Confidant vs. Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

An intensive outpatient program (IOP) is a level of care in the continuum for treating substance use disorders. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, IOP includes 9 or more hours of service per week for adults to treat multidimensional instability. IOP can be a great option for some people, but aren't for everyone.

What is an IOP?

Enrolling in an intensive outpatient program allows you to continue to live at home, go to work, and fulfill other obligations. You will need to commit to 9+ hours of treatment per week.

Typically, you'll meet for group therapy three or four times a week for three to four hours at a time. IOPs also often follow the 12-step paradigm.

How Confidant Is Different

At Confidant, we believe a personalized approach will deliver successful results. We put you in charge of deciding your goals and setting your schedule with guidance from our clinicians.

Cost

IOPs have overhead costs (such as for facility rental, furniture, utilities, etc.) that get passed on to you. With Confidant, you only pay for your time with the provider and under our community payment model you're able to access services for as little as $1.

Time Commitment

Confidant offers flexibility in both the duration and schedule of your treatment. At Confidant, you have full control over the routine so that it fits your life, with access to a range of supports including clinicians, therapists, coaches, and support groups.

Group Therapy vs. Individualized Therapy

Confidant offers personalized and individualized therapy in addition to support groups. IOPs tend to use group therapy most heavily. While some people feel they can learn from the other participants in group therapy, others feel like it's a waste of time to observe rather than actively engage with the therapist one-on-one. 

The success of group therapy also depends on the other people in the group and how comfortable you feel around them. With Confidant, 100% of the focus remains on you.

Philosophy

The group therapy offered by IOPs also tends to follow a one-size-fits-all format. The therapist sets the same goal for everyone (typically complete abstinence). If this doesn't match your goals or you struggle to follow a 12-step philosophy, you will not see many benefits from an IOP. 

Confidant allows you to create personalized goals and to develop an approach that makes sense to you. 

Convenience

Don't have reliable transportation to get to your IOP appointments? You can use Confidant whenever, wherever you want. Our therapists talk to you over the phone or through video calls, and they can even visit you in your own home. We eliminate as many barriers as possible to make treatment accessible. 

With many different therapeutic modalities to try, easy access to providers, and a plan with individualized attention, Confidant gives you the tools and confidence you need to meet your recovery or reduction goals successfully.