Intensive Outpatient Alcohol Treatment at Continuum Outpatient Center

Receive comprehensive support with our intensive outpatient alcohol treatment, designed to offer the tools needed for long-term recovery.

Written and reviewed by our Clinical Director, Larissa Valeriano, MS, LPC.

What is Alcohol Addiction?

Alcohol addiction is also known as alcohol use disorder (AUD). It is a chronic disease characterized by the inability to manage drinking habits or continuing to drink even when it causes problems. AUD can also occur when a person drinks alcohol compulsively.¹

Some key signs and symptoms of alcohol addiction include:

Cravings
The inability to limit one’s drinking or to stop drinking.
Withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shaking, and anxiety, occur when alcohol use is stopped.
The need to drink greater amounts of alcohol to feel the same effect (tolerance).
Continuing to use alcohol despite negative consequences.
Using alcohol in situations that are unsafe, like driving.
Spending a lot of time drinking, getting alcohol, or recovering from it.
Giving up previously enjoyed activities to use alcohol.

How Does Alcohol Addiction Develop?

Alcohol addiction is the most common substance use disorder (SUD), with an estimated 11% of people ages 12 and older having an alcohol use disorder.²

The development of alcohol addiction is influenced by a combination of the following factors:

Genetic
Psychological
Environmental
Social

Not everyone who consumes alcohol will develop an addiction. However, drinking to excess can increase the likelihood of developing AUD.

Intensive outpatient alcohol treatment can involve a combination of therapy, medication, and lifestyle changes. The treatment goal is to help the person quit drinking, prevent relapse, and improve coping skills.

How Intensive Outpatient Alcohol Treatment Addresses The Challenges and Barriers of Alcohol Addiction

Intensive outpatient alcohol treatment programs are structured environments. These programs are for those who do not need more intensive treatment or for those who have completed a detox or residential program.³

An intensive outpatient program offers a higher level of care than standard outpatient programs. They provide a middle ground between inpatient treatment and traditional outpatient care.

Here’s how intensive outpatient alcohol treatment addresses the challenges of alcohol addiction:

Flexibility and Accessibility

An intensive outpatient program (IOP) allows people to stay at home and keep up with their daily tasks while receiving treatment. These programs offer a more accessible option for those who are unable to take time away from work or personal responsibilities.

"Intensive outpatient treatment is designed to accommodate individuals with diverse needs. We offer flexible scheduling options that allow patients to attend therapy sessions during evenings or weekends, minimizing disruption to their work or family commitments. Additionally, our treatment plans are personalized to address the unique circumstances and challenges faced by each individual. We collaborate closely with patients to develop strategies for managing stress, maintaining sobriety, and balancing treatment with their daily responsibilities. This may include incorporating skills training sessions focused on time management, communication skills, and coping mechanisms that can be applied in various life situations. By offering tailored support and flexible scheduling, we strive to ensure that individuals can actively participate in IOP while fulfilling their professional and caregiving roles."

Larissa Valeriano, MS, LPC Tweet

Structure and Support

Intensive outpatient alcohol treatment involves several hours of treatment per day, multiple times a week.

This provides individuals with structured therapy sessions that can include:

Individual counseling
Group therapy
Family therapy
Skill-building
Educational programs about addiction and recovery

Group sessions are also included to help build a community of peers who are going through similar experiences. This fosters a sense of camaraderie and support essential for recovery.

"In our intensive outpatient treatment, individual therapy plays a critical role alongside group-based therapies in providing personalized care and support for our patients. Individual therapy sessions are tailored to address the specific needs, challenges, and goals of each individual in a private and confidential setting. During individual therapy, patients have the opportunity to explore deeper issues underlying their substance use, receive personalized feedback from their therapist, and develop personalized coping strategies. This one-on-one interaction allows for a focused exploration of personal triggers, trauma history, and other factors contributing to addiction. Group-based therapies complement individual therapy by offering a supportive environment where patients can connect with peers, share experiences, and learn from each other's perspectives. Group therapy sessions enhance social skills, provide peer support, and reinforce the lessons learned in individual sessions. Together, individual and group therapies in our IOP provide a comprehensive treatment approach that addresses both the personal and interpersonal aspects of addiction recovery."

Larissa Valeriano, MS, LPC Tweet

Comprehensive Care

To address each person’s needs, these programs often include various treatment modalities. These methods help address the complexities of addiction.

Some examples of common treatment modalities include:

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
Motivational interviewing (MI)
Contingency management
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)

Continuous Assessment

Treatment providers in an IOP are always assessing an individual’s progress. These assessments can help adjust the level of care as needed.

If someone is struggling, the intensity of the program can be increased. On the other hand, when someone progresses, the intensity might be decreased.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

An IOP can help people with different needs by treating mental health conditions at the same time. This integrated treatment is crucial, as untreated mental health issues can be a barrier to recovery.

The effectiveness of intensive outpatient alcohol treatment can depend on a variety of factors. For some, this level of outpatient care may be enough. However, others may need more intensive treatment in a hospital or a partial hospitalization program.

The Role of Experiential Therapies in Intensive Outpatient Alcohol Treatment

Experiential therapies involve engaging in activities that foster personal growth. They address psychological issues through direct experiences.⁴

Some common experiential therapies might include:

Music and art therapy
Drama therapy
Outdoor therapy, such as wilderness or adventure therapy
Play therapy
Animal-assisted therapy

While not all programs offer these types of experiential therapies, they can be integrated into some treatment plans. They are especially beneficial when utilized to complement more traditional treatment modalities, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or group counseling.

What Do Experiential Therapies Provide?

Experiential therapies promote self-discovery. Taking part in these activities can help people learn about themselves, their strengths and weaknesses, and how they cope. This self-discovery can empower and provide insights that are valuable in recovery.

These therapies are often done in groups. This helps people improve their social skills, empathy, and community. Experiential therapies also help people deal with emotions that are hard to express in regular therapy.

Intensive outpatient alcohol treatment can be greatly enhanced by these forms of therapy, as they add depth to the recovery process. However, these methods are not standalone treatments for alcohol addiction. They are best combined with traditional forms of therapy.

The Importance of Family Support in Alcohol Treatment

Family support is important when someone is getting treatment for alcohol, as alcohol addiction often affects both the individual and their whole family. The family can be a source of support and motivation for change, but a dysfunctional family can make it harder for recovery.⁵

Many intensive outpatient alcohol treatment programs offer family therapy as part of the treatment plan. This type of therapy provides a space for family members to:

Communicate about the impact of addiction
Resolve conflicts
Improve understanding
Learn how to support the individual in recovery

How Does Family Therapy Help?

Family members can join educational sessions to learn about addiction and recovery. This knowledge is crucial to forming a supportive home environment. During treatment, families may also be involved in relapse prevention, and they can learn to look for warning signs of relapse.

Involving family in treatment helps create a healthy recovery environment. However, it is important to recognize that not every family supports healing. When needed, intensive outpatient alcohol treatment may help individuals create new support systems.

What Impact Does Peer Support Have in Intensive Outpatient Alcohol Treatment?

Peer support and recovery communities are also important in outpatient alcohol treatment programs. These networks help people stay sober and give them hope by providing support and shared experiences.⁶

Many programs encourage peer-led activities and group therapy, which is where members of the group can lead discussions or organize sober events. These events can help build leadership skills and strengthen the community.

"Group therapy in our intensive outpatient treatment serves as a cornerstone for fostering mutual support, skill-building, and personal growth among our patients. Examples include structured sessions where participants share experiences, challenges, and successes related to their recovery journeys. These sessions encourage peer interaction and offer opportunities for individuals to learn from one another's perspectives and coping strategies. Additionally, thematic group sessions focus on specific topics such as relapse prevention, stress management, and communication skills. Facilitated by trained therapists, these groups provide a supportive environment where patients can practice new behaviors, receive feedback, and develop healthier ways of relating to others. Group therapy also promotes accountability and motivation, as participants work together towards common goals and celebrate each other's progress. By integrating group therapy into our IOP, we enhance treatment outcomes by addressing social dynamics, fostering empathy, and building a sense of community."

Larissa Valeriano, MS, LPC Tweet

An IOP may also include recovery meetings like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or SMART Recovery. Some programs also have alumni groups. This is where former clients can stay connected, attend meetings, and join social events. This engagement reinforces their commitment to recovery.

Impact of Peer Support on Long-Term Sobriety

Peers can hold one another accountable, and this accountability is a strong motivator in maintaining sobriety. Knowing others are invested in one’s success can encourage individuals to stick to their recovery goals.

Recovering from addiction can be isolating, but having peer support reduces loneliness. Also, talking with peers who are doing well in their recovery can increase a person’s confidence in staying sober. This can lead to enhanced motivation and reductions in relapse rates.

Recovery communities are crucial for creating an environment that supports long-term sobriety. Being part of these groups helps individuals build resilience and a positive identity, which supports a sober lifestyle.

Mindfulness-Based Practices in Outpatient Alcohol Treatment

Many intensive outpatient alcohol treatment programs include mindfulness-based practices into their treatment, such as meditation and yoga. This is due to their benefits in enhancing emotional regulation and stress management.⁷

Emotional Regulation

Mindfulness helps people notice their emotions without reacting to them right away. This awareness can decrease impulsivity and the tendency to react in unhealthy ways to emotional risks.

Mindfulness also encourages acceptance of present-moment experiences. This can help individuals accept their emotional states without judgment. Acceptance can help reduce the shame and guilt that often go with addiction.

Stress and Anxiety Management

Mindfulness practices can help reduce levels of stress and anxiety. This is particularly helpful in alcohol treatment, as about 20% of those with a substance use disorder also have an anxiety disorder.⁸

When people learn to handle stress and anxiety better, they’re less likely to use alcohol as a way to cope.

Mindfulness and yoga can also improve sleep quality. Sleep is often disrupted in individuals with alcohol dependence. Poor sleep can increase anxiety and be a significant stressor and trigger for relapse.

Overall Benefits of Mindfulness in IOP

The main benefits of mindfulness in an intensive outpatient alcohol treatment program include:⁹

Engaging in mindfulness can help participants become more engaged in their treatment.
These practices can enhance cognitive functions that may be impaired by alcohol use, such as attention and concentration.
Individuals can practice mindfulness outside of treatment to manage stress and maintain emotional balance.
Mindfulness practices can be a way to reduce anxiety and depression without medication.

Using mindfulness-based practices in an IOP can have lasting benefits for participants.

Learn Career and Educational Skills with Intensive Outpatient Alcohol Treatment

Alcohol outpatient treatment recognizes that recovery from addiction often involves rebuilding many areas of an individual’s life. This might include their career and education.

The inclusion of vocational training, job placement assistance, and educational opportunities are often essential components of a successful recovery plan.

Vocational Training and Job Placement Assistance

Intensive outpatient alcohol treatment addresses employment needs by providing a comprehensive assessment that looks into an individual’s existing job skills and educational background. This helps to identify potential employment opportunities.

Counselors or vocational specialists can then help individuals build or update their resumes. Together, they can work on highlighting the skills and experiences that make the individual attractive to potential employers.

An IOP might also offer workshops or one-on-one coaching on interview techniques. This could include how to discuss gaps in employment due to treatment in a way that is honest yet positive.

Job Skills Training

Individuals are often given training on how to effectively search for jobs, including:

How to use online job search engines
Networking strategies
How to apply for positions

Programs may also include workshops on workplace etiquette and communication skills essential for job success.

Educational Opportunities

Some outpatient alcohol programs offer tutoring for individuals pursuing their GED or in college. Besides schooling, an IOP may also teach important life skills like money and time management. These educational opportunities can help in various areas of life after completing treatment.

Holistic Integration Into Recovery

Vocational and educational plans are also often created to match the individual’s recovery goals. This helps people balance work and school while getting the support they need for treatment and staying sober.

Programs can offer ongoing support to help manage stress when returning to work or school. This support continues to encourage recovery.

After treatment, an IOP can provide support through check-ins or therapy to prevent relapse caused by daily stress. This approach highlights that successful recovery means improving life and functioning in all areas.

Intensive Outpatient Alcohol Treatment with Continuum Outpatient Center

Continuum Outpatient Center offers intensive outpatient alcohol treatment in San Antonio, Texas. Our program helps patients by teaching them skills to prevent relapse, improving relationships, and dealing with past traumas.

We know that treatment can lead to success, as those who complete treatment often experience around a 60% reduction in alcohol-related symptoms. That’s why we’re here to help.¹⁰

What Do We Offer?

At Continuum Outpatient Center, we have a flexible program. Our main goal is to treat the whole person, not just the addiction. This is why we offer both evidence-based and holistic approaches.

Our San Antonio, Texas, outpatient program provides you the opportunity to address alcohol addiction and receive the tools needed to live a healthier life.

When we work with you, we will create an individualized treatment program that addresses all of your needs and symptoms. This way, you can be sure that our intensive outpatient alcohol treatment is right for your recovery.

Get In Touch Today

Find intensive outpatient alcohol treatment that you deserve at Continuum Outpatient Center by getting in touch with our team today. We will work with you every step of the way throughout your recovery.

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Questions About Treatment?

Reach out to our knowledgeable and compassionate Continuum Outpatient Center team for the guidance and support you need for sustainable recovery. We’re here to help you build a foundation for long-term happiness, wellness, and healing.