Alcohol addiction, otherwise known as alcoholism or Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), is a medical condition primarily characterized by an uncontrollable urge to drink. Drinking alcohol can have severe consequences, and even the knowledge or direct suffering will not be able to temper a person’s desire to consume alcohol.
This form of substance abuse is treatable, and treatment options can be used to address a person’s drinking habits.
While residential treatment is an option that can help many people with substance use disorders, there are alternative treatment programs that do not require a person to put their life on hold and live in a treatment facility for 28 days or more.
At Luxe Recovery, we have multiple levels of care that are dedicated to helping our patients recover from substance use, behavioral addiction, and co-occurring mental health disorders.
What is an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)?
An Intensive Outpatient Program or IOP is a kind of addiction treatment program wherein a patient does not have to check into a facility to receive mental health or substance abuse treatment. It offers patients a structured yet flexible framework for receiving treatment.
In an IOP, patients typically attend multiple therapy sessions a week, including individual counseling and group therapy sessions.
Outpatient vs. Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient and outpatient treatment differ in several key ways. An inpatient program can be helpful for some people, but it does have drawbacks. Some people may not be able to drop everything and seek treatment, so checking into a residential facility may not be a viable option for them.
Some patients may also chafe at the rigidity of an inpatient facility and be resistant to treatment. While resistance can sometimes taper off, it can slow down the recovery process. An outpatient program is more flexible, and some patients may be more receptive and, thus, less resistant to it.
Benefits of Outpatient Treatment
An outpatient treatment program can offer patients numerous benefits. The benefits of this type of treatment can include:
Flexibility
The chief benefit of outpatient treatment is that it offers flexibility to patients. They schedule their treatment around their responsibilities and integrate their mental health and substance use treatment into their day-to-day lives.
They’ll continue to work, go out, and spend time with their families, all while receiving support for drug and alcohol abuse.
This can be particularly beneficial for those with families they need to care for, especially if they’re primary caregivers.
Cost Efficiency
IOPs can be more cost-effective than residential treatment. Outpatient treatment can often cost less but still offer high care.
This can be more cost-effective for some patients, particularly for those whose addictions or mental health struggles are not so severe that they need residential treatment.
Family Involvement
Addiction can often affect a family in profound ways. IOPs frequently integrate family programs into a patient’s treatment, allowing some of the damage to be repaired and educating family members about a patient’s condition and recovery needs.
Continuity of Care
While outpatient care can sometimes be an alternative to an inpatient program, it can complement it. Some patients who need continued support after a residential treatment program can enroll in an IOP to keep receiving the support they need to maintain their sobriety.
What to Expect in IOPs
In an IOP, a patient can expect comprehensive addiction and mental health services. Some of the modalities that can be used in an outpatient treatment plan include:
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is a dynamic form of therapy that is concerned with the relationship between thoughts and behaviors. Under CBT, a therapist helps a patient identify negative thought patterns or cognitive distortions that can lead to unhealthy behaviors.
By changing these thought patterns, a patient can then change their behavior.
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
MI is a counseling approach focused on helping patients resolve their ambivalence about recovery and discover motivation to change based on their inherent values. This type of therapy is especially effective for those who are resistant to change.
12-Step Facilitation
12-step facilitation is an approach that is designed to help patients engage with the 12-step program. The goal is to support long-term recovery by integrating the social and spiritual aspects of the 12-step program into a person’s everyday life.
Outpatient Detox for Alcohol Use Disorder
There are outpatient services available for AUD. Going to a specialized alcohol addiction treatment center for substance abuse and quitting cold turkey under medical supervision can help a person, an alternative is to detox at home.
Under a home detox, a person tapers off their alcohol consumption slowly until it gets to zero.
This can take weeks, but it may help avert withdrawal symptoms as it gives the mind and body more time to acclimate to the lack of alcohol. Patients who opt to detox in an outpatient setting should regularly check in with a treatment provider to monitor progress and adjust treatment as needed.
However, withdrawal symptoms from alcohol can be hazardous, especially with long-term use. As such, it’s generally recommended to go to a specialized center to detox and have direct medical supervision to mitigate the risk.
Are Co-Occurring Disorders Treated in IOPs?
Like other comprehensive treatment services, an IOP is personalized based on the patient’s needs. This means that if a person has co-occurring disorders, then those will be addressed as well because treatment providers understand that mental health and substance abuse often interact with each other and that addressing both is necessary for achieving desirable treatment outcomes.
Is an Intensive Outpatient Program Right for Me?
Determining whether an IOP is suitable for you or not can be difficult. Those with severe alcohol dependence may not benefit from an IOP, and it may be a stop-gap or half-measure at best.
However, those with mild to moderate disorders may find that an IOP can be enough to address their substance abuse and mental health needs. Ultimately, what treatment a person needs is something that they should discuss with their primary treatment provider, as everyone’s needs will be different.
Our Intensive Outpatient Treatment Center Help
There are a lot of people who need treatment but can’t join a residential treatment program for whatever reason. Maybe they have work they can’t avoid or a family member they must take care of. Some people don’t want to spend 28 days in a treatment facility. And some people don’t need 28 days in a treatment facility to overcome addiction and rebuild their lives after alcoholism.
Because Luxe Recovery recognizes that each person who comes to us for treatment has unique needs, we provide varying levels of care. Our outpatient rehab in Los Angeles can offer patients the needed treatment while allowing them to continue living their lives.
Contact us now to learn more.
