How Does Outpatient Treatment Help Addiction Recovery?
Outpatient treatment programs help people struggling with drug and alcohol addiction to receive treatment without leaving their jobs, families, and other responsibilities.
Most patients who participate in an outpatient program have already completed residential substance abuse treatment and require continued high-level care to help them successfully transition to daily life in sobriety.
Outpatient Treatment in the Continuum of Addiction Care
In addiction treatment, the “continuum of care” refers to a treatment system in which patients enter treatment at a level medically and clinically assessed as the most appropriate to their needs and, as needed step up to more intense treatment or down to less intense treatment. The typical patient journey through an addiction continuum of care begins with medical detoxification, followed by residential treatment, intensive outpatient treatment (IOP), and outpatient continuing care.
This continuing care system is built to provide the patient with the most successful addiction treatment plan for long-term recovery. The more time a person struggling drug and alcohol addiction remains in a continuum of care, the greater the odds of sustained sobriety.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, effective treatment is personalized, consistent, and addresses an individual’s multiple needs—especially those not related to drug or alcohol addiction.
In the continuum of addiction care, an outpatient program helps patients avoid relapse by:
- Staying connected to and involved with quality treatment.
- Effectively managing co-occurring conditions.
- Building recovery community, such as attending 12 Step programs.
- Rebuilding relationships with loved ones.
- Developing coping skills that help manage toxic emotions, compulsive behaviors, and potential triggers.
- Transitioning back into life and the community as a sober individual.
The Importance of an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
An intensive outpatient program (IOP) reinforces the progress achieved in residential addiction treatment. IOP treatment is highly recommended as a vital part of a continuum of care for people with substance use disorders. Recovery from drug and alcohol is a journey and IOP is a vital step to strengthening and supporting that journey.
Most IOP patients gather three times a week in the evening for three hours, either in-person or online. Providing care after the average 8-5 workday makes IOP a convenient option for most people. Most private insurance plans cover intensive outpatient treatment programs, making it cost-effective as well.
Exploring Online IOP Options
Virtual IOP or online outpatient treatment programs provide the same evidence-based and customized care components and licensed clinicians as in-person treatment centers, but in a virtual environment.
Online IOP fills a significant gap in treatment services by making drug and alcohol addiction treatment more accessible. Virtual addiction treatment removes barriers for people that do not live close to a treatment center, for people with disabilities, as well as people with challenges ranging from lack of childcare or transportation to those living in remote communities and more. This virtual care solution can be an effective treatment option for anyone requiring an outpatient level of care.
The Role of Continuing Care in Outpatient Addiction Treatment
Th most successful individualized, comprehensive care approach includes a customized aftercare planning and coordination with you and your treatment team to help reduce the risk of relapse. That often includes participating in weekly one-hour Continuing Care small groups that focus on relapse prevention and peer recovery support, as well as guidance on 12 Step involvement and developing strategies for managing a sober life.
Outpatient Services Provided by Valley Hope
Valley Hope provides high quality outpatient services including IOP, online IOP and Continuing Care programs that serve as vital steppingstones during the transition from inpatient treatment to everyday life in recovery. Staying engaged with a full continuum of care, including outpatient programs, help people transition into sober life successfully and minimize the chance of relapse.
With online IOP programs available statewide in Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas, as well as in-person outpatient programs in Denver, Grapevine, Omaha, Oklahoma City, and Boonville, as well as Norton, Overland Park and Wichita, Valley Hope offers extensive, convenient and flexible options for patients needing high quality outpatient addiction treatment.
If you or someone you know may have a problem with drugs and alcohol, the addiction experts at Valley Hope can provide a free level of care screening to determine if you require clinical treatment and if outpatient treatment is the best option to meet your needs.
In addition to outpatient services, Valley Hope provides a full continuum of substance abuse care including online addiction treatment through 14 programs across six states including Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas. Our programs provide compassionate, evidenced-based therapies, medical detox services, residential treatment, outpatient treatment and virtual treatment programs.
For immediate help 24/7, call our Local Admissions Team at (800) 544-5101.