Seeking treatment for drug and alcohol addiction can be scary, but it’s one of the best decisions you can make. With recent advances in how we understand addiction, treatment has come a long way in helping individuals find the healthy, sober future they seek. There are many different types of treatment, each designed to help with the different struggles addiction can create. An intensive outpatient program in San Diego, for example, helps you maintain your regular schedule as you undergo treatment. There are significant benefits to an intensive outpatient program, all of which can help you build the future you deserve.
How an Intensive Outpatient Program in San Diego Works
When you go to your initial assessment appointment at your treatment center, you’ll work with your recovery team to find the program that fits your needs. One of the most popular is an intensive outpatient program. The specifics of the program are as follows:
- Length – five to six weeks
- Number of sessions per week – three to five
- Hours per session – three
- Session times – during the day and the early evening
The exact length of your program and how many sessions you need to attend each week is determined in your initial assessment. Many factors contribute to these decisions, such as your previous treatment record and the strength of your support system at home. The more sessions you attend for a longer period of time, the better your chances are at achieving and maintaining sobriety.
The Benefits of an Intensive Outpatient Program in San Diego
The intensive outpatient program has only recently become the new standard in addiction treatment. In the past, it was believed that staying at a treatment center for the entire duration of your treatment was the best option. And while that can be true for some people, studies and research have shown that treatment is more effective overall when individuals return home in between sessions.
Focused Learning
When you attend treatment for addiction, your focus is on learning how to avoid addiction temptation and maintain your sobriety. But when you’re staying at a treatment center where there is no temptation, that can seem unrealistically easy to accomplish. Going home after your sessions allows you to identify the specific problems you face. You can see where you might falter or even actually falter during treatment. But instead of this being seen as a setback, it’s seen as an opportunity. Because of this, you now know what problems you face outside of treatment and can focus your attention on finding solutions and healthy coping mechanisms.
Maintaining Daily Life
Because treatment programs can last a while, it’s common for many to avoid disrupting their lives for so long. Leaving your family, stopping work, or missing out on classes can be detrimental to your mental health and your future goals. But with an intensive outpatient program, you don’t have to stop living your life. Sessions are offered during the day and in the evening, and you can mix and match your times to fit with your schedule. This way, you can seek treatment and improve your health while still focusing on the other important factors in your life.
Education Backed by Science
Inside each session, you’ll also gain valuable insights into your addiction. Sessions are run as a group educational program, meaning you’ll work with your peers to learn about your addictions and discover ways to avoid them in the future. Because we haven’t always had a good understanding of how the brain works, addiction was treated as a weakness instead of the mental health crisis that it is.
In an intensive outpatient program in San Diego, you’ll learn about all the potential causes of addiction, such as genetic predisposition and co-occurrence. In doing so, you’ll gain deeper knowledge about yourself and the choices you make. And with that knowledge, you can find the solutions you need to help yourself make healthier choices for yourself and your loved ones. The more you understand your addiction, the better equipped you’ll be to fight it.
Alumni Program
Leaving your treatment program can be both empowering and scary. It’s common to have anxiety over dealing with the continuation of your sobriety without the support you’ve grown accustomed to. But most intensive outpatient programs have wonderful alumni support programs that can keep you connected as you continue. By being able to stay in contact with your support group at your treatment center, you can feel more confident in your own ability to maintain your sobriety.
Where to Find an Intensive Outpatient Program in San Diego
Deciding to seek treatment for your drug or alcohol addiction is a big step and one that will open the door to a healthier future. But finding the right treatment option is crucial if you want the highest odds of success. At The Bridges of San Diego, you’ll find an intensive outpatient program in San Diego that’s designed to work for you. By choosing your own schedule and maintaining your daily life, you can seek treatment while still attending classes, going to work, and caring for your loved ones. We’ll work with your insurance and help you apply for treatment scholarships so you can get started as soon as possible. For more information about starting an intensive outpatient program or any of the other treatment options available, give us a call at 619-639-1458. We’re here to help you achieve the healthy and sober future that you deserve.