Flexible Outpatient Care on Your Schedule
An outpatient program, or OP, is the lowest level of care offered at Lotus Recovery, and it involves traveling to therapy once or several times a week based on your needs. This level of treatment is ideal for individuals who are ready to live their lives but still require some support, structure and accountability. With the flexibility of OPs, it’s possible to work, attend school and maintain household responsibilities while participating in therapy.
Most people who participate in our outpatient rehab in Thousand Oaks, CA have stepped down from a higher level of care, such as an intensive outpatient program or partial hospitalization program. They are stable and have already had time to work on underlying issues and learn healthy ways to cope. This is why they are ready to transition to the real world and take on more responsibility. The main component of our outpatient program is group therapy, though clients still participate in individual counseling and have access to specialized therapies.
What to Expect from Our Outpatient Rehab in Thousand Oaks
A standard or traditional outpatient program is a low intensity program that provides treatment services for substance use disorders. You are not required to live onsite. Rather, you can live at home or in sober housing if you lack a stable living environment. Since most OPs only require a few hours of treatment each week, you can expect to have a lot of time in the real world to work, attend school, participate in family activities and maintain household responsibilities. The goal of treatment is to help you rebuild your life and become a productive member of society.
As mentioned earlier, most outpatient programs are centered around group therapy. Since a lot of work has already been done by this point, individuals in OP are working on more specific goals, such as maintaining steady work and building trust in their relationships. Here is what group therapy can provide at this stage in the recovery journey:
- You are not alone. Those with substance use disorders often experience shame, guilt, loneliness and depression. Many have a background of physical or sexual abuse that they have concealed for years, which contributed to their addiction. Being in a group with people who understand and support you can be a huge motivator for abstinence.
- Sense of community. Group therapy reminds people that they are not suffering alone. This sense of community—which celebrates the ups and downs of recovery—can help with many components of the recovery journey. It can also help manage the symptoms of anxiety and depression.
- Improve communication. Communication is an important life skill, but one that often lacks in addiction. You can improve your communication skills, listening abilities and empathic qualities by practicing them in group therapy.
- Receive feedback. The perceptions we have of ourselves are rarely accurate, which is why outside feedback can be helpful. In individual therapy, you must rely on your therapist’s feedback, but in a group setting, you can rely on your peers.
- Try new abilities. The mental and behavioral abilities learned in treatment can be applied in a group setting. This gives you a safe and non-judgmental space where you can test new ways of thinking and behaving.
Aside from group therapy, outpatient programs also include individual therapy and specialized therapies like meditation, yoga and chiropractic care.
Who Should Participate in Our Standard OP?
As the lowest level of care, a standard OP comes after an intensive outpatient program or partial hospitalization program. This is why this program is recommended for those who have completed some treatment and have mental health and withdrawal symptoms under control. Typically, we recommend our OP to individuals who have:
- Mild to moderate substance use disorder
- Strong support system
- Transportation to and from treatment
- Sober, stable living environment
- Motivation to attend session regularly
- Low risk of withdrawal symptoms
Many individuals find comfort in participating in an outpatient program for an extended period of time.
They appreciate having a strong support system and access to therapies when they need them, as the real world is fraught with challenges. To learn more about our standard outpatient rehab in Thousand Oaks and how it can help round out your recovery, contact Lotus Recovery today.