Intensive therapy is a valuable option in the world of substance abuse treatment. Used for inpatient and outpatient treatment, intensive therapy goes above and beyond the limits of typical treatments to include a substantial amount of counseling and therapy directed at remedying the mental precursors of the patient’s substance abuse problem.

Often, underlying issues lie at the root of an abuser’s addiction, like traumas dating back to the patient’s childhood.

In recent studies with the APA, respondents reported higher rates of physical abuse among addicts, with 24 percent of all male alcoholics and 33 percent of all female alcoholics having been exposed in comparison to only 8.4 percent of non-addicts.

Intensive therapy is perfect for the patient who needs more than the weekly dose of therapy most programs come with. However, it should be noted that intensive therapy programs are generally designed for patients who do not need to detox.

This means the patient has either already detoxed a home or has completed a detox program elsewhere, from which they can directly enroll in an intensive therapy program. Patients presenting emotional or behavioral issues, crises, or comorbid disorders are most likely in need of intensive treatment.

Each of the above factors is important to consider when deciding on the best path for your intensive therapy and intensive outpatient treatment more generally. If your substance use disorder or mental health (or both) warrant a greater degree of structure then it may make sense to consider residential treatment.

What is Intensive Therapy Suited For?

When you’re preparing for treatment, seriously consider the advice of professionals. The nature of your treatment needs may change after detox if symptoms improve or worsen. Outpatient care is best suited for mild to moderate symptoms of the disorder.

Those with more serious conditions and those who are deemed ill-equipped to cope with their mental condition without using drugs or alcohol as a crutch are better off being treated as an inpatient. As an inpatient, you live at the treatment facility full-time and abide by the rules they set.

This is often a crucial element in the treatment of the patient who lacks the support necessary to abstain from use on his or her own. Your days are generally mapped out for you and full of the many therapeutic techniques mentioned here.

The Benefits of Intensive Outpatient Programs

As an outpatient, you can expect the same scope of therapy in a more condensed format. Additionally, you won’t live on the property. For some, this means travel is involved. These patients can continue to participate in their daily lives — taking care of family and maintaining employment — while still getting the full impact of treatment that residential patients do.

In the majority, most intensive therapy programs offer daily psychiatric evaluations of the patient’s condition, 12-step program participation, and educational resources on addiction inclusive of group learning sessions. While some patients are hesitant to participate in a 12-step program, Reuters reported on research shows that this method was an effective form of treatment with only 14 percent of drug-abusing patients relapsing within a year.

Personalized Therapy for Each Client at Circle of Hope

No one type of therapy is suitable for every condition or personality. A well-rounded intensive therapy program will promote a variety of treatment options that can be used in the planned therapy regimen overseen by a physician.

One of the biggest perks of intensive therapy is the ability to tailor a treatment plan around the individual patient. So there’s little to no concern about the chosen method being ineffective or clashing with the needs of the patient.

Specific modules for treatment include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), talk therapy, motivational interviewing, individual and group therapy, contingency management, and more. Community reinforcement tactics continually produce exemplary results in the treatment of substance abuse patients.

Statistics and Evidence for Intensive Therapy Programs

A study cited in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Treatment Improvement Protocols manual notes that 75 percent of community reinforcement patients completed a treatment program, in contrast to a mere 11 percent in the standard treatment group.

With evidence-based results and some of the most experienced clinicians in the industry, the case for outpatient therapy programs at Circle of Hope is a very solid one. If you still hold reservations about your needs or our services, we invite you to reach out to our Admissions team today, and can answer any questions and shed even more light on what your specific treatment plan would likely entail.