When it comes to treatment, you may have questions about different programs that are available. One treatment program for addiction is an intensive outpatient program. So, what is an intensive outpatient program (IOP)? An IOP is a form of substance abuse rehabilitation in which people visit a treatment center several days a week for a few hours at a time. An IOP is more time-intensive than most standard outpatient programs. However, unlike an inpatient level of care, it does not require participants to live at the facility.

Intensive outpatient programs typically meet on weekdays in the morning or evening. Programs primarily consist of group therapy, though they may offer other services such as individual counseling and employment assistance. Most programs last about 90 days and include drug testing.

What Is the Difference Between Outpatient Treatment and Intensive Outpatient Programs?

Outpatient substance abuse treatment is a form of rehabilitation in which people are treated on a part-time basis and return home after each session. These programs are typically well-suited for people with less severe addictions, minor to no mental health issues, and have a solid base of support.¹

Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) for drug and alcohol addiction recovery take place more often than typical outpatient care programs—usually 9 hours or more of treatment per week for 3 to 5 days.²

What Is the Difference Between Intensive Outpatient Treatment and Inpatient?

The major difference between an IOP and an inpatient level of care is that people treated in an inpatient program live at the facility while they receive their care. These programs also offer services and amenities that IOPs do not, such as meals, housing, recreation, and access to medical care.

Inpatient levels of care are usually a good fit for people who have longstanding or more severe addictions. Some people in these programs have had multiple relapses and need to be kept away from drugs and alcohol for an extended period of time. These facilities are also good options for people who live in home environments that are particularly unstable or triggering or who have mental health conditions that require dual diagnosis treatment.

Each program has pros and cons, and which one is best will differ for every person.

Benefits of inpatient: 24-hour medical monitoring, a structured drug-free environment, and distance from triggers.
Drawbacks of inpatient: a higher cost than outpatient, the time commitment, and being away from loved ones and work.
Benefits of IOPs: ability to live at home while in rehab, lower cost, and flexible schedule.
Drawbacks of IOPs: returning to an environment where there may be temptations to use and the lack of medical care/detox services.

Is an Intensive Outpatient Program Right for Me?

In some cases, people may transition or step down to an intensive outpatient program after completion of an inpatient or residential level of care. That way, they can ease back into their normal routine while still receiving care and building on the skills they need to remain sober.²

On the other hand, some people may move up to a more intensive outpatient program if standard outpatient interventions are inadequate in promoting their recovery. For example, they may need to increase the number of groups they attend in the program each week.²

IOPs provide individuals with the opportunity to continue working or going to school while they are in treatment for their substance use. They often provide a more flexible treatment schedule so that people can continue to maintain their responsibilities while in treatment. Outpatient treatment programs are often the best fit for those who have a strong support system in place.

What Happens in an Intensive Outpatient Program?

Group therapy is the main component of many intensive outpatient programs. Groups allow IOP participants to improve their communication, learn how to socialize without drugs or alcohol, support each other, and experience structure and discipline.³

Other IOP services include individual counseling, medication management, case management, introduction to support groups, psychiatric screening, and vocational training.³

Goals of intensive outpatient programs include:²

Maintaining abstinence.
Achieving behavioral change.
Participating in support systems such as 12-step groups.
Addressing psychosocial issues such as housing, employment, and meeting probation requirements.
Developing a support system.
Improving problem-solving skills.

Within each program, treatment involves group therapy, which is often the core of most IOPs. There may be different types of groups offered, including skills development, refusal training, psychoeducational, relapse prevention, and family groups. Groups may also be specialized so that they focus on a specific type of client, such as women or men, veterans, LGBTQ+, or trauma survivors.

The most common types of intensive outpatient therapies include:³

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy is based on the idea that thoughts and behaviors—including self-destructive behaviors such as drug abuse—are learned and that people can learn new ways of thinking and behaving. Participants learn the triggers—or people, places, and things that lead them to use drugs—and acquire skills to deal with these triggers.
Motivational interviewing: Motivational interviewing is an approach, where the therapist helps a person understand their reluctance to engage in treatment and work through that hesitation. The therapist asks the user to examine how drugs are interfering with their life goals and teaches them to take responsibility for developing healthier behaviors.
Matrix Model: The Matrix Model draws on several other approaches, including CBT, motivational interviewing, and the 12 steps. It is mainly used with people who are addicted to stimulant drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines. The Matrix Model focuses on establishing a strong therapist-client relationship, teaching clients how to effectively manage their time, practicing relapse prevention techniques, and engaging in community peer support groups.
12-step facilitation: IOPs that incorporate this approach help participants to learn the principles of 12-step programs, start to work the steps, and attend 12-step groups in their communities. Twelve-step groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous usually hold meetings onsite in IOPs that use this approach.

IOP Treatment Schedule

Most IOPs begin with an assessment of the person’s needs. A therapist then creates an individualized recovery program for the person based on where they are in their recovery process. The person works with the therapist on a schedule for how many days and hours they will attend the program each week. As mentioned above, this schedule can be adjusted depending on how the person progresses through the program.

Most programs meet on weekdays. Many centers that offer IOPs have day and evening programs that usually meet for 3 hours each day. For example, day programs may run from 9 a.m. to noon and evening programs may run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

During that time, participants meet for groups and take breaks in between. Common types of groups found in IOPs include:

Relapse prevention.
Skill-building.
Codependency support groups.
Family groups.
12-step groups.
Addiction education.
Process groups.

Can I Detox in IOP Treatment?

Detox is the first stage of substance abuse treatment. It involves allowing the body to eliminate any traces of drugs or alcohol before treatment begins.⁴ After detox, a person is ready to engage in treatment with a clear head and a clean system.

Most intensive outpatient programs do not offer detox services. However, programs that are located inside a large hospital may be able to offer medical detoxification.³

If you need detox, the IOP will probably refer you to a standalone detox facility, residential facility, hospital, or other program for detox before you begin treatment with them.

Some people do not experience serious withdrawal symptoms and can manage the process on their own. These people can start treatment right away without going through a formal detox first. However, the majority of people who have been alcohol- or drug-dependent for any significant amount of time will struggle with at least some unpleasant withdrawal symptoms that, left unmanaged, may make them more likely to relapse. In some instances, withdrawal complications can be quite severe. For these reasons, supervised detox is often recommended to provide the support necessary to make it to the other side of withdrawal securely.

How Long Do Intensive Outpatient Programs Last?

Intensive outpatient programs generally consist of 9 hours or more of treatment for 3 to 5 days per week, though some programs may offer fewer hours per week. You can expect IOP treatment to range from 6 to 30 hours per week and to last about 90 days. Typical therapy sessions will be between 1 and 2 hours.²

Even though 90 days is the standard length of addiction treatment, the duration can be adjusted based on the person’s needs, support system, and mental health status.² A person that builds skills and remains clean, for instance, may require fewer and fewer sessions over time, while someone who relapses while in the program may need more sessions or even need to be moved up to a higher level of care.

Finding the Best IOP Near You

Finding an intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment program near you is the first step in addressing addiction issues. Many rehabilitation facilities will be happy to discuss their offerings, and medical professionals can help you determine which treatment path is right for you. Whether it’s near you or out-of-state, it’s important to coordinate with your medical professional to determine your needs, then to communicate with potential treatment facilities to determine if they can meet these treatment needs.

Finding an intensive outpatient program (IOP) treatment facility near you can allow your loved ones to visit you on designated days, or even participate in family therapy sessions. And since you are familiar with the climate, you can pack accordingly. On the other hand, out-of-state treatment can give you a fresh start in a new area and reduce your environmental and family distractions.

Beginning the path to recovery is simple and easy—and you can do it. Just pick up the phone and speak to one of American Addiction Centers’ (AAC’s) caring admissions navigators about your intensive outpatient program options. You can contact us free at at any time, day or night.

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Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) for Addiction Treatment