For many teens who struggle with a substance use disorder (SUD), deciding to enroll in a drug rehab program can be challenging. First, it is often difficult for people of any age to acknowledge they have a problem. For a teen, the social and achievement pressures, school stress, and dependence on peer relationships can make the whole idea of rehab seem overwhelming and even shameful. Outpatient treatment for addiction is the easiest for teenagers to feel reconciled with as they bravely seek help for a SUD. In fact, an IOP for teens could literally be a lifesaver.
At Pennsylvania Adult & Teen Challenge (PAATC), our intensive outpatient program in Pennsylvania offers a high level of care while making it possible for a teenager to still live at home and attend school. If you or someone in your family is a teen who is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction, contact PAATC to get answers to your questions about IOP for teens. It’s easy. Just fill out this online form or dial 844.442.8673 to be connected with just the right person.
Outpatient Treatment for Addiction
Outpatient treatment means you can live at home and maintain many (perhaps even all) of your commitments to work, school, and family. The main difference between an outpatient rehab program and inpatient, or residential rehab, is where you stay and how much time in treatment you receive each day and week.
Outpatient programs vary. Low-intensity outpatient rehab requires about 5–6 hours a week, usually scheduled in the evenings around work or school commitments. An intensive outpatient program (IOP) provides a higher level of care and is often a reasonable alternative to inpatient rehab. An IOP can also be scheduled around work and school but does require 15 hours per week, sometimes up to 20.
IOP for Teens
Families often find that the option of an IOP is ideal for their teen because it offers much that an inpatient program does while not requiring residence. Consider an IOP for your teen at PAATC, where professional staff members provide evidence-based care with compassion and understanding.
Some of the benefits of an intensive outpatient addiction program for teenagers include:
Thorough, High-Level Care
An IOP takes some of the risks out of rehab in that the higher intensity and frequency reduce the chance of early relapse while ensuring greater access to the addiction treatment team by the teen than they’d have in a regular outpatient program. Parents often feel reassured by this option as a good alternative to inpatient care for their teen.
Privacy and Confidentiality
Because teens are almost always very anxious about their privacy around drug or alcohol rehab, IOP is ideal for this age group. While it provides a high level of addiction treatment, such a program is regulated regarding confidentiality. In addition, the benefit of going home in the evening and having the opportunity to maintain at least some school commitments means that the teen can feel as normal as possible and maintain privacy. That way, the only people who are looped in about the teen’s rehab process are the ones they choose to tell and receive support from.
Access to Their Support Group
Having their friends and family around them when they are not in treatment is helpful to teens in recovery, assuming that the friends and family provide support and are not likely to trigger relapse by modeling risky behavior. When siblings, parents, extended family, and a few close friends are all on board supporting a teen who is beginning their recovery, that caring community can make all the difference. At the same time, the teen will find support from peers while in IOP treatment as well.
Less Costly Option
Families must take into account the finances of rehab. An IOP is generally more cost-effective than inpatient treatment since it does not include room and board fees but still offers a higher level of care. As a result, an IOP is a good option between a regular outpatient and a residential program.
PAATC – IOP For Teens in Pennsylvania
Ready to find out more about the benefits of an IOP for teens, what addiction rehab entails, and how we can support your family and teenager through this process? Call 844.442.8673 today or complete this online form. We look forward to connecting with you.
