It can be challenging for those who face substance abuse issues to admit that they have a problem.
It might take months or years, and some even struggle for decades before they can seek help. One of the reasons that can prevent someone from seeking treatment is that they can’t just step away from their whole life to get it. They still have responsibilities to take care of, jobs to work, and maybe a family that depends on them. All that doesn’t just disappear when they seek help for their addiction.
Fortunately, there are a lot of options out there for treatment. If you’re in a position where you want to begin your recovery but still need to lead a relatively normal life while doing it, an IOP in Massachusetts, as you’ll find at Northstar Recovery Center, might be the solution for you.
What Is an IOP in Massachusetts?
IOP stands for an intensive outpatient program, a type of substance use disorder treatment. It is the middle step between a regular outpatient program and partial hospitalization or inpatient recovery. For many addicts who fit the criteria for an IOP, it can be just as effective as inpatient treatment. IOP involves regular therapy and other intervention treatments, but you’ll still be able to live in your own home while going through the program.
What Are the Benefits of IOP in Massachusetts?
Anyone who is having issues with substance use will require a unique approach to treatment and a personal recovery plan, but some particular benefits come with IOPs in MA.
One of the significant perks of an IOP in MA is that you can continue your routine while participating. While it doesn’t provide as much freedom as a standard outpatient procedure, you will still be living at home and will have the opportunity to arrange your schedule around the IOP. It doesn’t require you to step completely out of your regular life, which just isn’t possible for everyone.
You can expect to be in the program for a more extended amount of time than in a typical outpatient program. This tends to be highly beneficial, as longer treatment times typically result in higher success with recovery. People enrolled in IOPs in MA also tend to stick with the program more reliably than those involved in the less intensive outpatient programs. Because you will spend a considerable amount of time engaging with the interventions included in the IOP, it becomes part of a routine to hold yourself accountable.
In an IOP, you’ll still have access to the most effective therapies for substance use, such as:
- Individual therapy – This includes one-on-one sessions with your therapist that will help you work through your relationship with substances. It includes things like identifying why you started to use substances and what your triggers are, as well as teaching you relaxation techniques and how to cope with stress, anxiety, and difficult situations without jeopardizing your recovery.
- Group therapy – The specifics of group therapy sessions can vary. It might be a small group of only a few people or up to a dozen or so who participate, and there’s often a range of different topics brought up by the person leading the session. Group therapy has proved to be an invaluable tool for many during their recovery, as it gives them a platform to talk to others who are facing similar issues to their own. The sense of isolation that addicts feel can be crushing, and group therapy is an excellent way to combat it.
Overall, an IOP in Massachusetts gives you access to several helpful treatments for a longer period. Typically, people engage with the program a few days a week for 2−4 hours a day. Committing that amount of time tends to strike the right balance. It isn’t overwhelming or unreachable, but it is still enough to keep people on track and to participate.
Who Makes a Good Candidate for IOP in MA?
Nobody’s addiction or substance use is identical to another person’s. Even if they look the same on paper, everyone responds to treatment differently. If you require 24/7 care or more regular, prolonged access to therapies and interventions, an IOP in Massachusetts might not meet your needs.
Those enrolled in an IOP need a safe, supportive home environment to return to. Because you won’t be staying at a facility, having a place to stay that will help (not hinder) your recovery is crucial to the success of the IOP.
IOPs tend to work best for those who can work several hours a week into their routine for sessions. You’ll still have access to your regular life, but an IOP does require a time commitment.
Conclusion
If you’re seeking help with your substance use but still need to lead your regular life, consider an IOP. Don’t put off treatment because you can’t cast everything else aside – you don’t have to. Get the help you need today, and contact Northstar Recovery Center to see if their IOP in Massachusetts is right for you.