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Substance Abuse Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program

What is substance abuse intensive outpatient treatment (SAIOP)?

SAIOP is a structured, evidence based outpatient treatment for substance use disorders which addresses substance use disorders that do not require detoxification through a combination of group-based psychotherapyindividual psychotherapy, family counseling, educational groups, and strategies for encouraging motivation and engagement in treatment. SAIOP meets for 3 hours 3 days a week (9 hours a week total) minimum. SAIOP is generally around 3 months in length.

Why choose SAIOP?

People often have family or work commitments that prevent them from entering fulltime care. They simply can’t leave their lives behind for an extended period of time. For these people, SAIOPs are often the best choice. They still get intensive treatment but they are able to reside at home or a sober living home. Ideal candidates for intensive outpatient treatment have a safe home environment which may mean living in a sober living facility for a time.

What will SAIOP help me with?

  • Learn relapse prevention skills regardless of the stage of sobriety you at at 

  • Develop necessary coping strategies to maintain short and long term sobriety 

  • Provide you with psychosocial support

  • Address any specific symptoms or needs that you may have 

  • Establish a long term recovery plan

Do I have to go to inpatient treatment first (such as detox or rehabilitation)?

Not always. For certain substance use disorders, specifically alcohol use disorder and benzodiazepine use disorder, detoxing at home can be life threatening. In other substance use disorders, such as opioid use disorder, detox at home can be extremely uncomfortable, if not intolerable, and is not recommended. SAIOP is often part of a discharge plan after completing detox, rehabilitations, partial hospitalization program, or SACOT. If you are unsure what level of care if appropriate, River of Hope can work with you to determine the appropriate level of care to meet your specific needs. 

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