Intensive Outpatient Treatment

An intensive outpatient program, or IOP, is a type of addiction treatment for people struggling with substance use disorder. Our IOP at Elevare Behavioral Health provides therapy and support at our treatment facility while you live at home or in a sober living residence. IOPs are typically shorter than inpatient programs. They focus on re-integrating you into society and building relapse prevention skills. You’ll receive clinical services, therapy, and recovery support while you manage life in the real world without drugs or alcohol.

Is an IOP Right for Me?

If you’re not sure what level of addiction treatment you need, contact our admissions staff at Elevare. Our treatment team will provide mental and physical assessments to determine the level of care that will work best for you.

Our IOP at Elevare offers a level of care between outpatient and inpatient treatment. It can be a good option for people who don’t require 24-hour care but need more structure and support than traditional outpatient treatment.

There are several things to consider when working with your treatment team to decide if an IOP is right for you:

First, consider the severity of your addiction. If you are struggling with a long-term addiction, IOP may not be the best option for you. A residential treatment program will be more appropriate.
Second, think about your lifestyle and how much structure you need. IOPs usually require attendance at least three days a week for a few hours, so if you have an unpredictable schedule, you’ll need to see if you can make it work.

Elevare’s intensive outpatient program provides a high level of care but still offers flexibility to continue living at home. An IOP might be right for you if:

You finished medical detox and are transitioning to a lower level of care based on the recommendation of your treatment team.
You have responsibilities at home or work that you can’t leave behind.
You don’t need 24/7 care. (Note: If you suffer from co-occurring medical or mental health conditions, you may need round-the-clock treatment to get better, especially in early recovery. If that’s the case, an inpatient program may be better for you at this time.)
You can commit to the schedule and recovery work of the program.

The IOP at Elevare Behavioral Health will be tailored to your needs. All aspects of your care work together to get you closer to stability in sobriety.

What Happens in an Intensive Outpatient Program?

Our program at Elevare offers daytime or evening schedules, meeting at our facility 3-5 days per week for 3-4 hours per day. This flexibility accommodates people with strict work or school schedules.

Most of our IOP clients attend the program for three to six months. Length of treatment will depend on your individual needs.

Typical IOP programming consists of several components:

Individual Therapy

Individual therapy offers a safe, supportive environment to explore your thoughts and feelings. Your therapist will help you with the issues that matter most to you and your recovery journey. Those could include:

Trauma support
Family dynamics
Self-esteem

Outpatient therapy provides a supportive space to share your thoughts and emotions. Through therapy, you can navigate challenging emotions, heal from past traumas, strengthen relationships, and build effective strategies to cope with life’s everyday obstacles.

Group Therapy

Group therapy combines education with peer support. You’ll attend groups with patients in similar situations as you. This camaraderie can be invaluable in helping you cope with the early stages of recovery. Group therapy topics include things like:

Psychoeducation
Social skills training
Expressive therapy (art, music, yoga, psychodrama)
Vocational rehabilitation
Experiential activities
Nutritional counseling
Self-esteem and wellness
Relapse prevention

In group therapy, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from others and share your own experiences. This can be a powerful way to gain insight, understanding, and support as you navigate through recovery. Group therapy also provides a safe space to practice new skills and behaviors in a supportive environment.

Family Therapy

Addiction is a family disease. Often, loved ones need their own education and support. Family therapy helps loved ones improve communication and strengthen respect for one another. If you’re in a relationship, your therapist may also recommend couple’s or marital counseling.

Case Management

Case managers help coordinate your care. A case manager will meet with you to review your struggles and needs. They may connect you with various resources, including:

Legal assistance (ex. lawyers and probation officers)
Medical support
Housing
Financial relief

Aftercare

Aftercare is a crucial part of recovery because it keeps you anchored in the support, motivation, and community you built in treatment. Elevare’s aftercare program includes alumni support and ongoing sober fun and recreation.

Benefits of an Intensive Outpatient Program

There are many benefits to participating in Elevare’s IOP. Our clients learn how to:

Choose healthy ways to cope with difficulties
Manage their emotions
Avoid addiction triggers
Relate to their loved ones
Share experiences with and learn from others in the program

Some of the other benefits of participating in an intensive outpatient program include:

Improved mental health
Improved physical health
Reduced stress levels
Increased ability to cope with difficult situations
Improved relationships with loved ones

Does Insurance Cover the Costs of an IOP?

Insurance may cover some or all of your IOP treatment. Insurance plans generally expect an IOP to include:

Peer group meetings or 12-step program attendance
Therapy (family, individual, or group)
Education on the effects of substance or alcohol abuse
Medical care

If you’d like help to verify your insurance with Elevare Behavioral Health, contact us. An admissions counselor can review your insurance policy, deductible, and co-pay. We can also offer payment options if you are not covered by insurance.