Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) in Atlanta

Patients can view an intensive outpatient program (also called IOP) in Atlanta as one step up from traditional outpatient therapy. Traditional outpatient care usually involves an hour of treatment on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis. However, IOP treatment usually involves multiple hours of services, multiple days each week. This program is for those who still need intensive care to treatment, but to a lesser extent. IOP also offers a more flexible approach for those who can continue their daily lives with very little risk of relapse. 

IOP offers many treatment programs and therapies to go through when at the facility. Patients are not required to go through detoxification or have round-the-clock supervision. In fact, it is for those in recovery who have already gone through detox and other programs that lead to IOP. If someone has a stable and supportive home environment, they will be eligible to attend IOP. Our services aid those going through recovery to establish support mechanisms, help with relapse management, and provide coping strategies when at home.

IOP allows patients to continue their day-to-day lives, such as going back to work, school, family, and more. Additionally, IOP is important because it eases people to transition back into their everyday lives while still getting necessary treatment. This makes it easier for people to live their life with no fears of relapse. Instead of going back suddenly with an increased risk of going back into addiction, we are here to help people get back into a life full of freedom.

An intensive outpatient program in Atlanta calls for patients to receive multiple hours of treatment each week. In contrast, a partial hospitalization program calls for patients to attend full days of treatment. A PHP is similar to a residential treatment program except patients can go home or back to their alternative supported residence after sessions.

During a typical stay in a PHP, patients work with a team of experts and take part in various therapies. These can include life skills education, relapse prevention training, and creative arts therapy. PHP is appropriate for people who can benefit from highly-structured programming, but who do not need round-the-clock supervision. Some people enter treatment at the PHP level, while others transition into our PHP after they’ve completed an inpatient or residential program.

IOP is very similar to PHP but is for those who do not need constant supervision while at the facility. IOP offers many of the same treatments and therapies that are included in PHP, but the approach is different. In an IOP, patients are going through treatment to a lesser extent than that in an inpatient program. Unlike an inpatient program, PHP allows patients to go back home at the end of the day. IOP is for those who are motivated to finish treatment and go back into their life without the weight of abuse holding on.

Our intensive outpatient program in Atlanta offers psychological and medical help during rehab. However, they provide more flexibility than other programs, including PHP. For instance, an IOP allows someone to continue to live at home, care for their children, and maintain employment. Sessions can take place during the day, in the evenings, and on weekends.

In an IOP, patients participate in both individual and group therapy sessions. Depending on the patient’s individual needs, time in an IOP can include other services such as medication-assisted treatment (MAT) or family programming. For some, IOP provides a way of stepping down support after graduation from residential treatment or partial hospitalization program. For others, patients step up to an IOP from outpatient therapy, or they enter treatment directly at the IOP level.

Patients visit their treatment facility at specific times throughout the week for individual therapy, group counseling, and other services that make up their personalized treatment plan. Often, the number of sessions one must attend each week is based on their current recovery progress. Before going into IOP, a person will meet with our clinicians and explore their level of addiction to decide if IOP is right for them. IOP isn’t for everyone, but when someone is ready for it, it will lead them back into life with full control and confidence.

IOP greatly helps those going through addiction through the many services we offer. Even though someone has gone through detox and initial treatments to get to this point of recovery, IOP is there to continue treatment and therapy for those who are still at risk of struggling with addiction in their daily lives. Our intensive outpatient program in Atlanta helps treat substance abuse through the various treatments and therapies we provide to help the recovery process. 

Some services we provide to help with addiction include the following:

Group Therapy

Group therapy aims to encourage patients to share their emotions, thoughts, and experience with others. Through group therapy, patients will be able to learn from other peers who have gone through similar experiences and develop coping skills together. Each group consists of around six to eight people to offer an intimate group experience. Discussions and activities will be held as a group to encourage healthy relationships as well. 

Individual Therapy

Individual therapy is a one-on-one session with one of our licensed therapists. Through individual therapy, patients will discuss and explore solutions and coping mechanisms for addiction and mental health disorders. This will allow them to speak about any problems they face with no fear of shame or judgment. Our therapists are there to help someone lead a life of sobriety and will also provide many skills and techniques to hold a stable life after treatment. 

Experiential Therapy

Experiential therapy is a type of activity-based therapy set in both individual and group settings. In this kind of therapy, patients will engage in practical activities and experiences under a therapist’s supervision. This allows individuals to experience a holistic way of healing through various activities, not just through talk therapy. Some activities include music therapy, creative arts therapy, and equine therapy. 

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of behavior therapy that looks deep into an individual’s negative thoughts and behaviors. The patient will work with a therapist to discover ways in coping with and provide strategies to manage their mental health and behavior. Our aim is to assist our patients in developing positive thoughts and behaviors that will benefit their daily life. 

When patients go through our intensive outpatient program, they are able to benefit from these therapies and more. We offer a plethora of therapies to help them gain a life of sobriety. Our treatment and therapies at Empowered will enhance their IOP experience and help them get the necessary help to overcome the risks of relapse.

IOP treatment is best suited for people who can easily commit to their recovery process. That is why medical professionals so often recommend people first complete a medically-supervised detox before enrolling in IOP. Hence, an intensive outpatient program can benefit someone if they do not need constant support and supervision.

It can also help those with mild to moderate alcohol or substance use disorder. Here are a few of the many benefits of IOP treatment:

Privacy

One of the main obstacles to addiction recovery is the shame of needing help. Lots of people struggle to admit to themselves they have a problem. IOP treatment offers professional staff who are committed to their privacy and work with the utmost discretion.

Cost

The cost of outpatient recovery is significantly less expensive than residential treatment. This is one of the main reasons why people choose IOP treatment. If inpatient treatment is out of the question financially, an intensive outpatient program is a far more realistic option.

Community

One of the keys to maintaining sobriety is having a strong community of peers in recovery. Patients often find a deep sense of community that comes with others understanding what recovery entails. This can prove invaluable for one’s long-term sobriety.

Flexibility

An outpatient program gives people the flexibility to maintain their work, family, or household responsibilities while working through recovery. Many patients have young children who require constant supervision and care. Others have work commitments that cannot be suspended for weeks on end. IOP treatment offers the flexibility needed to maintain a busy schedule.