You have just completed an inpatient program or intensive outpatient program (IOP) and you are ready to take your next steps in recovery. At this point, you may want to explore the benefits of a virtual outpatient program (OP). The virtual OP at Sober Life is designed to keep you connected with the resources you need. Our goal is to make your treatment and recovery community easily accessible on your terms.
What is a virtual OP, and is it a good option for you?
What Is Sober Life’s Virtual Outpatient Program?
Sober Life uses the best telehealth technology to bring you a flexible and effective OP. As with an IOP, you will work with professionals who tailor your treatment to your unique needs. However, in the virtual program, you’ll receive this care from the comfort of your home.
If you tend to find that your life gets in the way of your recovery, a virtual OP may be right for you. We work around your schedule to provide you with the best care possible to ensure that you are staying on track with your sobriety.
According to the Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine, most people seek treatment to prevent relapse. When people don’t seek continuing care after initial treatment, this often leads them to repeat old habits and patterns. Our virtual OP ensures that this doesn’t happen to you, Instead, you can receive that continuing care in a convenient way wherever or whenever it works best for you.
How Does a Virtual Outpatient Program Fit Into My Recovery Timeline?
In the Sober Life Treatment Timeline, our virtual OP would take place approximately three to six months into your recovery. Typically this will occur after completing an IOP or after 90 days of sobriety. However, this isn’t always the case and the timing may be different. Recovery is a constant journey, and no one is excluded or discouraged from an OP. These programs are here for whoever needs them, no matter how long they have been on their journey.
This particular program is typically three to five days a week for three hours a day. However, your virtual program will be tailored to your individual needs. You may choose to extend it to seven days a week or four hours a day. You may need fewer days or fewer hours. Overall, our program lasts about three months. Again, this may change depending on your schedule and your needs.
The Benefits of a Virtual Outpatient Program
As you continue through your life amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to consider all of your options. If you are still social distancing, an in-person outpatient program may not suit you. Not only does the virtual OP protect your physical health, but it provides many other benefits as well.
Accessibility and Affordability
One of the biggest problems people face in recovery is, frankly, “life.” Life comes with obligations and responsibilities you cannot ignore. Maybe you have a family to provide for or bills to pay. By participating in a virtual program, you can access your program at a convenient time. You can set your schedule the way you need it, giving you the ability to fulfill your daily obligations while still making your recovery a priority.
Not only is it more convenient for you to access your program from your phone, but it is also less expensive. As you don’t have to use facilities or have as much contact with professionals compared to a traditional OP, the cost of your treatment is also less. If you have hesitated to enroll in an outpatient program due to higher costs, you’ll be glad to know that our virtual OP is much less expensive. While our virtual program costs less than our traditional OP, you will receive the same quality of care.
Less Pressure
In a traditional OP, you may feel pressure to progress on par with those around you. Maybe you notice that one of your peers in group therapy seems to have less trouble with their recovery than you do. Shame and guilt can damage your confidence in recovery. A virtual OP can give you the shield you need to lower your tendency to compare your journey with those around you.
Some people struggle with social anxiety and other social phobias. This particular struggle can repel you from joining an in-person program. By offering a virtual option for you, you can now rest easy knowing we are 100% in your corner. Not only that, you receive more individualized care from professionals compared to an in-person program.
How to Get Started Today
Recovery is not a “one-size-fits-all” process. You may need more intensive care than someone else. First, you’ll want to gauge where you are in recovery. Consider whether or not you should enroll in an inpatient program before trying an outpatient one. At Sober Life, you will undergo an initial assessment to determine what we believe is the right path for you. From there, we will partner with you to create an individualized plan for healing.
We also offer support for your family and partners so they can help give you the best chance at long-term recovery. To learn more about how to live with a recovering addict, read more here.
With our virtual outpatient program (OP), Sober Life can help you maintain your sobriety while engaging in your daily responsibilities. You can access your support system from anywhere you are. Going without continuing care can be harmful to your recovery goals. That’s why we’ve made it possible for you to juggle your daily life while keeping you healthy and on the road to recovery. Whether you have just completed an inpatient program or an intensive outpatient program (IOP), virtual outpatient care can be beneficial for you. You are not your addiction; you never have been. Take control of your recovery today. To learn more about Sober Life and our programs and services, call (619) 542-9542.
