Intensive Outpatient Programs offer a balance between treatment and freedom for patients who choose this particular rehabilitation program to help them through substance abuse. In its simplest form, IOP only requires patients to show up for sessions that take several hours a day several times a week. After which, they can go back home and pursue their ordinary activities.
But what exactly is included in those several hours? Here’s how therapy and rehabilitation programs for IOPs work.

1. Psycho Educational Groups and One-on-One Assessments
All IOPs start with assessments followed by the immersion in a group upon the decision of the doctor. The assessment helps the therapist figure out the intensity of the patient’s problem and can therefore create a program that would best suit their recovery. Groups are a way to ease the entry into therapy by creating a safe space for the patient to share his experiences with others like him. In here, the group is guided into logical skills that will help change their thinking patterns.
2. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Often abbreviated as CBT, this particular method is founded on the idea that bad behavior – like substance abuse – are learned and not inherent in people. The therapy therefore proceeds to help a person unlearn the bad behavior and learn healthier ones. This usually includes finding the motivation behind the bad actions, the triggers, and the pattern that leads to substance dependence. For example – does the patient engage in substance abuse whenever they’re exposed to a particular situation? Once these triggers are found, the CBT teaches the patient how to react to these triggers in a positive way.
3. 12 Step Process
Perhaps the most popular rehabilitation method, the 12 Step Process takes the patient through a systematic procedure designed to help them be free of the negative mentality that created the substance abuse. The 12 Step Process creates a piecemeal approach to what is usually a huge challenge – allowing patients to take it one day at a time and measure their success as their advance through the steps.
4. Matrix Model
The Matrix Model is inspired by both the CBT and the 12 Step Process. It relies primarily on creating a strong connection between the patient and the therapist in order to encourage positive change in the person. While patients under the Matrix Model still participate in support group, the therapist will be a primary source of information and will guide him through many distraction techniques such as time management and how to prevent a relapse.
5. Motivational Interviewing
It can be said that motivational interviewing is used during the initial part of the treatment process. It is used for patients who are reluctant about going through therapy. The therapist guides the person and helps them understand why they don’t want therapy in the first place. Often, the technique involves emphasizing to the patient the negative impact of substance abuse in their lives and then offering a way to change the pattern. In a way, this helps the patient create a mindset that’s committed to finally losing their dependence on substances.
6. Skills Development Groups

IOP treatment is often divided into groups with a common goal such as a Skills Development Group. Under this type of grouping, the patient’s help each other learn different skills to avoid and prevent relapse. They may go through different scenarios, role play, or just converse with each other in an effort to create techniques that will help them resist the temptation. The skills can include assertiveness, stress management, and refusal of substances when offered. These groups may also extend support when dealing with specific problems that are unique to the members of the cluster.
7. Family or Couple Groups
Patients have friends, family, and partners that may be affected by their negative habits. Family and couple groups are a way of attacking the problem together with the people who are affected by the patient’s condition. Through this IOP in Sugar Land program, all parties are given the opportunity to talk and air out problems. More importantly, it helps resolve any issues that are unique to people who are in relationship with patients.
IOPs can be an excellent way for patients to retain their confidence and independence even as they make their way towards a healthier state of mind.







