Categories: recovery

How to Maintain Progress After an IOP

Completing an IOP is a great turning point in your recovery journey. Transitioning back to everyday life without the structure of IOP treatment can feel daunting, but with continued effort and commitment, you can maintain that hard-earned progress and work towards long-term recovery.

Let’s explore how IOP can help you stay on track and how to continue making strides toward lasting sobriety after completing an IOP program.

What is an Intensive Outpatient Program?

Intensive Outpatient Program or IOP is designed for those who don’t require inpatient care but need something more intensive than regular outpatient treatment. This treatment option, along with the partial hospitalization program (PHP), falls in the middle of the American Society of Addiction Medicine’s (ASAM) 5 levels of treatment.

IOP is generally considered as a transition phase from inpatient treatment back to regular daily living. In some cases, it is used for patients who are at risk of needing more intensive care– hospitalization, medical detoxification or a more rigid inpatient treatment program. Patients typically undergo three hours of treatment on average for at least three days per week. IOP can last from three weeks to several months.

What to Expect in an IOP?

Every hospital or treatment center may tweak the specifics of their IOP. Still, there are certain aspects to this structured treatment program that each treatment center provides. Here are the main things to expect from an intensive outpatient program:

Personalized Care. Board-certified specialists will conduct an evaluation and assessment to come up with a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

Therapy. You will undergo evidence-based therapies and treatments like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to help you properly acknowledge the issues at hand and navigate your recovery.

Counseling. The program usually includes individual and group counseling or therapy sessions to address all underlying issues.

12-Step Program. Treatment centers introduce patients to the 12 steps of recovery and encourage them to join community-based support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or specialized groups like Caduceus groups (for impaired healthcare professionals).

Medication. The program will include a medication-assisted treatment (MAT) if needed to help with cravings or overall recovery.

Monitoring. There may also be alcohol and drug monitoring or testing depending on the patient’s history or current recovery milestones.
Family Services. The program may involve sessions with family members as part of building a support network for the patient’s recovery.
Wellness Programs. Many facilities incorporate holistic therapies like yoga and meditation. Some even provide vocational or educational services to aid patients in transitioning back to their daily lives.
Flexibility. The best treatment centers usually maintain 24/7 service hours to accommodate every patient’s needs.
Community. Aside from professional care, IOPs connect patients with those in similar situations and help them build a supportive community.

What Happens After an Intensive Outpatient Program

IOPs are highly structured treatment programs making them an effective way to achieve lifelong recovery. This can, however, make it a challenge for individuals to readjust to their daily lives without the structured support afforded by IOPs. Because of this, IOPs incorporate the establishment of a solid aftercare plan to make the transition less overwhelming.

Ways to Maintain Progress After an IOP

Completing an intensive outpatient program is a huge step in an individual’s recovery journey but it is far from the end. Work and commitment is required to ensure that all the progress achieved during treatment won’t be in vain.

Here are some effective ways to maintain progress and stay on track even after finishing an IOP:

Acknowledge Your Recovery Milestones

Every step towards recovery is important and must be acknowledged, even celebrated. The sense of accomplishment can serve as a motivation to keep moving forward in your recovery journey.

You can keep a journal noting the experiences and lessons associated with every milestone. This can help you remain grounded and keep you from being too complacent.

Establish a Relapse Prevention Plan

One of the biggest challenges in any recovery journey is the risk of relapse. Learn to identify your triggers and establish a relapse prevention plan accordingly.

You will most likely be taught different coping strategies during the IOP. Make an effort to continue honing these strategies and developing more. Make it a habit to assess your emotional and mental state regularly. This can help you recognize warning signs of a potential relapse.

Seek Necessary Professional Support

Recovery is an ongoing process and a lifelong commitment. To maintain your progress, you must seek whatever professional support you deem necessary.

You can continue attending therapy sessions and counseling. You can also check if your treatment center has an alumni program you can attend. This can help you stay connected with those navigating life after treatment like you.

Join an Aftercare Program

Like seeking professional help, joining an aftercare program can help you maintain progress after an IOP. These programs help keep you accountable for your recovery while extending support and providing a sense of community.

There are many community-based aftercare programs you can choose from depending on your specific needs. You can join Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) based on the substance misuse you’re recovering from. There are also support groups that cater to specific groups of people, like caduceus groups for impaired healthcare professionals, SMART Recovery and Recovery Dharma.

Establish Healthy Routines

Another way to maintain long-term recovery is establishing healthy routines that promote growth and self-care. Having a consistent routine fosters the structure and stability you’ll need to stay on track in your recovery.

You can incorporate exercise or other physical activities and a nutrient-rich diet into your daily routine. You can also do yoga and other mindfulness activities. Start with small steps and gradually build them into sustainable habits.

Build a Healthy Support Network

While you are ultimately responsible for your recovery, a healthy support system makes it a whole lot easier. Having people who encourage your recovery and keep you from straying can significantly help reduce the risk of relapse after finishing an IOP.

Building a healthy support network also means setting necessary boundaries to protect your mental and emotional well-being. Learn to say no to exposing yourself to situations and people that can be deemed as negative influences. Rather, spend time cultivating healthy relationships that will make up your support network.

FAQ

Are IOPs effective?

Yes, IOPs are effective and a crucial part of the continuum of care for substance use disorders. It’s a great way to help individuals transition from structured treatment back to their daily lives. It must be properly implemented and tailored to the patient’s unique needs.

How long does IOP usually last?

An intensive outpatient program can last several months. It includes several hours of therapy per day three to five times a week. It all depends on the patient’s condition, recovery progress, and treatment needs.

What happens in IOP?

An IOP includes regular therapy sessions and consultations with a team of medical professionals. It can also involve alcohol and drug monitoring, medication-assisted treatment, wellness programs, and other activities that promote recovery. IOPs also encourage engagement in 12-step programs and other community-based support groups.

What is the Difference between IOP and Inpatient Treatment Programs?

An intensive outpatient program allows individuals in recovery to live at home and continue with their daily tasks and responsibilities while undergoing treatment. Inpatient treatment programs, on the other hand, require patients to stay in a substance-free environment where they can receive treatment and be monitored round-the-clock.

IOP for Lifelong Sobriety

Intensive outpatient programs provide access to personalized care and effective treatment strategies. But, lifelong sobriety calls for a strong resolve to stay committed to one’s recovery even after finishing an IOP.

If you are looking for the right IOP to bring you closer to your recovery goals, Positive Sobriety Institute is the perfect partner for your journey. Our intensive outpatient program includes extensive assessment, various treatment strategies, continuing care plans, and more. To learn more about our IOP and other treatment programs, contact us for a FREE consultation or visit our Chicago center today!

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