This is a common question among people with unpredictable daily schedules. For such people, the selection of an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) can be a huge challenge. After all, they cannot take any time off their work, and they have a family to care for. Most of them will opt for individual therapists, but those who cannot afford one will forget about the treatment altogether. That should not happen. We are here to help you get an IOP program near you to match your unpredictable daily schedule.
What Is an IOP Program?
Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program (IOP) is a form of rehabilitation designed to help treat people on a part-time basis. With this type of rehabilitation, people can continue with their daily work because they return to their homes after every session. The big difference between IOP programs and the inpatient programs is the time commitment, structure, and accommodation.
Residential or inpatient programs require the patient to remain in a specialized facility 24 hours a day for a specific number of days. Inpatient programs are highly structured, and the days are generally planned and supervised. The programs may be offered in hospitals or special substance abuse treatment facilities. The case is different for IOP programs.
IOP programs offer rigorous treatments without affecting the autonomy of the patient. The American Society of Addiction Medicine guidelines specifies that IOP programs should last for at least 9-20 hours per week. On the other hand, residential and inpatient programs provide treatments 24/7 for a set period.
As an IOP participant, you have the option of living in a sober environment related to your treatment center, living alone, or living with your supportive friends. Most IOPs are structured or timed to allow patients to continue with their schooling, work, and to respond to their family needs. For that reason, most of them are offered on weekends or in the evening. Therefore, a problem might arise for people with unpredictable schedules.
How to Find an IOP Program if Your Schedule Is Unpredictable
When choosing an IOP program to match your unpredictable daily schedule, you have to do enough research. Consider several IOP facilities near you and check whether they have flexible hours. If your job allows, you might realize that morning schedules will fit your daily routine perfectly.
Research the policies at your company to know whether adjustment of your schedule is possible. Some policies might allow you to take an absence leave or take advantage of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). That might be all you need to complete your IOP program and keep your job without neglecting your family.
Intensive outpatient programs are designed to match your unique needs, and they offer many options. Because most of them understand your needs for work-life balance, they will be willing to adjust their schedule to accommodate you.
Where to Start Your Search
An IOP program should help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to maintain abstinence from drugs and alcohol. The programs are tailored to help patients identify the patterns of drug abuse, develop the coping, change their lifestyle, social skills, and communication. To find a program to fit your unpredictable schedule and determine what you expect before starting your search, here is where to start:
Start your search online: Do a quick online search to identify the programs within your area. Open the website of The Substance and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and use the offered online locator to identify programs near you. Scroll through the programs matching your search criteria to get more details.
contact your insurance provider: Apart from paying for your treatment, your insurance provider might recommend an IOP program to match your unpredictable daily schedule. They will mostly recommend their most preferred provider on their list. Alternatively, their employee assistance programs, known as EAP, might refer you to the right local programs. That is all you need to get the best program.
Get referrals from your therapist: If you are already seeing an individual therapist, they will be willing to refer you to local programs that meet your individual needs. Contact the local medical centers and hospitals to find more about their IOP programs. The trick is finding a facility offering a flexible IOP program.
Ask for referrals from relatives and friends: Ask for referrals from your friends, family, or medical professionals near you. After they provide you with a list, narrow it down depending on the factors that affect your treatment. For example, some facilities will only accept adolescents, and others will only accept people above 18 years.
Whether you are a professional working between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm each day with a tight schedule or a person who frequently changes from the day shift to the second shift full-time, you will get an IOP program to match your needs. Your job is essential, and it should never deter you from getting the quality treatment you need. IOP will help regardless of your current situation. Call us today at (440) 253-9915.
