Addiction recovery looks different for every individual who undertakes it. For some, an intensive inpatient program is necessary during the first crucial months of getting free from substance dependence. For others, however, an option that allows them to live at home while receiving care is most supportive. If you or someone you care about could use help finding an intensive outpatient program in Seattle WA, contact Northpoint Recovery today. We’re available at 888.483.6031 or by online message and offer a range of effective partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs to meet your needs. Find us on North Northpoint Way across from Saffron Grill.
What’s the Need for Intensive Outpatient Programs in Seattle, WA?
As of early February 2024, in King County, the Office of the Medical Examiner has already reported 45 deaths due to overdose by opioids and stimulants and 26 overdose deaths due to opioids without stimulants during the new year.1 The trends over the past few years are sobering as well. According to a King County Department of Public Health report published in November 2022, overdose deaths have recently skyrocketed. For example, between 2019 and 2020 alone, it jumped 20%. It then jumped again by 39% between 2020 and 2021.2
The report cites the uptick in fentanyl abuse as the leading cause of the dramatic rise in overall overdose deaths. This potent opioid was involved in a staggering 70% of confirmed overdose deaths in the first 11 months of 2022. Tragically, communities most strongly impacted are also among the most vulnerable and historically marginalized. For example, American Indian, Alaskan Native, and black King County residents were overrepresented among overdose fatalities. This was also the case for people experiencing homelessness or living in temporary housing.3
These sobering facts suggest several realities. Firstly, King County needs more primary treatment options to meet the exponentially growing need for safe detox and inpatient rehab. Beyond this, however, secondary programs such as intensive outpatient programs (IOP) and partial hospitalization programs (PHP) are also key. Such programs help those who’ve completed primary recovery develop the necessary coping skills and personal support networks to remain sober long-term. Relapse rates are always highest right after primary treatment. IOPs and PHPs strongly increase the chances patients will make it through this period without returning to using drugs.
How Does an IOP for Addiction Differ From Other Levels of Care?
In considering how an IOP, specifically, may help, it’s useful to contrast it with the other basic levels of care:
- Inpatient programs – Residential offerings follow primary detox and involve patients living onsite in a treatment facility. They usually span one to three months and include offerings like medication monitoring, individual therapy, and group activities. The key advantage of residential care is the 24/7 support and supervision patients receive.
- PHP – One step below inpatient care in terms of intensity, partial hospitalization allows patients to live at home. They attend activities at a treatment hospital about five days a week for 4-8 hours each day. Activities included are similar to residential offerings, and PHPs typically span 5-6 weeks.
- IOP – Intensive outpatient care likewise allows patients to live at home but requires only 3-5 days of onsite attendance. Onsite activities usually last 2-5 hours. Attendance is sometimes scheduled at night or on weekends to facilitate patients’ simultaneous return to work, school, or childcare. IOPs are generally two to four months long.
It’s important to note that not all people in recovery need to start with residential care. In cases of severe addiction and especially dangerous substances, like fentanyl, this may well be necessary. In other cases, however, patients may benefit most from keeping some involvement with home, family, and other responsibilities during treatment. An IOP, for instance, may be advisable if you have a safe, supportive home and no imminent danger of relapse.
Begin Your Recovery Journey Today by Contacting Northpoint Recovery About Our Quality IOP in Seattle, WA
Finding an intensive outpatient program in Seattle, WA doesn’t have to be difficult. If you or a loved one is living with substance abuse, know that help is available and a lasting recovery is within reach. Millions of people face similar challenges daily, and many can turn their lives around through evidence-based programs like IOPs for addiction recovery. Get more information about programs at Northpoint Seattle, located in the Northgate Meridian Building on Northgate Way and Meridian Avenue just west of I-5. Our knowledgeable team is available at 888.483.6031, or you can reach us by filling out our confidential online contact form.
1. King County Medical Examiner – King County Fatal Overdose Dashboard
2. Public Health Seattle and King County – 2022 Overdose Death Report
3. Public Health Seattle and King County – 2022 Overdose Death Report