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Intensive Outpatient Program for Healing: What You Should Know

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Entering an intensive outpatient program is one of the first steps you can take to beat substance abuse. This high level of care is one of the most immersive therapies you can get on an outpatient basis. It is also an ideal treatment option after leaving an inpatient program. The following are some things you should know about intensive outpatient programs:

What Is an Intensive Outpatient Program?

An intensive outpatient program is a treatment program for those who suffer from substance abuse. This level of treatment allows you to get the intensive treatment you need while still maintaining your life at home and work. You will go to the treatment center several days a week.

How Does an Intensive Outpatient Program Work?

When you enter an intensive outpatient program, you will go through several types of counseling sessions. You will attend meetings, participate in workshops, go to classes, and other scheduled activities and programs. The goal of these treatments is to help you learn about structure in daily life and how it benefits recovery. Some examples of therapies you will take part in include 12-step programs, group therapy sessions, cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, individual therapy, and EMDR therapy.

Your program will last several hours a week depending on your level of need. Your program can be during the day or at night, based on what works best for you.

Can You Benefit from an Intensive Outpatient Program?

The first step in determining if you can benefit from an intensive outpatient program is going through an assessment with your therapist or counselor. If it is determined that you can benefit from this program, your counselor or therapist will recommend a program.

An intensive outpatient program is also ideal if you have a strong support system at home. You need to have people around you who are willing to support you while you spend a significant amount of time going through your program. You may not have as much free time for a while, so having people around you to help cheer you on and pick up any slack is beneficial.

You also have to be fully committed to leaving the life of drugs and alcohol behind. This takes discipline, dedication, and will to fully get everything out of the program on the road to healing.

In addition, you need to be fully committed to the program. This intensive program is much like an inpatient program, but with the freedom to go home each day.


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