Intensive Outpatient Addiction Treatment
IOP in New England at AdCare
AdCare's intensive outpatient addiction treatment program represents a crucial component of our holistic approach to recovery. This program is designed to provide clients with personalized support while allowing them to maintain their daily routines, such as work or school commitments. Throughout the IOP, participants can expect a structured schedule that includes individual counseling sessions, group therapy, and educational workshops focused on addiction recovery and coping strategies. Our skilled team of professionals is dedicated to guiding individuals through their healing journey, offering both emotional support and practical tools for long-term success. To gain further insight into our intensive outpatient program and how it can benefit you or a loved one, please explore the detailed information provided below.
What Is an Intensive Outpatient Program?
An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is a structured and treatment option for individuals struggling with addiction. Unlike traditional outpatient services, IOPs provide a more intensive level of care while allowing participants the flexibility to return home after each treatment session.
Typically, these programs require patients to attend treatment sessions at least three times a week, with each session lasting approximately three hours. This commitment is designed to ensure that individuals receive adequate support and therapeutic interventions while still maintaining some degree of daily life responsibilities.
IOPs utilize a variety of evidence-based practices that are commonly found in residential treatment settings. These include , which equips patients with knowledge about addiction and recovery processes, behavioral therapy that addresses patterns of behavior linked to substance use, and peer support groups that foster a sense of community and shared experience among participants. By combining these therapeutic techniques, IOPs aim to provide a holistic approach to recovery that supports both mental and emotional health.2–6
The Massachusetts IOP Program at AdCare
A key part of AdCare’s continuum of care is its intensive outpatient program (IOP), which is sometimes used as a step-down from residential/inpatient addiction treatment or a medical detox program, but may also serve as a standalone form of outpatient addiction treatment.
The main goals of the IOP at AdCare are to help patients:
- Maintain abstinence while increasing knowledge of the disease of addiction and the recovery process.
- Acquire and build recovery skills necessary to maintain a sober lifestyle.
- Increase physical and emotional stability while living a sober lifestyle.
- Identify life changes necessary for sobriety and develop daily behavioral skills to help manage life changes.
- Assist significant others in coping with the impact of addiction on relationships.
Following the IOP, many patients benefit from a standard outpatient addiction treatment program, which may only involve treatment 1-2 times a week. Stepping down to the standard outpatient program can help patients maintain focus as they adjust to life outside rehab.2
With AdCare, assistance doesn’t end when a patient exits the program. Each patient is provided with an aftercare plan that will help them continue the progress they have made in treatment when they return home.
In addition, AdCare’s alumni program enables patients to:
- Receive continued check-ins from their alumni concierge.
- Remain in contact with their fellow alumni.
- Track their progress, journal, and receive wellness tips through the alumni app.
- Attend regional and national events hosted by American Addiction Centers (AAC).
Structured Outpatient Addiction Programs
A Structured Outpatient Addiction Program, or SOAP, is designed to provide clinically intensive substance use disorder services with a strong educational component. This particular hybrid program, offered at AdCare Worcester Outpatient, runs 3–5 days a week, from Monday through Friday.
In a SOAP program, topics and activities include but are not limited to:
- Medication
- Recovery yoga
- Animal therapy
- Infection control
- Community support groups
Patients will also be introduced to our alumni app and invited to participate in alumni events when they complete treatment.
IOP vs Residential Addiction Treatment
Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) offer individuals the unique opportunity to engage in their recovery journey while continuing to reside at home, providing a sense of normalcy and stability during treatment. However, these programs may not be the best fit for everyone, particularly those who lack a strong support system or reliable resources at home. IOPs are designed to be less restrictive compared to other forms of treatment, making them a suitable transition for individuals who have previously completed more intensive care options, such as residential treatment or partial hospitalization programs (commonly referred to as “day treatment”). This level of support helps those who are not yet ready to fully reintegrate into independent living.
On the other hand, residential rehab programs require patients to live at the treatment facility 24 hours a day, seven days a week, immersing them in a structured and supervised environment. Such comprehensive programs are particularly beneficial for individuals facing severe co-occurring disorders, which necessitate continuous oversight and assistance. Additionally, residential treatment is often the ideal choice for those who do not have access to safe and stable housing or reliable transportation, ensuring that they can focus entirely on their recovery without the added stress of logistical challenges.
Start the Intake Process Now
What to Expect in an IOP
The Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) offers greater flexibility in scheduling compared to traditional residential treatment options. Patients have the convenience of attending sessions during both daytime and evening hours, making it easier to fit into their personal and professional lives.
Participation in our IOP requires patients to commit to being at the facility for several hours each day, several days a week. This structure allows for a thorough approach to treatment while still accommodating their daily responsibilities.
Session blocks within the IOP consist of a dynamic combination of various therapeutic modalities, including psychoeducation, individual therapy, group therapy, and participation in 12-Step meetings. Each of these components is designed to contribute to a well-rounded recovery experience.
As patients progress through the intensive outpatient program, they will engage in a range of evidence-based therapies tailored to address some of the most challenging and persistent issues associated with their substance use disorders. These therapies are carefully designed to empower individuals to regain control over their lives and foster lasting change.
Common types of therapy used in intensive outpatient programs can include:
- Motivational interviewing (MI). Patients are encouraged to come up with tangible goals, which highlights the ways in which drugs and alcohol prevent them from attaining them and motivates them to stay invested in recovery.8
- Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). DBT teaches patients methods of opposing strategies: acceptance (i.e., mindfulness and tolerance) and change (i.e., emotion regulation and interpersonal communication).9
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). CBT teaches patients to recognize and avoid situations that may lead them to use drugs or alcohol, and to utilize positive, effective coping strategies when these situations inevitably arise.10
- 12-Step facilitation therapy. 12-Step programs are effective tools in maintaining recovery over long periods of time. During rehab, patients are introduced to the 12-Step process, which they can continue in the program and long after treatment ends.11
- Family behavior therapy (FBT). FBT engages the patient and at least one family member in learning to apply the behavioral techniques learned in sessions. Goals are set and reviewed, sometimes with rewards given when they are achieved.12
Patients can expect to receive integrated treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression, when necessary. Since these conditions can worsen substance use and vice versa, we believe that the most effective treatment program addresses both issues simultaneously.
In addition to these therapies, we are pleased to offer various therapeutic groups in our intensive outpatient program, including a structured early recovery group. Certain AdCare locations may also provide mood management services, parenting support for those in recovery, and relapse prevention strategies.
When patients come to AdCare, they will have a personalized treatment plan developed specifically for them, which may include some or all of these options.
Does Health Insurance Cover Intensive Outpatient Treatment for Addiction?
In many cases, yes, health insurance will provide some level of coverage for IOP addiction treatment. Most insurers are subject to federal mandates requiring them to cover substance use treatment.14
However, the amount of coverage will vary based on the individual policy. We encourage you to reach out to our admissions navigators to learn more about what your payment options may be.
With outpatient care, most plans will require patients to pay either a co-insurance percentage of the total cost of treatment or copayments at each session.
AdCare facilities accept coverage from many major insurers, such as:
All AdCare locations accept Medicaid. AdCare Hospital in Massachusetts also accepts Medicare.
Check whether your insurance plan covers treatment at AdCare by completing the confidential . By providing your email address, the name of your insurer, and the insurance policy, you’ll receive an email in minutes to verify your coverage.
Intensive Outpatient Treatment Without Health Insurance
Many Americans are without health insurance, which is one of the most common reasons few people get the treatment they need;15 however, both the financial and intangible costs of addiction can be devastating.
Fortunately, there are ways to pay for rehab without insurance that can make treatment costs manageable, like financing, credit cards, personal loans, and the financial support of loved ones. To learn more about how AdCare can work with you to manage out-of-pocket expenses, fill out the simple form below.
AdCare Treatment Centers can help you turn your life around. Call an admissions navigator at and start treatment as soon as possible.
Massachusetts IOP FAQs
Comprehensive Care to Meet All of Your Needs
Consider Detox
Many people put off treatment due to fears over withdrawal. At AdCare, we ease the process with medical support, supervision and medication and prepare you for further treatment.
Learn More About Our Inpatient Services
With inpatient treatment options available in Rhode Island, you or a loved one can get the specialized care you need to start a life in recovery. Contact us right now to inquire about our inpatient program and have your questions answered.
Call Admissions to Get Started Today
If you or a loved one are ready to get the help and move forward from addiction, contact our admissions team to begin the process.