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How Do I Choose the Best IOP Care?

Many people struggling with substance abuse need help to get sober, some more than others. An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is for people who require some medical and therapeutic assistance but whose condition is not severe enough to require full-time care. But any kind of rehabilitation process can be intimidating at first. Getting sober isn’t easy, and it can feel overwhelming. An IOP is a good place to start, but how can you know if it’s right for you? What can you expect from this type of outpatient care?

The staff at Enlightened Solutions is here to offer a glimpse into our IOP program to help you answer those questions.

How to Choose the Best IOP Care

One of the great things about Enlightened Solutions is the way we can customize our treatment options to fit the unique needs of each client. By “unique needs,” we are referring to your current physical and mental health status, your history of substance abuse, how far along you are in achieving your sobriety goals, and so on. The staff will want to know whether you are taking any medications for any additional physical and mental health concerns, as this may affect the type of treatment methods used. Your history is kept thoroughly confidential.

If you have successfully finished a medical detoxification process and are physically stable enough not to require full-time care, an IOP may be a good fit for you. The hours per week that you receive care are flexible, depending on your responsibilities in daily life as well as your overall health and progress. Some people require multiple types of therapy, while others may do fine with just one. Others may want to put in a day’s worth of treatment once or twice a week, while others may be able to do an hour or so at a time, a few days a week. No matter which treatments you receive, counseling is always available to you.

Choose the Most Appropriate Support

Community is vital for recovering from addiction. For the times when you are struggling to believe in yourself and keep working toward a sobriety goal, having a support network can keep you from giving up – or even relapsing. The people in your network can help remind you that the outcome you’re working toward is worth the present challenges. Whether it’s group therapy or individual therapy (we recommend both), people who are further along in their sobriety journey can share the wisdom they’ve gleaned, as they’ve been right where you currently are.

Some of the support programs we offer include:

  • Codependency groups
  • Anger management and grief groups
  • Relapse prevention
  • Body image disorder groups
  • Sober living preparation groups

Learning New Coping Strategies

There are all kinds of reasons people turn to substance abuse. It can be a mix of genetic and environmental factors, making certain groups of people more vulnerable than others. However, our experience is that many people turn to substances as a coping mechanism for life’s challenges, be they tragic circumstances or as a means of self-medicating depression or anxiety.

A critical part of recovery is developing the skills needed to cope in healthy ways that don’t involve healthy substances. This doesn’t look exactly the same for everyone. Some people may benefit from breathing exercises or keeping a recovery journal, while others may need a prescription for antidepressants and regular meetings with a therapist or 12-Step group. Whatever coping strategies work best, Enlightened Solutions specializes in a holistic approach to overall wellness. This includes eating a healthy diet (which you can learn to prepare yourself), getting regular exercise and sleep, developing healthy boundaries, learning new life skills for home and the workplace, and more.

These strategies are meant to be taken with you whenever your treatment ends. Treatment never fully ends when the program does; it’s a lifelong practice to help you build a healthier future. These skills can teach you how to avoid triggers or cope with them if they can’t be avoided. They can also teach you how to stay clean during peak moments of difficulty (perhaps around certain holidays or grief anniversaries) or when you’re alone and bored. Figuring out answers to these questions and developing a plan of action can help keep you on the sober path for the rest of your life.

IOP Care at Enlightened Solutions

There’s no doubt about it: Overcoming addiction is hard, and few people achieve it without taking a few backward steps before successfully moving forward. We are all about progress over perfection. An IOP allows you to address problem areas without judgment in order to live free of chemical dependency in a safe, supportive environment.

Our team is here to offer assistance wherever you need it, helping you connect with people in your community or connect you with resources to start building a new one. Treatment plans are flexible, so in the event that you feel you are not thriving in the one you are currently in, we can make necessary changes to ensure you are getting the care you need.

Our goal is to not only treat the substance addiction itself but to uncover the reasons it developed in the first place. Our approach is all about the whole person, not just physical health. We believe proper health includes mental, emotional, and spiritual health as well. The programs at Enlightened Solutions are geared to help you in those areas.

Getting sober is hard work, but it’s a lot easier when you have the right care and emotional support system. Fortunately, Enlightened Solutions offers both. From medical detox, residential, and outpatient care programs, including an IOP, to group and individual therapy, all rooted in a holistic approach to wellness, we have helped many people overcome the effects of addiction. With outpatient care and support, you can achieve sobriety and experience wellness in all aspects of your life. To learn more about our comprehensive, whole-person approach, call us today at (833) 801-LIVE to speak with our staff and learn which treatment program is right for you. Sobriety is well within your reach.

Why Outpatient Treatment Is Vital to Success

When you look into various treatment center options and scroll through their programs, you will almost always see options for outpatient programs. According to the Psychology Services journal, “Substance abuse intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are direct services for people with substance use disorders or co-occurring mental and substance use disorders who do not require medical detoxification or 24-hour supervision.” Outpatient care serves as a middle ground, if you will, between inpatient care and full independence. Typically, outpatient programs incorporate similarly structured meetings, therapies, and groups but allow for “normal life” to resume in between these appointments.

This ability to keep up with everyday life obligations while participating in treatment is possible due to the flexible schedules that outpatient programs offer. Many facilities offer several schedule options to choose from. During the initial assessment, your level of care will be determined, and a treatment plan will be created with hours required per week, frequency of attendance, and so on. Typically, engagement in activities and groups is required at least a few times per week and can be suggested daily for some.

Outpatient care incorporates both group and individual therapy sessions, all with varied topics selected based on your individual needs and situation. Group and therapy topics and treatment offerings can include:

  • Mood, grief/loss, and anger management
  • Body-image disorders
  • Codependency
  • Co-occurring diagnosis and treatment
  • Life skills
  • Healthy boundaries
  • Relapse prevention
  • Sober living preparation
  • Sustainable living practices

Who Are Outpatient Programs For?

Individuals who may be a good fit for outpatient programs could include those who have been through detox and residential programs already and are looking to continue with services. Outpatient care could also benefit those who have been sober for a while and may still need some support or encouragement.

Outpatient programs are often recommended when an individual who has been through detox and residential programs relapses or is battling the idea. If this is the case, outpatient care can be just the thing to keep you on the right track and focused on maintaining your sobriety.

If you are maintaining a job but struggling with substance abuse while in lower-level care, outpatient programs may be just what you need. IOPs will allow you to remain employed while receiving the help and support you need. Many parents are able to fulfill their parental responsibilities while still participating in outpatient programs. With schedules offered in the morning or the evening, childcare can often be arranged around treatment appointments.

It is important to understand that outpatient care is not suitable for everyone. Some may need the higher level of care offered by inpatient or residential programs in order to address their specific needs. Inpatient care may be the best fit for you if you have an advanced substance use disorder, a co-occurring mental health disorder, or have never been through treatment. While some outpatient programs will treat those with co-occurring disorders, these individuals are often best served and supported by residential programs.

Why Are IOPs Important?

Outpatient care is often a natural and obvious next step for many who complete residential programs. Many times, they are transitioning from a very structured, supervised environment and may not be quite ready for life without support and services. This can even feel comforting to some graduating from residential programs, as they felt safe and confident in their ability to stay on track with around-the-clock support and supervision.

Outpatient care can also serve as a line of defense for someone in danger of relapsing. Situational stressors or tough circumstances can lead to temptation. Accountability is established with regular checking to ensure you are participating in your plan for treatment along with random drug testing. Seeking help from an outpatient program is an excellent way to ensure you remain on course.

Creating an environment that will set you up for success outside of treatment is critical to your recovery long term. Outpatient programs offer groups that are designed to help you establish this so you feel confident in your ability to stay on track even outside of groups and treatment. Sober living groups, for example, offer tools and strategies to implement to ensure you feel prepared for life beyond treatment.

Part of creating a safe environment for yourself outside of treatment includes community involvement and integration. Finding people within your community who are like-minded and can offer support and encouragement is critical. Outpatient program staff are there to help you seek and identify these people and groups and can help connect you.

If you fit the criteria mentioned above and are either in recovery in need of some extra support or have an addiction requiring a low level of care, consider outpatient programs. Think of it as an extracurricular, if you will, that still allows you to carry on with everyday life while addressing your needs and helping you manage your addiction.

Outpatient care programs are offered by many treatment facilities and can serve as the next step after residential treatment or primary treatment for those experiencing addiction requiring only low levels of care. Outpatient care is an excellent resource for those in recovery who may still be struggling and need some encouragement. At Enlightened Solutions, we offer an intensive outpatient program that begins with a comprehensive assessment of your individual needs followed by a treatment plan created specifically to address them. If this program is deemed a fit for you, the majority of your time will be spent outside of treatment, allowing you to maintain your employment or fulfill other obligations. Enlightened Solutions prioritizes treating the whole person throughout the entire treatment process. Often, this means offering continued support throughout recovery and the following relapse. If you are struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, call Enlightened Solutions today at (833) 801-LIVE

Alcoholism And The New Year

Sit in any meeting place of twelve step fellowships like Alcoholics Anonymous through the month of January and witness many birthday celebrations. January is a popular time to get sober. May people hit their bottom during the holiday season of December. What brings them to decide to make the decision on recovery is different. Some people have ruined one too many holiday celebrations with their families or missed them entirely. Some found themselves in the hospital or arrested due to drinking. Others realize that yet another year has gone by lost in the bottomless hole of addiction and alcoholism.

If you or a loved one are ready to seek treatment for alcoholism, Enlightened Solutions is available to guide your through the recovery process from detox to after care. Here are the steps to take if you are ready to make the ultimate new year’s resolution to get- and learn how to stay- sober this year.

Medical Detox

Detox is not a requirement for recovery. The need for detox is dependent upon how much one has been drinking. Severe chemical dependency will result in symptoms of withdrawal. Detoxing from alcohol can be dangerous if done alone. In extreme cases, one develops delirium tremens which can result in hallucinations both tactile, auditory and visual. Sweats, seizures, vomiting, and more are common symptoms of detox from alcohol. At this time Enlightened Solutions does not provide detox services. However, we have close working relationships with many detox centers and can refer you while making your arrangements to attend treatment at our facility.

Residential Inpatient Treatment

If, even after detox, you or your loved one are not sure you can continue to live on your own without resuming to drink, you need residential inpatient treatment for alcoholism. Residential inpatient treatment offers a place to live while being securely monitored 24 hours a day by registered nurses and trained clinicians. Inpatient will include one on one therapy, holistic healing, and more. For 30-90 days, inpatient is a place to become stable before returning to independent living.

Ongoing Support

Treatment is multiphasic in order to encourage a step down transition into independent life after alcoholism. Following residential inpatient treatment can be partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, outpatient, and aftercare. Continuing to receive therapeutic and community support for alcoholism recovery is essential for helping create a lifestyle of sobriety.

Enlightened Solutions is ready to help you get sober today, and for a lifetime. For more information on treating alcoholism and why Enlightened Solutions is right for you, call 833-801-5483.

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