One of the most common questions about an intensive outpatient program is, “How long does IOP last?” The duration of addiction treatment can be a barrier for some people and will also affect how much treatment costs so this is an important question!
In this blog, we’ll give you some answers to help you determine whether IOP is a good treatment option for you and how long it may take to complete.
Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOP): An Overview
An intensive outpatient program is similar to residential treatment in that it provides high-quality, recovery-focused addiction treatment. However, clients who are enrolled in IOP do not live at the treatment facility. Instead, IOP clients live at home or in a sober living home while they complete rehab.
IOP is a structured addiction treatment program that gives clients the ability to continue working, getting an education, or tending to other personal responsibilities while still completing rehab. It consists of outpatient group therapy sessions and individual therapy sessions that are individualized to meet each client’s needs. What you’ll talk about in group therapy.
There are many benefits of enrolling in an IOP program, including:
- Having the ability to live at home or in a sober living home while completing rehab
- Having the flexibility to attend work or school while in rehab
- Reducing the risk of relapse with long-term addiction treatment
- Receiving accountability and support from staff and peers
- Learning and implementing life skills that will contribute to lasting sobriety
- Building healthy relationships with other people in recovery
- Improving communication skills
- Supporting other individuals in their recovery journey
IOP isn’t for everyone but if you’ve already completed drug detox and/or residential rehab, it may be a good option for ongoing treatment. A member of the Eudaimonia admissions staff can help you determine if IOP is right for you.
How Long Does IOP Last?
An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) may last several weeks or several months, depending on your needs. Many sober living clients are also enrolled in IOP through Eudaimonia’s sister company, Nova Recovery Center. At Nova, the IOP program typically lasts eight weeks, with three sessions per week or a total of 24 total sessions.
IOP clients meet Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Each IOP session is three hours long and is broken down into two different 90-minute groups: Education Group and Process Group.
IOP sessions are offered during the day and at night so that they are accessible for those in need, despite their current personal obligations, work schedule, or family/childcare situation.
Every person’s addiction treatment needs are unique and IOP can be adjusted to address these needs. IOP clients can also step down into a less intensive program when they are ready to transition.
IOP Treatment Timeline
- Enter treatment – Starting IOP isn’t always as easy as it sounds. There may be barriers that prevent you from beginning your treatment right away if they are not addressed. Other factors may also influence whether or not you follow through with the decision to enroll in treatment as well. During this stage of the treatment process, you will need to complete an initial screening process and coordinate with treatment staff to develop a treatment plan. We can also help you attend to any crises you may be experiencing that inhibit your ability to start treatment.
- Comprehensive assessment – Upon your admission, we will complete a comprehensive assessment and collect some information from you that will allow us to adequately tailor your treatment services to meet your needs. This is a very important part of the treatment process because personalized addiction treatment is key to lasting success in recovery.
- Therapeutic treatment – Your treatment during IOP will consist of group therapy sessions that occur several times a week. You will also attend several individual therapy sessions to work through personal issues that are related to your recovery. IOP sessions address a variety of topics related to addiction and recovery, such as relapse prevention, social skills, family roles, restructuring thoughts, and attitudes, problem-solving and more.
- Family participation – Family participation is also an essential part of the addiction treatment process and greatly influences treatment outcomes. How this occurs may vary greatly depending on your circumstances and many different strategies engage families in the treatment process, including family retreats and programs, family therapy, family education, and community support groups geared toward family members of addicted individuals.
- Evaluation – There is no simple fix or cure for addiction, so regular evaluation of your treatment process is another important key component for success. Once you have successfully completed IOP, your treatment team will evaluate your progress and determine the appropriate next steps.
Intensive Outpatient Programs in Austin and Houston
Eudaimonia Recovery Homes offers IOP in Austin and Houston, with outpatient treatment centers conveniently located near our sober living homes and apartments.
- Austin IOP: Our Austin IOP program is held at our outpatient treatment center in Northeast Austin. Group sessions are facilitated by licensed treatment professionals. Our individualized treatment program includes several different types of treatment methods, including educational lectures, individual and group therapy, relapse prevention, 12-Step work, and specialized therapies like music group and art therapy.
- Houston IOP: Our Houston IOP program is held at our outpatient treatment center in the Greater Heights of Northwest Houston. The program is customized to each client’s treatment needs and includes a variety of evidence-based treatment methods like educational lectures, individual and group therapy, relapse prevention, 12-Step facilitation therapy, and other specialized therapies like music group and art therapy.
Eudaimonia Recovery Homes also offers online IOP. It consists of eight weeks worth of flexible remote treatment sessions that clients can complete from anywhere. With three scheduled group sessions per week (each one facilitated by a trained and licensed professional), our online IOP is ideal for clients who cannot or prefer not to attend in-person but still need the structure, support, and accountability offered by traditional in-person IOP.
Have More Questions About IOP?
If you’re interested in learning more about IOP, a Eudaimonia admissions representative is available to help you. Just call (512) 363-5914 to speak with a member of our staff today.
