How long to seek treatment for addiction

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs) are a higher level of mental healthcare than weekly individual therapy sessions and a lower level of care than residential treatment centers or inpatient hospitalization.

Participating in an Intensive Outpatient Program will help clients develop coping skills and give them tools to handle stressors or triggers in their daily lives. IOPs can help treat substance use disorders, other addictions, and mental illnesses. The structured schedule of the program will give clients comprehensive care by combining a mix of therapy, medication, group sessions, interventions, and hands-on practices.

These programs help clients develop higher-functioning coping skills without removing them from their daily lives. Red Willow offers IOP for mental health and substance abuse to help provide individuals struggling with these issues more control over their lives.

Who is Red Willow’s Mental Health IOP For?

The Red Willow Mental Health IOP is helpful for people with co-occurring mental health disorders. Mental health problems like PTSD, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and more can be improved by consistent mental health-focused IOP treatment. This structured support can also be beneficial to those experiencing major life changes and transitions. The goal of our IOP is to provide clients with the support they need as they learn to take steps forward and start to thrive.

The Structure of Intensive Outpatient Programs

These programs are structured similarly for each client, but the program can also be tailored to specific needs. IOPs involve several hours of therapy (including group and individual sessions), medication management, as well as meetings with psychologists, social workers, and individual therapists.

Because this is an outpatient program, clients have more control over how their care is handled. What you will learn while working through the program is structured to be more applicable to real-time stressors in your life. For example, therapy will give you tools that help you navigate the complexities of your job, personal relationships, and education programs.

Peer support and group sessions have been proven to be extremely effective in mental health IOP. As clients realize that they are not alone, they can better manage their thoughts and behaviors. Master’s level clinicians facilitate the group and help everyone share and learn from their experiences.

Trauma & PTSD Salt Lake City Utah
Mental health IOP

Improving Mental Health While Meeting Daily Responsibilities

When struggling with a mental illness, the rest of your responsibilities still need to be handled, even if you feel disoriented or fatigued. Mental health IOP will help you cope with symptoms while still going to work, raising children, or going to school.

The goals of IOP are to reduce feelings of isolation, and mental health disruptions, and provide continuing support. Red Willow Counseling and Recovery will help clients take steps forward in their lives. Working with therapists in our intensive program will help clients:

• Develop stronger interpersonal relationships

• Achieve career fulfillment

• Improve their physical health

• Gain more independence

• Discover tools to handle future stressors

• Find balance between private and public life

Relapse Prevention

Even after making progress, those struggling with mental illness can relapse back into destructive habits, following harmful or self-defeating thoughts. Mental health IOP works to help patients determine their triggers and use prevention techniques to keep them healthy and safe.

While working through our IOP, therapists, and counselors will help clients build self-esteem and self-confidence. Learning that you can overcome hard situations will give you the strength to overcome additional stressors in the future.

Increased Awareness of Emotions

There are many complicated and overwhelming emotions felt by those struggling with mental health. It is often difficult to understand what exact emotions we are experiencing. Red Willow’s Mental Health IOP will help clients identify these emotions at the source. Building awareness around and recognizing the causes and symptoms of mental illness is vital to recovery.

Individual therapy Salt Lake City UT Mental Health Therapy

Attending a rehabilitation program is essential for those struggling with addiction. It is the best way to limit substance abuse while teaching the brain to rely on other healthy alternatives rather than drugs or alcohol. Rehabilitation is important, but there are some therapeutic approaches that can be helpful in aiding addiction recovery. Not all rehab programs are the same, so some may include other types of experiential therapies or outside homework for patients.

We want to emphasize that attending rehab is critical in providing care for those with severe addiction, but there are other additions and resources that when combined with proper rehab, can help you stay sober after a program has ended. Rehab alone will not be enough for patients to feel in control of their addiction. This blog will discuss therapeutic approaches that can be utilized after rehab and how they help you regulate substance abuse.

1- Recovery Coaching

Chances you are not the first person to experience addiction of any kind. Many people have struggled with addiction of many kinds and are willing to help others through the depths of addiction. Studies have shown that recovery coaching is a beneficial option for those who need support during their recovery process.

Peer coaching can help you improve your interpersonal relationships, and avoid emergencies and hospitalization. Search for a recovery coaching program in your area or find someone who can be your sponsor and accountability partner.

2- Supplement And Nutrient Therapies

Nutrition and diet are important for all people, but when you are dealing with an addiction, taking a more natural approach to food can help you heal and focus on the signals of your body. Nutritional supplements and natural foods are common therapeutic approaches that can be used after rehab or during a rehabilitation program.

Food and supplements can help your body rely on more healthy options rather than drugs or alcohol. Just remember that many things can be addictive and you should use all supplements with caution.

3- Mindfulness And Meditation Techniques

Utilizing mindfulness and meditation can help addicts feel better about their situation while giving them a clearer picture of how their addiction is affecting their lives. There are many meditation techniques that can be used after your rehab program has ended. Here are a few that have shown promising results with addicts.

Sound Baths

Also known as sound therapy or sound healing, sound baths are an immersive experience that helps to soothe a person with sounds and vibrations. Sound baths can help reduce stress in addicts by helping move them into a deep relaxation.

Vibrations and certain frequencies can help limit physical pain and discomfort. Some patients use substances to help numb physical pain, so sound baths will help reduce the pain, limit stress response, and improve your sleep. Regulating your brain to a more calm state will help aid in your receptiveness to rehab.

Gratitude Salt Lake City UT
Therapeutic Approaches for after Rehab

Forest Bathing

This therapeutic approach is a Japanese practice that helps people reconnect with nature. The practice has been created to help lower the risk of tech burnout and access the benefits of nature for human health. There are many therapeutic benefits of connecting with nature, including boosting mood and the immune system.

Spending time in the quiet, near animals, or outdoors can limit symptoms of depression. Walking through a forest, or even your community can help your brain slow down. Being in the present moment is important to de-stressing. Having a conversation about complex emotions or trauma while out in the natural world will help patients open up. Forest Bathing is beneficial because it can be used on the patient’s own time, or during a meeting with a therapist. Leaving all distractions behind will give your mind space to wander and learn.

4- Volunteering

Taking the focus off of yourself can be helpful when recovering from addiction. Serving others or volunteering will help you foster gratitude and help you build better social connections. Addiction can be an isolating experience, especially during rehab when your emotional crutch is taken away. Serving will give you a bigger sense of purpose while also giving you opportunities to build relationships with others who can help aid in recovery.

Volunteering can also help teach addicts a new skill. After rehab programs end, it may be hard for addicts to stay sober. Having a skill to hone in on and put your energy into will keep you from falling back into using substances. Finding a service or group that meets at a scheduled time can also be helpful in keeping your sobriety.

5- Experiential Therapies

Experiential therapies combine mindfulness techniques and creative outlets that can help patients address issues in a non-jarring way. Some of these therapies include art therapy, movement therapy, music therapy, and sandbox therapy. It is recommended by licensed mental health professionals that these experiential therapies be included alongside talk therapy.

Art Therapy

The process of creating art of any kind can be very therapeutic and relaxing. For those who are feeling overwhelmed by their addiction or experiencing withdrawal, art can be a perfect distraction. Patients can express deep emotions on the canvas, which a therapist can then analyze with a patient to uncover trauma, emotional wounds, and reasons for addiction.

Movement Therapy

Movement therapy can be another outlet for working through emotions. Moving your body through dance, yoga, or other exercise can release endorphins and remove toxins from the body. Dance or other movement is a great way to express yourself and feel in control of the body.

Recovery Options From Red Willow

Communication Salt Lake City UT Finding a therapist

Our therapists and counselors know that not all addicts are the same. Each addictive substance is unique, thus so are the people who use them. Because of this, Red Willow offers multiple options for recovery and mental help that fit patients of all ages and backgrounds.

Red Willow offers Addiction Intervention, Prime For Life, and Substance Abuse IOP. All of these programs work to help people limit risky behaviors and help them have more control over their behavior. No matter where you are on the spectrum of addiction or how far gone you believe you are, recovery is possible with the right techniques.

Dimensions of Wellness Salt Lake City UT

Dimensions of Wellness by Renee Fisher, CMHC

Do you ever feel like something is wrong in your life but can’t pinpoint what it is or what to do about it? When I feel that way, I like to reflect on how I’m doing in these six areas of wellness: social, financial, emotional, intellectual, physical, and spiritual.

Dimension of Wellness	Reflective Questions	To Do Options
Social Wellness	How are my relationships lately? Have I laughed with anyone in a while? Do I need a hug? Do I feel supported/loved?	Text someone, Make a plan to do something with a friend, Write a note to someone, Call someone and catch up
Financial Wellness	Am I spending more than I’m making? Do I like my job? Can I cancel any subscriptions or return anything?	Check accounts, Make work adjustments, Decrease unnecessary expenses
Emotional Wellness	How is therapy going? Am I more worried than usual? Do I find pleasure in things I usually like? How much does my past disturb me right now? How anxious do I feel when I think about the future?	Schedule a therapy appointment, Write in my journal, Wrap up in weighted blanket, Snuggle weighted stuffed animal, Take a bath, Get some sunlight, Listen to music
Intellectual Wellness	Am I learning anything new lately? What is on my mind? Am I mentally bored lately?	Play puzzle games, Practice an instrument, Practice a language, Create art, Read something interesting, Watch a documentary
Physical Wellness	How is my body feeling right now? How is the quality of my sleep lately? What have I been eating lately? Have I been moving my body everyday?	Drink water, Eat something healthy, Stretch, Go on a walk, Brush teeth, Shower, Make a good sleep routine
Spiritual Wellness	Do I feel connected to my breath lately? Do I notice beauty around me lately?	Meditate, Read poetry, Drive in the canyon

Dimension of Wellness	Social Wellness
Reflective Questions	How are my relationships lately? Have I laughed with anyone in a while? Do I need a hug? Do I feel supported/loved?
To Do Options	Text someone, Make a plan to do something with a friend, Write a note to someone, Call someone and catch up

Dimension of Wellness	Financial Wellness
Reflective Questions	Am I spending more than I’m making? Do I like my job? Can I cancel any subscriptions or return anything?
To Do Options	Check accounts, Make work adjustments, Decrease unnecessary expenses

Dimension of Wellness	Emotional Wellness
Reflective Questions	How is therapy going? Am I more worried than usual? Do I find pleasure in things I usually like? How much does my past disturb me right now? How anxious do I feel when I think about the future?
To Do Options	Schedule a therapy appointment, Write in my journal, Wrap up in weighted blanket, Snuggle weighted stuffed animal, Take a bath, Get some sunlight, Listen to music

Dimension of Wellness	Intellectual Wellness
Reflective Questions	Am I learning anything new lately? What is on my mind? Am I mentally bored lately?
To Do Options	Play puzzle games, Practice an instrument, Practice a language, Create art, Read something interesting, Watch a documentary

Dimension of Wellness	Physical Wellness
Reflective Questions	How is my body feeling right now? How is the quality of my sleep lately? What have I been eating lately? Have I been moving my body everyday?
To Do Options	Drink water, Eat something healthy, Stretch, Go on a walk, Brush teeth, Shower, Make a good sleep routine

Dimension of Wellness	Spiritual Wellness
Reflective Questions	Do I feel connected to my breath lately? Do I notice beauty around me lately?
To Do Options	Meditate, Read poetry, Drive in the canyon

Although these questions and ideas for what to do are specific to me, this can be a starting point for you to take the ones that work for you, get rid of ones that don’t, and add ones that are uniquely YOURS. If there are several areas that need attention, I like to pick one or two to focus on that day.

It is also important to notice the positive answers too. If a dimension is “doing fine,” that’s a win! Gratitude for what is working is a powerful tool. Combining gratitude with the clarity that comes from narrowing down what is going on for us can guide us in knowing what to do next with a bit more hope and self-compassion.

Written By: Renee Fisher, CMHC