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October 8, 2024
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Intensive Outpatient Programs Versus General Outpatient Programs: What Is the Difference?

Recovery treatment comes in all shapes and sizes. From family therapy to outpatient therapy to residential therapy to support groups: The types and levels of alcohol and drug rehab can be confusing, especially for someone who is at a time of need and trying to figure out what the right treatment might be.

Recovery at the Crossroads offers multiple treatment options, and we tailor them to your needs, wants, behaviors and desires. Our admissions counselors can work with you to help you understand your options and which steps might be right for your particular journey. But it does help to have your own understanding of some of these options, so let’s discover more about the differences between intensive outpatient programs and general outpatient programs.

Know that you can always reach out to Recovery at the Crossroads for assistance if you’re ready to take steps toward sobriety and a drug-free lifestyle.

 

What Are Intensive Outpatient Programs?

Jewish intensive outpatient programs provide a structured, supportive environment for continued standard outpatient care without requiring that participants give up entire days or remain in a 24-hour residential rehab facility. For example, the IOP at Recovery at the Crosswords requires 10 hours of attendance at our facility each week, and sessions are scheduled during the day and evening to help individuals balance continued treatment with other life obligations, including work, school or caring for family members or children.

During intensive outpatient addiction treatment, you typically engage in a variety of sessions, including individual and group therapy sessions, which teach relapse-prevention skills. These therapy sessions help you continue to learn about addiction and recovery and offer a chance to get support and assistance in dealing with mental health issues that can come up as you move through the process.

Programs like Alcoholics Anonymous are designed for IOP. During IOP, you may also participate in recreational therapy programs designed to encourage healthier coping mechanisms, develop new skill sets and build your confidence. Specifically, within a Jewish-focused IOP program, you will participate in worship services that don’t compromise on their values or halachot gedolot.

 

What Are General Outpatient Programs?

Jewish general outpatient programs usually involve a reduced number of hours spent in sessions. For example, GOP at Recovery at the Crossroads requires one to three hours of time spent at the facility, typically in individual or group counseling. Outpatient services, like GOP, are fantastic for those feeling confident and ready to step back into the community. That may include working a full-time job, parenting children full time, returning to school or rabbinical studies.

General outpatient programs are usually considered the step-down from intensive outpatient treatment. Step-down refers to the process of leaving one level of addiction treatment and moving into the next and lower level. You can work your way from inpatient rehab all the way to aftercare and day-to-day life by stepping down through various program formats.

 

How Are IOP and GOP the Same?

Both programs are designed to help you work through the recovery process at critical times—or crossroads—in your journey. They both include treatment that meets your needs at the moment while also preparing you for success with sobriety in the future. Both IOP and GOP are also recognized and valid treatment methods that may be covered by your insurance plan, reducing the out-of-pocket costs you might incur seeking treatment.

Recovery at the Crossroads accepts most major insurance plans, so call us today to start the insurance verification process to find out which treatments may be covered by your plan.

 

How Do You Decide Which Treatment Option Is Right for You?

A common approach to treatment includes the following steps:

  • Inpatient detox
  • Residential rehab
  • Partial hospitalization program
  • Intensive outpatient program
  • General outpatient program
  • Aftercare, such as individual counseling or 12-step program participation

But you didn’t come into addiction on the same path as every other person, so you don’t always find recovery on the same road as another person. That’s why it’s important to work with professional counselors and other providers to understand your relationship with drugs or alcohol and where you are in the addiction cycle. This information, coupled with a look at your goals for recovery, overall mental and physical health and the existence of any natural support systems, can help decide what treatment option is right for you.

 

How Do You Enter Outpatient Treatment?

If you think our intensive outpatient or general outpatient program can help you, complete our online admissions form or call the facility at 888-342-3881 to speak to a caring, compassionate admissions counselor.

Either way, we’ll listen to your story to gain an understanding of where you are in your addiction or recovery efforts and help you decide what might be the best option for you at this point.

If you’re already enrolled in our partial hospitalization program, we’ll work with you as you prepare to step down into one of these programs. And if you’re in an inpatient or residential rehab facility and ready to transfer to an IOP or other outpatient option, we can work with you and your current provider to make that happen.

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