When you’re considering an intensive outpatient program (IOP) for a substance use disorder, whether for yourself or a loved one, one of the first questions is often: How long does treatment take?
In general, intensive outpatient treatment lasts
several weeks to a few months, with sessions held multiple days per week for a few hours at a time.
The exact length of treatment often varies based on the treatment program you choose, your clinical needs, level of support, and how quickly you build and apply relapse prevention skills.
Stimulant- and opioid-related overdose deaths in Bexar County
exceed the Texas average, highlighting a persistent public health concern.
At San Antonio Recovery Center, our
intensive outpatient treatment (IOP) isn’t a fixed course. We don’t assign a set number of weeks. Instead, we build a plan based on your diagnosis and your ability to prevent relapse.
Here’s a simple breakdown of how long IOP lasts, what the schedule looks like, and why the timeline varies.
IOP Length at San Antonio Recovery Center
The length of intensive outpatient treatment depends on whether you enroll in the 90-day treatment program or decide to participate in IOP instead of residential treatment. Your length of stay in any phase of our treatment is dependent upon your treatment plan as informed by your clinical needs and assessments. In general this is how our 90 day treatment timeline works.
90-Day Rehab Program: Full Continuum of Care
As part of our
90-day treatment program, the IOP phase lasts 6-weeks. In most cases, the full continuum of care follows this schedule:
- Detox and residential care (4 weeks): Medical stabilization and 24/7 monitoring
- Partial hospitalization program (2 weeks): A structured step down from residential care that supports real-world application of recovery skills while maintaining consistent clinical oversight.
- Intensive outpatient treatment (6 weeks): Transitioning back to work and home life while staying connected to care
Combining these levels of care helps many clients reach the 90-day mark generally associated with improved long-term recovery outcomes.
IOP Instead of Residential Care
In some cases, clients choose intensive outpatient care instead of residential treatment.
In this case, IOP typically lasts between 60 - 90 days, depending on your assessment and progress.
Our clinical team looks at three main factors:
- Your diagnosis: Every clinical history is different.
- Your stability: How safe and supportive is your home life?
- Your progress: Are you mastering relapse prevention skills?
Relapse prevention is our main focus. You finish the program when you’re ready, not when a calendar says so. This keeps your care personalized and suited to your unique needs.
What Factors Affect the Length of Intensive Outpatient Treatment?
Why does one person stay in IOP for two months and another for three?
It usually comes down to the complexity of the substance use disorder and any co-occurring conditions, along with the stability of your lifestyle.
1. Home Stability
IOP requires a safe place to go home to. If your home environment is chaotic or supportive of ongoing substance use, you may need more time or additional structure.
- Stable home? You might move through the program faster because you have support outside treatment hours.
- Unstable home? We may recommend a sober living arrangement. This adds a layer of accountability that can sometimes extend the timeline while supporting more consistent long-term recovery.
2. Commitment Outside Sessions
IOP is a partnership between you and your treatment facility and most progress happens between your visits.
We expect clients to:
- Attend 12-step meetings
- Practice coping skills at home
- Show up for appointments consistently
Clients who actively engage with recovery activities often move through IOP quicker. Others may benefit from additional time to practice skills and build consistency.
3. Co-Occurring Mental Health Conditions
Substance misuse rarely happens in isolation. Many clients at San Antonio Recovery Center also manage anxiety, depression, or trauma.
Treating a
dual diagnosis ensures you’re not only stopping substance use, but also addressing the underlying emotional factors that contribute to it.
Addressing both mental health conditions and substance use at the same time is more effective, but it can influence your timeline.
Establishing a medication baseline or working through trauma-related triggers requires patience. Rushing this process can increase relapse risk, so
we pace treatment to support emotional stability before program completion.
4. Finances
IOP is less expensive than inpatient care because you don’t pay for room and board. However, insurance limits and personal budgets can still play a role in how long you stay.
Typical IOP Schedule: The Step-Down Approach
Recovery requires gradual changes, and clinical support is reduced over time as your stability improves.
Most intensive outpatient programs use a “step-down” model, comprising the following three stages, to adjust supervision as progress develops.
Phase 1: Stabilization (High Frequency)
At first you may attend sessions
four to five days a week. The goal is to establish a new routine that doesn’t include substance use. This phase is more intensive because early recovery can be medically and emotionally challenging.
Phase 2: Application (Medium Frequency)
As you demonstrate stability by attending 12-step meetings, managing triggers, and meeting treatment expectations, the
schedule may drop to three days per week.
During this phase, you’ll spend more time navigating daily life outside of treatment while staying connected to care and your support network.
Phase 3: Transition (Low Frequency)
Before discharge, many clients step down to
one or two days per week. This phase focuses on refining your aftercare plan and preparing to transition to less intensive clinical support.
What Happens During IOP Sessions?
IOP isn’t just sitting and talking. Sessions include evidence-based therapies designed to support behavioral change, including:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Identifying thought patterns that contribute to substance use
- Trauma therapy: Addressing any underlying sources of distress
- Experiential therapy: Learning through active participation
- Animal-assisted therapy: Structured interaction that supports emotional regulation and therapeutic engagement
Together, these therapies help you build practical skills you can apply outside of sessions, which supports balancing treatment with daily responsibilities.
Balancing Intensive Outpatient Treatment With Work and Daily Life
One of the biggest concerns for clients who attend intensive outpatient treatment is work. “How can I do ten hours of therapy and keep my job?”
This is exactly why IOP exists.
Unlike residential treatment, the schedule is designed to coexist with daily responsibilities.
- Flexible timing: Sessions are often scheduled in the morning or evening to accommodate standard work hours
- Real-time application: Stressors from the workday can be addressed in treatment the same evening
If you’re concerned about your employer, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) may offer protections for those seeking treatment. Our admissions team can help explain how treatment and employment can coexist.
How IOP Compares to Other Levels of Care
Where does IOP fit? It’s the middle ground between residential care and standard outpatient therapy.
Residential treatment focuses on medical safety. IOP supports recovery while continuing daily life.
When Does an IOP Make Sense?
OP allows you to practice coping skills in everyday settings while staying connected to care.
This type of outpatient program helps you:
- dentify triggers quickly
- Build a sober routine at home
- Stay accountable while working or attending school
After IOP, you’re not alone. Alumni programming and aftercare groups provide continued connection and support.
Common Questions About Intensive Outpatient Care
What’s the main difference between inpatient and outpatient treatment?
The primary difference is where you live during treatment. In an inpatient program, also called residential treatment, you stay at the facility for 30 days or more with 24-hour supervision. This level of care supports medical stabilization.
n an outpatient program like IOP, you live at home or in sober living and attend scheduled therapy sessions. Outpatient care focuses on reintegration rather than constant monitoring.
Is residential treatment the same as rehab?
Not exactly. “Rehab” is a broad term that describes the full recovery process, from detox through aftercare.
Residential treatment is one specific stage of that process where you live on-site.
Some people choose outpatient care instead of residential care if they are medically stable and meet the eligibility requirements laid out by the rehab facility.
Is group therapy required in IOP?
Yes. Group therapy is a core component of intensive outpatient care. While individual therapy supports privacy and individualized planning, group sessions provide structured peer support and accountability.
Do I need detox before starting IOP?
This depends on your substance use history. IOP is a therapy-based level of care, not a medical one.
f there’s a risk of severe withdrawal symptoms, such as with alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines, medical detox is typically recommended first.
Once medically stable, you may be eligible to transition into IOP.
Getting Started With an Intensive Outpatient Program in San Antonio
Recovery isn’t about watching the clock. It’s about building a stable, sustainable life.
San Antonio Recovery Center offers flexible outpatient services at our San Pedro location. If you’re ready to start, we can help determine the right timeline for your recovery.
Call San Antonio Recovery Center at 866-957-7885.
Strength. Acceptance. Recovery. Community.
