Ask anyone who has received treatment for an eating disorder, and they will tell you that recovering from an eating disorder is not easy. In fact, many who receive treatment at a residential treatment facility find that continuing their recovery through an intensive outpatient program (IOP) can be highly beneficial. When you look for outpatient mental health treatment services in your area, you will most likely have many options. At Crossroads, we believe a gender-responsive model of treatment gives women recovering from eating disorders their best chance at lifelong success. The reality is that women do not always have the same struggles as men do. Contact our team at 877.978.1667 to learn more about our intensive outpatient eating disorder treatment program in a safe and comfortable environment.
What Is an IOP for Eating Disorders?
An IOP is just one type of treatment you can receive for an eating disorder. This is a very flexible way to receive treatment as it allows you to live at home while still receiving treatment. It’s an ideal option for women who have a diagnosed eating disorder but are considered stable. Their doctor may feel they will benefit from the clinical support and structure to maintain the good work that they have done to date.
A typical IOP program can involve attending treatment sessions (in-person or virtually) from three to five days a week for a few hours each of those days. Sessions focus on individual and group therapies, meal planning, and continuing education on nutrition. The most intense type of eating disorder treatment is residential treatment, where you are under supervision 24 hours a day. A partial hospitalization program (PHP) is a hybrid of residential care and an IOP, where you spend the day in treatment but go home at the end of each evening.
Advantages of an IOP for Eating Disorder Recovery
The advantages of an IOP for an eating disorder are many, but here are some of the main reasons women choose this treatment level.
- Cost – Because you will go home each evening after receiving treatment, you do not incur the extra costs associated with staying onsite in a residential care facility.
- Flexibility – Getting the treatment you need and still maintaining the demands of your everyday life is appealing to many busy women struggling with an eating disorder.
- Support – You get multiple types of support through an IOP. The support of peers and professionals within your outpatient rehab, plus the support of your home network of family and friends who are an integral part of an outpatient program’s success.
- Comfort level – For those that want the security and familiarity of coming home after treatment and sleeping in their own bed, then an IOP offers that advantage. Individuals who tend to get homesick may find it less stressful.
Crossroads Can Help with Eating Disorder Recovery
As eating disorders affect more women than men, our gender-responsive program focuses on women helping women. Because recovery from an eating disorder can be challenging, Crossroads offers a variety of treatment options to meet each woman’s unique needs. Our IOP can help women recover safely and effectively while still managing their day-to-day responsibilities, like work and family. An IOP is also a healthy option to continue your recovery following residential treatment.
In addition to eating disorder recovery, women come to Crossroads for:
- Prescription drug addiction
- Alcohol addiction
- Meth addiction
- Marijuana addiction
- Cocaine addiction
You’re not alone in your battle with mental health concerns like eating disorders or addiction. Give our caring and compassionate team in Portland, Maine a call today at 877.978.1667. We are ready to lend a helping hand.
