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Outpatient Programs,
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) &
Partial Hospital Programs (PHP)

Outpatient Programs

Mental health clinics, addiction counsellors, or hospital, usually give regular outpatient treatment programs. A person goes to meetings, therapy and meets with a support group. Unlike inpatient treatments, where one lives in a facility 7 days a week.

Several different life situations will require an outpatient program instead of a residential one. For example, someone who has dependents and cannot be away for long periods of time. It can be for a single mother or an individual who is the only breadwinner in the family. Or a person who has a parent living with them who cannot be left unattended at night.

Outpatient programs can be challenging, it is for determined people who haven’t lost complete control to their addiction. One living in the hustle and bustle of life faces problems at work and home that can trigger. This very situation can strengthen skills learnt during the treatment to handle everyday problems. A standard outpatient treatment usually offers one weekly session of individual, or group therapy for the duration of a year or more. To permit the individual to work, sessions can be in the evening or weekends.

Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOP) 

Intensive outpatient treatment will vary from one centre to another. It is anywhere between 10 to 20 hours of addiction counselling or group therapy three days a week. This treatment can last for a period of 1 to 3 months.

Partial Hospital Program (PHP) or Day Program

There exists a yet more intensive form of this treatment type, called partial hospital program or sometimes called day program. An individual attends the treatment 5 to 7 days a week, for five to eight hours or more a day. A partial hospitalization program allows someone the intensity of a residential treatment centre, while going back home every night.

The following services are available in most day treatment centers:

      • Individual counseling & group therapy
      • Creative therapy
      • Cognitive behavioral therapy
      • Family therapy
      • Relapse prevention planning
      • Aftercare plans

Looking for a Treatment Plan that Works for You?

You need outpatient program because a residential program can’t fit in to your demanding life. So, you wonder, does outpatient drug rehab work? The answer is yes for the right candidate. Responsibilities should not keep a person from getting the help they need. If a person is truly motivated, an outpatient program can be successful.

In a day program, diligence applies just as much as an inpatient treatment, and sometimes even more. Since the person has limited time in class and therapy to acquire the tools and understanding needed for recovery.

In the medical and counselling professions consider this type of program valid. The goal of this treatment is the same: long term drug or alcohol abstinence. Most outpatient services deliver a 12 step based program. Support groups are available at different times throughout the day and evening. The intent is to accommodate a person’s schedule so they can have the care and support needed while maintaining a job and family life.

One-on-one Therapy

Source:                                   ementalhealth.ca/   &   
Effectiveness of Intensive Outpatient Treatment
Edward Gottheil, M.D., Ph.D.
Stephen P. Weinstein, Ph.D.
Robert C. Sterling, Ph.D. Allan Lundy, Ph.D.
Ronald D. Serota, M.D.