An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is a method of non-residential treatment for drug and alcohol addiction. The goal of an outpatient program is to help patients develop the ability to live a happy and sober life long-term.
Outpatient programs are designed to teach individuals how to remain sober while going through their daily routine. This includes coping with the stresses life can bring from work, school, family, romantic relationships and friends.
5 Ways an Outpatient Program Can Prepare You for Life
One of the most notable benefits of an outpatient program is that every patient receives a personalized treatment plan; the ways in which the program helps depend upon the patient’s specific goals and reasons for seeking addiction recovery.
Notably, several commonly reported ways outpatient programs prepare people for a happy and sober life are by teaching them that being vulnerable is not only acceptable but important. This allows the patient to meet others in similar situations, showing them how to remain sober while being self-sufficient and teaching the importance of gratitude, while also taking the recovery process one step at a time.
You Learn That Being Vulnerable is Okay
One of the hardest parts of an intensive outpatient program for many patients is learning to open up about their addiction. When patients finally accept that it is okay to be vulnerable and begin to share their experiences with addiction, the results are amazing.
In fact, many patients see their social skills improve significantly through an outpatient program as they become more comfortable with who they are and what they have gone through. In an outpatient program, you learn that you are never alone with what you are going through, and many participants develop relationships that last for a lifetime.
You Meet People From All Walks of Life in a Similar Situation
Drug and alcohol addiction affects people from all walks of life. In an outpatient program, you are likely to meet people in a similar situation as far as recovery, but their experiences may be quite different. From individuals who may feel down on their luck to highly successful doctors and lawyers, addiction affects all demographics.
While it may affect the functional capabilities of some, others may simply be better at hiding their addiction in everyday life. In an outpatient program, you learn that you are not alone with your battle and that many, even those you would least expect, are also enrolled in your program. This benefit allows you to learn from people with different experiences and continue your personal growth.
It Teaches You How to Be Accountable and Self-Sufficient
An outpatient program allows each patient to go through their daily life routine, to include attending school, going to work, taking care of family obligations and more. This level of increased freedom brings an added level of responsibility.
With the assistance of the addiction recovery counselors and support from peers, individuals in an outpatient program learn how to maintain their commitment to sobriety each day. The transition into daily life may often be more challenging for patients that are coming out of inpatient treatment programs.
Being Grateful is Important for Long-Term Sobriety
Many patients have a natural tendency to focus on their flaws rather than show gratitude for where they are and the progress they have made in their recovery. An outpatient program can prepare you for life by teaching the importance of gratitude and how to feel good about the progress you have made as well as to appreciate the people in your life that help you each day.
You Learn How to Take It One Day at a Time and Achieve Mini-Goals
Sobriety is a daily choice and a daily goal. Outpatient programs teach patients how to take life in stride and achieve mini-goals. The program makes “one day at a time” more than a cliché; it teaches individuals how they can build on their progress over time without focusing too far in the future.
Who Should Consider an Outpatient Program?
Outpatient programs may be recommended for those who may not require detoxification or medical monitoring to treat their addiction, and also for the patient who has successfully completed detoxification of the addicting substances, as a form of follow-up care after inpatient treatment. The best way to determine whether inpatient care or an outpatient treatment program is right for you is to discuss your recovery options with an addiction recovery counselor.
Are You or a Loved One Searching for Assistance WIth Addiction Recovery?
If you or a loved one is struggling to break a drug or alcohol addiction, then Aquila Recovery Clinic is here to help. Our dedicated addiction recovery counselors take genuine pride in helping individuals overcome their addiction and achieve their long-term sobriety goals. Give us a call or send us a message today to take the first step in your recovery.