Outpatient, PHP, and IOP Rehab Admissions Intake Process

Outpatient Rehab Admissions Process

The admissions process for an outpatient program is very similar to that of an inpatient program. At American Addiction Centers (AAC), the admissions process consists of four main steps.

1. Reach out to AAC. You call AAC at and speak with an admissions navigator. You share your story and include relevant information—the substance with which you have become addicted, the length of time you have been using it, and what made you reach out for help. Many of our knowledgeable and compassionate admissions navigators are in recovery themselves; they’ve been where you are and know what you’re experiencing.

2. Complete the pre-screening process. The admissions navigator conducts a brief assessment to determine your clinical needs and which level of care might be best for you. Some of the questions you may be asked during this step, include:

• Do you have any existing health conditions that have been diagnosed?
• Do you have any physical limitations?
• Are there mental health conditions for which you have been diagnosed?
• Do you take or use additional substances?
• Do you take any medications?
• What is your current living situation?
• What type of health insurance do you have?

3. Receive a treatment recommendation. Based on your individual circumstances and your clinical needs, the admissions navigator provides you with a personalized treatment recommendation and answers your questions. It’s important to note that only a clinician can establish the level of care that’s right for you, but an admissions navigator can help you understand the differences and give you insight on how each works.

4. Establish payment plan. Part of the admissions process involves understanding treatment costs. Your health insurance plan may cover all or at least a portion of the costs for substance use treatment—and AAC can help you verify your benefits so you understand exactly what’s covered. (You can also do this by filling out the form at right). If you’re not using insurance to pay for treatment, the admissions navigator can explain other payment options that might be available to you, such as a financing plan.

Our Outpatient Programs and Locations

Our treatment facilities offer different levels of outpatient rehab, including standard outpatient, intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), and partial hospitalization programs (PHPs)—each of which vary in the length of time spent in therapy, counseling sessions, and mutual-help groups each week. All outpatient programs offered through AAC allow you to return to a supportive home environment or a sober living residence each day. Just like inpatient care, outpatient programs can be effective.² Some of the benefits of outpatient rehab include:^1,3,4

• The ability to receive treatment while living at home.
• The flexibility to continue working or going to school.
• A wide range of treatment intensities suited to your clinical needs.
• Lower costs compared to inpatient or residential programs because outpatient treatment does not involve 24-hour care.

While the decision to attend an outpatient addiction program should be made with the help of a healthcare professional or addiction treatment specialist, it can be helpful to understand some of the fundamental differences between various outpatient programs.

Your recovery may include one or more of these levels of care:

A standard outpatient program at AAC provides the most flexibility but still tailors treatment to meet your needs. You’ll participate in weekly therapy sessions to help keep you on track and connected to your sober community.

A PHP through AAC, sometimes referred to as day treatment, provides highly structured treatment 3 to 7 days per week for a minimum of 6 hours each day. In a PHP, you will participate in support groups, individual therapy, skills building, and a wide range of therapeutic activities to help you begin the process of sober reintegration into work, life, and community.

 An IOP at AAC provides therapy 3 to 7 days a week for a minimum of 3 hours each day. While the IOP is structured similarly to a PHP, it’s less intensive and focuses on helping you integrate back into your day-to-day life while sustaining recovery.

The AAC facilities that provide outpatient programs include:

Recovery First Treatment Center in Hollywood, Florida. Located not far from Fort Lauderdale and Miami, Recovery First offers a couple of levels of outpatient drug and alcohol rehab care. The PHP takes place 5 to 7 days per week for 7 hours each day. The program involves group and individual therapy sessions, mindfulness training, spirituality groups, relapse prevention strategies, and more. The IOP takes place 3 evenings per week for 3 hours each. Recovery First also has specialized treatment tracks for Veterans, first responders, and healthcare professionals.

River Oaks Treatment Center in Riverview, Florida. Near Tampa, River Oaks offers a PHP and an IOP. The PHP provides 6 hours of treatment, 5 days each week. Treatment focuses on therapy, skill-building activities, and 12-Step groups. IOPs take place 3 days a week for at least 3 hours each day. Treatment includes psychotherapy and 12-Step meetings. Specialized treatment tracks exist for Veterans, first responders, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and more.

Oxford Treatment Center in Etta, Mississippi. Oxford offers three levels of outpatient care. The PHP, which requires a minimum of 20 hours of treatment per week, provides access to the facility’s medical staff and reinforces skills and helping you practice real-life scenarios during recovery. The IOP at Oxford focuses on psychoeducation, therapy, and building accountability. The morning or evening sessions last 3 to 4 hours, 5 days each week. Oxford’s standard outpatient program offers sessions with a counselor or therapist; hours and days vary. There are specialized treatment tracks for Veterans, first responders, married couples, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Desert Hope Treatment Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Desert Hope offers three levels of outpatient care. The standard outpatient program is the most flexible and tailored to meet your needs. The PHP at Desert Hope provides group therapy and a range of other therapeutic activities at least 5 days a week for a minimum of 6 hours each day. The IOP is structured similarly to the PHP; however, treatment, which focuses on helping you integrate back into your life while sustaining recovery, takes place at least 3 days each week for a minimum of 3 hours per day. Desert Hope offers specialized treatment tracks for Veterans and first responders.

Greenhouse Treatment Center in Grand Prairie, Texas. Located in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Greenhouse offers three levels of outpatient care. The PHP includes 3 to 7 days per week, 6 to 8 hours each day of highly structured individual therapy, therapeutic activities, and group sessions. The IOP, which is slightly less intense, requires participation in on-site treatment 3 to 7 days per week, 3 hours each day. Standard outpatient care provides weekly therapy sessions to help you maintain your sobriety. Additionally, Greenhouse offers specialized treatment tracks for Veterans, first responders, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and those interested in Christian-based services.

AdCare Treatment Centers in Rhode Island. AdCare facilities in Rhode Island offer outpatient and IOP care for drug and alcohol addiction treatment in Warwick, Greenville, and South Kingston, where detox is also available.

AdCare Treatment Centers in Massachusetts. AdCare facilities in Massachusetts also offer outpatient and IOP services in Quincy, West Springfield, North Dartmouth, and Worcester.

Additionally, some of our AAC facilities offer telehealth outpatient services, including Recovery First, River Oaks, Greenhouse, and several of our AdCare facilities in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

Is Outpatient Rehab Right for Me?

As previously mentioned, you should seek the advice of a primary care physician or mental health provider, like a counselor or psychiatrist, who can evaluate your substance use patterns, assess your overall health, and help craft a treatment plan, including the appropriate level of care.⁵

There are several factors that can affect your treatment and might also determine if outpatient care might benefit you. Before committing to a program, however, you should ask yourself a series of questions, including:

• Is your living environment a stable and supportive place for sobriety?
• Do you have a strong support network that will help motivate you to stay sober?
• Can you commute from your home to the facility several times each week?

Get Started with Outpatient Rehab Treatment

If you or a loved one struggle with substance addiction, call AAC at . Our compassionate and knowledgeable admissions navigators are available 24/7 to listen to your concerns and connect you with the appropriate rehab program. Let us help you begin your road to recovery today.