Finding the strength and confidence to confront your addiction and begin treatment in order to achieve sustained sobriety is both challenging and commendable on a multitude of levels – especially in today’s world.
Sobriety requires a level of bravery and personal reflection you must initiate and commit to for the long term. But, you should remember: you never have to start or travel this journey alone.
That is why finding a credible and clinically qualified treatment facility to begin your rehabilitation can mean the difference between success and failure. And while locating a first-rate treatment facility is an essential step, identifying which treatment program best addresses your specific substance use disorder can be just as important.
From inpatient rehab to outpatient therapy, the options available provide you with an outstanding array of selection that can be tailored to your individual areas of need.
For some, in-person treatment is a preferred route because of the addictive patterns they are attempting to address in treatment. For others, being able to participate in telehealth therapy, such as a virtual outpatient treatment program (IOP), is more in tune to their personal preferences and daily routine.
By understanding the benefits of a telehealth approach, you can better prepare for the virtual experience, maximize your time in treatment, and get the most out of your experience.
What is Intensive Outpatient Therapy or an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)?
An intensive outpatient program, or IOP, is a viable way to treat addiction when a longer stay at a residential treatment program is not necessary. Additionally, it has routinely been implemented as a step down from more intensive treatment as individuals transition back into the community.
IOPs have proven to be a successful part of a continuing care program and are designed to provide psychological, behavioral and social support therapies to people while they remain at home.
An intensive outpatient program allows an individual struggling with a substance use disorder to continue participating in their daily affairs, and then participate in treatment at an appropriate facility when it is most conducive to their individual schedule.
Can an IOP be Done Virtually?
Telehealth, or virtual treatment and therapeutic services, has grown in popularity over the past few years. This is due to the fact that it provides people living in more rural areas, as well as those with unreliable transportation, access to quality clinical services and interventions.
Intensive outpatient programs are routinely conducted virtually through videoconferencing, expanding access to underserved populations and enabling individuals to tailor their treatment sessions around their daily activities.
3 Benefits of Virtual Outpatient Treatment
1. Increased convenience and affordability – Online therapy is typically affordable and convenient. Since you will be attending therapy sessions online in the comfort of your own home, you can often schedule your therapy sessions for times that are the most convenient for your daily schedule. Today, many states require insurance providers to cover online therapy just as they would traditional therapy sessions, expanding their availability and ensuring you don’t have to pay the full amount on your own.
2. Increased accessibility to rural patients and those with physical limitations – Within multiple communities, there tends to be high demand for in-person treatment programs, but not enough supply. That’s why getting started or maintaining continuity of care with online treatment has grown exponentially.
Many people find that online therapies are simply more convenient in terms of scheduling and traveling, allowing them to work their treatment sessions around their daily routines. In addition, virtual treatment provides accessibility to individuals who are disabled or housebound, enabling them to engage in group or individual sessions without having to worry about transportation.
3. Increased safety for those attending sessions – Across much of the nation, severe weather can put a kink in plans. Excessive snow can shut down your city, severe thunderstorms can make it difficult to travel anywhere, and social disasters can wreak havoc on everyone’s ability to maintain a consistent schedule.
These concerns, as well as any others related to personal safety in the community, are eliminated in teletherapy. That is because there is no expectation that clients leave their homes in dangerous weather or that they venture out during unsafe conditions – like COVID-19 – for their treatment session.
With teletherapy, the show can go on each time without having to worry about personal safety.
What to Look for in a Virtual IOP Provider
Just as licensed clinicians and certification are indicative of a quality treatment facility, these indicators hold true for virtual programs, as well. Making sure that whichever rehabilitation program you choose is run by clinically trained staff who have the academic credentials and professional knowhow to address your substance addiction is imperative.
In addition, reviewing the experiences of past clients can provide insight into the program’s effectivity and overall level of quality. After all, this is your health and happiness on the line, so doing extra research before beginning any program is the best way to ensure you find the perfect fit for your unique needs.
Renowned Virtual Outpatient Treatment Offered by Ranch Creek Recovery
There is no telling what you’re capable of when your life is free of drugs and alcohol for good. Let us help you get to that level of sobriety – all from the safety and comfort of your home.
Our life-changing services are now available virtually. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our virtual IOP and how it can help you get clean and achieve a new tomorrow.
