Alcohol Use Disorder
Medically supervised alcohol detox and residential care for people who find it hard to stop or cut back on drinking.
Program · IOP
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) at Serenity Moon
Structured treatment that fits around your life. In our intensive outpatient program, you live at home and keep up with work, school or family while still getting regular therapy and support.
Written by Serenity Moon Recovery editorial team
Reviewed by Serenity Moon Recovery editorial team
- Updated
Who IOP is for
IOP is a good fit for people who are medically stable, have a safe and supportive place to live, and are ready to practice recovery skills in everyday life.
Many people step down to IOP after residential treatment, which keeps support strong during an important transition. IOP can also be a starting point when it is clinically appropriate. Your care team will recommend the level that matches where you are.
- You have finished detox or residential care and want strong support as you return home
- You are medically stable and do not need 24-hour care
- You have a safe, supportive place to live
- You need to keep working, studying or caring for family
- You are ready to practice new coping skills in real life
What happens day to day
Step 1: Check-in
Each session starts with a check-in on how things have gone since you last met, including cravings, stress and wins.
Step 2: Group therapy
Groups focus on coping skills and relapse prevention, often using tools from cognitive behavioral therapy.
Step 3: Individual therapy
One-on-one sessions with a licensed therapist give you space to work on your own goals and challenges.
Step 4: Medication management when needed
If you take medication for recovery or mental health, our medical team can manage it, including medication-assisted treatment when appropriate.
Step 5: Family education and support
Loved ones can take part in education and family therapy so everyone at home is working toward the same goals.
Step 6: Practice at home
Between sessions you use new skills in real life, then bring what you learn back to the group. Staff also help you connect with community support and peer groups.
How long does IOP last?
Program schedules and availability may change. Call (888) 298-2814 to hear current IOP options.
Staffing and medical oversight
IOP sessions are led by licensed therapists. Our medical team, overseen by Dr. Courtney Scott, provides medication management when needed.
Because our program is small, your therapists get to know you, and they coordinate with the rest of your care team if your needs change.
What comes next
As you gain confidence, your care team may recommend stepping down to less frequent support. Before you finish, you will build a plan for aftercare and alumni support.
If you find you need more structure at any point, your team can talk with you about returning to residential treatment for a while.
To ask about starting IOP, contact our admissions team or check your insurance coverage.
Does insurance cover intensive outpatient (IOP)?
Many plans cover intensive outpatient (IOP) when it's medically necessary. Most PPO plans, in and out of network. Medicaid and Medicare are not accepted. We'll check your benefits for free before you decide anything.
Keep exploring
Related to intensive outpatient (IOP)
Conditions treated in this program
Opioid Use Disorder
Medically supervised opioid and fentanyl detox with comfort care, medication options and overdose-prevention planning.
Stimulant Use Disorder
Supportive, medically monitored care for meth, cocaine and prescription stimulant use, with close attention to mood and sleep.
Benzodiazepine Use Disorder
A safe, medically supervised path off benzodiazepines, with care for the anxiety and sleep problems that often come with them.
Co-Occurring Disorders
Integrated care for substance use and mental health conditions like depression, anxiety and trauma, under one team and one plan.
Therapies used in this program
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
A practical talk therapy that helps you spot triggers, rethink unhelpful thoughts and build coping skills you can use every day.
Family Therapy
Helps loved ones understand addiction, set healthy boundaries and support recovery without burning themselves out.
Motivational Interviewing (MI)
A judgment-free conversation style that helps you explore mixed feelings about change and find your own reasons to move forward.
Questions
Questions about intensive outpatient (IOP)
In residential treatment you live at the center with 24/7 support. In IOP you live at home and attend therapy several hours a day, a few days a week.
Not always. Many people step down to IOP after residential care, but it can also be a starting point when it is clinically appropriate. Our admissions team will help find the right level of care for you.
Yes, when needed. Our medical team can provide medication management, including medication-assisted treatment when it is appropriate.
Coverage depends on your plan. We work with most PPO plans, in and out of network, and our admissions team can check your insurance benefits before you start.
Sources
- Types of Alcohol Treatment (Alcohol Treatment Navigator)National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
- About the ASAM CriteriaAmerican Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)
- Treatment for Alcohol Problems: Finding and Getting HelpNational Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)
- Treatment and Recovery (Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction)National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Ask us about intensive outpatient (IOP)
Whenever you're ready, late at night or right now, someone on our admissions team will pick up. The call is free, and there's no obligation.