Substance misuse is difficult to tackle on one’s own. The Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at Southern New Hampshire Health allows patients to attend sessions and receive treatment while still living at home and working in the community.
Lisa Madden, Associate Vice President of Behavioral Health, discusses how IOP works, which patients find greatest success with the program, and what happens when the program is completed.
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Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for Addiction
Featured Speaker:
Lisa Madden
Lisa Madden is an Associate Vice President of Behavioral Health, Administration. Transcription:
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for Addiction
Bill Klaproth (Host): So what is the Intensive Outpatient Program? Here to explain the program, also known as IOP, is Lisa Madden, Associate Vice President of Behavioral Health Administration at Southern New Hampshire Health. Lisa, thank you for your time today. So what is the Intensive Outpatient Program?
Lisa Madden (Guest): Well the Intensive Outpatient Program is a program that is specifically designed for those people who are experiencing substance misuse issues, and so they may be in a place of early recovery, or hoping to be in early recovery, and could use some support in getting to that.
Bill: Lisa, you mentioned earlier that this program is for people that are struggling with substance misuse. Does it cover all types of uses from alcohol to pills?
Lisa: It sure does. We have folks that have experienced all different kinds of substances that come to this group. Alcohol continues to be one of the strongest substances that people are misusing, so we do have a lot of people in the program that are dealing with alcohol misuse. But we have certainly people with opioid misuse and other prescription medications and other things too that are welcome to join the group.
Bill: So what are the goals then of the IOP?
Lisa: The goals of the IOP are to provide intensive support and treatment during the early stage of recovery. So there's psychoeducation, would focus on the disease model of addiction. We assist individuals in identifying different triggers or risk factors that are associated with their alcohol or drug use. Try to create a plan for them to have relapse prevention plan and incorporate different types of coping and emotional regulation and stress management skills, and really look to identify how they can utilize sober supports who might be available to assist them in painting the sobriety and maintaining the sobriety.
This program lasts for about a four-week period, and if they're able to stay sober during the experience, then they have thirty days of sobriety with them that really helps set a really good foundation for future recovery.
Bill: Lisa, what type of person would most benefit from this program?
Lisa: Well the program is available to those folks that have recently completed an inpatient program, or residential substitutes disorder program. They are able to return home, but might need more support and would benefit from a structured program such as this which meets four times a week in the evening, and then they are able to do that for four weeks, and then there is an aftercare program that's available to them one evening a week which they can attend at their choice for as long as they want.
There's also the possibility for folks who have recognized the fact that they are dealing with a substance use disorder and they would like to have some support in getting into their sobriety, and need more than what a standard self-help program may be able to offer them. So those are complimentary services, and things that we encourage people to use throughout this program as well.
Bill: So Lisa, let me ask you this then, who is not appropriate for the program.
Lisa: Well people who are not appropriate for the program are those that are under the age of eighteen. This is an adult program only, and those folks who are interested in learning to drink or use in moderation, but aren't really committed to abstaining from alcohol and other illicit substances for the time that they're enrolled in the program. That's really not what we're there to- we're there really to help people abstain, and to be able to find a path to recovery.
Bill: So let me ask you this. How do you know then when someone is ready for the program?
Lisa: People who are ready for it really have some awareness of what they're looking to achieve. They are looking to get into recovery, they recognize the fact that substances are playing a role in their life that are not helpful or healthy, and they are looking to try and engage in a different model of care for themselves.
This is an adult program, so folks under the age of eighteen are not able to participate in this program.
Bill: So Lisa, can you describe what a typical session is like? What would patients expect to experience?
Lisa: Sure. So the program itself is a sixteen-week- sixteen sessions, four times a week for four weeks. And what you get in the program is there's an intake and assessment where you meet individually with a clinician and complete an assessment, and then you discuss any problems or concerns that led to the person wanting to come to the Intensive Outpatient Program.
During the program, there's two parts to the evening. One is check-in opportunity where they ask folks who are participating in a group model, "How has the week been? Had they experienced any triggers or any thoughts or cravings or urges that have put them at risk of using substances? Or have they had an experience or a relapse that they want to be able to talk about?"
Have they been able to use their relapse prevention and coping skills techniques that they've been learning throughout the course of their experience with us. And how are they taking care of themselves? How are they practicing self-care?
The second part of the evening is more educational. There's handouts, videos, recovery activities that are based on certain topics such as relapse prevention, the disease model of addiction, after care planning, and things along that line.
Bill: I imagine you get asked this a lot. Can family members or friends participate in the program as a support person?
Lisa: They're absolutely critical to the support of the person participating in the IOP. They are not actually able to attend the sessions- the group sessions for the Intensive Outpatient Program, but there is the opportunity for some individual sessions or family work that can be done with our clinician.
Bill: So after the program has been completed, is there a follow-up time period or program that offers care or support?
Lisa: Absolutely. We have an After Care program that runs every Wednesday evening for anyone who has successfully completed the program. They are welcome to come as just an After Care support group, and there are no time limitations on that. They can come ten times, they can come for years if that's what would be helpful to them. It's a commitment that we make to everyone who comes through this program, that we want to help sustain them through their recovery process.
Bill: And Lisa, for someone who is interested in the IOP program, what is the process for admission?
Lisa: Well the process for admission is to be able to contact one of our clinicians. We are available Monday through Friday, and we're usually able to offer appointments within twenty-four to forty-eight hours of the initial contact. If we have the availability we'll even try to see people same day if it's at all possible.
So the phone number that we can be reached at to make that appointment is (603) 579-5108.
Bill: And last question, Lisa. What overall do we need to know about the Intensive Outpatient Program? What else do you want people to know about this?
Lisa: Well I think it's really a critical program to offer to the community for folks that are either coming out of the residential environment or looking to address their substance use disorder in a more structured, educational as well, supported way. It's a very successful program. We've been doing it. I'm really pleased to report that there are a number of people who are achieving sobriety for one, two, and even three years at this stage of the duration of the program, and we're really, really impressed with their work, and we think it's a valuable resource for- we know the extent of the challenges that we face in this community for substance use disorder and we think it's a valuable resource for them.
Bill: Absolutely, it certainly sounds like that. And Lisa, thank you so much for your time today. For more information on the IOP program, please visit www.SNHHealth.org. That's wwwSNHHealth.org. This is Simply Healthy, a podcast by Southern New Hampshire Health. I'm Bill Klaproth, thanks for listening.
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for Addiction
Bill Klaproth (Host): So what is the Intensive Outpatient Program? Here to explain the program, also known as IOP, is Lisa Madden, Associate Vice President of Behavioral Health Administration at Southern New Hampshire Health. Lisa, thank you for your time today. So what is the Intensive Outpatient Program?
Lisa Madden (Guest): Well the Intensive Outpatient Program is a program that is specifically designed for those people who are experiencing substance misuse issues, and so they may be in a place of early recovery, or hoping to be in early recovery, and could use some support in getting to that.
Bill: Lisa, you mentioned earlier that this program is for people that are struggling with substance misuse. Does it cover all types of uses from alcohol to pills?
Lisa: It sure does. We have folks that have experienced all different kinds of substances that come to this group. Alcohol continues to be one of the strongest substances that people are misusing, so we do have a lot of people in the program that are dealing with alcohol misuse. But we have certainly people with opioid misuse and other prescription medications and other things too that are welcome to join the group.
Bill: So what are the goals then of the IOP?
Lisa: The goals of the IOP are to provide intensive support and treatment during the early stage of recovery. So there's psychoeducation, would focus on the disease model of addiction. We assist individuals in identifying different triggers or risk factors that are associated with their alcohol or drug use. Try to create a plan for them to have relapse prevention plan and incorporate different types of coping and emotional regulation and stress management skills, and really look to identify how they can utilize sober supports who might be available to assist them in painting the sobriety and maintaining the sobriety.
This program lasts for about a four-week period, and if they're able to stay sober during the experience, then they have thirty days of sobriety with them that really helps set a really good foundation for future recovery.
Bill: Lisa, what type of person would most benefit from this program?
Lisa: Well the program is available to those folks that have recently completed an inpatient program, or residential substitutes disorder program. They are able to return home, but might need more support and would benefit from a structured program such as this which meets four times a week in the evening, and then they are able to do that for four weeks, and then there is an aftercare program that's available to them one evening a week which they can attend at their choice for as long as they want.
There's also the possibility for folks who have recognized the fact that they are dealing with a substance use disorder and they would like to have some support in getting into their sobriety, and need more than what a standard self-help program may be able to offer them. So those are complimentary services, and things that we encourage people to use throughout this program as well.
Bill: So Lisa, let me ask you this then, who is not appropriate for the program.
Lisa: Well people who are not appropriate for the program are those that are under the age of eighteen. This is an adult program only, and those folks who are interested in learning to drink or use in moderation, but aren't really committed to abstaining from alcohol and other illicit substances for the time that they're enrolled in the program. That's really not what we're there to- we're there really to help people abstain, and to be able to find a path to recovery.
Bill: So let me ask you this. How do you know then when someone is ready for the program?
Lisa: People who are ready for it really have some awareness of what they're looking to achieve. They are looking to get into recovery, they recognize the fact that substances are playing a role in their life that are not helpful or healthy, and they are looking to try and engage in a different model of care for themselves.
This is an adult program, so folks under the age of eighteen are not able to participate in this program.
Bill: So Lisa, can you describe what a typical session is like? What would patients expect to experience?
Lisa: Sure. So the program itself is a sixteen-week- sixteen sessions, four times a week for four weeks. And what you get in the program is there's an intake and assessment where you meet individually with a clinician and complete an assessment, and then you discuss any problems or concerns that led to the person wanting to come to the Intensive Outpatient Program.
During the program, there's two parts to the evening. One is check-in opportunity where they ask folks who are participating in a group model, "How has the week been? Had they experienced any triggers or any thoughts or cravings or urges that have put them at risk of using substances? Or have they had an experience or a relapse that they want to be able to talk about?"
Have they been able to use their relapse prevention and coping skills techniques that they've been learning throughout the course of their experience with us. And how are they taking care of themselves? How are they practicing self-care?
The second part of the evening is more educational. There's handouts, videos, recovery activities that are based on certain topics such as relapse prevention, the disease model of addiction, after care planning, and things along that line.
Bill: I imagine you get asked this a lot. Can family members or friends participate in the program as a support person?
Lisa: They're absolutely critical to the support of the person participating in the IOP. They are not actually able to attend the sessions- the group sessions for the Intensive Outpatient Program, but there is the opportunity for some individual sessions or family work that can be done with our clinician.
Bill: So after the program has been completed, is there a follow-up time period or program that offers care or support?
Lisa: Absolutely. We have an After Care program that runs every Wednesday evening for anyone who has successfully completed the program. They are welcome to come as just an After Care support group, and there are no time limitations on that. They can come ten times, they can come for years if that's what would be helpful to them. It's a commitment that we make to everyone who comes through this program, that we want to help sustain them through their recovery process.
Bill: And Lisa, for someone who is interested in the IOP program, what is the process for admission?
Lisa: Well the process for admission is to be able to contact one of our clinicians. We are available Monday through Friday, and we're usually able to offer appointments within twenty-four to forty-eight hours of the initial contact. If we have the availability we'll even try to see people same day if it's at all possible.
So the phone number that we can be reached at to make that appointment is (603) 579-5108.
Bill: And last question, Lisa. What overall do we need to know about the Intensive Outpatient Program? What else do you want people to know about this?
Lisa: Well I think it's really a critical program to offer to the community for folks that are either coming out of the residential environment or looking to address their substance use disorder in a more structured, educational as well, supported way. It's a very successful program. We've been doing it. I'm really pleased to report that there are a number of people who are achieving sobriety for one, two, and even three years at this stage of the duration of the program, and we're really, really impressed with their work, and we think it's a valuable resource for- we know the extent of the challenges that we face in this community for substance use disorder and we think it's a valuable resource for them.
Bill: Absolutely, it certainly sounds like that. And Lisa, thank you so much for your time today. For more information on the IOP program, please visit www.SNHHealth.org. That's wwwSNHHealth.org. This is Simply Healthy, a podcast by Southern New Hampshire Health. I'm Bill Klaproth, thanks for listening.