What is the best treatment approach for IOPs?

So far, there’s no definitive approach to follow. Several factors should be considered by the clinical team before settling on the ideal combination of therapies and modalities. That said, the most commonly used approaches are 12-step facilitation, motivational, cognitive-behavioral, the Matrix model, and community reinforcement.

Do IOPs include detox?

In most cases, IOPs don’t cover medically managed detox services. You might need to do a separate detox phase before you’re ready to transition to a lower level of care. However, if you opt for a large facility, like Illinois Recovery Center, you can get help with your detox, rehab, and outpatient programs.

What is the format for the common IOP therapies?

The therapeutic modalities used in IOPs can follow an individual or group format. Your treatment team might set a schedule that combines both settings for best results. Individual therapy sessions work well for counseling, vocational training, and medication management. Group therapy, however, is a chance to work on your communication and receive support.

How much time will I have to commit to the IOP?

Our programs are tailored to each patient’s needs. So, the exact duration and time commitment may vary. But the typical IOP requires attending treatment a minimum of 9 hours per week. The total hours are usually split over 3–5 days. As for the program duration itself, the standard is 90 days. But some patients may need longer IOPs if they relapse during the program. Others might require fewer sessions.

Will I be drug tested during the IOP?

If you’re attending an IOP for a substance use issue, then odds are, you’ll be tested for drugs. However, it’s important to note that part of the program’s goal is to teach you to socialize without drugs and alcohol. You’ll get plenty of support from therapists, counselors, and peers, too.

How much do IOPs cost in Illinois?

It’s hard to estimate the cost because the expenses depend on several factors, including: Duration of the treatment program Types of services offered The location of the facility and the available amenities Patient-specific details (veteran, dual diagnosis patient, etc.) That said, IOPs are still a cheaper option compared to partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), inpatient rehab, and medically-managed detoxes. Standard patient treatment, on the other hand, tends to be more affordable. Still, each level of care has its place in recovery, and you don’t want to seek the program with the lowest cost just to save money. At IRC, we accept health insurance from several providers. Contact us to find out if IOP is covered by your plan and what (if any) out-of-pocket costs to expect. And if your plan won’t cover the treatment (or if you’re not insured at all), we can still discuss other paths forward.

Intensive Outpatient Programs in Illinois

Research reveals, over and over again, that intensive outpatient programs (IOPs) are a key part of the continuum of care for alcohol and drug use disorders.

Although program specifics vary from one center to another, there are a few shared characteristics. At its core, an IOP treats addictions (with or without a co-occurring mental health condition) through a specified number of hours of structured programming per week.

Fortunately, IOPs are available in Illinois.

Illinois Recovery Center (IRC), located in Swansea, is a provider of level 2 intensive outpatient treatment services for mental health issues and substance use disorders.

Table of Contents

Illinois Recovery Center’s Programs: At a Glance
IOP at IRC: Who It Is Best For
IRC’s Approach to Intensive Outpatient Services
The Treatment Team at IRC
Accreditation and Recognition of IRC’s IOP Services
Testimonials From Clients of IRC’s Programs
FAQs
Find the Level of Care You Need at IRC

Illinois Recovery Center’s Programs: At a Glance

Before we take a look at why IRC is a reliable provider, let’s check out how intensive outpatient treatment compares to other substance use disorder (SUD) treatment programs offered by our center:

	Drug/Alcohol Detox	Inpatient Rehab	Partial Hospitization	Intensive Outpatient	Outpatient Counseling
Level of Care	Level 3.7	Level 3.5	Level 2	Level 2	Level 1
Residence	Within the facility	Within the facility	Outside	Outside	Outside
Time Estimates	24/7 Support	25–30 hours per week, with 24/7 support and all-day structured programs	4–6 hours per day	9 hours min. per week	A few hours per week
Support Team	Multifaceted, experienced	Multifaceted, experienced	Multifaceted, experienced	Multifaceted, experienced	Multifaceted, experienced

IOP at IRC: Who It Is Best For

IOPs may involve many of the therapeutic approaches used for other program types. However, the level of care and structure provided by IOPs makes them well-suited for individuals who don’t need an intense treatment setting with a rigid structure.

The clinical team at Illinois Recovery Center can help you decide which level of care is best for your needs. Our IOP program might be the right choice for you if:

You are stepping down from an inpatient or a partial hospitalization program.
Your mental health condition or substance abuse problem is moderate and doesn’t require round-the-clock care.
You need a schedule that accommodates your work, school, or family responsibilities.
You need help transitioning from rehab and back to your normal daily life, and regular therapy won’t cut it.

IRC’s Approach to Intensive Outpatient Services

Illinois Recovery Center adopts a therapeutic approach that’s evidence-based, holistic, individualized, and flexible all at once.

Evidence-Based

In IOP programs, you’ll learn to:

Recognize the emotions, behaviors, and thought patterns behind your substance use.
Address the problem areas.
Develop new habits and coping strategies that help you navigate life and avoid triggers.

You’ll acquire the needed skills through research-backed modalities, such as motivational interviewing (MI), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).

Holistic

Addiction, in its different forms, is a complex disease of the brain. It alters the way the brain functions, leading to a number of changes. For many people, the changes include emotional, cognitive, and physical aspects.

So, treatment can’t focus on addressing isolated symptoms of addiction; it has to address the interconnections between the mind, body, and soul.

That’s why we adopt a holistic approach to therapy. Some of the therapeutic interventions that may be included in the IOP program are:

Mindfulness and meditation
Nutritional counseling
Psychotherapy

Individualized

At IRC, we understand the dangers of using cookie-cutter approaches.

Before you begin your IOP, our clinical team will do a comprehensive assessment. They look at your specific substance use history, risk factors, triggers, traumas, strengths, long-term sobriety goals, and psychosocial issues (housing, employment, etc.).

Next, they tailor the program’s plan to your needs. As you make progress, they may alter the plan when needed, shifting you from one step on the continuum of care to the next.

Accomodating

We understand that many patients have responsibilities and duties to tend to outside of rehab — be it tricky work schedules, studying for a degree, or taking care of a loved one.

So, we recommend outpatient treatment (intensive or standard) when possible. And when it is the best route to take, we help our clients balance between their responsibilities and their therapy sessions.

The Treatment Team at IRC

Even though you’re not going to reside in the facility during your IOP, it’s perfectly normal to wonder about the staff you’ll interact with when you’re there for your sessions. They can, after all, make or break your treatment experience.

IRC goes above and beyond to make sure the team is consistent, compassionate, and qualified. We look for individuals who combine formal medical/clinical training with real-world experience in the field of addiction treatment and behavioral health.

Heading the Outpatient Services team is Jeff Brenneman, a dedicated Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with 26+ years of experience. Brenneman’s approach to outpatient services combines motivational interviewing, CBT, and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).

Kevin Bunten, the Family Therapy Program Director and one of our Licensed Clinical Professional Counselors (LCPCs), started his career in 2003. Over the years, he worked across different levels of care along the continuum, including intensive outpatient care.

Barb Laidlaw is an LCPC at our center. That said, she has quite a versatile, evidence-based toolset by her side. Laidlaw is qualified in EMDR, clinical hypnotherapy, and reality therapy. And her professional goal is to join her clients on their journey to lasting change.

Accreditation and Recognition of IRC’s IOP Services

Online listings, such as Recovered.org and Start Your Recovery, can come in handy if you need help finding and verifying IOP providers nearby.

You can find Illinois Recovery Center in major behavioral health care listings as an outpatient service provider, both on the national and local levels.

Here are a few notable examples:

Illinois Helpline (From the state’s Department of Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery)
Start Your Recovery
Findtreatment.gov (Based on data from SAMHSA’s National Substance Use and Mental Health Services Survey)
Recovered.org
Psychology Today
Recovery.com

It’s also worth noting that Illinois Recovery Center holds accreditation from The Joint Commission for a few SUD treatment levels, including intensive outpatient services.

For reference, The Joint Commission is one of the largest, most respected accrediting bodies and objective healthcare quality evaluation systems in the United States.

The commission looks for safe and consistent care. Getting accredited requires passing an on-site survey that assesses the center’s compliance with rigorous patient care standards.

Testimonials From Clients of IRC’s Programs

We’re proud to say that our center maintains a 4.9-star rating based on 340 reviews left by former patients and clients.

You can read full reviews on Google, but here’s a quick look at what people had to say about IRC’s behavioral health services:

“The programs are trauma-informed, deeply personal, and rooted in real transformation.”
“I know I still have a lot to work on the outside but IRC has given me the tools to continue my sobriety.”
“The therapists are extremely professional and make it easy to share. The medical staff is also very personable and helpful with any needs I had.”

FAQs

What is the best treatment approach for IOPs?
So far, there’s no definitive approach to follow. Several factors should be considered by the clinical team before settling on the ideal combination of therapies and modalities.

That said, the most commonly used approaches are 12-step facilitation, motivational, cognitive-behavioral, the Matrix model, and community reinforcement.
Do IOPs include detox?
In most cases, IOPs don’t cover medically managed detox services. You might need to do a separate detox phase before you’re ready to transition to a lower level of care.

However, if you opt for a large facility, like Illinois Recovery Center, you can get help with your detox, rehab, and outpatient programs.
What is the format for the common IOP therapies?
The therapeutic modalities used in IOPs can follow an individual or group format. Your treatment team might set a schedule that combines both settings for best results.

Individual therapy sessions work well for counseling, vocational training, and medication management. Group therapy, however, is a chance to work on your communication and receive support.
How much time will I have to commit to the IOP?
Our programs are tailored to each patient’s needs. So, the exact duration and time commitment may vary. But the typical IOP requires attending treatment a minimum of 9 hours per week. The total hours are usually split over 3–5 days.

As for the program duration itself, the standard is 90 days. But some patients may need longer IOPs if they relapse during the program. Others might require fewer sessions.
Will I be drug tested during the IOP?
If you’re attending an IOP for a substance use issue, then odds are, you’ll be tested for drugs.

However, it’s important to note that part of the program’s goal is to teach you to socialize without drugs and alcohol. You’ll get plenty of support from therapists, counselors, and peers, too.
How much do IOPs cost in Illinois?
It’s hard to estimate the cost because the expenses depend on several factors, including:
- Duration of the treatment program
- Types of services offered
- The location of the facility and the available amenities
- Patient-specific details (veteran, dual diagnosis patient, etc.)
That said, IOPs are still a cheaper option compared to partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), inpatient rehab, and medically-managed detoxes. Standard patient treatment, on the other hand, tends to be more affordable.

Still, each level of care has its place in recovery, and you don’t want to seek the program with the lowest cost just to save money.

At IRC, we accept health insurance from several providers. Contact us to find out if IOP is covered by your plan and what (if any) out-of-pocket costs to expect.

And if your plan won’t cover the treatment (or if you’re not insured at all), we can still discuss other paths forward.

Find the Level of Care You Need at IRC

Striking a delicate balance between structured all-day programming and flexible outpatient services, IOPs can be an effective option for treating substance use disorders.

Yet, you don’t want to get placed in an IOP just because it sounds convenient or is the only available option.

At Illinois Recovery Center, we offer a wide range of programs at different levels of care. And our goal is to give you the support you actually need to rebuild your life. And it all starts with a phone call.

Get in touch with us today. Our team is here to answer your questions and help you identify the best program for you.

Published on: 2023-03-29
Updated on: 2026-05-16

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