At Eastside Center for Healing, we offer an Intensive Outpatient Program for those struggling with substance abuse issues in Washington.
Our program is not religious or based upon a 12-step methodology. Instead, we are influenced by Buddhist psychology regarding the causes of suffering that contribute to your personal suffering. We use mindfulness techniques to alleviate your suffering and pain. With proper support, a relapse prevention plan can be used to avoid further problems with substance abuse and mental health pain, which we help our clients develop.
We also provide tools for our clients to identify what, for them, is the right view of life to build and support internal resolve to remain free of substance abuse. Learning effective communication and speech enables clients to avoid ongoing pain in their relationships. Identifying and aligning with conduct that supports recovery is an essential element in the process of maintaining sobriety. We work with clients to assess if their current livelihood/education pursuits are in alignment with their recovery goals. Creating a clear plan of action enables one to follow a clear action plan in turn creating a functional and manageable life.
Our IOP Process
As mentioned, we teach mindfulness, which is a contemplative practice that helps people stay focused in the present and avoid the suffering that comes with focusing on the past or worrying about the future, both causes of distress and relapse. Meditation is a core feature of our IOP counseling program, which is another reflective practice helping people become comfortable with being themselves.
Our education curriculum is influenced by The Stages of Change (Dr. Prochaska and Dr. DiClemente), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Dr. Aaron Beck), and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (Dr. Marsha Linehan). The curriculum teaches practical skills for improving one’s ability to tolerate painful feelings and respond to others skillfully while developing ways to improve accurate thinking, identify cognitive distortions and increase empathy, all of which improve communication and relating skills.
Our recommended readings include Eight Step Recovery (Valerie Mason-John), Buddha’s Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love and Wisdom (Rick Hanson), The Miracle of Mindfulness (Thich Nhat Hanh), and as counseling progresses recommendations are made that support ongoing long-term recovery.
The Benefits of an Intensive Outpatient Program
Intensive outpatient programs are part of a range of different treatment options. Compared to other treatment options they have the following benefits:
- Intensive Outpatient Programs are less expensive than residential treatment centers for alcohol or drug addiction, making them a more affordable option for people who need more than just therapy.
- In IOP, you can continue living at home and maintain a presence within your work, school, or community. For many, it is helpful to be surrounded by a supportive network of family and friends while undergoing intensive treatment.
- Continuing to live in the ‘real world’ may also help you make the fundamental changes in your lifestyle and relationships that may be harder to achieve in the more artificial environment of rehab.
- IOP treatment is sometimes appropriate as a way to transition from inpatient treatment to life in the outside world.
An Intensive Outpatient Program is not right for everybody. If you’re not sure what path to choose, we’re always happy to discuss your unique situation and provide guidance and information.
Learn more
If you are in need of a treatment plan for your addiction issues, Eastside Center for Healing can provide evidence-based techniques to put you on the path to recovery. For more information, fill out a contact form or give us a call. Start your journey today.