15 Jun A Framework for Choosing a Treatment Program
Building a recovery that is right for you means choosing the right materials and building the framework of continuing care that best suits your needs. Those needs may fluctuate and change as you begin the process and may also be dictated by what your insurance covers or your financial situation. Knowing what is available to you and understanding the various levels of care will make a difference in your choices and help you make the most informed decisions for your care.
These programs are typically available to you following your initial detox treatment:
Inpatient Programs (IP)
Also commonly referred to as residential programs, the patient resides at the facility around the clock and is typically monitored by a doctor during the entire stay. Inpatient programs typically also include individual and group therapy as well as a variety of educational and other activities.
Inpatient programs vary widely in terms of levels of comfort and care. As with all other programs, checking for accreditation is always recommended. Personal references can always be helpful. This is your recovery, so you want to be sure that you are comfortable with the staff and program.
Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)
The next step removed from a full-time residential program is a partial hospitalization program. These programs involve programming that typically requires the patient to be onsite for about 25-30 hours per week, often for several hours per day. Typical programming involves group and individual counseling, education, and activities.
While residing at a facility is not required for a PHP, it is often recommended that patients live in a sober living facility while participating in the program for additional structure. This still offers more freedom than an IP or residential facility but allows for the safety net and support that a sober living environment offers.
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)
Similar to PHP, IOP programs only require a few short visits per week, often about 15-20 hours per week, which allows for those who have home or work responsibilities to participate. The programs may last a little longer due to fewer meetings with fewer hours each week. While not required, those in an IOP are also well-served to reside in a sober living home during their program due to the structure and added support.
Outpatient Programs (OP)
The least restrictive level of care on the recovery continuum of care is OP. Outpatient care typically only involves about five to six hours per week from patients. At this point, patients are usually independent and able to resume their normal activities with ongoing therapy and support. Typically by this point, they will only need minimal supervision in terms of accountability and will be able to ask for more support as needed.
Sober Living Homes
Sober living homes are homes that provide a transitional living environment between treatment and a return to a typical living environment for those in early recovery. As the name suggests, they provide a drug and alcohol-free environment and provide accountability for occupants to maintain sobriety during their stay.
There are typically other rules and requirements to live in these homes, such as cleanliness, curfews, etc., that assist those in early recovery in establishing good routines to help them succeed. Residents also may learn important life skills such as cooking, budgeting, relationships, and more to help them succeed in other areas of their lives. Residents often are transitioning from one program to another during this time and will frequently re-enter the workforce during their stay in a sober living environment.
An important aspect of sober living is learning to cooperate and live with others as well as learning to support and depend on one another. The friendships forged in sober living homes are often for life, as recovery is such a personal journey, and living together during this time can create strong relationships.
Building Your Framework of Care
Healing from addiction can feel like you are digging yourself out of a hole, but you are digging the foundation for the rest of your life. Making well-researched decisions about your treatment after detox can help you build your framework of care so that your recovery has a strong foundation to stand on.
Choosing the program or programs that are right for you involves looking at your needs, your financial situation, and available resources, such as insurance, as well as looking at the programs and their availability. Finding programs that offer multiple programs in a single setting is helpful because it offers you the flexibility to change if necessary. Be sure that you feel good about your choices to ensure the probability of your success in recovery.