Successful recovery from drug and alcohol misuse often begins with residential rehabilitation where individuals receive clinical treatment, recovery education, therapy and group support. A lengthy and costly rehab stay away from home is not always possible, and for those individuals who live and work in Colorado, NorthStar Transitions offers a highly effective rehab alternative: IOP treatment in Boulder, CO.

NorthStar Transitions IOP Schedules

Intensive Outpatient Drug and Alcohol Treatment, also known as “IOP” is a level of substance abuse treatment where the client does not live in residence at the treatment center. Intensive outpatient groups typically meet at regular intervals (ie 3 hours per day on 3 days per week). Clients enrolled in an intensive outpatient program also experience weekly individual therapy, bi-weekly family therapy and may see an addiction psychiatrist if needed.

To fit your busy life schedule, NorthStar Transitions offers both morning and evening in-person IOP groups, as well the evening True North: Virtual IOP Experience.

Upon admission, clients choose the group track that works best for them, all of which meet three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays:
Morning (In-Person): 9:30am to 12:30pm
Evening (In-Person or Virtual Experience): 5:30pm to 8:30pm.

Features of NorthStar Transitions IOP Recovery

Our outpatient program offers the same evidence-based care and recovery training as our residential rehab, but clients maintain some of their obligations to family, career or school while working consistently toward full recovery. In addition to regular group sessions, clients see an individual therapist weekly and a family therapist bi-weekly, and those with dual diagnosis also have access to psychiatric and medical care.

IOP group sessions begin with a “check-in,” where members recount individual challenges, successes and insights gained as they work toward sobriety. Then, facilitated by a certified NorthStar Transitions addiction therapist, the group participates in recovery exercises and discussions.

Recovery Exercises & Discussions

  • Relapse prevention
  • Mindfulness training
  • Life skills
  • Stress management
  • Disease education
  • Healthy relationships
  • Co-occurring disorders
  • Trauma & grief counseling
  • Recovery skills
  • Group support
  • Dialectical behavioral therapy
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Motivational interviewing

Types of Intensive Outpatient Programs

true north virtual iop experience

True North offers the same highly crafted excellence that NorthStar stands upon, while opening the accessibility for clients to receive up to 12 weeks of intensive outpatient treatment from the comfort and safety of their own home.

Modifying our in-person IOP program approach, the True North Virtual IOP Experience offers programming written specifically to enhance participation and engagement via Zoom, with the goal of allowing our clients to receive the treatment they desire without the Zoom fatigue. 

Each three-hour therapist guided session consists of a two hour educational activity followed by one hour of experiential, self-paced group content.

Clients experience sessions 3x/week for 3 hours at a time.

virtual services include:

  • 9 hours/week of Intensive Outpatient Programming
  • Weekly sessions with Physician’s Assistant for medication management
  • Weekly individual therapy sessions
  • Bi-monthly family therapy sessions
  • UA Testing

the true north virtual iop experience group structure details:

Sessions begin with a mindfulness activity (i.e. movement, meditation, body sensations scan, art therapy). Group members participate in a community supportive check-in and process about current challenges and successes in recovery.

IOP Clinical Therapist leads an educational instruction on one of the twelve weekly topics (i.e. relapse prevention, life skills, relationship styles, interpersonal skills, stress management, models of addiction, neurobiology of addiction, emotional regulation, etc).

Clients take a short break

Therapist outlines the experiential self-paced group content to be completed for the remaining hour of group (i.e., watching and reflecting on a Ted Talk or documentary, completing and sharing a journal prompt, or practicing a specific mood regulation or interpersonal DBT skill).

Zoom group portion concludes.

Clients who are developing self-paced skills can access more guided support from the IOP therapist in order to complete their experiential activity.

Finding a Schedule That Works for You

Intensive outpatient (IOP) schedules vary depending on the drug and alcohol treatment provider. NorthStar Transitions offers both morning and evening in-person IOP groups, as well as an evening virtual IOP group. All IOP groups meet on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from either 9:30am-12:30pm or 5:30pm-8:30pm. Clients choose a group option upon admission where they will remain for the duration of the 12-week intensive outpatient curriculum.

Types of Therapy Offered

  • Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Motivational Interviewing (MI)
  • Life Skills Education
  • Relapse Prevention Workshop
  • Mindfulness Training
  • Somatic Experiencing
  • Experiential Therapy
  • Case Management

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Intensive Outpatient Curriculum Like?
Who Facilitates Our Intensive Outpatient Groups?
What if I am on Medications or Need Medical Care?
What About Individual and Family Therapy?
What About Drug and Alcohol Testing?
Can I Work or Go to School While Enrolled in Intensive Outpatient?
Is any Additional Support Offered to Intensive Outpatient Clients?
Does Insurance Cover Intensive Outpatient?
Is there an Attendance Requirement?
Where Will I Live While Participating in Intensive Outpatient?

The NorthStar Transitions IOP Difference

At NorthStar Transitions, we know how drug and alcohol use can negatively affect your life. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, we can help. Reach out today to find the support you need to achieve and maintain lifelong sobriety. You can get in touch by calling us at 866-407-2240 or completing our online contact form.

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