If you are looking at different rehab programs, you’ve probably seen acronyms like “IOP” or “PHP.” But what does IOP stand for in rehab?
How does it compare to other levels of care or other programs? Which one is best for you?
There are five main levels of care when seeking treatment for addiction or co-occurring mental health disorders:
- Detox
- Residential
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
- Outpatient
These are referred to as the five levels of care, and most people are encouraged to participate in these levels of care in a step-down approach, starting with the most intense level they need and stepping down as they make progress. Starting with a PHP, the key difference is that you don’t reside at your treatment center, and this is usually people who are able to take care of themselves, have a stable home environment, and are not a harm to themselves or others.
What Does IOP Stand for In Rehab?
IOP stands for intensive outpatient programs.
Intensive outpatient programs are structured addiction or co-occurring disorder treatments that are done on an outpatient basis, which means you don’t reside at the facility, but you come to your facility on a regular basis for your sessions.
These programs are intensive because of the number of hours that are required. In general, there are around 8 or 10 hours of treatment per week for adults, divided across three days each week.
Depending on the program, you can pick time frames that work around other obligations, like a few hours in the morning or a few hours in the afternoon, depending on your schedule.
For example:
Philip is a single father, so he drops his children off in the morning and picks them up in the afternoon. He is able to participate in an intensive outpatient program that meets in the morning for 3 hours per day, 3 days per week, so that he is done by the time his kids get out of school.
Mary works at a store downtown, and she works the morning shift, but she’s done in the early afternoon, so she can participate in an intensive outpatient program that starts as soon as she’s off work and is done a few hours later, 3 or 4 days per week.
Intensive outpatient programs will always include a combination of individual counseling and group therapy and, in some cases, can extend to education about the condition or addiction and how to better manage it, family therapy, medication management, or complementary therapy.
When looking at different facilities, it’s important that you review the treatment modalities and amenities they offer to see what works best for you.
Who Should Consider IOP?
An intensive outpatient program is best for people with minor substance abuse or mental health disorders who need an intensive form of treatment that is akin to a residential program but without the requirement to reside full-time at the treatment center.
This can be best for people who have personal or professional responsibilities that they cannot leave because they can find a few hours each day or a few days each week to participate in programs around those obligations.
IOP is best for:
- People who have already completed another level of care, like residential and detox, and are looking for something more flexible
- People who need to continue with personal or professional obligations during the course of treatment
- People who have a supportive and stable home life
- People who are not a danger to others or themselves
- People who have already undergone detox or don’t need it
It is also better for people who may not be able to afford a residential program but are stable enough in their home environment to get themselves to and from the treatment center on a regular basis.
IOPs at Sequoia Recovery Center
At Sequoia Recovery Center, we offer an intensive outpatient program where clients can reside at home but still get the help they need. Our program serves as an important step toward treating addiction or mental health disorders, rendered as effective as inpatient programs for most situations.
With the right type of intensive outpatient program, you can decrease further deterioration, transition out of another level of care or into a lower level of care, find personal coping strategies, and deal with any personal triggers related to your condition.
Reach out to our staff today to learn more about our facility and what we offer.
