When choosing between a residential rehab program and an intensive outpatient program (IOP), it’s important to understand the similarities and differences. Depending on the level of care you need, your treatment team may recommend one type of program over the other. But ultimately, the choice depends on your personal preferences and needs.
What Is A Residential Rehab Program?
Residential rehab is often the first type of rehab that comes to people’s minds when they think about drug treatment programs. Residential treatment provides around-the-clock care in a non-hospital setting for an extended period of time.
The two main types of residential treatment are:
- Long-term residential treatment. Sometimes referred to as therapeutic communities, long-term residential treatment typically lasts 6 to 12 months. Participants live on site for the duration of the program and follow a highly structured treatment plan focused on examining false beliefs, taking accountability for their actions, and building a new set of skills that will lend to a healthy and sober life after treatment.
- Short-term residential treatment. Short-term residential programs also provide highly structured treatment, but for only three to six weeks at a time. They are often modeled around the 12-step approach to addiction treatment. With such a short treatment program, aftercare planning and ongoing participation in support groups following treatment, such as 12-step programs, is vital.
What Is Intensive Outpatient Treatment?
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), IOPs can be as effective as residential programs, depending on the characteristics and needs of the individual. Outpatient programs vary greatly in the level of services that are provided.
Low-intensity programs are unlikely to provide enough opportunities for the level of personal development that needs to occur in order to make a full recovery. The focus of these programs is primarily on drug education.
An intensive program provides a high level of services that allows individuals to participate in a range of treatment options for an extended period of time. It provides a treatment option that is a step down from residential treatment and helps people in recovery transition back into their daily lives.
IOPs offer a minimum of nine hours of weekly addiction treatment. This care is often delivered in three-hour sessions three times per week.
IOPs offer the following benefits:
- Psychological counseling
- Behavioral and social support
- The option to live at home during treatment
- The ability to continue working
- Treatment sessions that are scheduled around your work hours
- Aftercare services
IOP Vs Residential
While both residential rehab and intensive outpatient programs can bring about similar outcomes for clients, they have many differences including:
- Level of care
- Detox services
- Cost
Level of Care
The primary difference between residential rehab and IOPs lies in the intensity of the program. Residential rehab provides the most intense level of care since you reside on the premises around the clock. The entire focus is on recovery-related activities since you are not participating in other aspects of your life.
With an IOP, you are still able to live at home, care for family members, work, and participate in social activities. You simply have to make sure you are at the treatment center for your scheduled sessions. This is because IOPs generally involve at least three treatment sessions per week, lasting three hours.
Detox Services
Generally, IOPs do not provide medically assisted detox. Since participants do not live on-site during treatment, IOPs cannot provide the level of medical supervision needed to safely assist someone struggling with certain types of substances through the detox phase.
For people interested in attending an IOP but who also need to detox, participation in a detox program before entering an IOP is a possibility. Some facilities offer inpatient medical detox services and then transition clients to an IOP once withdrawal is complete.
Treatment Cost
Residential rehab programs are the most expensive form of treatment since you reside in the facility around the clock. The added expenses of lodging, meals, and 24-hour staffing increase the overall bill.
IOPs are typically only open during business hours, and you only have to attend for a few hours per day or week, the costs are significantly lower. You live at home, and meals are not provided by the facility, so this reduces overall costs.
Talk to your insurance provider about which type of program they will cover. Sometimes, it is required that you first attempt an outpatient addiction treatment program before a residential rehab program will be covered.
Similarities Between Residential Treatment and Intensive Outpatient
No matter what type of treatment program you are considering, many features are the same. For instance, the goals of all treatment programs are quite similar. All programs aim to help participants quit using drugs and equip them with the tools they need to maintain a life of sobriety.
Several aspects of addiction treatment are incorporated into both inpatient and outpatient rehab programs. Common similarities between residential rehab and IOPs include:
- Evidence-based treatment
- Counseling and therapy
- Treatment for co-occurring disorders
- Family support
- Aftercare planning
Evidence-based Treatment
Evidence-based treatment services educate clients on how their addiction issues have affected their lives. Residential rehab and IOPs both emphasize psychoeducation for all participants to gain a better understanding of their personal histories with addiction.
Counseling and Therapy
Individual counseling and group therapy play a significant role in the recovery process by providing the opportunity to explore your challenges and benefit from the support of your peers. Whether you’re in a residential rehab or IOP, you will participate in talk therapy.
Treatment for Co-occurring Disorders
Both residential treatment programs and IOPs are equipped to treat co-occurring mental health issues. Integrated treatment for co-occurring disorders, where all comorbid issues are addressed simultaneously, is most effective.
Family Services
Residential programs and IOPs are both likely to invite loved ones to participate in family therapy sessions to explore how the family dynamics may have contributed to addiction and to repair relationships that were damaged during active addiction. The goal is to improve communication and support the individual in their recovery process.
Aftercare Planning
Comprehensive rehab programs, whether residential options or IOPs, typically create an aftercare plan with patients before the formal treatment program ends. Treatment professionals will work with patients to identify sources of support that will help the individual maintain sobriety. Components of an aftercare plan may include ongoing therapy, participation in peer support groups, and healthy lifestyle activities.
Sample Treatment Schedules For Residential Rehab and IOP
If you are trying to decide between attending a residential treatment program or an IOP, consider the daily treatment schedule for each type of program. The programs offered at each treatment facility will vary in their details, but the below schedules will give you an idea of what to generally expect with each type of treatment program.
A sample schedule of a day in residential treatment may look like this:
- 7 a.m. – Breakfast
- 8 a.m. – Yoga and meditation
- 9 a.m. – Addiction education session
- 10 a.m. – Group therapy
- 12 p.m. – Lunch
- 1 p.m. – Individual therapy session
- 2 p.m. – Expressive therapy session
- 3 p.m. – Health and wellness activity
- 5 p.m. – Dinner
- 6 p.m. – 12-step meeting
- 7 p.m. – Free time (time for quiet reflection)
- 9 p.m. – Bedtime
A sample IOP treatment schedule may include these aspects:
- Three to five days of treatment per week, with three hours of treatment per day
- Treatment sessions offered during the day or in the evening, depending on your desired schedule
- Regular participation in individual, group, and family therapy
- Ongoing case management
- Participation in aftercare clubs or programs following graduation
As you can see, the schedule at a residential treatment program is significantly more structured than at an IOP.
Residential rehab and IOPs take different approaches to the recovery process, but both types of treatment focus on giving you with the tools you need to maintain sobriety following treatment.
Which Is Better: Residential Treatment or Intensive Outpatient Treatment?
Studies have shown comparable positive outcomes for people who participate in residential rehab and IOPs. Graduates of both types of programs have shown a substantial reduction in drug and alcohol use in both the short term and the long term.
To select the best program for you, be honest with yourself about which level of care and structure will benefit you the most. Talk to staff members of prospective programs about your situation. They can weigh in on the best program structure for your circumstances.
How to Know if Residential Treatment Is Right for You
If you are considering entering addiction treatment, there are a few things to consider to determine if a residential treatment program is right for you. You may benefit from an inpatient program if you:
- Struggle with a severe addiction that has not been successfully treated through outpatient programs.
- Need a structured and supportive environment to help you break free from unhealthy habits and behaviors.
- Struggle with co-occurring mental health issues in addition to your substance abuse
- Desire a break from your current environment or triggers that contribute to your addictive behavior.
- Feel isolated or lack support in your journey towards recovery.
Residential treatment programs offer a comprehensive approach to addiction recovery, providing intensive therapy, group support, and medical care all within a safe and secure residential setting. With round-the-clock supervision and access to medical professionals, you can receive the necessary support to safely recover from substances and manage any withdrawal symptoms.
How to Know if an IOP Is Right for You
If you are considering entering addiction treatment, there are a few things to consider to determine if an IOP is right for you. You may benefit from an IOP if you:
- Do not require medical detoxification.
- Do not need 24-hour supervision to help you stay sober.
- Have a strong social support system.
- Have a job or family that you cannot take time away from while receiving treatment.
IOPs are designed for individuals whose substance abuse issues may not be severe enough to require 24-hour care but still need structured treatment and support. It is often recommended for those who have completed a residential program or for those who do not require medical detoxification.
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