Addiction is a chronic and progressive disease that affects millions of Americans each year. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 48.7 million people struggled with a substance use disorder in 2022.[1]

Each person who struggles with addiction has a different journey. Because of how personal substance abuse is, there are different levels of care when it comes to addiction treatment. While one person might benefit from inpatient rehab, an outpatient program might be more suited to your needs.

One of the best types of outpatient treatment is intensive outpatient programs (IOPs). They provide many of the same services as residential treatment while allowing you to live at home or in a sober living program. However, it can be difficult to determine which intensive outpatient program in San Antonio is right for you.

When picking an IOP, you should look for qualities like individualized treatment planning, flexible treatment scheduling, evidence-based services, in-depth therapy sessions, relapse prevention planning, accreditation, and more.

What is an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)?

Intensive outpatient programs are one of the highest levels of outpatient care. Considered a step down from partial hospitalization programs, IOP offers intensive addiction treatment while allowing you to live in the comfort of your own home.

Typically, attending an IOP involves 3 to 5 treatment sessions per week depending on your needs. Each day that you are in the facility you will spend a few hours at a time engaging in services like individual therapy, group therapy, skill development groups, and relapse prevention planning.

Because intensive outpatient programs offer flexible scheduling, you will have free time during the recovery process to attend school, work a part-time job, or care for responsibilities at home. That said, this also means you will be exposed to daily triggers that could lead to relapse. Due to this, IOP programs prioritize relapse prevention planning and learning healthy coping mechanisms to keep you on track.

Is IOP Right for You?

If you or a loved one is considering attending an IOP recovery center, you want to make sure it is a good fit. While these programs offer intensive recovery services, they also require a level of commitment to your sobriety that can be difficult to achieve without a support network in place.

An intensive outpatient program might be right for you if:

• You have recently completed medical detox or an inpatient program
• You struggle with a mild to moderate substance use disorder rather than a severe one
• You do not have co-occurring mental health conditions that require ongoing treatment
• You have a safe and supportive place to live during treatment
• You do not have an extensive history of relapse that increases your risk of experiencing one now
• You are responsible for children who need care, have to continue working during treatment, or need to attend school
• Inpatient treatment is too expensive for your family, as IOP centers tend to cost less overall

Intensive outpatient programs are perfect for situations where you need to continue caring for daily responsibilities outside of treatment. They often provide flexible scheduling that works around your job, school, or childcare commitments.

Alamo Behavioral Health accepts many major insurance plans, including:

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How to Pick the Best IOP in San Antonio

If you are looking to achieve long-term recovery from addiction, you are probably looking to pick the best IOP you can find. If you’ve never been to an addiction treatment program before, you might not know what qualities to look for to ensure the program is reputable.

When choosing an IOP in San Antonio, you should look for:

• Individualized treatment planning and in-depth assessments
• Flexibility in scheduling and options to attend treatment during the day or evening
• Accreditation, licensing, and qualified staff members
• Sufficient cleanliness, safety, and privacy protocols
• Evidence-based services and therapies
• Insurance and payment options
• Intensive relapse prevention planning to ensure you remain sober long-term
• Options for the length of the program like 30, 60, or 90-day treatment plans
• Good reviews and testimonials from alumni
• Aftercare services that keep you connected to recovery once your treatment program is over

Intensive outpatient programs are designed to help during your journey to recovery from addiction while allowing you to go about your normal life in your free time. They should include evidence-based treatments like individual counseling, group therapy, and relapse prevention planning. A reputable IOP in San Antonio will be accredited by an organization like the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).

Get Connected to a Top-Rated IOP in San Antonio, Texas

If you or a loved one suffers from alcohol or drug addiction, it’s time to seek professional help. While inpatient rehab is considered the most intensive form of treatment, sometimes people benefit more from being able to live in the comfort of their own home. If this sounds like something that you are interested in, you should consider attending an IOP.

At Alamo Behavioral Health, we can connect you with a highly-rated intensive outpatient program in San Antonio. Contact us today to get started.

References:

1. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): HHS, SAMHSA Release 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health Data