a bridge between inpatient and outpatient options.
Stress Management
Residential treatment involves living at a treatment or rehab facility while undergoing treatment during the day. These live-in facilities afford you stability and support as you learn relapse prevention strategies and get psychosocial treatments, such as group counseling or one-on-one sessions. Patients with eating disorders benefit from IOPs after completing a residential program or those not in need of medically supervised treatment around the clock. A doctor or therapist from an inpatient program or outpatient setting can refer individuals to an IOP as a step in their care and recovery.
You can also ask your doctor or therapist about programs they recommend. States often have their own listings, toll-free hotlines, and information about accreditation. Whether you’re looking for treatment for yourself or a loved one, this guide can help steer you through the available options and begin the journey of recovery.
Inpatient vs. outpatient alcohol treatment
Millions of readers rely on HelpGuide.org for free, evidence-based resources to understand and navigate mental health challenges. If you have concerns over costs, look into programs that offer sliding scale or reduced payment options. Intensive inpatient care in a hospital setting is often short-term, lasting a few days or weeks. Check to see if the program relies on evidence-based treatments, such as CBT, multidimensional family therapy, or acceptance-commitment therapy (ACT). BetterHelp is an online therapy service that matches you to licensed, accredited therapists who can help with depression, anxiety, relationships, and more. Take the assessment and get matched with a therapist in as little as 48 hours.
However, you won’t have constant access to staff members for support. As effective as inpatient programs are, they make it difficult to transition directly back to regular life once the program is complete. This is why IOPs are so often used as a bridge between inpatient rehab and return to daily life.
In general, an IOP involves visiting a treatment center for a minimum of nine hours each week. Often participants visit three days a week, for three hours of treatment at a time. You’re likely to start by seeing your primary health care provider. If your provider suspects that you have a problem with alcohol, you may be referred to a mental health provider.