What Is an Intensive Outpatient (IOP) Program?

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An intensive outpatient (IOP) program does not require detoxification or around-the-clock supervision. It was developed to target the needs of individuals not capable of remaining alcohol- or drug-free on a typical outpatient regimen. Patients in IOP programs can live at home while they receive treatment. Although IOP programs are not inpatient, they provide the a moderate level of treatment experience of inpatient programming through group dynamics. IOP treatment is a step down from partial hospitalization and part of the final stages of residential treatment to help clients successfully transition back into their families and communities.

What does an IOP program involve?

Lake Area Recovery Center’s IOP program includes three aspects of care:

  1. Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET): MET allows the counselor and client to work on motivation for treatment together by meeting the client where they are at in terms of the stages of change. This section of IOP therapy uses the evidenced-based treatment of interactive journaling.
  2. Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions for Substance Use (CBI-SU): CBI-SU curriculum focuses on the cognitive restructuring, social skills, problem-solving, and emotional awareness needed to overcome drug addiction and stay sober.
  3. Relapse Prevention: This final stage utilizes evidenced-based treatment to continue the process of addiction recovery with the client. We also have multiple paths of recovery which allow clients to focus on their specific needs.

How long does an IOP program last?

IOP programs meet three days a week for 16 weeks. Lake Area Recovery Center offers two IOP programs - a typical IOP program, and a specialty drug court IOP program for individuals who have committed drug-related crimes.

Group sessions for the typical IOP program are held on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with a morning and evening option; sessions for the specialty drug court IOP program are held on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday from 10AM-1PM.

Contact Lake Area Recovery Center to learn more about our intensive outpatient program.