IOP stands for Intensive Outpatient Program.

Most intensive outpatient treatment programs have a less rigorous schedule than inpatient programs. Typically, clients are required to attend sessions lasting between 2-4 hours per day at least 3 days per week. IOP treatment programs allow for significant flexibility in scheduling to account for individuals seeking treatment who still have to maintain professional commitments, educational pursuits, or other responsibilities requiring them to be physically present. Most Intensive Outpatient Programs offer evening sessions and weekend availability.

Standard outpatient treatment is a more flexible option for individuals seeking treatment for substance abuse and/or other mental health disorders. The standard outpatient schedule typically works around the clients’ needs as related to outside commitments. Standard outpatient usually requires clients to attend sessions once or twice per week for 1-2 hours. Outpatient treatment at this level of intensity is often used for individuals seeking treatment who have completed a residential or day treatment program, or those who are using outpatient as a step down from more intensive treatment. Relapse prevention is typically a main focus of standard outpatient treatment programs.

Most intensive outpatient treatment programs have a less rigorous schedule than inpatient, or day treatment programs. Typically, clients are required to attend sessions lasting between 2-4 hours per day at least 3 days per week. Intensive outpatient treatment programs allow for significant flexibility in scheduling to account for individuals seeking treatment who still have to maintain professional commitments, educational pursuits, or other commitments. Most intensive outpatient programs offer evening sessions and sometimes weekend availability as well.

Also known as partial hospitalization, day treatment is a type of outpatient treatment that requires clients to attend sessions for between 4-6 hours per day 3-5 days per week. Additionally, most day treatment or partial hospitalization programs will recommend that clients attend 12-step meetings in the evenings bringing the level of treatment as close to residential as possible while still allowing the clients to reside in their homes or another suitable living environment.

Most outpatient programs, whether a client is participating in the day treatment, intensive, or standard outpatient tracts provide individual therapy sessions, group therapy sessions, and meetings with a counselor or social worker. Depending on the main focus of each specific outpatient (some are geared more toward adolescents and younger adults while others focus on a larger age demographic), the types of sessions vary.

Most outpatient programs regardless of focus will include:

• Gender specific groups
• Process groups
• Relapse prevention groups
• 12-step focused groups
• Therapeutic groups
• Life skills training

Santa Monica has long been home to one of the most vibrant and active recovery communities in the world. With many thousands of 12-step meetings per week, countless treatment centers, and a robust community, attending an outpatient treatment center in Santa Monica has countless ancillary benefits. With ready access to the beach, the mountains, and numerous cultural offerings, anyone making the decision to rebuild their life and attend an outpatient program would do well to do so in Santa Monica. There are a variety of options, programs with specific focuses, and many options. When choosing an outpatient treatment program, it is advisable to seek the counsel of a professional.

The investment anyone can make toward recovery and rebuilding the destruction that substance abuse and/or mental illness has caused is a worthwhile cause. The suffering that addiction can cause, the devastation that mental illness can have on families, and the cycle of shame and relapse is escapable. Investing in your future, or the future of someone you care about, through outpatient treatment is a life-line that is worth its weight in gold. If you or someone you know is struggling, don’t hesitate, reach out and make a call today. The future is waiting, and there are people willing to help show the way.