Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Recovery That Fits Your Life
San Diego IOP: Comprehensive Treatment Without Putting Life on Hold
Life doesn’t stop when you decide to get help—and it shouldn’t have to. Our Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) gives you the structure, support, and clinical care you need to overcome addiction while maintaining your work, school, or family responsibilities.
At Bonus Round Recovery, IOP isn’t just showing up for a few sessions and calling it good. It’s a comprehensive 12-week journey with daily therapy, personalized counseling, and a recovery community that becomes your foundation for lasting change.
What is IOP?
Structured Support, Flexible Scheduling
Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) is a level of addiction treatment that provides substantial therapeutic support while allowing you to live at home and maintain certain life commitments. It’s more intensive than traditional outpatient therapy but doesn’t require you to step away from your life completely.
IOP is perfect for:
- People who have completed higher levels of care (detox, residential, or PHP) and are stepping down
- Individuals with stable housing and supportive home environments
- Those who need comprehensive treatment but must continue working or attending school
- Anyone who wants intensive support without 24/7 supervision
- People committed to recovery and willing to do the daily work
IOP might not be right if:
- You need medical detox or 24/7 medical monitoring
- Your living environment includes active substance use or significant triggers
- You’re at immediate risk for severe withdrawal or medical complications
Not sure which level of care you need? We’ll help you figure it out during your pre-screening call.
Our IOP Program Structure
What Your 12 Weeks Will Look Like
Daily Group Therapy Every day, you’ll participate in therapeutic group sessions with 7-8 other people walking the same path. These aren’t boring lectures—they’re real conversations led by experienced clinicians who create a safe space to share, learn, and grow together.
Group topics include:
- Understanding addiction and the recovery process
- Identifying and managing triggers
- Building healthy coping mechanisms
- Processing emotions without substances
- Repairing relationships damaged by addiction
- Developing life skills for long-term success
- Relapse prevention strategies
Individual Therapy (1-2 Sessions Weekly) Your recovery is personal, and so is your treatment plan. You’ll meet one-on-one with a licensed therapist 1-2 times each week to work on your specific challenges, trauma, goals, and growth areas.
Individual sessions give you space to:
- Process difficult emotions privately
- Address underlying issues fueling addiction
- Work through personal trauma or mental health concerns
- Develop customized coping strategies
- Set and track personal recovery goals
Evidence-Based Treatment Modalities
We use therapies proven to work:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) – Learn to recognize and change the thought patterns that lead to substance use. CBT helps you rewire your brain’s response to triggers and stressors.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – Build skills in emotional regulation, distress tolerance, mindfulness, and interpersonal effectiveness. Especially helpful if you struggle with intense emotions or co-occurring mental health issues.
8:1 Client-to-Clinician Ratio We keep our groups small intentionally. With only 8 clients per clinician, you’re not lost in a crowd. You get real attention, meaningful connections, and personalized support in every session.
Flexible Scheduling Options We know you have responsibilities. Our IOP sessions are scheduled to work around employment, education, and family commitments. Treatment shouldn’t mean losing your job or neglecting your kids—we help you balance both.
The 12-Week IOP Journey
Why Three Months Makes the Difference
Recovery isn’t a quick fix, and real change takes time. Our 12-week program gives your brain time to heal, allows you to practice new skills repeatedly, and helps you build habits that stick.
Weeks 1-4: Building Your Foundation
- Assessment and personalized treatment planning
- Understanding your addiction patterns and triggers
- Building trust within your therapy group
- Learning basic coping skills and relapse prevention
- Establishing your support system
Weeks 5-8: Doing the Deep Work
- Addressing underlying trauma and pain
- Processing emotions you’ve been numbing with substances
- Developing advanced coping strategies
- Strengthening your recovery skills through practice
- Building healthy relationships and communication skills
Weeks 9-12: Preparing for Life After Treatment
- Solidifying your relapse prevention plan
- Practicing independence while maintaining support
- Connecting with ongoing resources (AA/NA, sober living, etc.)
- Planning your next steps and long-term goals
- Celebrating your progress and graduation
Each phase builds on the last, creating lasting transformation instead of temporary change.
Who IOP Helps
Is Our IOP Program Right for You?
IOP works best for individuals who:
✓ Have completed medical detox or are medically stable ✓ Are motivated to recover and willing to attend daily sessions ✓ Have stable, sober housing or live in our transitional housing ✓ Need to continue working, attending school, or caring for family ✓ Have transportation to get to treatment daily ✓ Are stepping down from residential or PHP treatment ✓ Want intensive support without leaving their life behind
We treat adults (18-80) struggling with:
- Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) – from daily drinking to severe dependence
- Opioid addiction – heroin, fentanyl, prescription painkillers
- Methamphetamine and stimulant addiction
- Cocaine and crack cocaine addiction
- Prescription drug misuse – benzos, Adderall, etc.
- Marijuana dependence
- Polysubstance use
- Co-occurring mental health disorders
What Makes Our IOP Different
The Bonus Round Recovery Advantage
Founders Who Understand Linnsey and Tony aren’t just running a program—they’re living examples of what’s possible. They’ve been in the groups, felt the shame, fought the cravings, and come out the other side thriving. When they say “we get it,” they actually do.
Real Community, Not Just Treatment The people in your IOP group become more than fellow clients—they become your recovery family. Long after graduation, these connections continue to support your sobriety.
Whole-Person Healing We don’t just focus on stopping substance use. We help you rebuild your health, finances, relationships, and sense of purpose. Recovery is about creating a life you don’t want to escape from.
Personalized Attention With our small group sizes and individual therapy sessions, your treatment plan adapts to your needs—not the other way around.
Available When You Need Us Monday through Sunday, 8am-8pm. If you’re struggling or have questions outside of group, we’re here.
San Diego Setting Beautiful Southern California weather and scenery support healing. There’s something about being near the ocean that reminds you life can be good again.
IOP Schedule & Time Commitment
What to Expect
Typical IOP Schedule:
- 3-5 days per week (varies by individual needs)
- 3-4 hours per session
- Morning, afternoon, or evening options available
- Flexible to accommodate work/school schedules
Weekly Time Commitment: Approximately 9-20 hours per week, depending on your treatment plan and level of care needed.
Program Length: 12 weeks (approximately 3 months)
The schedule is designed to provide intensive support while allowing you to maintain employment, education, or family responsibilities.
IOP Combined with Transitional Housing
Complete Immersion in Recovery
For those relocating to San Diego or needing a sober living environment, we offer transitional housing alongside IOP treatment. This combination provides:
24/7 Sober Environment – No substances, no triggers, complete focus on recovery
Peer Support Around the Clock – Live with others in the program who understand your journey
Structure and Accountability – House meetings, chores, and routines that support sobriety
Safe San Diego Location – Close to treatment facilities with easy access to all programming
12-Week Housing – Stay for the full program duration without worrying about housing logistics
This option is ideal if you’re willing to relocate to San Diego for treatment or need separation from negative influences back home.
Insurance & Costs for IOP
Making Treatment Accessible
We Accept:
- Out-of-network private insurance benefits
- Cash pay with flexible payment arrangements
- Currently expanding to in-network providers
Insurance Verification: Not sure what your insurance covers? We’ll verify your benefits for free—no obligation. Most private insurance plans include out-of-network coverage that can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
Life During IOP
What Your Days Will Look Like
Treatment Days: Arrive for your scheduled session, connect with your group, participate in therapy, and head home to practice your new skills in real life.
Non-Treatment Time: Work, spend time with family, attend support meetings, exercise, practice self-care—basically, start rebuilding your life while you’re still in treatment.
Throughout the Week:
- Daily group therapy sessions
- Individual counseling 1-2x per week
- Practicing coping skills in real-world situations
- Building healthy routines and habits
- Connecting with your recovery community
- Working on your personal goals
The Balance: IOP gives you enough structure to stay accountable while providing enough freedom to prove to yourself that you can handle life sober.
After IOP: Continuing Your Recovery
Graduation is Just the Beginning
Completing our 12-week IOP is a massive accomplishment—and we’ll celebrate it with you. But we also know recovery doesn’t end at graduation. We’ll prepare you for what comes next:
Aftercare Resources:
- Comprehensive list of local AA and NA meetings
- Sober living referrals if you need ongoing housing support
- Alumni network to stay connected with your recovery community
- Follow-up support and check-ins
- Crisis resources if you’re struggling
Next Steps Options:
- Step down to less intensive outpatient therapy
- Continue with community support groups
- Move into sober living for continued structure
- Return to independent living with strong support system
We’re invested in your long-term success, not just getting you through the program.
Getting Started with IOP
Begin Your Journey Today
Step 1: Contact Us Call 866-331-3898, email, or fill out our online form. We’re available Monday-Sunday, 8am-8pm.
Step 2: Insurance Verification We’ll verify your benefits and explain all costs upfront—no surprises.
Step 3: Pre-Screening Call A compassionate conversation to ensure IOP is the right level of care for your needs.
Step 4: Schedule Your Start Date Choose when to begin your 12-week journey to transformation.
Step 5: Start Treatment Show up for your first session and take the first step into your bonus round.
Frequently Asked Questions About IOP
Can I work during IOP? Yes! That’s the whole point. Our flexible scheduling allows you to maintain employment while receiving comprehensive treatment.
What if I relapse during the program? Relapse doesn’t mean failure or dismissal. It means we adjust your treatment plan and provide additional support. We’re here to help you through challenges, not punish you for them.
Do I need to complete detox before IOP? Yes. IOP is for individuals who are medically stable and have completed any necessary detox. If you still need detox, we’ll help you find appropriate resources first.
Can I attend IOP if I live outside San Diego? Yes, if you’re willing to relocate temporarily or commute. We also offer transitional housing for out-of-area clients.
What happens if IOP isn’t intensive enough? We’ll assess your progress throughout treatment. If you need more support, we can transition you to our PHP program for higher-level care.
Do you treat co-occurring mental health disorders? Absolutely. Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health conditions are common alongside addiction. Our DBT and CBT therapies address both.