Benefits of an Evening Intensive Outpatient Program for substance use disorders
When speaking in terms of addiction treatment programs for substance abuse, there are various levels of care. The levels of care for those individuals struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol can range from a medically supervised inpatient drug and alcohol detox, a residential inpatient treatment program (clinical stabilization service), a partial hospitalization program (PHP Program), an intensive outpatient program (IOP Program), or an outpatient program (OP Program). Higher levels of care provide more care and clinical supervision from physicians due to medical necessity. When people hear these terms, they may wonder what exactly the different terms mean. Each level of care offers different substance abuse treatment aspects depending on where an addicted individual may be in their recovery process. In previous blog posts we discussed how a partial hospitalization program works and how an intensive outpatient program works In this blog post, we will discuss an Evening Intensive Outpatient Program and its benefits.
What is an Intensive Outpatient Program?
An Intensive Outpatient Program (also known as an IOP or an IOP Program) is one of the levels of care for substance use disorder treatment at an outpatient level of care. This means that drug or alcohol addicted individuals receive treatment for substance abuse from their own homes or while they are residing in a Sober Living Community. An IOP Program is traditionally for those who have already gone through a medically supervised inpatient drug and alcohol detox or a residential treatment program (clinical stabilization service or CSS) and then completed a PHP Program. However, some individuals may utilize an IOP Program if they are able to put down drugs or alcohol for a time but struggle in maintaining their sobriety. IOP Programs provide structure and accountability, which is crucial in early recovery to achieve long-term sobriety. A typical IOP Program is held Monday through Friday for 3 hours each week of therapeutic addiction treatment. The therapy in an IOP Program consists of 15 hours each week and includes group therapy sessions as well as one hour of individual therapy for each client. An IOP Program is flexible to the needs of the addicted individual as at this point, they will be in a transitional phase where they are beginning to return to their everyday life. As such, an IOP Program makes accommodations for the obligations of family and work life and can be as little as 9 hours of therapy each week. There are even Intensive Outpatient Programs with special hours, such as an Evening Intensive Outpatient Program.
Evening IOP Programs
An Evening Intensive Outpatient Program is essentially the same in structure as a standard IOP Program for substance use disorders, but caters towards drug or alcohol addicted individuals who have obligations to either family or work during the daytime hours. Typical Evening IOP Programs can range from 3, 4, or 5 days each week of group therapy sessions, along with a weekly individual therapy session between the client and their therapist. An Evening IOP Program is ideal for those who can put down a drink or drug for a time but struggle to maintain their sobriety long-term. It allows a drug or alcohol addicted individual to continue working while receiving treatment for their addiction. Those who have completed a PHP would also benefit from attending an Evening IOP so that they can maintain the structure and support as they return to their careers or families. The Evening IOP Program is a great means of transitioning back to everyday life for those new to recovery from drugs and alcohol.
Where Can I Find an Evening IOP Program in Massachusetts?
Aftermath Addiction Treatment Center is an outpatient drug and alcohol rehab program located in Wakefield, MA. If you or a loved one struggles with drugs or alcohol and have difficulty maintaining sobriety, Aftermath Addiction Treatment Center offers an Evening Intensive Outpatient Program for the treatment of various substance use disorders. The Evening IOP Program at Aftermath Addiction Treatment Center incorporates a compassionate approach to combatting the disease of addiction. The team at Aftermath Addiction Treatment Center pride themselves on a highly ethical and therapeutic approach to treating addiction to drugs or alcohol. Aftermath Addiction Treatment Center also offers a Virtual IOP Program through Telehealth Virtual Services for those who have obligations at home but still look to receive quality addiction treatment for their substance abuse. The Evening IOP Program at Aftermath Addiction Treatment Center is ideal for those transitioning back to their daily routine who need a bit more of a supportive and structured environment in early recovery. Through group therapy and individual therapy, drug or alcohol addicted individuals in the Evening IOP Program at Aftermath Addiction Treatment Center will learn to identify triggers, develop healthy coping skills, and build a relapse prevention plan that will be instrumental in their recovery process.
Individual Therapy in the Evening IOP Program at Aftermath Addiction Treatment Center
Individual Therapy is part of Aftermath Addiction Treatment Center’s Evening IOP Program. The Individual Therapy in Aftermath’s Evening IOP serves to address the underlying causes of the drug or alcohol addicted individual’s addiction. One of the therapists at Aftermath will meet in a one-on-one setting with clients as they go over the individual’s unique issues in a healthy, safe, and supportive setting. The therapist will utilize various therapeutic modalities during the individual therapy session. By incorporating Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Trauma-Informed Therapy in the sessions, the therapist will be best suited to affect a positive outcome in the drug or alcohol addicted individual’s treatment plan.
Group Therapy in the Evening IOP Program at Aftermath Addiction Treatment Center
Group therapy sessions are held between a group facilitator, usually a counselor or therapist, and the clients in the program. During group therapy, a drug or alcohol addicted individual will meet with their peers in a safe and supportive environment as they go over topics that will help the drug or alcohol addicted in their recovery. Group therapy topics can include:
- Psychoeducational Groups – these groups provide education on multiple topics such as: anger management, trauma, conflict resolution, the relapse process, the neurobiology of addiction, nutrition, health and wellness, and family systems.
- Cognitive Behavioral Groups – these groups focus on building new skills, they can help develop effective anger management techniques, tools for relapse prevention, and explore thoughts in early recovery.
- Skills Development Groups – these groups work on developing techniques and applying what is learned in the Cognitive Behavioral Groups as well incorporating life-skills development and meditation techniques.
- Support Groups – by providing a safe space for the participants to discuss various topics and allow for feedback to others. Some Support Groups include: relapse prevention, trauma, and gender-specific topics.
- Interpersonal Process Groups – these groups are like Support Groups. They allow for participants to provide feedback on the topic but also examine the reactions and feelings of their peers who share during the group.
By having drug or alcohol addicted peers together for group therapy during our Evening IOP Program, individuals will realize that they are not alone in their struggles with addiction. Group therapy serves to create a healing environment of recognition as well as teach valuable skills for those that struggle with substance abuse.
What Other Services are Offered in Aftermath Addiction Treatment Center’s Evening IOP Program?
Beyond the therapy sessions offered through Aftermath Addiction Treatment Center’s Evening IOP Program there are also several services that are offered to individuals. These additional services aim to help drug or alcohol addicted individuals during their early recovery and facilitate aftercare planning. Some of the services offered in the Evening IOP Program are: Family Counseling, Medication Management, Medication-Assisted Treatment, and Case Management. By providing services that give the drug or alcohol addicted individual less to worry about, Aftermath’s Evening IOP Program help to lessen stress and anxiety during this crucial period of early recovery.
