At Palmetto’s Monroe IOP, we use the disease model of addiction. That means we view addiction as a chronic, progressive disease that requires specialized treatment. Addiction is a disease that affects both the individual and family on the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual levels. We provide treatment for clients with serious substance use issues and for individuals with both a substance use issue and a co-occurring mental health issue. We teach clients about the disease model of addiction, the progression of addiction and how to identify which stage they’re at, the 12-step model of recovery, how to identify and cope with stressors that lead to cravings, and how to avoid relapse.

There are many levels of treatment for people struggling with substance use issues. At one end of the spectrum is early intervention for a nascent substance use problem and at the other is medically managed intensive inpatient treatment. IOP is just about in the middle. It’s for people who need a high level of care for a substance use disorder but who don’t need 24-hour attention. A perfect candidate for an IOP may have a serious substance use issue, possibly compounded by a mental health issue such as major depression, an anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, PTSD, a personality disorder, or other issues often associated with increased risk of addiction. Despite these issues, a good candidate for an IOP will be stable enough psychologically and medically that they can live at home while participating in treatment.

Their home life should also be stable enough that it doesn’t interfere with recovery efforts. Another reason someone might opt for an IOP is that practical concerns make inpatient treatment too difficult. For example, many people have to take care of children, provide for their families, or they have other obligations for work or school that make inpatient treatment impractical. While some may benefit from 30 or 90 days in inpatient care, an IOP allows them to get a high level of treatment while still managing their other responsibilities.

What’s the place of an IOP in the larger treatment picture?

An IOP can also be good for clients who are transitioning from a higher level of care. Inpatient treatment is a structured, supportive environment that shields clients from most of the stress of regular life while they participate in therapy and learn new recovery skills. Some people find the transition from this kind of environment back to the stress of their normal life too overwhelming. The early weeks following treatment are a time when many people relapse, even after a promising start. An IOP is a way to smooth that transition. Instead of going home and trying to rely on follow-up support or a weekly 12-step meeting, IOP clients continue to engage in intensive treatment while getting used to their regular responsibilities.

How many weeks do you stay in an IOP?

Clients participate in an IOP for as long as they need to. There is no specified length of time. Everyone has different needs in recovery and their progress depends on a number of factors including addiction history, relapse history, co-occurring mental health issues, family support, and dedication to recovery. How long clients remain in the IOP depends on assessments from the counselor and the client’s physician. However, as a rough estimate, most clients stay in an IOP for three or four months.

What’s the weekly time commitment of an IOP?

Our IOP meets for three hours a day, three days a week. The Monroe IOP programs meets on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., which typically allows clients to meet obligations related to family, work, or school, while still participating in treatment.

What are the payment options for an IOP?

Yes, we work with most forms of insurance and we are committed to making quality addiction treatment accessible and affordable. Contact us to discuss payment options.

Substance use in Monroe

As the opioid crisis has gotten worse in the US, it has gotten worse in Louisiana as well. In 2017, more than 70,000 Americans died of overdose. About 48,000 of those deaths involved opioids. The overdose rate in Louisiana is slightly higher than the national average. Nationwide, 21.7 out of every 100,000 people died of an overdose whereas in Louisiana, the number was 24.5 out of every 100,000 in 2017. What’s more, that number increased 12 percent between 2016 and 2017. In 2017, more than 1100 people died of an overdose in Louisiana and 21 of those deaths were in Ouachita Parish. If you live in Monroe or Ouachita Parish and are struggling with a substance use disorder, Palmetto’s Monroe IOP can help you recover while giving you the freedom to meet your regular responsibilities. We offer no-cost assessments. Call us today at 318-728-2970 or use the contact form below to request more information.