Intensive Outpatient Programs in New Jersey: Flexible, Effective Recovery at Epiphany Wellness

Seek Help and Healing From IOPs in New Jersey

When you seek help for drug or alcohol abuse or mental health issues, you are making a brave decision. Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) are designed to offer people comprehensive care while allowing them to continue their daily routines and live at home. As the name implies, the Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) provides intensive outpatient treatment for those who need assistance with substances or mental health issues. Availability of this type of treatment includes more flexible scheduling (around your work, school and family obligations) and evidence-based therapy.

What are Intensive Outpatient Programs?

An Intensive Outpatient Program is a type of treatment that falls between traditional outpatient counseling and inpatient treatment or partial hospitalization. ASAM classifies IOP as level II treatment and, according to ASAM, IOPs provide at least nine hours of service each week[1]. Most programs offer three sessions of approximately three hours a week (with the number of therapy hours ranging from 9 to 30 weekly, depending on the individual’s needs). Clients live at home and attend therapy appointments at a treatment center, or via telehealth.

IOPs may be a good option for people transitioning out of a residential or partial hospitalization program who still need regular therapy and relapse-prevention support. A review of the effectiveness of intensive outpatient services found that these services are as effective as inpatient treatment, and yield similar reductions in substance use and improvements in functioning[2]. Because new skills learned during intensive outpatient treatment programs are practiced in the client’s real-world environment, this program has long-term benefits in terms of the ability to stay connected to their community and create a long-term recovery plan.

Who Should Consider IOPs?

Adults who live in New Jersey can benefit from Intensive Outpatient Programs when they:

• Require more structure than weekly outpatient counsel, but do not need a 24-hour supervised living environment or detoxification.
• Are transitioning out of inpatient or partial hospitalization, but still require regular therapy and inpatient care during treatment and support to avoid relapse.
• Live in stable housing with supporting family or friend networks available to help them throughout the recovery process.
• Live with concurrent mental health conditions e.g., depression, anxiety, PTSD, and require integrated care to be successful.
• Can make an ongoing personal commitment to attend to multiple sessions each week, while successfully handling responsibilities of work, school and caregiving for others.
• Individuals experiencing extreme withdrawal symptoms or a significant level of medical instability may require a higher level of care; e.g., detoxification or inpatient care prior to entering an intensive outpatient program.[3]

Advantages of Intensive Outpatient Programs in New Jersey

There are several benefits for choosing an IOP.

• Flexibility and Autonomy – An IOP allows individuals to live and care for their children, and to work or attend school. Many programs offer various session times including daytime, evening and some offer weekend or telehealth sessions.
• Comprehensive Care Without Being Hospitalized – Each IOP offers a minimum of nine therapy hours per week.[1] The greater frequency of service enables clients to develop skills for managing their lives, provide significant support and improve readiness for long-term recovery without the costs and disruptions of inpatient care.
• Evidence Based Therapies – The majority of IOPs utilize a type of evidence-based therapy, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Trauma Informed Care and Relapse Prevention Training. All programs provide education, life skills training and stress management skills.
• Integrated Treatment for Co-Occurring Disorders – A significant number of people suffering from substance use disorders also have depression, anxiety and/or trauma.[4] Many IOPs offer access to mental health and psychiatric services when such treatment is warranted.
• Peer Support and Family Support – Group therapy fosters a sense of community among people with similar problems, and family therapy offers an opportunity for individuals to rebuild support systems with loved ones.
• Affordability and Insurance Coverage – Most Medicare and many commercial health insurance plans provide coverage for intensive outpatient services in New Jersey. Always speak with your health insurance company regarding coverage details.

Core Elements of IOPs

Although each New Jersey intensive outpatient program provides unique individualized services, several common elements exist.

Assessment and Treatment Planning

Initial assessments prior to entering the program include performing a biopsychosocial evaluation using the six dimensions defined by ASAM including: acute intoxication and or withdrawal potential, biomedical conditions, emotional behavioral conditions, stage of readiness for change, risk of relapse and recovery environment[5]. Based on the results of the evaluation, the provider can create a diagnostic and personalized treatment plan defining the goals, level of therapy, and intensity of the service.

Group Therapy

A major focus of IOPs is group therapy. Group therapy encourages peer support and personal accountability, as well as provides opportunities for participants to practice coping skills and communication skills with peers. Group therapy can cover a variety of topics including: Emotional Management, Self-Esteem, Mindfulness and Stress Management, Relapse Prevention, Life Skills Building, and Work-Related Skills. Research indicates that individuals who participate in group therapy create the foundations of support networks, which are critical to an individual’s recovery[6].

Individual Counseling

During individual counseling, clients are matched with therapists in order to identify underlying problems and set personal goals. Therapists use evidence-based approaches such as motivational interviewing and CBT to assist in determining and changing thought and behavior patterns that lead to substance addiction or mental health issues.

Family or Couples Therapy

The family system often plays a critical role in an individual’s recovery process. Many IOPs offer family therapy services, allowing each family member to learn about and understand addiction and mental health, improve communication skills and reconstructs the relationship based on a foundation of trust. Family sessions may assist in establishing healthy boundaries and developing relapse prevention plans.

Psychoeducation and Skills Training

In educational groups, clients are provided with information on addiction science, coping skill development, nutrition, sleep hygiene, medication management and tools to resist triggers. Skills training sessions may assist participants in building and practicing mindfulness, problem-solving and assertiveness, and using appropriate methods of emotional management.

Psychiatric Services and Medication Management

Individuals who have co-occurring mental disorders usually benefit from continued psychiatric evaluations and often require medications. IOPs can coordinate with psychiatrists and nurse practitioners to monitor medication use, manage medications and stabilize or integrate psychopharmacological therapy into the therapeutic process.

Holistic and Experiential Therapies

Some Intensive Outpatient Programs provide additional treatment approaches. Many use alternative and complementary treatments such as holistic therapies (yoga, art or music therapy, mindfulness practices) and exercise and nutrition counseling, while creating a fun atmosphere for clients to relax and express themselves.

Relapse Prevention Planning and Aftercare

As each client is recovering from their respective addiction(s), IOPs continuously assess their developmental progress using ongoing evaluations that allow clinicians to monitor individual needs and readiness to step up or down in treatment intensity. Recovering participants learn individual strategies for relapse prevention in intensive outpatient programs (IOP). However, as they near the completion of this type of treatment, support groups, alumni services, sober housing, and outpatient referrals for ongoing care are provided to enable continued success.

What Treatment Looks Like: Typical Schedule of an IOP

An IOP has a common structure among many providers; however, the specific timetables for client attendance and weekly hour allotments may vary.

• Time and Frequency: Clients typically participate in three to five sessions weekly, with adult clients attending anywhere from 9 to 19 hours of the IOP weekly. Sessions are usually scheduled during times that accommodate clients’ work and school obligations, including mornings, afternoons, and evenings.
• Daily Sessions: Each IOP client participates in several hours of group therapy, psychoeducation, life skills, or experiential therapy. In addition, clients may also have individual therapy sessions or medication management appointments either immediately preceding or following group sessions.
• Duration: Health guidance suggests that a client should remain in an IOP for at least 90 days to have the best chance of maintaining their recovery[7]. Many clients may need to stay longer or shorter in an IOP depending on their specific treatment progress and their individual situation.

Epiphany’s Specialized Services for IOP in New Jersey

Epiphany Wellness provides a variety of specialized services, including:

• Dual-Diagnosis Programs where treatment is provided for substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health problems. This type of program includes psychiatric and counseling services.
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) where a combination of medication and behavioral therapies are used to treat substance use disorders involving opioids and alcohol.
• Gender-Specific and Age-Specific Groups where individuals from the same gender or age group participate in groups with peers who have shared experiences and challenges.
• Trauma-Informed Programs that provide trauma-focused therapies, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), to help clients resolve trauma.
• Telehealth IOPs that provide remote access to virtual group sessions and one-on-one counseling sessions for clients unable to attend in person.

How to Get Started With IOP in New Jersey

• Initial Evaluation: Contact Epiphany Wellness and a qualified counselor will evaluate your situation and determine if an IOP is appropriate for you. You will also be assessed for any immediate medical or psychiatric needs.
• Insurance Verification: IOP services are covered by many insurance companies, including Medicare. Check with your insurance company about how to verify the benefits you have for IOPs, and ask them to explain what costs you will incur out of pocket. Epiphany’s admissions team can help with this process.
• Develop a Treatment Plan: Once the initial assessment has been completed, clinicians will work with each client to develop an individualized treatment plan outlining that client’s treatment schedule, goals, any additional services (e.g., MAT), and the client’s support system (e.g., family).
• Consistent Participation: Clients should consistently participate in both group and individual therapy as well as implement the skills they learn in therapy at home with family and friends who support their recovery.
• Transition to Aftercare: As clients attain their treatment goals, their treatment team will prepare and assist clients in establishing the next levels of care, including continued outpatient therapy, attendance at support groups, and entry to sober housing. Recovering individuals typically require long-term support and changes in lifestyle to sustain their recovery.