Intensive outpatient programs help those who cannot stay in residential centers while they break away from alcohol or drug dependence. Getting free and taking control of your life is tough and can be intimidating. The care provided gives you the support you need to take the controls and turn away from the harmful substances taking over your life.
Expert Medical Care
Because many addictions are rooted in undiagnosed medical problems, an important aspect of intensive outpatients programs is a thorough medical work-up. Quite a few addicts find they have been treating unknown conditions on their own. Once identified, patients are able to get healthy treatment to manage their health problems, making people less likely to reach out to alcohol and drugs.
Most importantly, this expert medical care is overseen by quality doctors who refuse to replace one addiction with another. Many prescription medications carry the risk of dependence. Someone familiar with alcohol and drug treatment will avoid opioids and other potentially harmful medications in favor of gentler medications and alternative therapies. It’s very important for medical professionals to know about your addiction history to avoid potentially harmful situations.
An extra benefit is the potential for using prescription medications to help prevent relapse. Effective advancements have been made in this field, with drugs having high success rates after an initial relapse. Used with the guidance of a medical professional, these drugs can provide big incentives to keep addiction at bay.
High-Quality Therapy and Support
Intensive outpatient programs must include therapy for you as an individual and possibly for your family or legal and financial issues. Therapy is not isolated to talk sessions either. This can include life or career counseling as well. A good therapist will be able to identify the risk factors that welcomed addiction into your life and help you solve them through other methods.
Therapists also use sessions to deal with the issues involved in healing. Many times, addicts suffer from interpersonal problems caused by bad decisions, or they have a great deal of shame or guilt. There is nothing shameful in being brave enough to get help. Therapy isn’t for whining or feeling bad about yourself but developing the skills you need to handle challenges in the best way possible.
Support groups are a part of therapy in terms of intensive outpatient programs. For some individuals, they are incredibly effective. They help you relate to other people in your situation or find solutions to problems you’re also dealing with. Many people are struggling against alcohol and drug dependence. Recognizing that is a part of long-term success.
