INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PROGRAM
                     INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT 
PROGRAM
ORANGE COUNTY
About
 Intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are a vital component of the continuum of drug and alcohol 
addiction care. They offer a mid-way point for addicts that do not feel they require the level of 
treatment that a residential facility offers, or a logical next step for those leaving residential 
treatment who are not able to commit to more time in a sober living facility. 
 At Sunset Shores, we are proud to offer one of the top-rated intensive outpatient therapy programs 
in Orange County, California. Our program offers a wide range of therapies and activities to provide 
our patients with the best possible chance at recovery, all while they maintain their normal life living 
with their loved ones at home. 
 An IOP is often the best option if you are not able to commit to residential treatment due to work or 
family responsibilities, but we have found that many of our prospective patients are not fully aware 
of what an intensive outpatient program is or whether it would be a good fit for them. So, we 
decided to take a deep dive into IOPs to clear up some of the confusion and help you understand 
exactly how an IOP works and how it could help you through your addiction.
THE CONTINUUM OF CARE
 To understand what an intensive outpatient program is and how it fits into the addiction 
recovery process, we first need to understand what the ‘Continuum of Care’ is in the 
context of substance addiction treatment. Since the 1980’s, the dominant treatment 
model for addiction has been a 28-day stay in an inpatient facility, possibly followed with 
a stay in a sober living facility. This was not based on any clinical research and has not 
been proven to have effective results. 
 ‘Continuum of care’ is a term that is widely used across the medical industry to describe 
an ongoing system of care for treating chronic disease, whereby patients are provided 
with the level of care that they require based on their current status, and are then 
moved up or down to a more or less intensive level of care as needed. For addiction 
recovery, the continuum of care functions in the same way, acknowledging that addiction 
is a chronic disease and providing the right level of care at the right time, no matter how 
long a patient has been going through treatment.
Stages
WHAT IS IOP?
 Simply put, an intensive outpatient program is a structured program of therapy, counseling, 
and activities that is designed to offer the efficacy and experience of a residential addiction 
treatment program without the commitment to living on-site. This means that people with 
family responsibilities, or people who cannot take the amount of time of work that inpatient 
rehab would require, can still benefit from intensive addiction treatment therapy.
 IOP programs, while structured and intensive, usually offer a level of flexibility when it comes 
to booking your appointments for individual therapy or counseling. They may even allow you to 
switch to a different group therapy session time, if possible. Too many people put off 
addressing their substance addiction because they “don’t have the time” for residential 
treatment. While we think that your health and wellbeing should always come first, we 
understand that your career and family are essential too. That’s why we offer an intensive 
outpatient program that is as flexible as possible.
How long is an IOP?
 The duration of intensive outpatient treatment is much like the length of a piece of 
string. As part of the inherent flexibility of IOPs, they can last anywhere from a 
few weeks all the way up to a year. Generally, the minimum recommended length of 
intensive outpatient therapy is 90 days. However, any treatment is better than no 
treatment. Similarly, walking away from treatment before you feel ready to cope 
with long term sobriety is never a good idea.
 For longer treatment programs that last 90 days or more, you will generally start 
out with daily sessions for the first few weeks, slowly transitioning into a less 
frequent schedule until you are only attending a few therapy sessions each week.
Can you detox in IOP?
 The short answer to this is no. Detoxing should be the first stage of recovery for 
addicts dealing with severe substance use issues, particularly those using physically 
addictive substances like alcohol, heroin, or other opioids. Outpatient programs are 
not well-suited to dealing with the symptoms of detox, as patients undergoing detox 
should have constant access to medical care.
 Generally, outpatient addiction programs will either require or advise that patients 
undergo detox before they begin IOP treatment, particularly if they are heavily 
addicted and attempting to quit without detox could pose a health risk. At Sunset 
Shores, we are partnered with nearby residential rehab and detox facilities that we 
can refer you to if you need to complete a detox program before starting treatment 
with us.
Advantages                   
Disadvantages
• Outpatient treatment offers flexible scheduling • By continuing your normal life while attending 
options for therapy sessions so you can fit them the program, you risk being exposed to the 
around your responsibilities. same stressors and triggers that caused you to 
• For parents that cannot afford to take a month use in the first place.
away from their children, outpatient programs • Without the restrictions of inpatient rehab, you 
offer the best chance of success while being may still have access to the substances that you 
able to remain at home. have a problem with.
• If you are not able to take the time off work for • Your access to therapists and counselors is 
residential treatment, or cannot afford to, then more limited in outpatient programs and must 
intensive outpatient programs will allow you to be scheduled in advance. 
work while you recover. • You will not benefit from the same level of 
• IOPs are generally significantly less expensive community support and extra activities that are 
than residential treatment, often offering the available in inpatient programs.
best level of care that some people can afford.
THE GOALS OF OUTPATIENT 
THERAPY
 Commit to a Plan
By making the decision to enter into an outpatient addiction treatment program, you have already made the 
most crucial step in your recovery journey. The next step is to define a clear plan of action and commit to it. 
This is particularly crucial in IOPs, where you will be exposed to triggers and have access to substances while 
not in sessions. Getting through treatment while maintaining your normal life to some extent will absolutely 
require you and your counselors to have very clear rules and guidelines, and a timeline that you can commit 
yourself to.
 Learning Coping Skills
One of the most common reasons for recovering addicts to relapse is stress or emotional triggers. After a 
successful treatment program, they find the return to normal life to be too much and fall back into old habits. 
That is why learning coping skills is one of the most important goals of intensive outpatient therapy. Your 
therapist and counselors will teach you how to manage the stressors of your life while you are in treatment, and 
equip you with coping techniques that you can continue to apply throughout your life after treatment.
THE GOALS OF OUTPATIENT 
THERAPY
 Establishing Goals
While it may seem redundant to have one of your goals going into an intensive outpatient program be 
‘establishing goals’, it is actually a vital aspect of recovery. The road ahead in sobriety can feel murky and 
daunting when you do not have clear goals in place. Addiction recovery is not just about quitting using drugs 
or alcohol. It’s about rebuilding your life. Outpatient counselors and therapists will make it a priority to 
identify goals, both small and big, that you can set for yourself and achieve during treatment and beyond.
 Creating Good Habits
Replacing bad habits with good ones is a highly effective method for addressing the habitual aspect of 
addiction. Through counseling sessions, you will be encouraged to explore your interests and find new ways 
to fill your time and occupy your mind in a healthy way. While you will not be provided with access to new 
activities in the same way as residential treatment, your therapists and counselors will certainly encourage 
building new habits and will work closely with you to support that process.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN AN IOP
 Group Therapy
Just because you are not living in a treatment facility, it doesn’t mean that you will not 
have an opportunity to find support from others that are going through what you are. 
Group counseling sessions will be an integral part of your IOP experience. In group 
sessions, you will be encouraged to share your experiences with one another and grow 
and learn together.
 Individual Counselling
Naturally, the cornerstone of your treatment will be regular one-to-one counseling and 
therapy sessions, generally with the same counselor or therapist. This will be where you 
define your sobriety goals, create a treatment plan, discuss your progress, and work 
through any difficulties that you’ve encountered. Individual sessions are also where you 
will learn the majority of your coping skills.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN AN IOP
 Support Groups
One of the best resources for lasting sobriety is support groups. 12-step programs 
and other addiction support groups and programs are pivotal to lasting sobriety. 
During your intensive outpatient therapy program, you will be introduced to 
support groups in the area and encouraged to attend regular meetings and find a 
sponsor to guide you through your treatment process and beyond.
 Complementary Therapies
Some intensive outpatient programs also offer other types of therapy that are not 
directly related to addiction treatment, but which can help to deal with underlying 
emotional issues and perhaps even turn into a healthy new habit. These may include 
things like art therapy, music therapy, equine therapy, and many more.
Contact Us
 ADDRESS:
2700 NEWPORT BLVD NEWPORT BEACH CA 92663
 CONTACT NUMBER:
949-401-6460
 WEBSITE:
https://soberlivingoc.com/
THANK YOU