Intensive outpatient programs are an excellent option for people who need a high level of support but also want to stay home during treatment. Flying blind on the way into outpatient treatment is not recommended. Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) require preparation from clients to ensure the time in recovery is well spent. That said, preparing for IOP is not all that difficult or complex. It simply requires a bit of thoughtful planning and clear communication with key stakeholders as you enter the recovery process.
Find out more about La Fuente Hollywood’s intensive outpatient program in West Hollywood, California when you reach out to 888.903.9898.
IOP Preparation: First Steps
When preparing for IOP, the first thing to do is figure out your scheduling. Intensive outpatient services typically involve multiple hours of treatment per day across up to five days each week. You are afforded some flexibility compared to residential treatment, but intensive outpatient programs still require a lot of time commitment. The quicker you figure out the scheduling that works best for you, the better.
The other factor that makes scheduling so important is that you do not want to miss any treatment or therapy sessions. With residential treatment, clients are essentially a captive audience who do not need to keep track of their schedule as much. It is hard to miss a therapy session when the therapist is just down the hall. But IOPs rely on people to manage their time effectively and show up for scheduled treatment. Failing to do so will impede recovery.
Another piece of preparing for IOP is mindset-based. While IOP is an intense level of care, it is not a type of treatment that is designed to hold your hand. The responsibility lies on your shoulders in showing up and making the most of each session. Life will try to get in the way. What you choose to do when confronted with obstacles that make it easy to skip a session can make the difference between a smooth recovery or one that is pockmarked by potholes and setbacks.
Preparing For IOP: Work and Family Obligations
The previous section outlined a few general considerations when preparing for an IOP. Now it is time to get more tactical. Part of intensive outpatient program preparation is letting your work and family know what you are doing. They don’t have to know every detail, but they need to know at least your schedule and when you will be busy attending treatment. Do not wait until you start treatment to broach the conversation with your boss or key family members.
For instance, if you are going to keep working at the same time as you attend an IOP, that could necessitate shifting your work hours. Or maybe you work a salary position that allows you to leave work in the middle of the day and work later in the evening to make up for it. Ultimately, the last thing you want is to have a conflict between work and overcoming addiction demolish your progress toward healing.
Your family is the other set of stakeholders you need to communicate with during IOP preparation. Not everyone needs to know. You do not need to call that uncle you see once a year during holidays to tell him about your new schedule. But any family members you will rely on for support should be kept in the loop. You may even have to coordinate your treatment schedule with them if you have kids they’ll be babysitting or pets they’ll be helping take care of.
Intensive Outpatient Program at La Fuente Hollywood
La Fuente Hollywood is a leading provider of an intensive outpatient program. Our services are designed to meet the needs of the LGBTQ community, specifically gay men. Making the most of an IOP means preparing effectively by tackling things like:
- Lining up childcare
- Communicating your shifted availability at work
- Getting the right mindset
- Coordinating transportation
- Scheduling your treatment sessions
Do not let poor planning derail your healing journey. Reach out to 888.903.9898 to learn more about our intensive outpatient program and how it can benefit you.
