Deciding to get help for drinking can feel like the end of a tortuous battle. You’ve faced down the denial, the doubt, and the shame to make a positive decision to transform your life. Yet, that’s where the real work begins — starting with the decision on where to get addiction treatment. When it seems that there are many different options for addiction treatment, how can you know which one is the best fit? For some patients, an intensive outpatient program for drug and alcohol addiction will be the best choice. But what does that include? What does quitting drinking in IOP look like?
Drinking By The Numbers
The number of people in America with a substance use disorder is larger than most people realize. About 46 million Americans met the criteria, or about 16.5% percent of the population, according to a recent federal survey. More than half of those, or 29.5 million people, would meet the criteria for having an alcohol use disorder, according to the survey.
Sadly, the survey also found that 94% percent of the people who meet the criteria for a substance abuse disorder did not get help. Just the fact that you are considering addiction treatment for drinking is a big deal — and puts you one step closer to a new and better life.
Intensive Outpatient Programs for Drinking: Who’s a Fit?
There are two main categories for types of rehab. One is in-patient or residential addiction treatment facilities. This is what many people think of when they hear the term “rehab” for drinking. In residential addiction treatment, patients live at the facility so they can receive round-the-clock care. Their alcohol addiction or life situation is dire enough that they can benefit from 24/7 support.
The other option is an outpatient program. In these programs, clients get the help they need to break their drinking problem, but get to go home at the end of the day.
Intensive outpatient programs for drug and alcohol addiction are for people who are serious about getting sober, but might have family or work commitments that prevent them from living at a facility for a month or more. Candidates for IOP should also have a strong support system at home, so they don’t fall into old habits between sessions. Conversely, attending an IOP allows you to practice new recovery skills as you learn them, with a support system standing by to help.
Quitting Drinking in IOP
Quitting drinking in IOP requires participants to meet at a facility for a certain number of days and hours each week — usually between 9 and 20. There, they will get the help they need to heal from the roots. This might include participating in group and individual counseling or therapy sessions, or learning about relapse prevention and the role of trauma in addiction.
At Longbranch, our Louisiana IOP for drinking helps patients understand relapse triggers, build coping mechanisms, and explore the 12 steps as well.
Longbranch’s caring staff can also help IOP participants explore any co-occurring disorders that may be keeping them from a sober life. Many people with a drinking problem also suffer from other mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, for example.
The goal of IOP is to provide the support you need for recovery while giving you the autonomy to live your life at the same time. You can heal the mind, body, spirit, and family, without pressing pause on life. For the right person, IOP can even be just as effective as residential addiction treatment — at a fraction of the cost.
If you are considering breaking your alcohol addiction, please contact our staff at Longbranch to determine if an IOP is the best course for you.
