Womens outpatient substance abuse/IOP/PHP is an effective treatment option for many people with serious alcohol and drug use disorders. Multiple randomized trials and naturalistic studies have compared IOPs with residential or inpatient care, and found comparable outcomes.
Unlike traditional rehab, PHP and IOP programs allow you to live at home and work while receiving addiction treatment. Learn more about these two options to determine which one is right for you.
The Benefits of IOP/PHP
When someone gets treatment for a substance use disorder, they typically have the option of residential care, outpatient care, or partial hospitalization program (PHP). IOP offers a more flexible alternative to these other options. It allows people to honor their commitments at work and home, while addressing their addiction. IOP programs differ from inpatient treatment in that participants do not live on-site at the rehabilitation center and instead attend sessions at the treatment facility a few days per week for several hours.
This makes IOP much more practical for those who have responsibilities at home and at work and do not want to explain an extended absence from their jobs to coworkers or supervisors. IOP is especially useful for healthcare professionals as it allows them to continue their work without having to put their careers on hold for months while they receive addiction treatment. IOP also serves those who have a co-occurring mental health condition such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder or PTSD.
The Goals of IOP/PHP
In addition to reducing substance use, these programs aim to teach patients better coping skills and help them reclaim their lives. Unlike inpatient treatment, these programs require less time commitment and allow clients to continue working or caring for family members.
Despite the fact that intensive outpatient treatment is not considered a “full” treatment program, research indicates that it is effective. Multiple randomized trials and naturalistic analyses have demonstrated comparable results for IOPs and residential or inpatient treatments.
Partial hospitalization program (PHP), which is often used as a bridge between inpatient and outpatient treatment, has a more structured approach to recovery. Typically, PHP patients live at home and commute to the treatment center up to five days a week. This level of commitment provides more structure than IOP and helps prevent relapse. This is especially important for those who have a history of co-occurring mental illness or serious addiction issues. Compared to traditional rehab, both IOP and PHP are less expensive.
The Structure of IOP/PHP
IOP is a step down in intensity from PHP and offers structured daytime or evening treatment sessions. Clients are able to attend IOP as many days a week as needed while balancing daily responsibilities at home and work. This is especially beneficial for clients with fluctuating schedules and who have to travel for work.
IOP research is strong and consistent in showing that IOP services are comparable to residential and inpatient care, and that they improve outcomes. The diversity of settings and populations studied, combined with the high quality of trials, provide evidence that IOPs are effective, and should be considered as a level of care.
IOP is also beneficial for those suffering from co-occurring psychiatric and substance use disorders, as it can help to stabilize a relapse-prone individual. IOP can help to avoid relapse triggers, such as negative associations with friends or associates who use substances, living conditions and social settings. IOP can also help to develop coping mechanisms and behavioral awareness skills to reduce the likelihood of future relapse.
The Staff of IOP/PHP
For women who have completed inpatient treatment or a residential program, but need more support to stabilize their mental health and decrease their substance use, our PHP can help. This is a more intensive level of care than our IOP and allows clients to continue living at home.
The Womens vPHP is designed to meet the specific needs of adult females struggling with PTSD, depression, anxiety and other mental health concerns. Our goal is to assist you in stabilizing your symptoms and identifying the core reasons for your substance use while working towards an overall healthier lifestyle.
Our vPHP provides daily individual therapy, group sessions and a variety of process groups to challenge negative thinking and behaviors. We also provide coping skill reinforcement in the form of mindfulness techniques, DBT skills and Seeking Safety. We encourage you to practice your new coping skills in your everyday life by attending recovery meetings and continuing to work or volunteer.
