If you or someone you love is struggling to battle addiction or mental health challenges, you may not know where to begin when seeking help. Rehabilitation programs vary in the services that they offer, how long they take, and how effective they may be for your specific challenges. For many, an intensive outpatient program is the best choice; however, you may worry that this type of rehabilitation will be prohibitively time consuming. In order to determine how long an intensive outpatient program will take, you first need to understand what types of services it offers and how many of them you will need.
What Is An Intensive Outpatient Program?
An intensive outpatient program is a type of addiction and mental health rehabilitation that focuses on equipping individuals with the tools and mindsets that they need in order to conquer recurring habits of use and abuse. An intensive outpatient program differs from both inpatient options and general outpatient programs, both in its structure and its method of conduct.
A general outpatient program provides the option for an individual who is seeking recovery to attend one or two sessions per week with peers or a group of like-minded individuals. It serves as a means of accountability and checking in, and it is best suited to those who are coping well with reentry into society without their addiction. It is less effective for those who still struggle with frequent cravings, relapses, or other behavior that can be harmful to their physical and mental wellbeing.
Intensive outpatient care is also different than inpatient programs. An inpatient rehabilitation program requires that an individual physically move into a medical facility in order to receive treatment for their addiction, and they must remain there 24/7 for consistent supervision by doctors and professionals. This works well for those who are taking the first steps in conquering their addiction or who need medical attention while their body learns to cope and withdraw from the substance. Many who begin with inpatient rehabilitation programs will transition to intensive outpatient programs later.
An intensive outpatient program allows an individual to return to their life and responsibilities while maintaining consistent work on their addiction. It includes frequent group meetings and appointments with therapists and recovery experts; these meetings occur more often than in general outpatient therapy.
How Long Does An Intensive Outpatient Program Last?
An intensive outpatient program does not have a singular, defined time frame. Since each case of addiction is different, so too are intensive outpatient programs. However, the best results are seen in programs that last a minimum of 90 days. Some may attend an intensive outpatient program for a year or more, but it is generally not a lifetime process. Commitment may begin with daily meetings that gradually transition to appointments several days per week that last two to four hours. In order to determine how long an intensive outpatient program may last for you, speak with an experienced addiction recovery professional about the unique features of your situation.
What Will Happen During An Intensive Outpatient Program?
An intensive outpatient program will be crafted to suit the needs of the individual. After you have entered treatment, an expert will assess the specifics of your situation and help you to create a tailored treatment solution that combines visits with therapists and specialists as well as meetings with peers.
During these meetings, you will be able to work through challenges such as relapse prevention, social skills, and how to restructure your thoughts and attitudes to reduce cravings. After completing their series of appointments and meetings, those attending an intensive outpatient program will typically transition to a more general outpatient program that meets less frequently as they begin their transition back into their day-to-day life without addiction.
Work With A Comprehensive Addiction Recovery Center
Whether you are seeking an addiction recovery program for the first time or you are looking for an alternative to another program that is not producing the results you hoped for, be sure to rely on an addiction recovery center with years of experience. The professionals at Insight Treatment Center would be happy to sit down with you and review what has worked and what has not so that you can decide which type of rehabilitation has the best chance of success. Our experts can craft a personalized treatment plan that tackles all of the areas that are most challenging for you. Reach out to schedule an appointment with an addiction recovery expert so that you can begin the path to conquering your substance abuse and experience improved mental health.
