When it comes to battling drug abuse sometimes, serious measures need to be taken to ensure that the patient doesn’t slip back to the vice again. Some measures have been known to give better results than others. One of such measures is the intensive outpatient program or IOP as it is commonly known. This is because it is backed by great success stories especially when it is applied successfully. Before deciding to enroll a patient for this program, it is important to understand what it is and how it works. Below are some the questions that can help you in this:
What Is It?
An intensive outpatient program is a rehabilitation program that is sometimes medically recommended in circumstances where a patient is not on a medical detox that requires supervision or where they have just completed one and need to be maintained on a part-time yet intensive schedule which accommodates family and work time. The beauty of this program is that it will allow the patient to have a normal life on their road to recovery.
What Are the Therapies Involved in an 
Iop?
Iop?This program in most cases works through group therapies. The patient will, however, still be assigned to an individual therapist in case they need it or when the situation dictates so. In most Orange County rehab centers, individual therapies usually occur once every week, and the group ones have a maximum of 10 patients. Several topics are usually addressed in the group therapies some of which include:
· Post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS)
· Skills for preventing relapses
· Understanding the chemistry of the brain
· Dealing with urges
· Spirituality
· Societal integration among others
What Is the Difference Between Inpatient and Outpatient Rehab Programs?
An inpatient rehab program is the one in which the patient has to stay at the rehab center for a specified period, in most cases, a minimum of 3 months before they can be allowed back to their normal lives. The program is usually for those that are deep in the addiction problem and those that require special attention. An outpatient program, on the other hand, is a program where the patient is allowed back in their normal life but with mandatory visits to the rehab center every day. It is most suitable for those with a mild addiction of those who are just about to become addicts.
The above are just a few points to help you when deciding whether to enroll in an intensive outpatient program in Orange County. The good thing with this program is that it allows one to maintain their usual lifestyle still while on the road to recovery. One can get the support they need from their family members and the support groups that they are in. With such support, it becomes quite easy for the patient to get better with treatment. Constant evaluation and monitoring are however still necessary to ensure that the patient doesn’t relapse.
