Intensive Outpatient Treatment in Thousand Oaks
Are you suffering from an addiction? Ready to kick it to the curb? If so, you might consider undergoing intensive outpatient treatment in Thousand Oaks.
Intensive outpatient treatment offers a variety of benefits for those suffering from addictions. Most importantly, however, it’s effective.
Wondering about the goals and processes associated with Thousand Oaks IOP? Then read on. We’re going to cover all the details below.
The Goal of IOP (Intensive Outpatient Treatment).
First, let’s discuss the typical goals associated with intensive outpatient treatment. They include the following:
Heal from Trauma
Oftentimes, at the root of addiction lies psychological trauma. For instance, you may have grown up in an abusive household. Or you may have been sexually assaulted.
These events can cause feelings of shame and low self-worth. You may now be using drugs and alcohol to escape from these negative feelings.
What this means is that, in order to combat one’s addiction, one must first understand and heal from trauma. Once someone has done this, they’re much less likely to use drugs and alcohol as a means of escape. This is why healing from trauma is one of the primary goals of IOP.
Learn Healthy Coping Skills
Not only are drugs and alcohol used as an escape but also to help people cope with hard times. Many addicts find that these substances take the edge off during times of stress and hardship. Of course, when used too frequently or in too large a volume, they’re extremely destructive.
This is why, in IOP, one of the primary goals is for the patient to learn more healthy coping skills. This could be anything from exercising to meditating to doing yoga to journaling and more. Some patients even find that creative endeavors help to offset their desire for drug use.
Determine Triggers for Drug Use
There are all sorts of factors that can contribute to a person using drugs. These include everything from mental trauma to peer pressure to physical pain to cultural leanings and more.
If you’re going to beat your drug addiction, you must determine what’s triggering your drug abuse and then work to combat it. IOP will help you to do this.
Prevent Relapse
The final goal of IOP is to prevent relapse. It’s not just intended to get a patient off drugs but to keep them off drugs for good.
This is why this treatment focuses on contributing factors and coping skills. It’s intended to educate the patient so that they understand their addiction and have an idea of how to keep it from returning.
What’s Involved With Intensive Outpatient Treatment?
Now that we’ve discussed the typical goals associated with IOP, let’s discuss what intensive outpatient treatment in Thousand Oaks involves. Intensive outpatient treatment generally requires 9 hours of dedication per week. This occurs for 3 hours a day, 3 days per week.
You can start IOP without any precursor. Note, however, that many patients will use IOP as a sequel to either inpatient treatment or partial hospitalization programs. They’ll essentially use it to extend their treatment.
With all of that said, what occurs during IOP sessions? In most cases, the following:
Group Therapy
One of the primary components of IOP is group therapy. During each session of IOP, there will be a scheduled group therapy session at which you’ll discuss your thoughts and struggles with others. Conversing about your struggles in this way helps you feel less alone on your journey, and also aids in establishing a support system for the future.
During your group therapy sessions, you’ll also learn ways to combat certain issues, not to mention strategies for coping with them over time. Note, though, that this does require sharing with others. If you feel you’ll struggle with doing so, you should instead look into standard outpatient treatment.
Addiction Education
If you want to combat your addiction, you must learn about the underlying mechanics of addiction. You must understand what triggers addiction as well as what drives it after it has begun.
This is why, during intensive outpatient treatment, you’ll receive addiction education in every session. Your counselors will help you understand why you have a drug dependency. They’ll also help you understand ways in which you can curb it.
This is vital, as a lack of knowledge about addiction makes you more vulnerable to it. In other words, if you understand addiction, you have a much better shot at beating it.
Relapse Prevention Classes
It’s estimated that between 40% and 60% of addicts will relapse at some point or another. So, even if you’re able to stop using a drug initially, it can be extremely difficult to resist it in the future.
This is why, during intensive outpatient treatment, you’ll learn how to prevent relapses. You’ll be taught coping strategies for when you develop cravings. You’ll grow to understand what triggers cravings. You’ll also be introduced to new and healthier lifestyle choices, the likes of which can take the place of your addictive behaviors.
Looking for Intensive Outpatient Treatment in Thousand Oaks?
What do you think? Are you interested in undergoing intensive outpatient treatment in Thousand Oaks? If so, look no further than Arrive Recovery Center.
We’ve helped countless individuals combat and eliminate their drug dependencies. Whether you’re suffering from alcohol abuse, opioid abuse, prescription drug abuse, or otherwise, our Thousand Oaks CA recovery center can help you.
We offer both outpatient drug and outpatient alcohol treatment in Thousand Oaks. Contact us today to start the process!