iop - online intensive outpatient program

commonly asked questions

• who is IOP for?

  Intensive Outpatient Program is for people who:

  1. Do not need medically-supervised stabilization (detox), do not have severely acute mental health comorbidities, and can commit to a program at the IOP level of care.

  2. Cannot attend residential inpatient rehab due to work obligations, child care, lack of transportation, disability/mobility challenges, and other reasons but still would benefit from an intense substance use disorder treatment program. A broad study performed in 2014 found that IOP is as effective as inpatient treatment for most individuals .

  
  

  An intensive outpatient program is also referred to as partial hospitalization because of the time commitment it requires.

  Additionally, intensive outpatient programs are for people who:

  Have graduated residential inpatient rehab and will use IOP to maintain a lot of structure and support groups as they integrate back into the world.

• what is the difference between substance abuse treatment and mutual-help groups?

  SUD treatment is professional psychology, provided by licensed therapists who hold degrees at the Master and PhD levels. SUD treatment follows the best practices of the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) and is highly structured. It is classified as a "brief intervention" because the average length of treatment is several weeks, followed by aftercare.

  Mutual self-help groups, which include the 12 Step traditions, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, and alternatives including Lionrock's CommUnity meetings, are led by peers at various levels and with various amounts of time in recovery. Depending on the group, the meeting may be very structured or less structured. Social connectedness has been shown to improve brain health by promoting the production of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) which creates new neurons and repairs damaged neurons and glial cells. In contrast to SUD treatment, mutual self-help group participation can last a lifetime and provides ongoing social support. Typically, there is no charge to attend mutual self-help groups, though donations are accepted.

• is online IOP right for you?

  Online IOP is as effective as in-person, so it is a matter of preference. Lionrock clients get help from the privacy of home - or wherever they can access a secure Internet connection. Lionrock treatment schedules fit into clients' busy lives, rather than the other way around. Because Lionrock therapists live in every time U.S. zone, clients can choose the time of day and days of week that make sense for them.

  One of the problems that a lot of patients have with intensive outpatient programs is that it is often impossible for them to make their groups on time every time. For example, a patient can have weird hours at work that change from week-to-week, but if they miss their sessions at IOP, they will be discharged from the program. If the person is court-ordered to attend IOP, that can create legal hardships and violations.

• how do I start?

  Getting started is easy. Caring and educated addiction treatment counselors are available and ready to help!

  Get in touch with a Lionrock admissions counselor today to learn more about your personal options for substance abuse treatment. Call us at 800.258.6550 , or fill out a form or live-chat with us at www.lionrockrecovery.com.

• what's required for me to attend IOP?

  The protocol for IOP sets a schedule of three 3-hour group therapy meetings and one 1-hour individual meeting each week. Lionrock's programs adhere to this protocol. At Lionrock, we provide over 70 different schedule combinations (days/times) each week to meet our clients' needs.

  Regarding technology, Lionrock IOP programs can be accessed by any Internet-connected device ( laptop, desktop, smartphone, or tablet), though we do ask clients to use the largest screen possible for group therapy.

• what if I'm court-ordered to attend IOP?

  Court involvement is a common aspect of helping our clients and getting them addiction treatment. We gladly share information with whomever you choose, using a document called a "Release of Information" which conforms to the federal government’s 42 CFR Part II. We have long experience working with attorneys, judges and probation officials. We will support you through the journey.

• what is the difference between inpatient treatment and an intensive outpatient treatment program?

  At the inpatient treatment (or residential) level of care, a client lives at a facility where treatment is provided. Just as it sounds, online Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program (IOP) care is provided in sessions of up to three hours, three times weekly. Clients can live at home, and still meet their family and work obligations as they make progress in their recovery.

• is my treatment at Lionrock confidential?

  Your privacy is both guaranteed by law (see our consent forms for details) and our priority. From the moment you first interact with us through when you join other Lionrock alumni, we protect your identity and communications at every step of the process. Of course, to benefit from any treatment program, clients must share their thoughts and feelings with their addiction treatment specialists, counselors, and group session members to help them through the recovery process. But how much you share is up to you.