An intensive outpatient treatment regimen is recommended to those who struggle with addictions, but don’t require a medical detox. Examples of this could include people who are just starting to struggle with addiction, or a person who is a functioning alcoholic yet not physically dependent on the substance. In these cases, an intensive outpatient treatment can be a great solution.
Intensive outpatient treatment allows addicts to continue their daily lives while receiving therapy on a part-time basis. Usually they will require the recovering addict to devote 10-12 hours a week to therapy.
Intensive outpatient treatment often operates on a group basis, but on a small scale. Most therapy groups are no larger than 10 people, and subjects explored during therapy include the following:
- Understanding what the body is going through. Even though most intensive outpatient treatment patients don’t require detox, understanding cravings and what happens after the withdrawal period will help addicts better manage their bodies and addictions.
- Spirituality. A lot of intensive outpatient treatment programs will involve a spiritual or religious element, so it’s important to do research beforehand to choose one with a belief system congruent to the addict’s. Most intensive outpatient treatments involve the 12-step process, as well.
- Mental support. Recovering from addiction is as much a mental process as it is a physical one, and intensive outpatient treatment centers will involve several therapy sessions to teach recovering addicts healthy coping strategies.
- Family education. It’s been proven that addicts who have loved ones involved in their recovery relapse less. These sessions help bring family into the recovery effort and provide counseling and support for them as well.
Most intensive outpatient treatment programs take a “step down” approach. Right after beginning the program, there will be more frequent meetings and much more pointed therapy, as the period right after quitting an addiction is very rocky. This is especially true for addicts who are managing their day-to-day lives in addition to managing recovery. By the end of the intensive outpatient treatment, patients will have little contact with the treatment center at all.
Intensive outpatient treatment has high rates of recovery for the right kind of patient. Most will offer free clinical assessments to decide whether or not a potential patient will need detox and if intensive outpatient treatment is the right choice.
To get a comprehensive list of intensive outpatient treatment programs in your area, use our search function at Drug Treatment Center Finder.
