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Around 7% of individuals in inpatient treatment for drug and alcohol use are teens between the ages of 12 and 17. And for many, this isn’t their first attempt at recovery. Over a third of teens entering a treatment program have already been through treatment before, showing how difficult the path of recovery can be after exiting treatment [1].
Recovery isn’t just about stopping substance abuse or managing symptoms of mental health—it’s about building positive social supports, finding connection, and understanding the root of one’s addiction to increase long-term recovery. This is where intensive outpatient programs (IOP) come in.
What Is An IOP?
IOP is a structured, outpatient treatment program for teens with substance abuse disorders and co-occurring mental health challenges. It bridges inpatient residential treatment and standard outpatient therapy, helping teens transition back to daily life and increasing chances of long-term recovery.
Unlike residential treatment, IOPs offer more flexibility, allowing teens to live at home, attend school, and stay involved in extracurriculars while still attending treatment. However, unlike standard outpatient treatment, IOP offers more structure, meeting multiple days a week for a few hours at a time rather than just one to two times a week.
IOPs typically include a combination of individual therapies such as CBT or EMDR, family therapy, group therapy, medication management appointments, life skill workshops, and structured therapeutic activities.
The Benefits of IOP for Teens
IOPs are highly recommended as a continuation of care after residential to support successful treatment outcomes [2]. They provide flexibility to stay in the home or attend school, the same access to evidence-based therapies as in inpatient settings, and specialized tracks to meet the unique needs of teens and their families.
Structure and Flexibility
One of the key benefits of IOP is the balance between structure and flexibility. Unlike standard outpatient therapy, which often only meets once a week for 1 to 2 hours, IOP offers more structure and intense treatment for moderate cases of substance abuse or mental health problems. However, unlike residential inpatient treatment, teens are not required to live at the facility and can maintain connections to their friends, family, and community.
IOP sessions are typically scheduled after school or in the evenings, allowing teens to attend classes so they don’t fall behind. It also gives them the chance to practice skills they learn in therapy in real-world situations.
Therapy Sessions and Medication Management
IOPs often offer many of the same services as a higher level of care, such as individual therapy sessions, group therapy, family therapy, and medication management.
- Individual therapies such as CBT, DBT, and EMDR help teens reframe negative thoughts or emotions that drive substance abuse, practice life skills or coping strategies to manage stress, resist temptations or cravings, and set goals for long-term recovery.
- Group therapy helps teens connect with others who have shared experiences. This can help validate their feelings, foster a sense of community, and decrease feelings of isolation (a leading risk factor for substance abuse).
- Family therapy improves family dynamics in the home, which can contribute to substance abuse or mental health problems in teens. Sessions focus on skills such as communication, problem-solving, collaboration, respect, conflict resolution, and crisis management.
- Medication management under the supervision of a clinical psychiatrist can support teens with symptoms of substance abuse or mental health disorders, such as mood regulation, sleep, and appetite.
Customized Clinical Tracks
Many IOPs offer personalized support and tailored treatment interventions to meet the unique needs of teens and their families. For example, teens struggling with an opioid disorder may require medication assistance and different treatment approaches than a teen struggling with depression or anxiety.
Some programs also address specific needs based on a teen’s background or demographics. Examples of specialized tracks might include:
- Trauma-informed
- Faith-based
- LGBTQ+ sensitive
- Gender specific treatment
- Spanish-speaking programs
Case Management and Transition Services
Aftercare and transition services, such as case management, help teens meet their social welfare needs and positively re-integrate with their community, which is essential to preventing relapse.
Case managers ensure teens have a safe home environment to return to, stay up-to-date with medical or mental health appointments, and can connect with the school to help develop an individualized education plan (IEP).
Virtual IOP
Many IOPs for teens now offer virtual programs for increased flexibility and access to treatment. This allows teens to continue attending treatment from their homes, helping break down barriers to access that can prohibit some teens from attending IOPs, such as a lack of transportation and geographic location (e.g., teens in rural areas).
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) for Teens in Texas
Clearfork Academy is a network of behavioral health treatment facilities helping teens recover from substance abuse and co-occurring mental health disorders. We offer several levels of care, including Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP), to help teens smoothly transition back to their daily lives and set the foundation for lasting recovery.
We offer evidence-based treatments such as CBT, DBT, and EMDR and strive to educate parents about mental health. Contact our admissions team today to see how we can support your family.
Sources
[1] Nash, A. Et al. (2015). Recovery From Adolescent Substance Use Disorder: Young People in Recovery Describe the Process and Keys to Success in an Alternative Peer Group. Journal of Groups in Addiction & Recovery, 10(4), 290-312.
[2] Delphin-Rittmon, M. E. Et al. (2014). Substance abuse intensive outpatient programs: assessing the evidence. Psychiatric services, 65(6), 718–726.
Founder & CEO
Originally from the Saginaw, Eagle Mountain area, Austin Davis earned a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Ministry from Lee University in Cleveland, TN and a Master of Arts in Counseling from The Church of God Theological Seminary. He then went on to become a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in the State of Texas.
Austin’s professional history includes both local church ministry and clinical counseling. At a young age, he began serving youth at the local church in various capacities which led to clinical training and education. Austin gained a vast knowledge of mental health disorders while working in state and public mental health hospitals. This is where he was exposed to almost every type of diagnosis and carries this experience into the daily treatment.
Austin’s longtime passion is Clearfork Academy, a christ-centered residential facility focused on mental health and substance abuse. He finds joy and fulfillment working with “difficult” clients that challenge his heart and clinical skill set. It is his hope and desire that each resident that passes through Clearfork Academy will be one step closer to their created design.
Austin’s greatest pleasures in life are being a husband to his wife, and a father to his growing children. He serves at his local church by playing guitar, speaking and helping with tech arts. Austin also enjoys being physically active, reading, woodworking, and music.
