Mental Health: Intensive Outpatient Program

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is the next step down from partial hospitalization (PHP )treatment and step up from aftercare. In most mental health intensive outpatient programs, patients spend approximately 3-4 hours per day, 3-5 days a week at the treatment facility.

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

If you’re struggling with depression, bipolar disorder, suffer from debilitating panic attacks, persistent worry, fears or phobias, or generalized anxiety, and these symptoms are enough to interfere with functioning at work and/or interpersonal relationships, IOP program might be the right choice for you.

Intensive outpatient treatment program participants have the opportunity to utilize therapeutic groups to be able to recognize and understand problematic patterns in their lives. This helps intensive outpatient treatment members reinstate positive life role functions in their own lives. It also helps IOP members create supportive connections in their communities.

A psychiatric intensive outpatient program is geared to patients who have primary mental health issues. A dual diagnosis intensive outpatient program is for patients who have problems with both drug and/or alcohol dependency and mental health issues.

Partial Hospitalization or Day Treatment Programs

Patients tend to directly enter into partial hospitalization program (PHP) after completing their detoxification or inpatient treatment. In most cases, PHP requires the patient to be available for treatment on a daily basis. The main difference is that more of the patient’s time is required each day compared to the IOP. PHP programs usually last about 5-6 hours per day, 3-5 days per week.

PHP programs have significant amounts of individual and group therapy where they are taught better coping mechanisms to deal with their stress as alternatives to turning to alcohol and drug abuse for solace or self-medication. It is with regard that PHP is sometimes referred to as day- treatment, to capture the idea that a patient will be receiving care on a nearly full-time basis during the day and allowed to go home in the evenings.

In addition, more supervision including the monitoring of psychiatric symptoms and intake of medication is associated with PHP than with IOP, but this is also subject to your insurance cover limit that could determine the range of services that you will receive.

PHP VS IOP: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?

While the recovery journey is different for every person, there are levels of treatment for each problem, depending on how severe the symptoms are:

The difference between an IOP and a PHP is subtle but important. The program that’s right for you will depend on many factors, including whether you’ve been in treatment before and whether you have a strong support system at home. The most important difference between IOP and PHP is that:

• PHP programs usually last about 5-6 hours per day, 3-5 days per week.
• IOP programs usually last approximately 3-4 hours per day, 3-5 days a week.

If you’ve been through inpatient treatment recently and you’re looking for the next step in your recovery journey, a PHP could be the ideal next step.

If you experience moderate mental health or addiction problems, IOP treatment might be sufficient as a first step on your recovery journey. 

Reading to discover the difference between PHP and IOP addiction treatment is important, but always consult with the doctor for an initial assessment, so that your physical and mental health situation can be effectively gauged.

IS PHP PROGRAM RIGHT FOR YOU?

Whether a PHP day treatment is right for you depends on your stage of the recovery and healing process.

If you’ve been through inpatient treatment recently and you’re looking for the next step in your recovery journey, a PHP could be the ideal next step.

If you experience moderate mental health or addiction problems, IOP treatment might be sufficient as a first step on your recovery journey. 

The difference between living in a partial hospitalization treatment facility and living at home can make for a more significant treatment experience. Even though you’re undergoing treatment during the day in another program—under constant supervision—once you get home, you’re no longer supervised. This can make it tough to stay sober, strong, healthy, and maintain gains.

PHP treatment is designed to bridge the gap between residential treatment and home, but may also be appropriate for people who do not need a residential level of care.

If you need FREE help please contact the National Helpline about mental and/or substance use disorders, prevention, treatment, and recovery in English and Spanish.