Intensive Outpatient Program

What Is The Intensive Outpatient Program?
The Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is a multifaceted, highly comprehensive program designed to help individuals with chemical dependencies and/or abuse issues. The outpatient program, as opposed to an inpatient program, allows the individual to remain home with his/her family, resolve current life problems, and continue working at their regular jobs.

The program consists of, but is not limited to, working with core issues of chemical dependency and/or abuse such as the disease concept, victimization, boundaries, spirituality, feelings, toxic shame, guilt, self-esteem, honesty, dysfunctional family, and relapse.

IOP consists of ten weeks of group therapy based on thirty three-hour sessions, which meet three nights per week (Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday). Plus a one hour session on Friday consisting of psychoeducation and/or any other issues related to chemical dependency. Individual sessions are offered in phase I to deal with situations that may not be appropriate in the group setting such as sexual issues, abuse, etc. Mood disorder and emotional problems are addressed as needed to compliment/facilitate the ongoing S/A recovery process. The individual sessions may include couples and family counseling depending on the needs of the client. During the ten weeks (or early into aftercare) each individual will also attend a family week which consists of 5 nights (Monday through Friday) with family members and/or significant others.

Prior to family week, the families and/or significant others of those individuals are invited to come in and talk to the counseling staff to help them deal with any issues they might have regarding their loved one's treatment and recovery of the family.

Chemical dependency is a family illness and the entire family may receive help to deal with their issues in this program.

Other Agency Involvement
Agencies that Cornerstone may work with during the treatment process would include, but are not limited to, the Department of Family Service (DFS), Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), Probation and Parole, Educational Facilities, Sexual Assault and Family Violence Tack Force (SAFV), Domestic Abuse Intervention Project (DAIP), Court System, Community Outreach Programs, Mental Health, hospitals, other treatment facilities, and Evanston Housing Authority, depending on the individual and his/her needs.

Clients And Family Issues
The counseling staff of Cornerstone work with the individual, family members, and significant others during the treatment process to assist in the recovery mechanism. The goal of the IOP is to help the individual, family, and/or significant others to maintain a life-style congruent to sobriety and a healthy recovery.