If you’ve made the important decision to get help for your addiction, you may be concerned about losing your job or taking time away from your family. Enrolling in an intensive outpatient program that also offers sober housing will allow you to keep your job, stay in school and maintain ties with your loved ones.
When Does an Intensive Outpatient Center Make Sense?
There are many reasons that you might prefer outpatient to inpatient treatment. You might have a job or family that you don’t want to leave. Maybe your insurance doesn’t cover inpatient treatment, but it does cover outpatient therapy. You’ll still get excellent care and top-notch addiction treatment. Staying in a sober house that’s affiliated with the treatment center will support your recovery and help you make the transition to a new life free from drugs or alcohol.
What is an Intensive Outpatient Program?
At an intensive outpatient program (IOP) for addiction, you’ll experience a high level of care. In fact, the amount of time you spend in therapy, classes, and meetings is often equal to the number of hours you would receive at an inpatient rehab center. The difference is that you won’t live at the facility. Instead, you’ll attend sessions at the center on a set schedule. This is usually a schedule that will fit around yours.
Intake and Assessment at an IOP
Your first step is to contact the treatment center. After that, you’ll come in for an evaluation session and a medical exam. Your center will probably start your program with safe, medically-supervised detox to wean you from drugs or alcohol without painful, dangerous side effects. After your detox and your initial assessment, your treatment program will most likely include:
- Individual and group counseling.
- Relapse prevention training.
- Peer support groups.
- Proven, science-based addiction therapies.
- Help with employment, housing, and other social support issues.
- Opportunities for sober social activities.
- Family therapy and support.
What Happens at an IOP With Housing?
An intensive outpatient program provides a high level of therapy and support. In many of these programs, you will spend several hours each week at the treatment center. Most of them have flexible morning or evening hours to make them fit your work or school schedule.
- Typically, you will attend sessions three to five times a week.
- Each session will last from two to four hours.
- When you’re not at the treatment center or at work, you’ll live at the sober home.
- Some programs have weekend schedule.
Can You Still Go to Work if You Enroll in an IOP with Housing?
You can still go to work, attend school and spend time with your loved ones. Staying in sober housing allows you to continue your life in a safe, structured environment.
Many IOPs offer sober housing as part of their treatment. While living at these sober houses, you’ll be able to test out the skills you learn in treatment. You can start learning to live without drugs or alcohol while continuing to go to work or school.
Most sober homes or halfway homes have similar rules. These often include:
- Zero tolerance of drugs or alcohol.
- Curfews and set visiting hours.
- Mandatory attendance at 12-step meetings.
- Chores and cleaning routines.
What Are the Benefits of Sober Housing?
The sober homes connected with IOP homes are designed to make you feel totally supported in your recovery. They are comfortably furnished and decorated, and they’re usually located in serene surroundings that will help you stay relaxed.
- You’ll live with other people who are striving for the same goals of sobriety that you are.
- You’ll have accountability and learn to keep to a schedule.
- Random drug tests will ensure that everyone is safe from drugs and alcohol.
- Studies have found that people who live in halfway homes have lower rates of relapse than people who don’t.
- You’ll start practicing the skills you need to stay sober when your treatment ends.
How to Find an IOP With Housing
An intensive outpatient program with housing gives you the chance to get the help you need without spending your life. You’ll get the best treatment possible while staying in a safe and supportive environment. If you’re interested in finding a program that will help you achieve sobriety, call our counselors at 772-266-5320.
