Addiction recovery research shows that long-term sobriety is best achieved when you have a structured transition from detox into daily life. For many of those recovering from an addiction, this transition is accomplished in a residential setting — a sober living facility or a treatment center with a residential program. However, others in recovery have families, jobs or responsibilities that they cannot afford to leave behind over the course of their treatment. If you fall into this category, an intensive outpatient program might be right for you.

What is an Intensive Outpatient Program?

An intensive outpatient program is a structured and scheduled treatment program that fits your recovery treatment — therapy sessions, doctors’ visits, group meetings or sober outings — into your daily schedule. “Outpatient” is a medical term that means you are not required to stay at your treatment facility. During intensive outpatient treatment, you can live in your own home and go to work as you normally would, but your spare time will be spent participating in recovery- related activities to keep you sober and accountable. For example, you may be required to check in with your counselor or sponsor at certain times; or, you might be expected to attend therapy sessions or group support meetings daily. As your recovery progresses and you become accustomed to sober life, you can slowly start to be more autonomous.

Is an Intensive Outpatient Program Right for Me?

Residential programs are the ideal when it comes to addiction treatment because they ensure you stay sober and fully cared for during the first phase of your recovery. However, external responsibilities or high treatment costs can simply mean that residential treatment is not an option. At The Kimberly Center, we believe that everyone deserves access to high-quality counseling and recovery programs, even if they cannot participate in full-time treatment. Our intensive outpatient program is designed to provide this access for our clients who cannot opt for inpatient care.

In other cases, an intensive outpatient program can be a second step after you complete a residential program. Studies show that careful transitions and long-term treatment plans have the highest success rates for addiction recovery. If you want to continue with the care and structure of your residential program as you transition into living at home, an intensive outpatient program can be a great option.

Contact The Kimberly Center

These programs work best if you have family or other loved ones at home who are willing to be supportive and travel with you on your path to recovery. Your home should be a substance-free zone, even for those in your household who are not struggling with addiction. Additionally, the members of your household may need to be willing to help make sure you stay on schedule as you adjust to your new sober lifestyle. If you are interested in participating in our intensive outpatient program, contact The Kimberly Center today at 855-452- 3683 to learn more about how we can help prepare you, your loved ones and your home for this model of treatment.