Finding the best treatment for substance abuse or mental health issues is a crucial first step toward recovery. Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) offer a flexible yet structured approach to care, making them a popular choice for many individuals. IOPs are an excellent “middle ground,” providing structured support without the structure of full-time residential care.
Whether you’re considering an IOP as a step down from residential treatment or as your primary form of care, understanding your options and what to expect can help you choose the right treatment program for you.
What is an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)?
An intensive outpatient program or IOP is a form of outpatient treatment offering substance abuse and mental health services. IOP programs are more flexible than residential treatment, but more structured than a traditional outpatient program (IOP). Intensive outpatient treatment programs require fewer and shorter visits than a partial hospitalization program (PHP) but offer many of the same services.
Many people transition to an IOP in Albuquerque after finishing a higher level of care, such as inpatient rehab or PHP. However, IOP is also ideal for people who cannot attend a higher level of care due to work, school, or family-related commitments as well as those with mild substance use disorders who do not require a higher level of care.
Before starting treatment, a counselor can evaluate your needs and help you decide which level of support is best for you.
Goals of IOP
There are many goals an IOP can help you achieve. While goals may vary based on the individual, common IOP goals are:
- Prevent a relapse – One of the primary goals of an IOP is to help individuals identify triggers and develop strategies to prevent relapse. This may involve teaching coping skills, creating a support network, and developing a relapse prevention plan tailored to the individual’s needs.
- Improve daily functioning – Through therapy and life skills workshops, IOPs aim to help individuals improve their overall functioning in various areas of life, including work, relationships, and daily activities. This may involve addressing issues such as employment, housing stability, financial management, and interpersonal skills.
- Learn coping skills – IOPs often focus on equipping participants with the necessary skills to cope with stress, manage emotions, communicate effectively, and make healthier choices. These skills are crucial for maintaining long-term recovery and overall well-being.
- Promote peer support – IOPs in Albuquerque provide a supportive environment where individuals can connect with others who are facing similar challenges as them. Building a strong support network is essential for maintaining recovery and reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness that often occur in recovery.
- Ease the transition – Attending an IOP is one of the most effective ways to transition from higher levels of care. It provides ongoing support as individuals begin navigating daily life in recovery.
At Ascend Recovery Center, our intensive outpatient program in Albuquerque can help clients achieve these goals and more. Our IOP is centered around promoting recovery, stability, and overall well-being for individuals struggling with mental health issues, substance abuse, or behavioral disorders.
What to Expect at an Albuquerque Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Going to rehab can be scary, but knowing what to expect is a great way to ease your fears. Clients typically attend IOP sessions three to four times a week while living at home or in a nearby sober living facility. Treatment sessions last a couple of hours and involve individual and group therapy sessions. A range of evidence-based therapies may be used, including:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
- Motivational interviewing (MI)
- Contingency management (CM)
- Relapse prevention therapy
If you are receiving medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for opioid or alcohol addiction, you will have regular medical check-ins to monitor your medications.
IOPs may also offer holistic and experiential therapies in the program, including art therapy, yoga therapy, life skills training, and brain mapping. These therapies help provide whole-person care, paving the way for long-term sobriety.
The IOP at Ascend Recovery Center also offers career counseling, resume building, job and vocational preparation, and other key life skills that are necessary to succeed in life and recovery.
Learn More About our Intensive Outpatient Program in Albuquerque Today
Ascend Recovery Centers was founded on the premise of providing superior addiction treatment, delivered by a team of expert professionals, in the comfort of a world-class facility local to you – so you can build a foundation for lasting recovery close to home.
Our treatment center offers multiple levels of care, including residential treatment, partial hospitalization, and IOP, to help those struggling with drugs and alcohol obtain support at all stages of their recovery.
As the next level of care after PHP for clients, our IOP combines the benefits of both inpatient and outpatient rehab care. The same group and individual therapies are offered in our inpatient rehab program, only in a less intensive, part-time capacity (from 9 am to 12 pm on weekday mornings at our facility).
To learn more about our IOP or explore our other New Mexico treatment programs, please reach out to us today. An admission counselor is available now to help you get started with a confidential, risk-free assessment.
