General Outpatient (GOP)
General Outpatient characterizes the step down from 3 nights a week in the IOP (e.g. Intensive Outpatient Program) down to what is deemed clinically adequate for the recovering person. Research indicates that the proper recovery support is critical in sustaining sobriety, especially in the first year. To cut off necessary support too early in that first year often leads to relapses. As a result, it is common to step individuals down from 4 nights to 3 nights, and finally step down to 2 nights a week. Individuals continue to work with their individual therapist and substance abuse counselor during the course of their General Outpatient experience.
Sober and therapeutic experiences continue to support the recovering person to gain insight into their disease management as well as life pursuits and the corresponding stresses and coping skills required to be successful. Patients continue to experience the tailored blend of experiential experiences, therapeutic education and process groups combined with individual therapy providing the recovery support to assist the recovering person to manage their recovery and also engage in life pursuits.
