Intensive Outpatient Program

SERVICES | INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM

What is IOP?

Root Center for Advanced Recovery’s Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for substance use disorders taps into our 50+ years of recovery expertise. This evidence-based, clinical treatment program is thoughtfully designed to support adults living with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. IOP provides a comprehensive and enriching therapeutic environment that allows attendees to participate in intensive treatment while residing at home and engaging in their everyday lives. This can be particularly beneficial to individuals who have family and work obligations, and those who are not able to commit to a residential-level program.

SERVICES | INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM

WHAT TO EXPECT

IOP consists of three hours of structured outpatient group therapy daily, with individuals participating 3-5 days a week depending upon clinical acuity. The program typically lasts between eight and 12 weeks, but the amount of time varies depending on individual needs, goals, and progress. Participants will also have access to individual therapy, family therapy, Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) appointments, and medication management sessions as appropriate. Root Center works closely with each individual to assess their needs, explore their goals, and identify a personalized plan of care. Group therapy sessions are facilitated by a team of experienced and caring behavioral health professionals.

SERVICES | INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM

SESSIONS FOCUS ON A RANGE OF

TOPICS INCLUDING:

  • Reoccurrence prevention
  • Building healthy relationships
  • Adaptive communication
  • Thought and emotion management
  • Mindfulness
  • Problem-solving
  • Understanding and coping with trauma
  • Stress management 
  • Life skills and basic needs management 
  • and more!

Groups may also focus on specialized topics including trauma, gender-specific concerns, LGBTQ issues, veteran’s issues, support for survivors of abuse, to name a few. This holistic approach to treatment helps participants heal on a fundamental level, while giving them the tools and support they need to move through adversity and reach their full potential.


IOP is often recommended when an individual completes an inpatient withdrawal management program or starts a MAT regimen, but it can be beneficial at many stages in the recovery process. Therapy sessions are conducted in a small group setting (6–12 participants), and in these groups, participants are able to build supportive peer relationships and process thoughts and feelings in a positive way. IOP has a robust educational component, and participants gain knowledge in a variety of areas related to wellness and recovery. Participants leave IOP with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to succeed in achieving sustained recovery and fostering a healthy, balanced life.

  • HOW IS IOP DIFFERENT FROM AN INPATIENT PROGRAM?

    Inpatient care typically includes a supervised residential stay at a medical facility where the client is offered 24-hour support and supervision. Individuals enrolled in an inpatient program reside at the facility during the treatment period, and they are offered housing, food, and other amenities during their stay. Participants in an inpatient program for substance use and co-occurring disorders typically participate in a structured schedule of care, with group therapy daily, medical assessment, and regular individual therapy and medication management sessions.


    Inpatient programs can be helpful for individuals with complex medical concerns, severe substance use or mental health disorders, those who have triggering living situations, and those who need increased structure at a given phase in their recovery journey. Inpatient care can be critical in removing triggers, providing a safe, drug-free environment, and actively interrupting the substance use cycle by removing triggers. 


    Inpatient has some drawbacks, however. It is generally associated with a higher financial cost, and for some individuals, being away from jobs, pets, loved ones, and other aspects of their lives can be a barrier to getting care. Participants are generally not able to continue individual therapy with the same clinician after discharging from an inpatient program and are transferred to another program and new therapist for ongoing care. This can be difficult for individuals who are connected with their clinician or who are working on processing difficult content.


    IOP differs from inpatient programming in that individuals participating in IOP return home after their program each day. In some cases, IOP can provide a more flexible and cost-effective solution to recovery care. Individuals in IOP are able to continue with many aspects of their daily lives. They are able to stay in their homes, and tend to family and job responsibilities. Participants may opt to enroll in IOP if traditional outpatient programming is not providing enough support for their sustained recovery, and IOP may be used as a step-down after inpatient hospitalization to help ease clients back into a daily routine. 

    IOP provides more structure and support than traditional outpatient programming but is not as structured and controlled as a residential stay. Individuals completing IOP are often able to continue individual psychotherapy and group therapy sessions at the outpatient level-of-care with the same clinician. This can be beneficial for individuals who are working through highly complex or personal issues, such as trauma. 


  • IS ADULT SUBSTANCE USE IOP RIGHT FOR YOU?

    Adult substance use IOP is ideal for individuals who have a system of supportive friends and family, and who have a safe home environment. If an individual is living with other people who use drugs or alcohol, residential treatment is generally recommended to reduce exposure to triggers during the recovery process. Family and friends can play a key role in helping an individual achieve lasting change and should be included in the treatment process when appropriate. IOP is also ideal for individuals who prefer to stay at home during their program and for those who need flexibility in their care regimen.

How is IOP different from an inpatient program?

Inpatient care typically includes a supervised residential stay at a medical facility where the patient is offered 24-hour support and supervision. Individuals enrolled in an inpatient program reside at the facility during the treatment period, and they are offered housing, food, and other amenities during their stay. Participants in an inpatient program for substance use and co-occurring disorders typically participate in a structured schedule of care, with group therapy daily, medical assessment, and regular individual therapy and medication management sessions.


Inpatient programs can be helpful for individuals with complex medical concerns, severe substance use or mental health disorders, those who have triggering living situations, and those who need increased structure at a given phase in their recovery journey. Inpatient care can be critical in removing triggers, providing a safe, drug-free environment, and actively interrupting the substance use cycle by removing triggers. 


Inpatient has some drawbacks, however. It is generally associated with a higher financial cost, and for some individuals, being away from jobs, pets, loved ones, and other aspects of their lives can be a barrier to getting care. Participants are generally not able to continue individual therapy with the same clinician after discharging from an inpatient program and are transferred to another program and new therapist for ongoing care. This can be difficult for individuals who are connected with their clinician or who are working on processing difficult content.


IOP differs from inpatient programming in that individuals participating in IOP return home after their program each day. In some cases, IOP can provide a more flexible and cost-effective solution to recovery care. Individuals in IOP are able to continue with many aspects of their daily lives. They are able to stay in their homes, and tend to family and job responsibilities. Participants may opt to enroll in IOP if traditional outpatient programming is not providing enough support for their sustained recovery, and IOP may be used as a step-down after inpatient hospitalization to help ease patients back into a daily routine. 

IOP provides more structure and support than traditional outpatient programming but is not as structured and controlled as a residential stay. Individuals completing IOP are often able to continue individual psychotherapy and group therapy sessions at the outpatient level-of-care with the same clinician. This can be beneficial for individuals who are working through highly complex or personal issues, such as trauma. 


Is adult substance use IOP right for you?

Adult substance use IOP is ideal for individuals who have a system of supportive friends and family, and who have a safe home environment. If an individual is living with other people who use drugs or alcohol, residential treatment is generally recommended to reduce exposure to triggers during the recovery process. Family and friends can play a key role in helping an individual achieve lasting change and should be included in the treatment process when appropriate. IOP is also ideal for individuals who prefer to stay at home during their program and for those who need flexibility in their care regimen.

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