Intensive Outpatient Program: Who Is A Good Candidate?
People looking to take back their lives from the grips of drugs or alcohol have many choices to make. One of the first is what type of treatment program to enroll in. Both inpatient and outpatient programs can be effective, but each works better for some people than others. This article will explore the question of who is a good candidate for intensive outpatient programs to make it easier for people looking for help to make informed decisions.
What Is Intensive Outpatient Rehab?
An Intensive Outpatient Program allows participants to receive full-day or partial-day treatment at an official facility while continuing to reside at home. Unlike inpatient programs, intensive outpatient rehabilitation facilities don’t generally offer medical detox services. Instead, they focus on helping people who are not chemically dependent on substances get clean and stay that way.
The Benefits Of Intensive Outpatient Programs
Before discussing who might be a good candidate for intensive outpatient rehab, let’s discuss why people might be interested in this kind of treatment program, to begin with. Intensive outpatient programs occupy a middle ground between inpatient care and lower levels of outpatient treatment, offering something of the best of both worlds. They are generally flexible enough to allow people to continue meeting obligations at home while still getting the help they need.
Who Is A Good Candidate?
Many people in the early stages of recovery can benefit from intensive outpatient programs. There are a few factors that influence success rates more than others, though. They include:
1. Participant Support System
The first thing to consider is whether the person has a strong support system at home. Someone living with family, a committed partner, or friends who are clean and sober is more likely to succeed in an outpatient program than a person who lacks a strong support system.
2. Absence Of Temptation
Outpatient treatment means that participants may still be exposed to triggers such as interacting with people from their past who may still be using or even walking by the same places they used to go to buy drugs or alcohol. The ideal outpatient program candidate will be able to make adjustments to their life to avoid these temptations entirely, but people who have honed the ability to push them away may still find that intensive outpatient treatment is effective.
3. Completion Of An Inpatient Program
Many of the people attending intensive outpatient programs have switched over from inpatient treatment. They have already received help with medical detox and are ready to learn new skills to help them continue on their journeys toward ongoing sobriety, but may still need some extra support. Intensive outpatient programs are a good fit in these circumstances since they let people continue to make progress in a supportive environment and gain access to essential tools that can help them succeed.
Who Is Not A Good Candidate?
Outpatient programs aren’t a good fit for everyone. Some people are better off seeking inpatient care, at least at first. Examples of when this might be the case include people with chemical dependencies, those who lack support systems at home, and anyone who needs dual diagnosis treatment.
The Next Steps
For those who believe that intensive outpatient treatment is the best option, the next steps are simple. Reach out to an addiction specialist who can help with navigating the program enrollment process.
