Seeking treatment for a drug or alcohol addiction is an important first step toward living a healthier life. But with all the different treatment options available, it can be hard to know which is right for you. Not everyone suffers from addiction in the same way, and not every addiction program will help everyone. An intensive outpatient program could help you overcome your addiction while maintaining your regular duties and activities. But it’s not always the right option for each individual.
What Is an Intensive Outpatient Program?
An intensive outpatient program is a type of addiction treatment designed to help working adults overcome their addictions. With a focus on education backed by science, these programs help individuals learn more about their addiction so they can find healthy ways to achieve and maintain sobriety.
In an outpatient program, individuals attend sessions that last three hours and focus on group education and therapy. Individual therapy and counseling may be added as well. Individuals generally attended three to five sessions a week for six to eight weeks. The number of sessions and the length of your program are determined during your initial assessment appointment.
Who Can Be Helped by an Intensive Outpatient Program?
Intensive outpatient programs have proven to be extremely beneficial for many who suffer from addiction. Studies and reports have shown that being allowed to maintain a regular schedule outside of treatment can massively reduce the chances of relapse. If any of the following factors are true for you, an intensive outpatient program may be the right option for addiction treatment.
It’s Your First or Second Time Seeking Treatment
Outpatient programs are a great first step in any addiction treatment path. If this is your first or second time seeking treatment, an intensive outpatient program could help you learn more about your addiction. Outpatient programs focus heavily on education and learning the science behind addiction. The more you know about yourself and your addiction, the better equipped you’ll be to overcome it.
Intensive outpatient programs are not often recommended for individuals who suffer from chronic relapse, however. Instead, specific chronic relapse treatment programs are designed to focus on the specific challenges of staying sober. If you find yourself seeking treatment over and over again, you may want to discuss switching to a chronic relapse program with your treatment center.
You Have Mild Withdrawal Symptoms
Withdrawal can be intense, and it’s often a deterrent to those who want to reach sobriety. Everyone’s body reacts differently to addiction treatment. Some may face few to no withdrawal symptoms, while others could see serious medical problems. If you have mild withdrawal symptoms, an intensive outpatient program can help you find healthy coping mechanisms while you’re at home.
If you have moderate to severe withdrawal symptoms, the time spent in treatment through an outpatient program may not be enough to help. Instead, a partial hospitalization program may be a better option. In a partial hospitalization program, individuals remain at the treatment center for the majority of the day. This allows treatment staff members to better monitor their health and assist them through withdrawal symptoms.
You Have Outside Responsibilities
Addiction treatment can take a long time to become effective. Most addiction treatment programs last six to eight weeks, which isn’t an ideal time to be away from family and work obligations. An intensive outpatient program is designed to fit around a working adult’s schedule. With day and evening classes available, individuals can still attend classes, go to work, and take care of their families while getting treatment. Most intensive outpatient programs also allow flexibility in scheduling. This means you can alternate between day and evening sessions to better fit your responsibilities.
You Want to Stay Connected After Treatment
After treatment is over, it’s easy to feel like you’re alone in your efforts to maintain sobriety. However, most treatment centers offer enrollment in an alumni program once you’ve completed your treatment. These programs help you stay connected with your peers and your treatment team. While not as time-consuming or mandatory as your treatment sessions, attending alumni events and talking with others could help you find an easier time moving forward with your new, healthier life.
Where to Find an Intensive Outpatient Program
Finding the right addiction treatment program is only half of the solution. You also want to make sure you find an addiction treatment center that will support your sobriety goals. When looking for a treatment center, be sure to check for the following factors:
- Compassion and Care: A good treatment center will treat each case with compassion and care, with no judgment at any step along the way.
- Science Based Approach: As with any kind of medical treatment, an addiction center’s program should be grounded in science and understanding of the body, both physical and mental.
- Additional Programs: When someone struggles with addiction, they aren’t always the only ones affected. Friends and family members need education and support as well if they are helping their loved ones. A reliable treatment center will also provide support groups for friends and family.
Addiction Treatment in San Diego
If you are suffering from addiction, you don’t have to go through it alone. At The Bridges of San Diego, we’re here to help support you on your journey to sobriety. With our intensive outpatient programs, you can seek addiction treatment while still maintaining your daily life. Contact us today at 619-639-1458 to learn more about our addiction treatment and financing options.