What is the Difference Between Inpatient Rehab and IOP?

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Addiction is a chronic and progressive disease that affects millions of Americans each year. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 48.7 million people struggled with a substance use disorder in 2022.[1]

Since addiction is so complex, it requires extensive and professional treatment to recover. That said, everyone is different, which means there needs to be a variety of options when it comes to drug and alcohol rehab programs. Thankfully, there are a handful of choices when it comes to the level of care you receive.

The main options when it comes to addiction treatment are inpatient treatment programs and outpatient rehab. There are a variety of outpatient programs, including partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), and outpatient programs (OPs). Throughout this article, we will be exploring the difference between inpatient rehab and IOP programs.

Inpatient treatment is the highest level of care and requires you to live at the facility while you recover. On the other hand, intensive outpatient programs offer more flexibility in scheduling and allow you to live in the comfort of your own home. IOPs are more suited for people who are motivated in their recovery and have less risk of relapsing.

In this article, you will learn:

What is inpatient treatment
What is an intensive outpatient program (IOP)
How is inpatient rehab different than IOP

What is Inpatient Treatment?

Inpatient care requires you to live inside of the treatment facility while you recover from addiction. You will be offered various treatment services, from medical detox to individual and group therapy sessions. Inpatient rehab programs are considered the most intensive and involved form of addiction treatment available.

Inpatient treatment separates you from outside triggers and keeps you in a controlled and focused environment during the early stages of recovery. This type of addiction care is designed for people who have moderate to severe substance use disorders. It is also ideal for anyone who struggles with co-occurring mental health conditions.

During inpatient drug and alcohol rehab, you can take advantage of the following treatment options:

Medical detox
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
Dual diagnosis or co-occurring disorder treatment
Medication management
Community and peer support
Individual therapy
Group counseling
Trauma-informed care
Holistic services like nutritional counseling and exercise
Relapse prevention planning and aftercare

What is an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)?

Intensive outpatient programs allow you to live at home while you receive addiction treatment services. They are the second most intensive option for outpatient programs, with partial hospitalization programs offering a bit more structure than IOPs. As a result, many people use these programs in combination with inpatient treatment.

It is possible to use IOP as a standalone treatment option if you do not suffer from severe substance abuse issues, or co-occurring disorders, and have less of a risk of relapsing. This type of outpatient care is also ideal for someone who has to continue working or caring for their family while they receive addiction treatment.

During an IOP, you will be offered the following services:

Individual therapy
Group counseling
Support groups like 12-step meetings
Community and peer support
Medication management
Relapse-prevention planning
Aftercare services

Inpatient Rehab vs IOP: Understanding the Differences

Inpatient rehab and IOPs are very different. While inpatient treatment is meant to immerse you in addiction recovery, IOP is intended to provide you with the services you need while allowing you certain freedoms and flexibility in scheduling.

The main differences between inpatient treatment centers and intensive outpatient programs include:

Housing

Housing is the one major difference between inpatient and IOP. Inpatient rehab centers provide you with housing, as you live at the facility with the other clients. During an intensive outpatient program, you will be expected to live at home or in a sober living housing program.

If you do not have a supportive environment to live in during recovery, inpatient is the better choice. However, people with a strong support system at home might prefer IOP as it allows them more access to their loved ones.

Time Commitment

Both inpatient and IOPs can last anywhere from 30 to 90 days. That said, they have different levels of time commitment when it comes to day-to-day activities.

When you are in an inpatient program, your entire day will be filled with recovery services like therapy, counseling, and relapse prevention planning. IOPs tend to meet 3 to 5 days per week for a couple of hours each day. This means that you will have time to work a job, attend school, or care for your family while you are in an IOP program.

Supervision

Another thing to consider is the different levels of supervision. If you have suffered from a relapse before, you might need a high level of care and support during the early stages of recovery. If that is your case, you should choose an inpatient program, as they offer the highest level of supervision.

On the other hand, intensive outpatient programs do not offer extensive supervision. You will have randomized drug and alcohol testing, however, you are expected to keep yourself accountable. This is why people with a history of relapse should attend inpatient before transitioning into an IOP.

Intensity of Treatment

Inpatient rehab centers offer the highest level of intensity when it comes to addiction treatment. You will be immersed in a recovery program with doctors, mental health professionals, and addiction recovery experts at your fingertips. You can receive 24/7 support and care when you are in an inpatient program.

On the other hand, IOPs only offer access to treatment and support during the hours that you spend at the facility. Once you go home for the day, you are expected to keep yourself accountable. If you want to attend an IOP but need a little extra support, you should consider staying in a sober living housing program where you can receive advice when you need it.

Specialties

Lastly, inpatient treatment usually offers more specialized treatment than intensive outpatient programs. For example, you can receive medical detox, medication-assisted treatment, and dual diagnosis care in a residential facility. Since there is less time to tackle these specialized issues in an IOP, you should choose inpatient care if you need this type of support.

Get Connected to a Top-Rated Drug and Alcohol Rehab Center

If you or a loved one suffers from drug addiction or alcoholism, it’s time to seek professional help. At Archstone Behavioral Health, we offer a highly-rated inpatient or residential treatment center. We use evidence-based therapies, medication management, and relapse prevention planning to help our clients achieve long-term sobriety.

References:

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): HHS, SAMHSA Release 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health Data