IOP stands for an intensive outpatient program. It is one of the several types of outpatient treatment available for individuals recovering from substance use. IOP provides their patients with psychological and medical assistance with a minimal time commitment that allows them to return to their normal lives, such as caring for their children or working.

In this program, patients will only need to attend rehab or the hospital of their choice for their therapy, relapse prevention skills, counseling, and any other services provided that they might choose to become a part of or be recommended to. IOP programs require a couple of short weekly visits, typically nine hours a week divided into three sessions. The number of hours and sessions are flexible depending on the following factors:

However, because an IOP program isn’t ongoing like it is in an inpatient program, IOPs tend to take a little longer to complete than inpatient treatment programs. Nevertheless, the circumstance mentioned above in no way alters the overall effectiveness of the IOP. Several studies have proven that IOPs could be equally successful when correctly followed and prescribed.

Aside from individual counseling and therapy, IOP treatment also contains various other methods to ensure a patient’s recovery from addiction. Group sessions and activities can be a great tool for a former individual struggling with drug use to gain support from like-minded individuals who are going through similar obstacles. They can help prevent feelings of isolation and loneliness and also assist patients in gaining a better understanding of themselves and the overall process through others’ experiences, insights, and advice.

IOP offers:

PHP is the abbreviation for the partial hospitalization program. This type of addiction treatment program is more intensive than IOP (intensive outpatient) but less intensive than residential rehab or full inpatient.
Compared to an IOP program, PHP requires more sessions and visits per week. This type of commitment is similar to a residential recovery program, but unlike traditional rehab, in a PHP program, the patient doesn’t reside at the treatment facility. Individuals that attend this program have the decision to choose their housing accommodations.

PHP programs usually require an average of 5 visits per week. The visits can range from 4 to 8 hours, depending on the patient’s overall needs. PHP programs can be combined with other activities besides psychiatric or medical attention to guarantee the program’s success. Patients generally seem to be at a more vulnerable stage in their lives, so every transition available to them improves their overall physical and mental health.

PHP offers:

There are numerous benefits of a PHP program. Every individual processes substance abuse in various ways. Several factors dictate which treatment option will be best, such as:

When individuals rush to complete their addiction treatment program, it doesn’t indicate that they will complete it faster. It can reduce the individual’s treatment effectiveness instead. A partial hospitalization program is considered the ultimate next step for an individual who has just left rehab or residential treatment but doesn’t feel stable.

As an intercessor between outpatient and residential treatment, patients will still have a notable amount of support from their treatment facility but can still access the outside world. PHP programs can assist patients in adjusting better to the ultimate transition back to their daily routine. Furthermore, too much sudden freedom can be damaging to a recovering individual. A person going straight from inpatient to outpatient treatment can put that individual at a higher risk of falling back into old habits. The time commitment of a PHP program provides a vital structure that plays a crucial role in reducing the likelihood of relapse.

Nicole Rettino-Lambert is a dually licensed clinician with over 20 years of experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in both addiction treatment and mental health treatment. Along with extensive experience in clinical work, she has held leadership roles in both inpatient and outpatient addiction treatments centers in New Jersey. Throughout her various leadership positions, Rettino-Lambert has developed clinical programming, assisted staff in their growth and development in the clinical field, and had the privilege of helping numerous individuals on their path to recovery.

As a clinician, Rettino-Lambert specializes in addiction trauma, mental health, self-harm behaviors, anxiety, intimacy issues, sex addiction, and personality disorders. She holds certifications as a clinical trauma professional and sex informed professional. Her passion and purpose as a clinician are to help individuals find their voice, purpose, and motivation through their recovery. She takes pride in being part of the process that helps those who are fighting for their lives to achieve both sobriety and wellness.In her role as a Clinical Director at Achieve Wellness and Recovery, Rettino-Lambert works tirelessly to ensure that her staff feels supported in their roles, continues their clinical growth and development, and is empowered to become the best versions of themselves. She firmly believes that all the staff are an essential part of clients’ recovery journey and that they deserve continuous compassion, empathy, acknowledgment, and support from leadership.