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Benefits of IOP after Detox

Jul 26, 2022

Going to detox or residential treatment is an essential first step to recovery when suffering from a substance use disorder. This step needs to be followed up with a plan to continue recovery, not simply to stop drinking or using drugs for a short time. One effective next step can come from attending an intensive outpatient program, or IOP. Let’s look at what makes attending IOP after detox beneficial for men and women with substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders.

Finishing a detox program should be seen as merely a first step in a longer process of sustaining recovery. An intensive outpatient program (IOP) can be an effective next step in protecting sobriety through structured sessions. An IOP provides individual and group therapy in a safe, therapeutic environment. It can address both substance use history as well as mental health disorders that may interfere with a person’s ability to stay in recovery. An IOP tailored to women exclusively provides personalized care and sets up women for success through peer-based recovery strategies, guidance and interpersonal connections, and community support.  

Individual Therapy

Individual therapy is a fundamental component of any kind of substance use treatment. Learning to understand what led you to abuse drugs or alcohol is part of the process. Recognizing that you will need specific tools to stay in recovery is a valuable step, too. Meeting with a therapist regularly can help equip you with the tools you need.

The Benefits of Outpatient Treatment 

Outpatient treatment after detox is an option for people who are committed to staying sober and want a program that fits into their lives and schedules. Choosing an outpatient program can be done by looking at what it provides and when so you can continue working, caring for children, or handling other responsibilities while making progress in your recovery efforts.

Outpatient treatment can be a supplemental resource for other care providers. They may be therapists, life coaches, or physicians. An IOP also makes a treatment team available from different disciplines to treat a person holistically.

The Importance of IOP after Detox

Starting an IOP immediately after detox helps increase the chances for staying sober longer than attempting recovery alone at home. While detox allows your body to experience withdrawal safely, it does not address the ongoing need to maintain sobriety. Identifying an IOP before detox can provide a seamless transition from one service to the next, setting in motion a variety of benefits.

Unlike some outpatient treatment programs with a “one size fits all” approach, a sophisticated IOP provides personalized care. It’s designed with a person’s needs in mind, considering their substance of choice, their history, and their personal stressors. A well-run IOP emphasizes the value of being open and honest about addiction and learning how to face life successfully. Clinically robust IOPs also teach a person with addiction specific techniques for overcoming the hurdles to recovery. Learning new ways to replace old self-destructive behaviors is pivotal in staying sober. Some of the work involved addresses learning how to think differently, solve problems without substances, and build healthy relationships.

Being involved in an IOP makes a person accountable to themselves and the people in the program. Having to share regularly and update people on progress and setbacks keeps a person mindful of their behaviors and stressors. Adding a sober living environment to an IOP can allow for additional accountability and support in sustaining sobriety.

Types of IOP Treatments

Comprehensive IOPs leverage of a variety of evidence-based treatments. These innovative approaches help make the program more effective by using different touchpoints to see what works for each patient. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one form of treatment that can reveal how negative thoughts can lead to or exacerbate drug and alcohol use. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) can be used to help a high-risk patient end a pattern of self-harm. Mindfulness teaches a person in treatment to pay attention to their thoughts and feelings in the moment without judging them. Finally, Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing (EMDR) helps a patient lower the intensity associated with a painful or traumatic memory.

Women’s IOP

Women often have similar experiences that shaped their substance use from the time they were young. It could be physical abuse from a family member or intimate partner, verbal abuse, or some other form of trauma. Abandonment or neglect are other factors. An IOP specifically for women can address these shared concerns about how the past has shaped addiction in a safe space.

A women’s IOP goes beyond focusing on substance use alone. Topics in these sessions help women learn how to identify toxic, codependent relationships and build healthy ones. Women in an IOP learn how to manage stress, how to cope with life’s demands, and how to prevent a relapse. Career-building and life management skills are also parts of an IOP for women.

 

Origins Counseling is a program in Dallas, Texas, made available by a well-known care provider offering a range of treatment programs targeting the recovery from substance use, mental health issues, and beyond. Our primary mission is to provide a clear path to a life of healing and restoration. We provide a comprehensive diagnostic assessment and evaluation, as well as renowned clinical care for addiction. We have the compassion and professional expertise needed to guide you toward lasting sobriety. For information on our programs, call us today: 844.321.2944.

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