Substance abuse is an issue that damages people’s lives, ravages communities, and takes a severe toll on society.
Studies show that 94% of people with substance abuse issues don’t seek treatment. When these issues aren’t resolved, addiction will worsen and create significant damage.
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) provide an excellent way to overcome drug and alcohol addiction.
So, how long is IOP treatment? What should you understand about it? This article can steer you in the right direction when you’d like to
How Long Is IOP Treatment?
IOP treatment is a form of drug and alcohol rehab that involves multiple outpatient treatments per week. This treatment is preferable for many people because they get to do it on their schedule.
You’ll be able to participate in treatment that can help you recover and get your life back in order. Each IOP session typically lasts 2 to 3 hours, and the treatment will generally last for 2 to 3 months.
There are also several variables that will dictate how long this treatment will last.
1. Pros Will Monitor How You Respond
When going through IOP, the main variable at play is how the professionals are monitoring your progress. Substance abuse rehabilitation requires detox, followed by several rounds of therapy and medical care.
The professionals will make sure that you’re correctly responding to treatment and that your health is intact every step of the way. This is particularly important when going through detox because some symptoms include things like:
- Vomiting and nausea
- Drops in blood pressure and elevated heart rate
- Seizures
- Chills and flu symptoms
- Headaches and body pains
They’ll also monitor the way that you’re responding to treatment once the substance has left your body chemistry and you’re working on the other aspects of healing.
The companies that you turn to will have several medical and wellness professionals on staff that can assist you through each step. Research the medical pros that are there to know their credentials.
Make certain that they’re licensed and insured and that you’re choosing pros that you trust to look after your well-being every step of the way.
You can find luxury rehabs that offer IOP treatments that you can take advantage of. These facilities have the highest quality equipment and trained pros that can help you get results.
2. You’ll Take Part in Group Therapy
The timetable will also depend on how you respond to mental health counseling and therapy.
This is a big part of the intensive outpatient process because you need to break the psychological hold in addition to the chemical addiction. This is the case whether you’re addicted to alcohol, drugs, or any other substance or issue.
IOP will consist of several individual and group sessions. In addition to your initial sessions, these professionals will gauge your mental and emotional well-being.
They will make sure that you’re progressing and that it’s safe for you to move forward without further monitoring.
3. Define Your Goals and Motivations
You are also a big factor in how long your IOP lasts. As you are about to take part in an outpatient program, you will need to go in with goals and motivations.
Gauge these motivations and make sure that you understand your reasons for overcoming addiction and getting your life back in order. By considering your goals and using this as your foundation, you’ll be better able to make progress.
Undergoing the process will involve several aspects of healing, which will play out for the next several weeks. When your goals are aligned you’ll be more likely to go through each step soundly and ready to push forward in your life.
4. Undergo Holistic Treatments
When you’re trying to heal and move past substance abuse, holistic treatments need to always be a big part of the process. This will help you heal yourself fully, whether you’re going through drug rehab or alcohol rehab.
Checking yourself into a rehab center will typically give you the chance to participate in a wide variety of holistic treatments. This includes things like:
- Yoga classes and sessions
- Heat rooms, steam rooms, cold rooms, and saunas
- Professional massage therapy
- Access to nature and plenty of outdoor time
- Exercise sessions and fitness
Holistic treatments offer you an excellent opportunity to work through any trauma that you have gone through that might contribute to your addiction issue. Many addicts have pronounced or unresolved trauma that leads them to abuse their substance of choice.
These treatments will often be a major part of your regimen regardless of how you choose to move forward.
5. Progression Through Coursework
Finally, undergoing drug rehab or alcohol rehab treatment will also involve plenty of coursework. Since it takes place over several weeks, you will have time to participate in a variety of curriculums that will help you in your life.
This includes coursework related to your health, the nature of your addiction, and information that can help you gain knowledge and perspective.
If you excel in the coursework, you are more likely to graduate through the IOP process, so that you can work on maintenance and keeping your life in order.
Get to Know IOP Treatment
Taking advantage of IOP treatment can help you overcome substance abuse issues. If you are interested in the highest standard of care possible, make sure that you choose the help of pros that specialize in IOP.
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