When you first seek treatment for a substance use disorder, you want to know that you’re committing to a program that will help you reach your goals. With that in mind, the thought of treating your addiction from the comfort of your home may seem counterintuitive. However, an intensive outpatient program (IOP) is designed to help you do just that.
Have you considered pursuing an intensive outpatient program for a substance use disorder? You can call 855.579.8599 to speak with a Virtues Behavioral Health representative to learn more about the programs we offer.
What to Expect from Intensive Outpatient Programs
Intensive outpatient programs offer support and counseling much like their inpatient counterparts. When you sign onto an intensive outpatient program in California, you’ll be expected to participate in counseling, group therapies, and other programs at least five days out of the week.
That said, you will not be required to live in a rehab center while seeking out this treatment. Instead, once your session has ended for the day, you’ll have the opportunity to go back home again. This freedom allows you to check on your children, hold your job, and otherwise continue with your day-to-day routine.
How Successful Are Intensive Outpatient Programs?
An intensive outpatient program in Los Angeles is most successful with patients who are working to overcome mild substance use disorders. Patients who thrive in these programs have:
- A significant degree of self-motivation
- Independence
- A local support system
If a patient suffers from a more severe substance use disorder or needs frequent consultations regarding their cravings, outpatient programs may not be for them.
Intensive Outpatient Programs vs. Inpatient Treatment
Intensive outpatient and inpatient treatment programs help you better understand your substance use disorder and eventually overcome it. However, outpatient treatment tends to offer a certain degree of flexibility.
More specifically, outpatient treatments complement your day-to-day schedule. Instead of divorcing yourself from your everyday life, you participate in substance use disorder treatments while returning to the comfort of your home each day. These programs are ideal for individuals suffering from mild substance use disorders or who have responsibilities that they can’t leave behind.
Inpatient treatment, comparatively, sees a patient separate entirely from their day-to-day life. This treatment is helpful for those who need to build a foundation for recovery. The emotional support that comes along with intensive inpatient treatment tends to be more intensive than outpatient treatment, but it requires a lot of sacrifice on the patient’s part.
How Can You Improve Your IOP Experience?
Knowing what to expect from an IOP can make your progress through the said program a little simpler. Because you won’t have the 24/7 support offered by inpatient programs, you’ll need to ensure that you have a support system outside of your group meetings.
With that in mind, it’s in your best interest to discuss what kind of substance use triggers you may have lingering around your home while at an intensive outpatient program in California. Because you’ll be returning home at the end of the day, keeping these triggers in the house may make your path to recovery more complicated.
Naturally, triggers related to a spouse, partner, or friend are more difficult to deal with than physical triggers. If you think that your relationship with another person may be contributing to your substance use disorder, discuss that relationship with a professional to determine your best course of action.
Virtues Behavioral Health’s Outpatient Treatment Programs in California
Intensive outpatient treatment programs help you balance the demands of your life with your recovery. As you pursue treatment, you’ll find that the staff at Virtues Behavioral Health will support you every step of the way.
For more information about our intensive outpatient program in Los Angeles, call Virtues Behavioral Health at 855.579.8599. We can help you better understand your needs and the programs that will suit them best.
