Are you looking for the best intensive outpatient program in NJ? Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) is a treatment option that typically comes after a stay at a medical detox, inpatient rehab, or partial hospitalization program. Depending on individual circumstances, previous levels of care may not be needed.
Many of those seeking treatment go the IOP route for its affordability and flexibility. Others do so because of restrictions from taking work leave, or because they are not insured. But there are more issues to take into consideration when deciding your service setting. Here are several common questions that surface around intensive outpatient programs:
When searching for an IOP Program in NJ, these questions and many more may arise. And it is important to do the proper research before deciding on a program. We will answer that and many other topics you should know about IOP.
An IOP is a form of outpatient rehab treatment. It is considered outpatient because it doesn’t require patients to check-in and stay 24/7 at their treatment center of choice. Patients get to go home every day, keep to their usual routine, and get help to overcome addiction.
Essentially, patients only need to go back to the clinic or center to receive sessions of treatment. The frequency with which they have to do so depends on their needs. On average, patients have to make around 3 visits a week, which lasts about 3 hours or so – about 10-12 a week. While it is intensive, it is not meant to take all of the patient’s free time. IOP was designed to help those who do not need intensive help and do not show severe symptoms or problems.
And that is one of the reasons why pricing, duration, and/or time off needed shouldn’t be the main deciding factors when choosing a center. IOP is meant to help people suffering from mild or moderate addiction. Anyone who needs a higher level of care will not fully recover through an IOP. They are not interchangeable, and while an IOP might help an intense case, the chances of the patient relapsing are too high.
People dealing with more than one disorder, called dual-diagnosis patients, might not be sure about what program to go for. Dual diagnosis is often comprised of two co-occurring disorders, usually a psychiatric one and a substance abuse one.
When it comes to dual diagnosis, treatment is more than possible, but it is different than just treating one. Dual diagnosis treatments require each disease to be addressed separately. They can be treated simultaneously or one after the other. However, the service setting can only be recommended by a licensed professional. But it is possible to treat it through IOP.
One of the main issues for many is the duration of treatment. As mentioned, IOP is meant to be completed through short sessions, which are not as frequent as, say, partial hospitalization programs. While the average weekly time is 10 to 12 hours, most programs require from 9 to 20 hours a week. This will be planned out according to a patient’s needs and time restrictions.
As for the total time of the program, that will depend on multiple factors. First, there is the number of sessions a week. Then, the level of addiction and how long the patient has been dealing with it. Genetics and health issues can affect the effectiveness of the program and the techniques that should be used. Living environment plays a big role in IOP since patients don’t stay in the center through the entire program. To sum it up, while the average time in 90 days, patients might end the program sooner or later than that.
The IOP is comprised of sessions of medical and psychiatric treatment. Patients partake in both individual and group treatment to work on the issues that were brought on by addiction. Each center has its approach and method, but usually, IOPs rely heavily on group activities and meetings as well.
The group activities tackle many different addiction-related effects. The many different types of groups a patient can be a part of include:
Patients discuss and learn about activities and situations that might be triggering. Then, they are taught techniques to avoid relapse and ways to handle these situations. Working on these skills in a group setting can be more effective since it is more similar to real-life situations.
While they might sound similar to relapse groups, they have a different approach. These groups specifically address the issues by saying no and how to say no. They will teach patients how to handle situations when they are directly invited to abuse substances they are addicted to.
These groups are meant to instruct and teach patients about addiction, the results of abuse, and dependence. Unlike support groups, it is more focused on information-sharing and is led by the therapists, not the patients. They also tend to bring together people with similar diagnoses, to make it more effective.
While support group meetings can be attended in many different places, a lot of centers provide space for them, too. Peer support has a strong role in the emotional aspect of addiction recovery. Working on empathy, reaching out, and opening up are some of the important parts of group support.
Not all group activities are restricted to patients. Family therapy or counseling allows family members to be on the same page and helps them help their loved ones. Familial relationships influence recovery and even relapse, depending on how they are. Therapy will work on any family issues and dynamics that might need to be improved.
Aside from group activities, patients will also have to attend individual therapy and counseling sessions. As expected, there are many personal issues patients cannot address in a group setting. Additionally, counseling often involves personal goals and desires for their lives as well. Patients need one-on-one time to have a more in-depth treatment – making sure they deal with as much as possible during the program.
A lot of centers go for a behavioral approach in therapy for addiction. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is the most commonly applied in rehab programs in general. However, many centers use multiple techniques to help patients overcome their addiction issues.
The great news is that rehabilitation services are covered by insurance. Behavioral and mental services are considered essential benefits, so all insurers must offer coverage for it. The amount of cost covered by an insurer will depend on the patient’s plan and center of choice. So you must contact your insurer to learn about plans, policies, and check with the center you’re considering.
Some programs that can help lower the cost of treatment are The Affordable Care Act (ACA)/Obamacare, Medicare, and Medicaid. Each of them has its limitations and requirements, and not everyone is eligible to benefit. Anyone interested must check to make sure they can somehow use it to help pay for rehabilitation.
If you do not have insurance, you can still find ways to make it more affordable. State/federal funded programs, payment plans, rehab grants, loans, and even crowdfunding are just some of the ways to make treatment less expensive.
Unlike previous higher levels of care, IOP treatment is considered a lower-level form of care. This form of treatment is often better for individuals who have already completed detox, inpatient, or partial care and are beginning to assimilate back to a normal functioning daily routine. At this point in care, clients have begun to develop independence and coping mechanisms to deal with cravings and other negative influences. IOP programs help in a variety of ways by offering:
Perhaps you or your loved one are suffering from a less severe substance abuse issue, are using IOP as a continued form of treatment, or can’t commit to higher leveled treatments like inpatient, either way finding the right IOP programs that fit your needs is an essential step in the recovery process. If you would like to simplify the process, speak with an IOP intake coordinator now. All calls to our hotline are 100% free and confidential.
***If you do not have insurance to cover addiction treatment, please contact SAMHSA for governmental assistance.
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