An intensive outpatient program is one option for addressing substance abuse and addiction. Still, many people do not consider this option due to common myths surrounding IOPs.
Misconceptions about IOPs lead people to believe that they are less effective than alternatives or that they do not have patients’ best interests in mind. The good news is that these misconceptions are just that — misunderstandings.
Let’s explore how intensive outpatient programs challenge false assumptions about rehabilitation and what you can achieve when you actively pursue recovery.
Challenging IOP Myths
Believing the myths about the realities of rehabilitation can put a damper on your recovery process. Some of the main myths that influence people’s perceptions of IOPs include:
IOPs don’t work as well as in-patient stays
Because an intensive outpatient program allows participants to come and go, many people wrongly assume that they do not work as well as in-patient stays.
Being able to go anywhere in between sessions does provide opportunities for a patient to fall off course, but in reality, IOPs promote a sense of responsibility and steadfastness that is essential for long-term success.
After an in-patient program, participants will still need to deal with temptation and challenges throughout their daily lives, and IOPs allow them to practice this skill. In fact, studies show they are just as effective as in-patient programs.
IOPs are a cookie-cutter approach
All rehabilitation strategies should be personalized to address individual participants’ unique challenges, habits, and views. Most people assume that IOPs function as basic group therapy, which cannot specifically address an individual’s challenges.
However, IOPs actually provide a great opportunity to customize the experience. From the types of therapy that are most effective for you to education on stressors and triggers unique to your situation, your partner professionals in an IOP will personalize every aspect of treatment to give you the best chance of success.
Studies show that IOPs offer greater variability than other types of treatment.
You can’t have other responsibilities during an IOP
One of the biggest misconceptions about intensive outpatient programs is that they demand all your time. Instead, the scheduling is one of the most convenient elements.
IOPs may require a few hours multiple times per week, but patients are allowed (and encouraged!) to maintain their regular responsibilities, such as work, childcare, and education.
Approaches used in IOPs vary (as they should, given the unique needs of individual patients), meaning they can offer flexibility that is not available in other treatment programs, such as in-patient stays.
Typically, community activities such as group therapy are held at a designated time, while the rest of a person’s treatment plan offers more scheduling options.
This includes choosing a time to meet with a therapist, an IOP with flexible hours for people who work, and the ability to make telehealth appointments.
Your case isn’t severe enough for an IOP
Among the many myths that impact people’s perceptions of intensive outpatient programs, one of the most insidious is the belief that a person’s case must reach an arbitrary level of “severity” for them to benefit from such a program.
In reality, anyone who is struggling with alcohol and substance abuse can benefit from an IOP, and there is no threshold of severity that qualifies you for the program.
Addictive behaviors come in many forms, and the life skills and coping strategies learned in an intensive outpatient program can work well for anyone. You do not need a diagnosis of severe mental health conditions to participate.
Pursue Rehabilitation with an Intensive Outpatient Program
An intensive outpatient program is an accessible method of addressing addictive behaviors and substance abuse challenges.
Unlike in-patient treatment, which requires a full-time commitment that can have significant consequences for your personal life, employment, and other responsibilities, IOPs make it easy to incorporate recovery into your daily life.
However, choosing a good intensive outpatient program is an important decision, and it is essential that you avoid being influenced by the many myths and misconceptions that people believe about IOPs.
Instead, look for programs that fit your schedule and address your needs using personalized treatment strategies. Many options are even covered by insurance!
The experts at Aquila Recovery Clinic in Washington D.C. are always eager to support our patients throughout their recovery, from offering flexible scheduling for IOP therapies to customizing life skill education according to your needs.
Contact Aquila Recovery Clinic to learn more about our intensive outpatient programs and how they can fit seamlessly into your life to get you on the road to a successful, long-term recovery.