According to the World Health Organization, approximately 31 million people have drug use disorders. In fact, harmful alcohol use causes 3.3 million deaths every year.
Through an intensive outpatient program, people who are trying to recover from substance abuse can get the help they need. Meanwhile, they can still continue their daily lives. Without proper help, however, the number of deaths from substance abuse will continue to rise.
Here are seven benefits of choosing an intensive outpatient program.
By getting outpatient treatment, you can live a full, healthy life without substance abuse.
1. A Continuum of Care
An intensive outpatient program will ensure you receive the continuum of care you need.
A continuum of care includes multiple levels of treatment. Patients who experience the whole continuum of care receive support at every step of their recovery.
As you research the benefits of outpatient services, consider your needs. A few continuum of care examples include:
- A medical detox
- Inpatient addiction treatment
- Outpatient treatment
- Sober living
- Intensive outpatient treatment
- Regular therapy
- Recovery meetings
- Returning home
An intensive outpatient program is only one part of the continuum of care. With outpatient treatment, you can get the support you need even while you live outside of a treatment center.
Otherwise, you might find yourself falling into old habits.
The continuum of care ensures you have the resources you need within reach. With the right combination of care options, you’ll have everything you need to achieve long-term sober living.
In addition to continuous care, some intensive outpatient programs will also offer:
- Gender-specific treatment
- Holistic wellness
- Evidence-based treatment
- Access to experienced clinical staff
- A serene location so you can focus on your treatment
- Family therapy
Finding a recovery center that offers a range of outpatient services can also ensure you receive the continuous care you need.
2. Access to a Community
Recovery is easier when you can lean on a loving, caring community to support you along the way.
Intensive outpatient programs give you access to a community of people who have gone through what you’re going through now. They can provide you with a fresh perspective. They can also tell stories about their own recovery journey.
In many cases, hearing about how far your sober community has traveled can provide you with the hope you need.
Choosing an outpatient treatment plan can give you access to a community. You’ll meet new people with their own stories of recovery along the way. Some intensive outpatient programs also host meetings where you can all share your stories.
In other cases, you might choose to hang out with the people you meet in your free time.
Interacting with sober people can also make other interactions throughout your life easier.
With a sober community, you can talk to people who understand the struggles you’re facing as a sober individual. When you plan to attend parties where people will be drinking, your sober community can help support you with advice or an understanding ear.
3. Activity Diversity
For some people, recovery meetings are an easy way to maintain sobriety. For other people, however, attending these meetings can feel tedious.
An intensive outpatient program can introduce you to other alternatives.
If you don’t like attending meetings, there are other recovery groups you can choose from. Plus, intensive outpatient programs often offer non-recovery program groups. For example, you might attend groups for:
- Art therapy
- Grief or trauma workshops
- Family groups
- Relapse prevention
- Dialectical behavioral therapy
- Medication management
- Psychoeducation
- Meditation groups
These groups cover a range of topics that can help your recovery in different ways.
4. Access to Resources
During your recovery, you might realize it’s difficult to find all the resources you need in one place. An intensive outpatient program can introduce you to these resources (and some you can’t find anywhere else).
Some treatment centers will even provide transportation to and from your intensive outpatient programs. If you don’t have access to a car or good public transportation, they can also ensure you make it to your recovery meetings.
Outpatient treatment programs also give you access to a therapist or psychiatrist.
That way, you don’t have to worry about finding someone you know and trust for your treatment. Instead, you’ll have access to everything you need straight from your outpatient program.
5. It’s Covered
Another one of the benefits of outpatient services is that they’re usually covered by insurance.
Many people don’t consider getting treatment because of expenses. If the program is covered by your insurance plan, you can get the treatment you need without worrying about costs.
Try to choose an intensive outpatient program that’s accredited. For example, The Joint Commission Gold Seal is the highest accreditation available for addiction treatment centers. This accreditation assures the program makes strides for continuous improvement to keep clients satisfied.
6. Keep Yourself Accountable
According to this research, intensive outpatient programs are effective for people recovering from alcohol and drug use disorders.
When you continuously keep up with your treatment, you’ll feel accountable to maintain your sobriety. You’re not only accountable to therapists, staff members, and other patients, but also to yourself.
You might also find a mentor or sponsor during your recovery.
They’ll help guide you throughout your path to sobriety. They can also help keep you accountable to check-in and get additional help.
7. Easy-going Reintegration
The transition between inpatient care and sobriety on your own isn’t easy for everyone.
With an intensive outpatient program, you don’t have to rush the process. Instead, you can focus on your recovery. The continuum of care will help you return to daily life while also helping you avoid a relapse.
With easy-going reintegration, you can develop the skill and access the tools you need for long-term sobriety.
The Care You Need: 7 Benefits of an Intensive Outpatient Program
Your sobriety is important. Otherwise, you’ll miss out on the happy, healthy life you deserve. With an intensive outpatient program, you can ensure you’re getting the proper care to live that life for the rest of your life.
Seeking Treatment with Transformations by the Gulf?
If you or a loved one needs treatment and rehabilitation for substance use, Transformations by the Gulf can help.
Transformations by the Gulf offers individualistic and holistic recovery services. We designed our inpatient and outpatient programs to treat individuals based on biological, psychological, familial and social needs.
Our residential homes and treatment facilities are near the beach and offer a comfortable setting for rehabilitation. If you or a loved one needs help, contact Transformations by the Gulf to learn more about our recovery services.
If you are ready to start planning your treatment process, give us a call. (727)498-6498
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