Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
The perfect balance does exist. For those who require flexibility without compromising their recovery, our Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program at The Freedom Center Outpatient Facility in Gaithersburg, Maryland may be the answer. Whether you or your loved one are looking for a step down from a high level of care or higher levels of care simply aren’t the right fit, IOP is a strong option for many.
Connect with one of our admissions specialists today to discuss if this is the right program and how to get started.
What Is An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)?
An intensive outpatient program is part-time addiction treatment that typically requires between 15 and 20 hours a week. It allows clients to live at home but still provides structure, support, and access to addiction professionals. As the second least intensive level of care, IOP programs allow busy adults to get back to “real life” while still working towards recovery. This level of treatment includes group therapy multiple days a week implemented according to a client-specific treatment plan.
The Freedom Center utilizes traditional evidence-based addiction treatment models combined with more modern approaches to recovery. Programs such as our intensive outpatient treatment are designed to overcome addiction through the development of personal insight and knowledge, changing negative behaviors to positive ones, helping clients develop positive patterns of thought, and developing healthy coping mechanisms.
Take a tour of our intensive outpatient treatment center.
IOP Curriculum
At The Freedom Center, our IOP focuses on behavioral changes. You will learn how to cope with triggers (certain smells, places, feelings, and memories) as they arise, and what to look out for when transitioning from a life of addiction to one of sobriety. This includes things such as symptoms of mental illness/disease or possible post-acute withdrawal syndrome.
You will spend some of your time in education sessions where our staff will teach you about addiction, how it forms in the mind, and what happens within your body when you detox and remain clean. You may opt to follow along with the path of a 12-step program or explore other routes such as spiritually-based programs that rely on holistic therapies like yoga and meditation mindfulness to keep you sober.
The holistic approach to addiction treatment focuses on identifying the physical, emotional, and spiritual healing of the individual seeking recovery. No one specific approach is effective for all but the non-traditional methods of substance abuse treatment can be tremendously helpful in identifying one’s unique path of healing.
Our IOP Therapies Include:
Is Intensive Outpatient Addiction Treatment Right For You?
There are many advantages to intensive outpatient addiction treatment: it’s less expensive and disruptive to your daily life. Unlike a residential program, you can stay at your current place of residence (or choose your own such as a sober living community), go to work, and have free access to the outside world. However, for individuals who are still in the early stages of addiction recovery or who struggle with self-control, having too much freedom too soon can hurt more than it helps. Although the initial perks of outpatient treatment can be tempting, it’s crucial to find the level of care that will promote recovery–not just what’s most convenient.
IOP is Ideal For…
Intensive outpatient treatment is intended as a transition for those who have successfully moved through the full continuum of care and have already completed a residential or partial hospitalization program. It is an important aspect of relapse prevention and signals that a recovering addict is in the maintenance phase. Individuals that start at outpatient typically have less severe addiction that do not require 24/7 medical supervision.
Many clients experience both inpatient and outpatient treatment as part of the full continuum of care. When choosing which treatment program is best, it is important to understand the distinguishing factors between inpatient, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient rehab options, and identify which treatment option best suits your own or your loved one’s recovery needs.
Reasons Why You Might Consider an Intensive Outpatient Program:
- You were specifically recommended for this level of care by a clinician or a medical assessment
- You do not need medically-supervised detoxification or other inpatient treatment
- You have successfully completed higher levels of care including detox and would like to continue addiction treatment on a part-time schedule.
- Family or work obligations prevent you from committing to inpatient treatment
- You live locally to the addiction treatment facility
Why Enroll at The Freedom Center
The Freedom Center team helps clients overcome barriers to recovery and develop strong therapeutic relationships while providing them a safe space to discover their strengths and potential. We are recognized as a licensed substance abuse treatment facility in the state of Maryland, accredited by The Joint Commission. We offer intensive outpatient (IOP) & outpatient (OP) levels of care.
Committing to professional medical treatment will always sound intimidating at first, but drug rehab is a judgment-free place that can offer support and guidance. Once enrolled, you’ll find yourself by caring staff that wants to see you thrive and a welcoming community of those who have lived through what you or your loved one are currently experiencing.
Become one of our many success stories about recovering addicts who have found a new way to live. It starts with realizing recovery is possible and wanting to make a change. Take it from a cast who has been there and begin your path to your new life with The Freedom Center.