Intensive Outpatient Programs in Illinois

While everything may seem fine at the moment, your drug habit will catch up to you sooner or later. An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is one of the best ways to secure your future and regain control over your life. You don’t want to end up in the hospital, behind bars, or in a fatal accident, so you need to keep reading to find out about how an IOP can help you overcome your addiction.

What is an IOP?

Patients in IOPs commute to a treatment center multiple times per week to receive psychotherapy, group therapy, and holistic therapies. Over time, these therapies give patients the skills, contacts, and emotional health necessary to quit drugs and stay sober for life. In contrast to inpatient programs, patients do not spend the night at the treatment facility in an IOP.

Benefits of IOPs

Flexibility

Inpatient programs tend to have very rigid schedules, and that doesn’t work for some patients. Thankfully, patients don’t have to stick to an inflexible schedule in an IOP. Many rehab facilities have morning, afternoon, and evening sessions. This allows patients to schedule treatment sessions at times that work for them. When you enroll in an IOP, you don’t have to worry about missing work, school, or other obligations to get the addiction treatment that you need.

Lower Cost Compared to Inpatient Treatment

Inpatient programs include food, lodging, round-the-clock supervision, and various other services. These services are expensive to provide, so inpatient treatment programs have to increase their prices accordingly. Patients only pay for their therapies in outpatient programs, so an IOP is a great option if you want to save money on high-quality addiction treatment.

Opportunities To Practice Recovery Skills

One of the primary functions of addiction therapy is to provide patients with helpful coping skills to resist cravings, remain calm, and avoid self-destructive behaviors. Patients must practice these skills to deal with difficult situations whenever they arise in everyday life. Individual therapies and group therapies give patients plenty of opportunities to learn about mental health, ask questions, and participate in exercises to develop useful recovery skills.

Structured Support and Accountability

The early stages of recovery can be extremely difficult to endure. Even if you’ve already gone through detox, you will still experience a whirlwind of emotions as your mind adapts to sober life. Patients in IOPs have the opportunity to check in with their therapists and peers several times per week. This consistent support makes recovery much more bearable and prevents relapse.

What To Expect in an IOP

Assessment and Individualized Treatment Planning

Every patient starts their journey with a unique set of circumstances. In your first session, your therapist will talk to you to learn more about your personality, feelings, and experiences with drugs or alcohol. With this knowledge, the addiction professionals in an IOP will help you craft a recovery plan that works with your situation.

Individual Therapy

One-on-one talk therapy is a major component of the addiction treatment process. During talk therapy, you will discuss your drug use, triggers, current challenges, and other pertinent information with your therapist. These conversations will help you and your therapist understand your problems so that you can work together to fix them. Therapists apply a combination of psychotherapeutic techniques based on their professional judgment and the patient’s needs.

Group Therapy

In group therapy, a handful of patients discuss their experiences, practice coping strategies, and attend relevant educational presentations under the guidance of an addiction professional. Every group member gets to speak during group sessions, and the leading therapist will moderate the conversation to maintain a safe and respectful environment. After a few sessions of group therapy, patients typically form close bonds and try to keep each other accountable.

Alternative Therapies and Activities

Your physical, mental, and spiritual health can have a massive impact on your happiness and long-term success. If you don’t have healthy hobbies, then you will be more likely to fall back into bad habits. Illinois Recovery Center offers yoga, meditation, and other holistic treatments to help patients find new coping mechanisms and become healthier than ever before.

What To Consider When Selecting an IOP

Specialized Programs

You will likely spend several weeks or months in an IOP. Thus, it’s important to choose an IOP that has the programs that suit your needs. Common specialized programs include gender-specific programs, family therapy, medication-assisted treatment, long-term sober housing, and treatment for co-occurring disorders.

Cost and Insurance

You don’t want an addiction treatment program to put you in a bad financial situation, so you need to weigh the cost and benefits of any treatment program before spending your hard-earned money. Fortunately, many insurance plans cover a wide range of addiction treatment programs. If you’re not sure about the affordability of a program, then you should speak to a service representative at the treatment facility to determine your eligibility for insurance coverage or financing options.

Professional Recommendations

The wrong addiction treatment program may hinder your success, but picking the right program isn’t always easy. Addiction therapists help patients overcome their drug problems every day, and they have the expertise necessary to help any patient find the right path forward. With that in mind, you should book a session with a reputable addiction therapist if you’re having trouble choosing a treatment program.

Overcoming Common Challenges in an IOP

Managing Cravings and Triggers

As you go through addiction treatment, you may experience intense cravings from time to time. Moreover, you will certainly encounter people, places, and situations that can trigger your urge to use drugs in your day-to-day life. To maximize your odds of success in an IOP, you must make sure that you have gone through detox and live in a safe environment. You should also cease contact with anyone who uses drugs or enables your drug use. If your home environment doesn’t facilitate sobriety, then you may want to enroll in an inpatient treatment program instead.

Addressing Underlying Health Conditions

Many people who struggle with addiction use drugs and alcohol to cope with physical pain or co-occurring mental disorders. Maintaining lifelong sobriety will be very difficult if you fail to address these problems. Therefore, you must be open about any underlying health conditions with your therapist so that they can help you find the right treatments.

Building a Support System for Ongoing Recovery

If you want to stay sober for the rest of your life, then you cannot simply resume your old lifestyle after you complete an IOP. With that in mind, your therapist will coordinate with you to develop a unique continuing care plan. The professionals at Illinois Recovery Center are very familiar with addiction resources across Illinois, so they can connect you to support groups, sober living accommodations, government programs, and other resources in your area.

The Next Steps After Completing an IOP

Your next steps will depend heavily on your progress and circumstances. Many patients enroll in standard outpatient treatment programs to continue their therapy as they get back into the flow of everyday life. By the time you make it through an IOP, your therapist will know you very well, and they will recommend the best course of action for your unique situation.

An IOP Can Change Your Life Forever

A bad dose or one extra drink can ruin your life. It is impossible to enjoy a safe and happy life if you’re constantly under the influence of drugs and alcohol. While trying to quit drugs on your own is admirable, you will have a difficult time staying sober in the long run without the right coping mechanisms. An IOP at a reputable addiction treatment center is your best shot at kicking your drug habit for good. Your life is too valuable to devote to drugs and alcohol, so if you want a brighter future, then you need to contact Illinois Recovery Center right away to find out more about effective IOPs in your area.