Intensive Outpatient Treatment for Substance Abuse

PHPs are intensive, structured outpatient programs designed to treat addiction for several hours a day, every day. They allow patients to return home or to a sober living community after daily treatment. A typical day in PHP might include group counseling, therapy sessions, and skill-building lessons. Healthcare professionals will also evaluate you regularly during the course of treatment to check your progress and adjust your program as needed. 

PHP is typically better for those with severe addictions as it includes medical supervision and support for detox. You can also receive medicines for co-occurring mental health conditions like depression or anxiety. Partial hospitalization is a great intermediary between residential and intensive outpatient treatment since it provides stability and support from a clinic while being able to return home. 

Compared to PHP, intensive outpatient programs allow patients to continue their day-to-day obligations while receiving intensive care for addiction. The programs involve attending individual or group therapy and recreational activities throughout the week. IOP provides patients with medical and psychological help while allowing flexible and convenient scheduling options.

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Support groups provide the tools for you to solidify your commitment to sobriety. They equip members with the skills needed for a sober life. Belonging to a support group builds camaraderie with others going through recovery and can help you feel less lonely during the process. Support groups let members meet weekly with a licensed therapist or group leader. Some groups are gender- or age-specific, while others offer help for specific substances. 

Traditional outpatient care involves less frequent treatment. You might meet with a therapist once a week and a psychiatrist monthly for medication management. Traditional outpatient programs are the least restrictive, giving you more freedom during the week than other programs. Traditional outpatient care is better suited if you’ve already completed an inpatient program or IOP. Traditional outpatient programs offer similar benefits to IOPs, like affordability and flexibility.

People attending an IOP often participate in individual therapy and counseling. Sessions include one-on-one time with a licensed mental health professional. These discreet settings can help you determine the underlying causes of addiction, work through difficult emotions in a safe environment, ask questions about the recovery process and celebrate recovery successes. 

Cognitive and dialectical behavioral therapy sessions can help you reflect on thoughts and behaviors that can contribute to substance use. You’ll develop coping strategies with your therapist and work toward overcoming maladaptive thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to beat addiction. 

Motivational interviewing is another therapeutic method that can help you prepare for treatment and a life of sobriety. In these sessions, counselors will outline the benefits of addiction care and encourage you to imagine a healthy life without substances.

In intensive outpatient programs, these therapy sessions are commonly held weekly or bi-weekly and on an as-needed basis.

Group therapy sessions are another vital aspect of IOPs. The number and types of groups that meet will vary depending on the program and the needs of each participant. Some groups are specialized and may focus on sexual orientation or victims of abuse, for instance. Therapists or other experienced leaders will facilitate discussion about specific topics related to those participating in the program.  

In group therapy, you can also learn about addiction while giving and receiving support from peers. These programs can help you feel less alone and more motivated to work on sobriety. Group therapy also fosters an environment of acceptance, comfort, and honest feedback from each participant. You might attend multiple group therapy sessions per week in IOPs.

Depending on the treatment center, some IOPs also include family therapy services. Studies show that incorporating family members into a patient’s treatment process can increase their chances of maintaining lasting sobriety. Family therapy provides a space for family members to educate themselves on addiction and understand what their loved one is going through. Similar to individual therapy, family therapy is often provided on an as-needed basis.

Holistic therapy is often provided in IOPs and can be an effective complementary treatment. Standard holistic therapies include therapeutic art, mindfulness techniques, yoga and adventure, and animal-assisted therapy. These programs are created to help treat the person as a whole, rather than just their behaviors or symptoms. Holistic methods can increase a person’s likelihood of long-term recovery, helping patients feel more productive and at ease during the IOP treatment process.

People in IOPs are encouraged to attend support groups like Narcotics Anonymous (NA) or Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) to help them transition into everyday life. These support groups guide and encourage a lasting recovery beyond IOP treatments.  

Many intensive outpatient programs offer 12-step meetings at the treatment center to make it easy for patients to attend them after counseling sessions. The goal of these groups is to ensure you have ongoing care to maintain recovery success. You can even become a sponsor to encourage others on their journey to sobriety.

Inpatient and outpatient programs deliver different levels of care. Inpatient care is an excellent fit for people with more severe addictions or those who would benefit from getting out of a triggering or stressful living situation that may contribute to substance use. It provides much-needed supervision away from substances and triggers. These programs will also include more frequent, intensive treatment options to overcome addiction. 

Both inpatient and intensive outpatient treatment can be equally effective for treating addiction — the best one depends on your specific needs. Keep in mind that intensive outpatient care generally provides more weekly sessions than traditional outpatient care.

Intensive outpatient programs let people schedule their treatment at times that work best with their schedule. A person’s time at the IOP center per week depends on many factors, such as the substance being misused and the services required. 

Inpatient and outpatient care differ in that inpatient care provides supervision as you live in the center while receiving treatment. Inpatient programs can last 30 to 90 days or more long-term, depending on the level of care a person needs. 

People with multiple relapses could benefit from living in a supervised setting away from substances or alcohol for long periods. Residential treatment is also beneficial for those who live in unstable or triggering home environments or people with underlying mental health conditions that require dual diagnosis treatment. However, many outpatient programs will also include dual diagnosis care and medications.

Outpatient care allows patients to get treated on a part-time basis and return home after each session. These programs are typically well-suited for people with less severe addictions who have a solid foundation of support and minor mental health issues. For people in residential care, the treatment can be challenging since it requires you to stay away from home for extended periods. This is when IOP may be helpful, provided it’s the right level of care for that person.

Most IOP treatment programs offer similar services to inpatient programs, such as detox, therapy, and support groups. The main difference between these two types of care is the amenities. 

While some intensive outpatient programs provide recreation and access to medical care, these services are emphasized in residential treatment centers. Inpatient programs also offer housing and nutritious meals. 

Residential care provides a structured, substance-free environment and distance from triggers, though it requires a time commitment and higher cost than outpatient due to the accommodations and extra services. In outpatient care, you only pay for physician fees and the charges for treatments and tests.

IOPs differ from residential care with their hands-off approach. These programs allow flexibility and help you recover while caring for daily obligations. Most treatment centers also follow a step-down approach, which means programs will decrease in intensity as you progress in recovery. Since addiction can range in severity, they’ll provide different methods to meet your needs when you enter IOP. Many utilize the same approach as residential care, combining evidence-based and holistic therapies.

The recovery process can be unpredictable, though outpatient care can benefit many people. You might do well in intensive outpatient programs if you: 

• Require flexibility: One of the top benefits of IOPs is receiving treatment while living at home. You might have family commitments that you cannot be away from for extended periods. Or perhaps you need to get back to work as quickly as possible. Outpatient care lets you tend to these obligations while still prioritizing your recovery.  
• Have a strong support network: If you are in the early stages of recovery, it helps to already have a solid support network in place before attending IOP. These relationships can make a big difference in your success, helping you attend therapy while receiving encouragement to stay sober from loved ones. 
• Have healthy coping skills in place: IOP care will benefit those who can maintain their sobriety for days at a time. Since outpatient programs don’t include around-the-clock supervision, you’ll want to have healthy hobbies and activities in place to avoid relapse.
• Have undergone previous treatment: Intensive outpatient programs can provide the aftercare and support you need after attending inpatient treatment. They can provide the relapse-prevention tools needed as you transition from 24/7 care to independent living.
• Cannot meet inpatient financial requirements: If you cannot meet the financial requirements of inpatient care but are motivated to succeed in recovery, IOP can be highly beneficial for you. 

While intensive outpatient care can be very effective in treating addiction, it’s best for people who already have a support system at home and don’t require supervision or immediate medical care. IOP is also great for those who can already maintain their sobriety on their own and avoid triggers.

Sometimes, people can transition to an intensive outpatient program after completing their inpatient or residential level of care. That way, you can ease back into your daily routine while still building sobriety skills and receiving treatment. At the same time, some people may move up to a more intensive outpatient program if standard outpatient treatment isn’t helpful for their recovery. For instance, they may increase the number of support groups they attend in their schedules each week.

If you have a busy life and are the sole caretaker for family members, IOP care can be highly beneficial. They provide more flexible treatment schedules so you can maintain responsibilities while in treatment. However, some people require more intensive care and 24/7 supervision. In that case, residential or PHP may be more helpful in treating addiction. 

At Gateway Foundation’s intensive outpatient program in Chicago, individuals undergo a medical assessment to design a treatment plan based on the level of care they need. They can start receiving services like therapy and support groups. 

patients in IOPs typically visit a center for treatment five to seven times a week, with sessions decreasing as they improve. Our programs require fewer hours in treatment than inpatient care and more weekend and evening sessions.

Gateway is proud to offer virtual outpatient services for people who require even more flexibility in scheduling. Our intensive outpatient program provides the same services as in-person treatments using a different medium. That means you can appreciate the same hours, methods, intensity levels, and commitment to personalized treatment.