Intensive Outpatient Treatment for Addiction

We understand that it can be overwhelming when you are faced with so many different options for addiction treatment.

However, understanding the various forms of rehab and treatment programmes can help you to make the best decision for your physical and mental health.

Intensive outpatient treatment for addiction can be extremely effective, particularly if you are looking to integrate back into daily life after completing a rehab programme.

Continue reading to learn more about this treatment option and see if it’s right for you.

Understanding the role that intensive outpatient treatment plays in treating addiction

It’s possible to live with an addiction and not be aware of it, despite negative consequences directly related to your substance use.

Many people are in denial about their relationship with drugs or alcohol and may ignore the warning signs.

Others are simply unaware, particularly if they grew up in an environment where substance use was normalised or spent time with other people who also have an unhealthy relationship with drugs or alcohol.

Over time, however, it becomes impossible to hide the signs of addiction from your friends, family and even yourself.

Your substance use disorder will eventually take over your life with severe and potentially deadly side effects.

Signs and symptoms of an alcohol or drug addiction include:

• Becoming defensive and angry when confronted about your substance use
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop using substances
• Needing to use larger amounts more frequently to get the same effect
• Obsessive over substance use, spending large amounts of time obtaining and using them
• Being unable to control your substance use even if you want to stop
• Experiencing physical or mental health issues due to your substance use
• Using substances at inappropriate times, such as drinking at work or using drugs before performing daily tasks
• Withdrawing from friends and family
• Poor performance at school or work
• Spending time with a new group of people who use substances

Knowing what to look for can help you to spot the signs of addiction early and allow you to seek professional help quickly.

Here at Rehab 4 Alcoholism, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard can be to change your relationship with addiction.

Simply reach out to our 24/7, confidential hotline on 0800 111 4108.

Can addiction be treated?

The good news is that addiction can be treated in various ways depending on your circumstances.

You do not need to live with addiction for the rest of your life, nor do you need to suffer alone.

Intensive outpatient treatment for addiction is just one of many ways that addiction can be treated.

Some people may require additional support, while others may benefit from a less intensive form of treatment.

No matter which type of addiction treatment you choose, committing to your recovery and prioritising your sobriety above all else will be the main factor in your long-term recovery.

Some of the ways that addiction can be treated include:

• Residential rehab
• Outpatient rehab
• 12-Step programmes
• Local support and self-help groups
• Private or NHS counselling
• Home detox
• Sober living houses
• SMART Recovery programme
• Faith-based recovery groups

Many of the above addiction treatments may be covered under the NHS if you live in the UK, so we recommend speaking to your doctor about your options.

Don’t put off getting help during to shame or embarrassment – start your recovery journey today. Your future self will thank you.

What is intensive outpatient treatment for addiction?

Intensive outpatient treatment for addiction (IOP) is a form of addiction treatment that can treat alcohol, drug and behavioural addictions as well as co-occurring mental health disorders. [1]

It involves attending therapy sessions and other activities for a minimum of 10 hours per week while continuing to live at home.

It is known as ‘intensive’ due to the large time commitment that is involved in attending these sessions.

You can still work or attend school while attending intensive outpatient treatment, although it is recommended that you prioritise your sobriety.

An IOP is an effective way to learn life skills and follow a structured routine without being confined to a rehab clinic full-time.

You will receive individual and group therapy, participate in support groups and develop life skills in a highly organised and effective way.

You may also wish to take a course during the programme to learn more about addiction and how to stay sober.

These may include relapse prevention, how to regulate your emotions and the importance of community and connection.

Some people begin intensive outpatient treatment for addiction after they complete residential treatment, and this can be an effective way to bridge the gap between rehab and daily life.

Here at Rehab 4 Alcoholism, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard can be to change your relationship with addiction.

Simply reach out to our 24/7, confidential hotline on 0800 111 4108.

What are the differences between inpatient treatment and intensive outpatient treatment for addiction?

You may have also heard of another form of addiction treatment, commonly known as inpatient or residential rehab.

While both options focus on recovery and have many similarities, they also differ from each other in several ways.

If you are in an outpatient programme, you will return to your home each day after treatment while inpatients will live at the rehab clinic until their treatment programme ends.

This means that you will not be required to live, sleep, eat and interact with other patients throughout the course of your treatment – instead, you will only meet other patients during the day.

Outpatient treatment is often cheaper than inpatient rehab, as you will not need to rent a room at the clinic.

Most intensive outpatient treatments do not involve detox and may be more suitable for people who have already completed an inpatient treatment programme.

You will also receive 24/7 medical care and supervision as an inpatient, while outpatients will live their regular lives outside of treatment.

This includes going to work and taking care of children, something that inpatients are unable to do until they complete their treatment programme.

Why should I choose intensive outpatient treatment for addiction over residential treatment?

There are many reasons to choose intensive outpatient treatment for addiction over residential treatment, but it’s important to ensure that you make the right choice for yourself.

If you need to continue working, looking after your family or have other additional responsibilities outside of addiction treatment, intensive outpatient treatment may be more practical for you as it allows you to attend rehab on a part-time basis. [2]

Your budget may also be another reason to choose intensive outpatient treatment over residential treatment, as this type of rehab is often much more affordable.

Family support is also important, and intensive outpatient treatment allows you to remain in contact with your friends and family while you recover.

This can improve your chances of staying sober in the long term.

You should also take the severity of your addiction into account when choosing between the two.

If you are dependent on a particularly addictive or dangerous substance, intensive outpatient treatment may not be for you.

You will likely need constant medical supervision, particularly during the detox process, and may be more susceptible to relapse and overdose.

In these cases, outpatient treatment for addiction is not recommended and you should instead look into residential rehab.

Here at Rehab 4 Alcoholism, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard can be to change your relationship with addiction.

Simply reach out to our 24/7, confidential hotline on 0800 111 4108.

How long does intensive outpatient treatment for addiction last?

Although intensive outpatient treatment for addiction is less of a time commitment than inpatient treatment, you will still be required to spend a lot of time on your recovery.

This may be during regular sessions, or with homework outside of sessions.

In most cases, intensive outpatient treatment lasts for 8 to 12 weeks in total. This is similar to the length of a residential treatment programme.

You will typically attend sessions three or five days a week, each lasting for roughly 2-5 hours per day.

If you have already completed an inpatient treatment programme and are now beginning intensive outpatient treatment, this may feel like a lot of time spent at rehab.

However, it’s important to remember that recovering from an addiction is not instant.

You should expect to remain in treatment for a significant amount of time and then continue to work on your recovery even after you leave rehab.

How much does intensive outpatient treatment for addiction cost?

Knowing how much you can expect to pay for addiction treatment can go a long way in helping you to decide which option to choose.

If you’re interested in private intensive outpatient treatment for addiction, the cost can be between £3,000 and £10,000.

Some clinics will charge more, others less. As many rehab clinics across the UK offer this treatment, it can be useful to compare several facilities to see which one appeals to you most.

Although this may seem like a large amount of money, you can actually save a lot when comparing it to the cost of inpatient treatment.

Attending rehab as an inpatient can cost upwards of £15,000 for a 30-day programme, and these increased costs reflect the fact that you will live at the clinic full-time.

As a result, intensive outpatient treatment for addiction is often a much cheaper option.

Additionally, you will be able to work while receiving treatment which allows you to continue earning money.

The cost of intensive outpatient treatment involves therapy sessions, staff wages, insurance, medication and other fees which all add up quickly.

It may be possible for you to access this form of treatment for free through the NHS – speak to your doctor to see if you meet the criteria and request a referral.

Can my co-occurring disorder be treated in intensive outpatient treatment for addiction?

If you have a co-occurring mental health disorder, it’s possible to treat this through an intensive outpatient programme alongside treating your addiction.

Having a co-occurring mental health disorder, also known as a dual diagnosis, means that you are living with both an addiction and a mental health disorder at the same time,

This can make it more difficult to recover, as both conditions can interact with each other and cause frequent relapses.

They must both be treated at the same time for a successful recovery.

Many people do not even realise that they have a co-occurring mental health disorder until they receive a diagnosis when they enter rehab.

This is why it is important to be completely honest about your symptoms during the admissions process.

Co-occurring mental health disorders that can be treated in intensive outpatient treatment for addiction include:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
• Bipolar disorder (BD)
• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) [3]

This is achieved through various forms of therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT).

You can also learn valuable skills such as emotional regulation as well as practical skills including how to get a job and form connections with other people, all of which can be more challenging if you have a co-occurring mental health disorder.

What are the benefits of intensive outpatient treatment for addiction?

Attending intensive outpatient treatment can benefit you in many ways, primarily helping you to recover from your addiction.

However, there are many more benefits to this form of treatment that may not be obvious at first glance.

Some of the benefits of intensive outpatient treatment for addiction are listed below:

• Outpatient programmes are usually cheaper than inpatient programmes, allowing people with smaller budgets to access addiction treatment
• You will have more freedom with an intensive outpatient programme, as you will be able to come and go instead of being restricted to the clinic
• You can continue to work and earn money while attending treatment
• Outpatient programmes are more flexible than inpatient programmes, allowing patients to continue taking care of their families and seeing their friends
• You may have more family and friend support during outpatient treatment, as they will be able to be more directly involved in your recovery
• An intensive outpatient programme for addiction is often more private than inpatient, as you can attend treatment with little disruption to your daily life and therefore less need to inform people
• Any co-occurring mental health disorders can be treated alongside your addiction during intensive outpatient treatment
• You will have more opportunities to practice the techniques and skills you have learned in real-life scenarios

If you have a smaller budget, a busy lifestyle and/or have already completed an inpatient treatment programme, this form of treatment may be right for you.

Here at Rehab 4 Alcoholism, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard can be to change your relationship with addiction.

Simply reach out to our 24/7, confidential hotline on 0800 111 4108.

What are the drawbacks of intensive outpatient treatment for addiction?

Although intensive outpatient treatment for addiction comes with many benefits, it’s important to address the drawbacks of this type of treatment.

If your addiction is particularly severe, you may benefit more from an inpatient programme as this will allow you to be closely monitored at all times so keep this in mind when reviewing your treatment options.

Some of the drawbacks of intensive outpatient treatment for addiction are listed below:

• An intensive outpatient programme for addiction does not usually provide a detox as they do not have the medical capacity [4]
• There is a higher chance of relapse with this form of treatment, as patients may be exposed to substances when at home which can trigger a relapse
• Although you have more freedom than inpatients, you must still adhere to a strict schedule and routine
• You will not benefit from 24/7 medical supervision
• Intensive outpatient treatment is most effective when you have a healthy and stable living environment and strong family bonds
• You may not make the same strong connections with other patients as you would if you lived alongside them during treatment

For most people, these potential drawbacks will not take away from the benefits experienced through this form of treatment.

However, it’s important to be aware of them to ensure you do not risk a relapse or potential overdose.

What happens if I relapse during intensive outpatient treatment?

There is no shame in relapsing during intensive outpatient treatment for addiction.

It may be more common than you think, with 40% to 60% of people thought to relapse at some point during or after addiction treatment.

In fact, some sources put this figure even higher, at 90%.

It’s important to be honest with your counsellor after a relapse. They will be able to help you unpack the event and understand what could have led to it.

This is a good opportunity to re-evaluate your triggers and the techniques you have developed to manage them – could they be improved, or are they missing something?

A relapse could be an indication that you need to focus more on your recovery.

This may include attending more 12-Step programmes, extending your counselling sessions or finding an additional form of support such as a local self-help group.

Relapse is not a failure – it’s simply a reminder that your recovery must continue to be prioritised.

Will I be able to complete a detox during intensive outpatient treatment for addiction?

In most cases, you will not be able to complete a detox during intensive outpatient treatment for addiction.

This form of treatment is best suited to those who have already completed an inpatient treatment programme or who do not require a detox.

If you require a medical detox, we recommend looking into a supervised home detox. This will allow you to detox from home without attending rehab as an inpatient.

It is a cheaper way to flush your body of substances and is safely supervised by a medical professional.

You will begin with a full assessment to ensure that you are healthy enough to complete the detox and that your living environment is stable.

This may be conducted face-to-face, over the phone or via a video call.

You will then be sent any required medications such as Librium to your home before you begin the supervised detox.

During the process, a medical professional will check on you at regular intervals to ensure you are safe and comfortable.

We do not recommend attempting to detox without the support and supervision of a doctor or other medical professional.

Will I receive counselling during intensive outpatient treatment for addiction?

Counselling is a huge part of intensive outpatient treatment for addiction, and you will likely have access to a wide range of different therapy options for treating addiction.

Depending on the therapy treatments you choose, counselling can benefit you in many ways.

You may learn to change your self-destructive behaviours, find healthy ways to deal with stress, silence the negative and critical voice in your head and come to terms with past experiences and trauma.

Some forms of therapy are more holistic in nature, such as mindfulness and meditation.

These work best at treating addiction when they are combined with more traditional therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

Some of the therapy treatments available during intensive outpatient treatment for addiction include:

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT)
• Holistic and alternative therapies
• Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing therapy (EMDR)
• Group therapy
• Individual therapy
• Family therapy
• 12-Step facilitation therapy
• Acceptance and commitment therapy
• Codependency treatment

Before committing to an intensive outpatient programme, make sure they offer any specific therapy treatments that you are interested in accessing.

Is an intensive outpatient programme for addiction right for me?

After reading the above, you may feel interested and excited about the prospect of becoming an outpatient.

But is this form of addiction treatment right for you?

If you have recently completed an inpatient programme and require support with integrating back into daily life and avoiding relapse, an intensive outpatient programme for addiction can be of great help.

However, you don’t need to complete a rehab programme before accessing this form of treatment.

For many people, becoming an outpatient is their first experience with rehab recovery.

Do you need to keep some control over your daily life and freedom, with the flexibility to work and continue with your responsibilities?

If so, an outpatient programme can be extremely helpful.

Although this form of addiction treatment comes with many benefits, this doesn’t mean that it is automatically the best option for you.

We recommend researching various forms of addiction treatments to ensure you receive the right help and support.

These may include:

• Home detox programmes
• SMART Recovery programmes
• Counselling
• Inpatient rehab programmes
• Sober living housing
• 12-Step programmes
• Self-help groups

If you have any questions or need additional support, call the Rehab for Alcoholism team on 0800 111 4108.

We have the experience and connections to ensure that you get the help and support that you need to recover from any type of substance use disorder.

References

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4152944/

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64102/

[3] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20008198.2022.2043639

[4] https://ps.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/ps.49.6.782